Thoroughbred Retirement Investment Plan of NSC

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORM 11-K

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D. C.   20549

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

[X]        Annual Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

            [Fee Required]

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

 

OR

 

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

            [No Fee Required]

 

For the transition period from                     to                   

 

Commission file number 1-8339

 

a.   Full title of the Plan:

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

 

b.   Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the Plan and the

    address of its principal executive office:

 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

Three Commercial Place

Norfolk, VA    23510

 

THE VANGUARD GROUP, INC.

P. O. Box 2900

Valley Forge, PA   19482

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

VANGUARD RETIREMENT SAVINGS TRUST

P. O. Box 2900

Valley Forge, PA   19482

 

WESTERN ASSET FUNDS, INC.

Western Asset Management Company

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA   91101

 

THE ROYCE FUNDS

1414 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY   10019

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Board of Managers of the Thoroughbred Retirement Investment Plan of Norfolk Southern Corporation and Participating Subsidiary Companies has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN

OF NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

 

 

 

Date: June 23, 2010                                                                 BY:   /s/G. W. Dana  

                                                                                                           G. W. Dana

                                                                                                         Secretary, Board of Managers


 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                         Page

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm                                                                     4

Statements of Assets Available for Benefits                                                                                            5

Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits                                                                          6

Notes to Financial Statements                                                                                                                  7

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                     Schedule

 

Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)                                            1               16

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index                                                                                                                                         17

 


 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Managers
Thoroughbred Retirement Investment Plan of Norfolk Southern Corporation

   and Participating Subsidiary Companies:

 

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets available for benefits of the Thoroughbred Retirement Investment Plan of Norfolk Southern Corporation and Participating Subsidiary Companies (the Plan) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statements of changes in 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 assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the changes in 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 of the Plan (Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2009) 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 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/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

Norfolk, VA

June 23, 2010

 

 

 

 


THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

Statements of Assets Available for Benefits

December 31, 2009 and 2008

 

 

 

      2009

     2008

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

   Investments (notes 4, 5 and 8):

 

 

 

 

      Interest in Master Trust for Norfolk

 

 

 

 

        Southern Corporation common stock

$

206,505,848

$

187,622,898

      Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

         Equity growth and income funds

 

95,763,901

 

71,081,721

         Balanced funds

 

67,467,299

 

51,726,022

         International stock fund

 

25,156,433

 

15,990,723

         Bond fund

 

10,984,544

 

10,584,935

      Common collective trust - stable value fund

 

52,837,088

 

51,813,283

 

 

 

 

 

            Assets available for benefits at fair value

 

458,715,113

 

388,819,582

 

 

 

 

 

      Adjustment from fair value to contract value for

 

 

 

 

        fully benefit-responsive investment contracts (note 1)

 

(1,142,249)

 

677,392

 

 

 

 

 

            Assets available for benefits

$

457,572,864

$

389,496,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 


THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits

Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

 

 

 

     2009

     2008

 

 

 

 

 

  Investment income (loss) (note 8):

 

 

 

 

     Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value

 

 

 

 

        of investments (note 4)

$

58,908,892 

$

(90,062,951)

     Dividends

 

9,902,857 

 

11,407,324 

     Interest

 

1,555,363 

 

1,836,617 

     

 

 

 

 

           Total investment income (loss)

 

 70,367,112 

 

(76,819,010)

 

 

 

 

 

  Contributions:

 

 

 

 

     Employee contributions

 

32,292,234 

 

36,657,586 

     Employer contributions

 

3,571,705 

 

3,899,213 

 

 

 

 

 

           Total contributions

 

35,863,939 

 

40,556,799 

 

 

 

 

 

  Distributions:

 

 

 

 

     Benefits paid (note 9)

 

(35,895,741)

 

(42,439,121)

     Assets transferred out to BLE

 

 

 

 

        Section 401(k) Plan (note 2)

 

(1,290,473)

 

(3,801,989)

     Assets transferred out to Thrift and

 

 

 

 

        Investment Plan (note 2)

 

(722,853)

 

(5,576,320)

     Administrative expenses (note 2)

 

(246,094)

 

(245,609)

 

 

 

 

 

           Total distributions (note 9)

 

(38,155,161)

 

(52,063,039)

 

 

 

 

 

           Net increase (decrease)

 

68,075,890 

 

(88,325,250)

 

 

 

 

 

  Assets available for benefits:

 

 

 

 

           Beginning of year

 

389,496,974 

 

477,822,224 

 

 

 

 

 

           End of year

$

457,572,864 

$

389,496,974 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 


THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2009 and 2008

 

  l.          Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

              (a)       Basis of Presentation

 

           The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis.

 

The Thoroughbred Retirement Investment Plan of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) and Participating Subsidiary Companies (the Plan) meets the definition of a defined contribution employee benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), and is thus subject to the reporting and disclosure, participation and vesting, fiduciary responsibility, and administration and enforcement provisions of Title I of ERISA.   As an individual account plan, however, the Plan is not subject to the funding provisions of Title I or to the benefit guaranty provisions of Title IV of ERISA.

 

As described in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 946, "Financial Services - Investment Companies," and ASC 962, "Plan Accounting - Defined Contribution Pension Plans," 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 assets available for benefits of a defined-contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.   As required by the ASC, the Statements of Assets Available for Benefits present the fair value of the investment contract as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive investment contract from fair value to contract value.   The Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits reflect such investment contracts on a contract value basis.

 

              (b)       Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.   Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

              (c)       Investments

 

The presentation of investments at fair value in the accompanying financial statements of the Plan is required by and is in accordance with U.S. GAAP.   Fair value is based on quotations from national securities exchanges; where securities are not listed on an exchange, quotations are obtained from brokerage firms.   Fair value for investments in the Common collective trust-stable value fund is based on the estimated fair value of the underlying assets held in the fund.

 

The Plan's investment in NS common stock (NS Stock) is included in a Master Trust with investments in NS Stock held by the Thrift and Investment Plan (TIP) of NS and Participating Subsidiary Companies.   The NS Stock Fund consists of shares of NS Stock, measured at fair value, and a small cash balance for liquidity purposes, and is divided into units (rather than shares of stock) for the purpose of valuing the assets of the participating plans and the participants' accounts.   A unit represents a proportionate ownership interest in investments of the Master Trust.

 

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

A unit value is calculated daily by dividing the total value of NS Stock and cash, reduced by any unpaid commissions and fees associated with the Master Trust's transactions, by the total number of units credited to participants of both plans in the Master Trust.   Units are allocated among the plans based on total units credited to participants of each plan.   The Plan's percentage of Master Trust investment assets was 41.9% at December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.   The Plan's interest in the fair value of Master Trust investment assets was $206,505,848 at December 31, 2009, and $187,622,898 at December 31, 2008.

 

Investment income for the Master Trust was as follows:

 

 

      Years Ended December 31,

           

      2009

      2008

 

 

 

 

 

Net appreciation (depreciation)

    in fair value

$

 53,781,984 

$

(25,553,618)

Dividends and interest

 

13,096,156 

 

11,755,139 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total investment income (loss)

$

66,878,140 

$

(13,798,479)

 

(d)                Payment of Benefits

 

Benefit payments to participants are recorded upon distribution.

 

(e)                 Revenue Recognition

 

Unrealized and realized appreciation and depreciation in the fair value of investments are recognized in the financial statements in the periods in which such changes occur.   Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (the date that the order to buy or sell is executed).   Interest is accrued when it is earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

(f)         New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2009-12, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820) - Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)."  The Plan adopted the guidance on estimating the fair value of its investments in investment companies when the investment does not have a readily determinable fair value.  The provisions permit the use of the investment's net asset value as a practical expedient to determine fair value.  This guidance also required additional disclosure of the attributes of these investments such as:  (i) the nature of any restrictions on the reporting entity's ability to redeem its investment; (ii) unfunded commitments; and (iii) investment strategies of the investees.  This guidance is effective for periods ending after December 15, 2009.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Statements of Assets Available for Benefits or the Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits and all applicable disclosures are included in these financial statements.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 168, "The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162" (ASU 2009-01).   This statement, effective for reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009, established the FASB

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

ASC as the single source of authoritative GAAP.   SFAS 168 is recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities and stated that all guidance contained in the ASC has an equal level of authority.   The authoritative accounting guidance recognized that rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.   The Plan has adopted the provisions of the authoritative accounting guidance for the reporting period ending December 31, 2009, the adoption of which did not have a material effect on the Statements of Assets Available for Benefits or the Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, the Plan adopted SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" (ASC 820), related to financial instrument assets and liabilities.   This statement, effective for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2007, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.   Adoption did not have a material effect on the Statements of Assets Available for Benefits or the Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits.

 

2.          Plan Description

 

The following is a brief discussion of the Plan in effect during 2009 and not the complete text of the plan document.   Participants should refer to the plan document for more complete information.   Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are defined in the plan document.

 

            (a)         General Information

 

The Plan was established effective April l, l995, by the Board of Directors of NS.

 

The purpose of the Plan is to encourage retirement savings among eligible employees.   Generally, Agreement Employees of NS or any participating subsidiary shall be eligible to become a member of the Plan (Member) on the first day of the calendar month after the expiration of twelve (12) months following the date on which he or she first is employed by and receives compensation from NS or an affiliated employer within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code).

 

A portion of the Plan is intended to be an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code.   The ESOP is designed to invest primarily in NS Stock, which is a qualifying security within the meaning of Sections 409(1) and 4975(e)(8) of the Code.

 

The Plan is administered by a Board of Managers (Managers), the members of which are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of NS.   The Managers receive no remuneration with respect to their service in such capacity.   The Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company is the Plan's independent trustee, and The Vanguard Group, Inc. is the Plan's record keeper.   NS and the participating subsidiary companies in their discretion pay certain administrative costs arising under the Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

(b)         Vesting

 

At all times a Member shall have a fully vested interest in all account balances including their Pre-Tax Contributions Account, Catch-Up Contributions Account, Matching Contributions Account, Thoroughbred Work Incentive Stock Transfer (TWIST) Account, After-Tax Contributions Account and Rollover Account, hereinafter generally referred to as Accounts.

 

              (c)       Pre-Tax, Catch-Up, Matching, TWIST and After-Tax Contributions Accounts

 

A Member may elect that NS contribute to the Member's Pre-Tax Contributions Account an amount equal to not less than 1% nor more than 10% of the Member's Compensation, as defined in the Plan.   Annual Pre-Tax Contributions are limited as provided in Section 402(g) of the Code.   The maximum annual Pre-Tax Contribution for 2009 and 2008 was $16,500 and $15,500 per year, respectively.

 

A Member who is at least age 50, or will attain age 50 by the end of the calendar year, and is contributing or expected to contribute the maximum allowable amount to his or her Pre-Tax Contributions Account, is eligible to make Catch-Up Contributions.   Each Catch-Up-Eligible Member may elect that NS contribute an amount equal to not less than 1% nor more than 75% of the Member's Compensation as defined in the Plan.   Catch-Up Contributions are not eligible for Matching Contributions.   Annual Catch-Up Contributions are limited as provided in Code Section 414(v)(2)(B)(i).   The maximum annual Catch-Up Contribution for 2009 and 2008 was $5,500 and $5,000 per year, respectively.

 

NS contributes to the Member's Matching Contributions Account thirty percent (30%) of the Member's Pre-Tax Contributions not to exceed the lesser of forty-five dollars ($45) per month or one and eight-tenths percent (1.8%) of the Member's Compensation.   In addition, each Member is allowed to contribute to the Member's After-Tax Contributions Account an amount equal to not less than 1% nor more than 5% of the Member's Compensation.   On or before November 15, 1999, NS contributed to the Member's TWIST Account the amount each Member was entitled to have contributed to the Plan on their behalf under the Special Work Incentive Program.

 

              (d)       Rollover Account

 

A Member can contribute eligible rollover distributions from a tax-qualified retirement plan of a former employer or from an individual retirement account.

 

(e)         Income and Dividends

 

Income received, in the form of dividends or otherwise, from investments held is retained in the respective Accounts of each Member and is reinvested in the investment option from which such income was distributed.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, all dividends paid with respect to NS Stock held in the NS Stock Fund shall, at the Member's election, either (i) be paid to the Plan and distributed in cash to the Members as soon as practicable, which is included in benefits paid in the Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits, or (ii) be paid to the Plan and reinvested in the NS Stock Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

            (f)         Distributions and Withdrawals

 

Except as hereinafter provided, the account balances of a Member will be held by the Trustee until the earlier of the Member's retirement, disability, death, or separation from service.   If a Member retires prior to Normal Retirement Age, incurs a disability or separates from service and the value of the Member's interest in the Plan is greater than $5,000, no distribution of account balances will be made to the Member prior to the earlier of Normal Retirement Age or death without the Member's consent.   If the value of the Member's interest in the Plan does not exceed $5,000, then the account balances will be distributed to the Member as soon as practicable; however, if the distribution is greater than $1,000 but does not exceed $5,000, and the Member does not elect to have the distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement plan or receive the distribution directly, then the Plan Administrator will transfer the amount in a direct rollover to an individual retirement account for the Member.

 

The normal form of payment under the Plan is a single lump sum, but a Member may elect that the portion of their account that is invested in the NS Stock Fund be distributed in whole shares of NS Stock rather than cash.   A Member generally may request that a distribution from the Plan be made directly to another eligible retirement plan as the Member directs.

 

A Member may withdraw, no more than once during each three-month period measured from the beginning of the plan year, all or a portion of the balance of their After-Tax Contributions Account.   The amount of the withdrawal may not be less than $500.

 

A Member may withdraw all or a portion of the balance of the Member's TWIST Account.

 

A Member may make a written request for a hardship withdrawal as described in the plan document.

 

              (g)       Transfers with other Plans

 

If a Member becomes eligible for TIP, the Member may transfer his Plan balance to TIP and, if the Member does not elect to do so, the balance will be automatically transferred from the Plan to TIP as of the calendar quarter following the quarter in which the Member becomes eligible for TIP.

 

A Member may be allowed to directly transfer their Accounts to another Code Section 401(k) plan of an affiliate or to another plan of NS or to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers 401(k) Savings Plan for Employees of Norfolk Southern Carriers (BLE Section 401(k) Plan) if the Managers determine that the transferee plan is comparable to this Plan, and the employee is eligible to participate in such other plan.

 

A Member who does not have an outstanding loan under the BLE Section 401(k) Plan may be allowed to transfer their account from the BLE Section 401(k) Plan as a direct transfer to this Plan.

 

              (h)       Plan Termination

 

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, NS has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA.   In the event of plan termination, Members would remain 100% vested in their employer contributions.

 

 

 

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

3.          Investment Program

 

A Member must make an initial investment election which will apply to the Member's Accounts.   If a Member does not make an affirmative initial investment election, the Member will be deemed to have allocated all contributions to the Vanguard Wellington Fund.

 

A Member may elect at any time to exchange the existing balances in the Member's Accounts invested in any option to another option(s), subject to any frequent trading policy or similar restriction.

 

  4.         Investments

 

Investments at fair value that represent 5% or more of the Plan's assets available for benefits at December 31, 2009 or 2008, are separately identified in the following table:                                    

 

     2009

      2008

Common stock:

 

 

 

 

      Interest in Master Trust for NS Stock

$

206,505,848

$

187,622,898

 

 

 

 

 

Value of interests in registered

 

 

 

 

    investment companies:

 

 

 

 

      Vanguard Wellington Fund

 

52,847,423

 

41,533,192

      Vanguard 500 Index Fund

 

36,544,992

 

25,291,788

      Vanguard Windsor II Fund

 

26,319,797

 

21,132,864

      Vanguard Growth Index Fund

 

26,300,782

 

19,740,426

      Vanguard International Growth Fund

 

25,156,433

 

15,990,722

 

 

 

 

 

Value of interest in common collective trust:

 

 

 

 

      Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust

      (stable value fund)

 

52,837,088

 

51,813,283

 

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Plan's investments appreciated (depreciated) in value by $58,908,892 and ($90,062,951), respectively.   In both 2009 and 2008, the Plan's net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments included realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year.   The details of total gains (losses) by investment type are as follows:

 

 

      2009

          2008

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

$

21,642,819 

$

(10,711,635)

Mutual funds

 

37,266,073 

 

(79,351,316)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

58,908,892 

$

(90,062,951)

 

5.          Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820-10, "Fair Value Measurements," established a framework for measuring fair value and a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels, as follows:

 

 

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

Level 1

Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.

Level 2

Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

·          Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

·          Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

·          Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

·          Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3

Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

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

 

            Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value.   There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

            Interest in Master Trust for NS Stock:   Valued at the Plan's share of NS Stock, based upon the closing price reported on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at year end, and cash balances held by the Master Trust.

 

Mutual funds:   Valued at the net asset value (NAV) of shares held by the Plan as of the close of the NYSE at year end.

 

Common collective trust - stable value fund:   The Plan's holdings of the stable value fund units (Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust) are valued at NAV, which is used as a practical expedient for fair value.   There are no imposed redemption restrictions and the Plan does not have any contractual obligations to further invest in the trust.   The underlying investments of that trust consist of traditional investment contracts, valued based upon expected future cash flows for each contract discounted to present value; alternative investment contracts, valued based upon the aggregate market values of the underlying investments in mutual funds and bond trusts, and the value of the wrap contracts; and investments in mutual funds and bond trusts, valued at the NAV of each fund or trust determined as of the close of the NYSE at year end.

 

            The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.   Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan's assets at fair value as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 (there were no level 3 valued assets):

 

2009

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest in Master Trust for NS Stock

$

206,505,848

$

--

$

206,505,848

Mutual funds

 

199,372,177

 

                   --

 

199,372,177

Common collective trust -

  stable value fund

 

                    --

 

52,837,088

 

    52,837,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Total investments

$

405,878,025

$

52,837,088

$

458,715,113

 

 

2008

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest in Master Trust for NS Stock

$

187,622,898

$

--

$

187,622,898

Mutual funds

 

149,383,401

 

                   --

 

149,383,401

Common collective trust -

  stable value fund

 

                    --

 

51,813,283

 

    51,813,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Total investments

$

337,006,299

$

51,813,283

$

388,819,582

 

  6.         Federal Income Taxes

 

The Internal Revenue Service determined and informed NS by a letter dated October 2, 2003, that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Code.   Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Plan administrator and the Plan's tax counsel believe that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code.   Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan's financial statements.

 

7.          Plan Amendments

 

            The Plan was amended effective January 1, 2008, to increase the Catch-Up Contribution limit to 75% of the Member's Compensation.

 

            The Plan was amended effective January 1, 2008, so that if a Member becomes eligible for TIP, the employee's Plan balance is transferred to TIP as of the calendar quarter following the quarter in which the employee becomes eligible for TIP.

 

8.          Related Party Transactions

 

Certain plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by The Vanguard Group, Inc.   The Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company and The Vanguard Group, Inc. are the independent trustee and the record keeper, respectively, as defined by the Plan; therefore, fees paid to these entities for trustee, administrative and other transactions qualify as exempt party-in-interest transactions under ERISA and the Code.

The Plan, through the NS Stock Fund, holds NS Stock.   NS is the employer and Plan Sponsor.   The investment in the NS Stock Fund qualifies as an exempt party-in-interest transaction under ERISA and the Code.

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

9.          Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

 

        The following is a reconciliation of benefit claims payable and benefits paid to participants per the financial statements to Form 5500:

 

 

          December 31,

 

          2009

         2008

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit claims payable to participants per the financial statements

$

-- 

$

-- 

Add:   Current accruals for withdrawing participants

 

85,498

 

45,209 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit claims payable to participants per Form 5500

$

85,498

$

45,209 

 

 

Year Ended       

December 31, 2009

Total distributions per the financial statements, excluding

  administrative expenses

$

 37,909,067

Add:   Current accruals for withdrawing participants

 

        85,498

Less:   Prior year accruals paid in current year

 

       (45,209)

 

 

 

Benefits paid to participants per Form 5500

$

 37,949,356 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

 

                                                                                                                                                Schedule 1

 

Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2009

 

Identity of issue, borrower,

   lessor or similar party   

Description of investment including

maturity date, rate of interest,

   collateral, par or maturity value   

 

Cost

 

Current   value  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock -

 

 

 

 

 

   Interest in Master Trust for NS Stock*

11,713,321 units of NS Stock Fund

$

127,476,742

$

206,505,848 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of Interests in Registered Investment Companies :

 

 

 

 

 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

1,831,800 shares of Vanguard Wellington Fund

 

53,963,324

 

52,847,423 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

   355,946 shares of Vanguard 500 Index Fund

 

38,088,106

 

36,544,992 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

1,111,478 shares of Vanguard Windsor II Fund

 

30,314,796

 

26,319,797 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

   962,693 shares of Vanguard Growth Index Fund

 

24,857,159

 

26,300,782 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

1,480,661 shares of Vanguard International Growth Fund

 

27,894,569

 

25,156,433 

   Western Asset Funds, Inc.

1,034,326 shares of Western Asset Core Bond

 

10,765,711

 

10,984,544

   The Royce Funds

   262,728 shares of Royce Premier Fund

 

4,303,448

 

4,285,096 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

   313,306 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2015

 

3,716,839

 

3,543,492 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

   112,803 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2010

 

2,418,044

 

2,314,724 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

   151,390 shares of Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund

 

2,789,976

 

2,313,234 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

   107,003 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2020

 

2,253,311

 

2,135,775 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

     68,626 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2030

 

1,365,171

 

1,325,177 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

     84,050 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2025

 

971,402

 

951,442 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

   103,775 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2035

 

1,188,246

 

1,205,870 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

     61,312 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement Income

 

634,326

 

649,294 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

     49,224 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2040

 

894,182

 

937,724 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

     65,301 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2045

 

762,829

 

784,924 

   The Vanguard Group, Inc.*

     22,794 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2005

 

230,900

 

250,276 

 

     27,273 shares of Vanguard Target Retirement 2050

 

497,780

 

521,178 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

207,910,119

 

199,372,177 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of Interest in Common Collective Trust -

 

 

 

 

 

   Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust*

51,694,839 units of Stable Value Fund

 

51,694,839

 

52,837,088 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments at fair value

 

387,081,700

 

458,715,113 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for

 

 

 

 

 

   Fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

 

--

 

(1,142,249)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments at contract value

$

387,081,700

$

457,572,864 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          *Party-in-interest

 

          See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

 

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLAN OF

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARY

COMPANIES

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number                                                                    Description                                           

 

   23                                           Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm