VZ 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission file number: 1-8606

Verizon Communications Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 395-1000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes x No

At September 30, 2011, 2,831,090,656 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding, after deducting 136,519,463 shares held in treasury.

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Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

(Unaudited)

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared based upon Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies and certain other information, you should refer to the financial statements included in the Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon or the Company) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations and financial condition for the interim periods shown including normal recurring accruals and other items. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

We have reclassified prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Revenue Recognition – Multiple Deliverable Arrangements

In both our Domestic Wireless and Wireline segments, we offer products and services to our customers through bundled arrangements. These arrangements involve multiple deliverables which may include products, services, or a combination of products and services.

On January 1, 2011, we prospectively adopted the accounting standard updates regarding revenue recognition for multiple deliverable arrangements, and arrangements that include software elements. These updates require a vendor to allocate revenue in an arrangement using its best estimate of selling price if neither vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) nor third party evidence (TPE) of selling price exists. The residual method of revenue allocation is no longer permissible. These accounting standard updates do not change our units of accounting for bundled arrangements, nor do they materially change how we allocate arrangement consideration to our various products and services. Accordingly, the adoption of these standard updates did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, we do not currently foresee any changes to our products, services or pricing practices that will have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements in periods after the initial adoption, although this could change.

Domestic Wireless

Our Domestic Wireless segment earns revenue primarily by providing access to and usage of its network. In general, access revenue is billed one month in advance and recognized when earned. Usage revenue is generally billed in arrears and recognized when service is rendered. Equipment sales revenue associated with the sale of wireless handsets and accessories is recognized when the products are delivered to and accepted by the customer, as this is considered to be a separate earnings process from providing wireless services. For agreements involving the resale of third-party services in which we are considered the primary obligor in the arrangements, we record the revenue gross at the time of the sale.

Wireless bundled service plans primarily consist of wireless voice and data services. The bundling of a voice plan with a text messaging plan (“Talk & Text”), for example, creates a multiple deliverable arrangement consisting of a voice component and a data component in the form of text messaging. For these arrangements, revenue is allocated to each deliverable using a relative selling price method. Under this method, arrangement consideration is allocated to each separate deliverable based on our standalone selling price for each product or service, up to the amount that is not contingent upon providing additional services. For equipment sales, we currently subsidize the cost of wireless devices. The amount of this subsidy is generally contingent on the arrangement and terms selected by the customer. The equipment revenue is recognized up to the amount collected when the wireless device is sold.

Wireline

Our Wireline segment earns revenue based upon usage of its network and facilities and contract fees. In general, fixed monthly fees for voice, video, data and certain other services are billed one month in advance and recognized when earned. Revenue from services that are not fixed in amount and are based on usage is generally billed in arrears and recognized when service is rendered.

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We sell each of the services offered in bundled arrangements (i.e., voice, video and data), as well as separately; therefore each product or service has a standalone selling price. For these arrangements revenue is allocated to each deliverable using a relative selling price method. Under this method, arrangement consideration is allocated to each separate deliverable based on our standalone selling price for each product or service. These services include FiOS services, individually or in bundles, and High Speed Internet.

When we bundle equipment with maintenance and monitoring services, we recognize equipment revenue when the equipment is installed in accordance with contractual specifications and ready for the customer’s use. The maintenance and monitoring services are recognized monthly over the term of the contract as we provide the services. Long-term contracts for network installation are accounted for using the percentage of completion method. We use the completed contract method if we cannot estimate the costs with a reasonable degree of reliability. For certain products and services, where neither VSOE nor TPE exists, we determine relative selling price based on our best estimate of the standalone selling price taking into consideration market conditions, as well as company specific factors such as geography, competitive landscape, internal costs and general pricing practices.

Leasing Arrangements

At each reporting period, we monitor the credit quality of the various lessees in our portfolios. Regarding the leveraged lease portfolio, external credit reports are used where available, and, where not available, we use internally developed indicators, or internal credit risk grades, that take into account historical loss experience, the value of the underlying collateral, delinquency trends, industry and general economic conditions. The credit quality of our lessees primarily varies from AAA to B-. All accounts are current as of the end of this reporting period. For each reporting period the leveraged leases within the portfolio are reviewed for indicators of impairment where it is probable the rent due according to the contractual terms of the lease will not be collected.

Earnings Per Common Share

Stock options and restricted stock units outstanding that were included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share totaled approximately 5 million and 6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Certain outstanding options to purchase shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the period, including approximately 19 million weighted-average shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

As a result of the Net loss attributable to Verizon for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share. If there had been net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, there would have been a total of approximately 2 million stock options and restricted stock units outstanding included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. There were a total of approximately 2 million stock options and restricted stock units outstanding included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2010. Certain outstanding options to purchase shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the period, including approximately 59 million weighted-average shares and 78 million weighted-average shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Recent Accounting Standards

In May 2011, an accounting standard update regarding fair value measurement was issued to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This standard update also changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 fair value measurements. We will adopt this standard update during the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, an accounting standard update regarding the presentation of comprehensive income was issued to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The update requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate, but consecutive statements. This standard update is effective during the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, an accounting standard update regarding testing of goodwill for impairment was issued. This standard update gives companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment to first assess whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. This standard update is effective during the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Terremark Worldwide, Inc.

During April 2011, we acquired Terremark Worldwide, Inc. (Terremark), a global provider of information technology infrastructure and cloud services, for $19 per share in cash. Closing and other direct acquisition-related costs totaled approximately $13 million after-tax. The acquisition was completed via a tender offer and subsequent “short-form” merger under Delaware law through which Terremark became a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon. The acquisition enhanced Verizon’s offerings to business and government customers globally.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of Terremark’s operations from the date the acquisition closed. Had this acquisition been consummated on January 1, 2011 or 2010, the results of Terremark’s acquired operations would not have had a significant impact on the consolidated net income attributable to Verizon. The debt obligations of Terremark that were outstanding at the time of its acquisition by Verizon were repaid during May 2011.

The acquisition of Terremark has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method. The cost of the acquisition was preliminarily allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired based on their fair values as of the close of the acquisition, with the excess amount being recorded as goodwill. The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired were determined using the income and cost approaches. The income approach was primarily used to value the intangible assets, consisting primarily of customer relationships. The cost approach was used, as appropriate, for plant, property and equipment. The fair value of the majority of the long-term debt acquired was primarily valued based on redemption prices. As the values of certain assets and liabilities are preliminary in nature, they are subject to adjustment as additional information is obtained. The valuations will be finalized within 12 months of the close of the acquisition. When the valuations are finalized, any changes to the preliminary valuation of assets and liabilities acquired may result in adjustments to the fair value of the identifiable intangible assets acquired and goodwill.

The following table summarizes the allocation of the acquisition cost to the assets acquired, including cash acquired of $0.1 billion, and liabilities acquired as of the acquisition date:

Intangible assets subject to amortization include customer lists which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 13 years, and other intangibles which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 5 years.

Telephone Access Line Spin-off

On July 1, 2010, we completed the spin-off of the shares of a newly formed subsidiary of Verizon (Spinco) to Verizon stockholders and the merger of Spinco with Frontier Communications Corporation (Frontier). Spinco held defined assets and liabilities that were used in Verizon’s local exchange businesses and related activities in 14 states. The total value of the transaction to Verizon and its stockholders was approximately $8.6 billion. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 include these operations prior to the completion of the spin-off.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded pre-tax charges of $0.1 billion and $0.5 billion, respectively, primarily for costs incurred related to network, non-network software and other activities to enable the divested markets in the transaction with Frontier to operate on a stand-alone basis subsequent to the closing of the transaction, and professional advisory and legal fees in connection with this transaction.

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Alltel Divestiture Markets

As a condition of the regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition of Alltel Corporation (Alltel) in January 2009, Verizon Wireless was required to divest overlapping properties in 105 operating markets in 24 states (Alltel Divestiture Markets). During the second quarter of 2010, AT&T Mobility acquired 79 of the 105 Alltel Divestiture Markets, including licenses and network assets, for approximately $2.4 billion in cash and Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. acquired the remaining 26 Alltel Divestiture Markets, including licenses and network assets, for $0.2 billion in cash.

During the second quarter of 2010, we recorded a tax charge of approximately $0.2 billion for the taxable gain associated with the Alltel Divestiture Markets.

Other

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we acquired various wireless licenses and markets, as well as a provider of cloud software technology, for cash consideration that was not significant.

During the third quarter of 2010, Verizon Wireless acquired the net assets and related customers of six operating markets in Louisiana and Mississippi in a transaction with AT&T Inc. for cash consideration of $0.2 billion. The purchase price allocation resulted in $0.1 billion of wireless licenses and $0.1 billion in goodwill.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded merger integration charges of $0.2 billion and $0.5 billion, respectively, for the Alltel acquisition primarily relating to handset conversions, the decommissioning of overlapping cell sites and trade name amortization.

Wireless Licenses

Changes in the carrying amount of Wireless licenses are as follows:

During the year ended December 31, 2010, approximately $12.2 billion of wireless licenses were under development for commercial service for which we were capitalizing interest costs. In December 2010, a substantial portion of these licenses were placed in service in connection with our deployment of fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution technology services. As of September 30, 2011, approximately $2.8 billion of wireless licenses remained under development for commercial service.

Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill are as follows:

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Other Intangible Assets

The following table displays the composition of Other intangible assets, net:

Customer lists and Other at September 30, 2011 include $0.4 billion related to the Terremark acquisition (see Note 2).

The amortization expense for other intangible assets was as follows:

Estimated annual amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows:

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Changes to debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 are as follows:

During March 2011, Verizon issued $6.25 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed and floating rate notes resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $6.19 billion, net of discounts and issuance costs. The net proceeds were used for the repayment of commercial paper, the retirement of certain outstanding notes issued by our telephone operating company subsidiaries and other general corporate purposes. The issuances consisted of the following: $1.0 billion Notes due 2014 that bear interest at a rate equal to three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 0.61%, $1.5 billion 1.95% Notes due 2014, $1.25 billion 3.00% Notes due 2016, $1.5 billion 4.60% Notes due 2021 and $1.0 billion 6.00% Notes due 2041. In addition, during 2011, we utilized $0.3 billion under fixed rate vendor financing facilities.

During April 2011, we redeemed $1.0 billion of 5.65% Verizon Pennsylvania Inc. Debentures due November 15, 2011 at a redemption price of 102.9% of the principal amount of the debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the date of redemption, and $1.0 billion of 6.50% Verizon New England Inc. Debentures due September 15, 2011 at a redemption price of 102.3% of the principal amount of the debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the date of redemption. We also terminated the related interest rate swaps with a notional value totaling $1.0 billion. In addition, during 2011, $0.5 billion of 5.35% Verizon Communications Notes matured and were repaid.

The debt obligations of Terremark that were outstanding at the time of its acquisition by Verizon were repaid during May 2011.

Verizon Wireless

During May 2011, Verizon Wireless repaid $4.0 billion aggregate principal amount of two-year fixed and floating rate notes.

Guarantees

During June 2011, we guaranteed the debentures and first mortgage bonds of our operating telephone company subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2011, $8.2 billion principal amount of these obligations remain outstanding. Each guarantee will remain in place for the life of the obligation unless terminated pursuant to its terms, including the operating telephone company no longer being a wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon.

We also guarantee the debt obligations of GTE Corporation that were issued and outstanding prior to July 1, 2003. As of September 30, 2011, $1.7 billion principal amount of these obligations remain outstanding.

Debt Covenants

We and our consolidated subsidiaries are in compliance with all of our debt covenants.

Credit Facility

As of September 30, 2011, the unused borrowing capacity under a $6.2 billion three-year credit facility with a group of major financial institutions was approximately $6.1 billion. On April 15, 2011, we amended this facility primarily to reduce fees and borrowing costs and extend the maturity date to October 15, 2014.

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The following table presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2011:

⁽¹⁾ quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

⁽²⁾ observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

⁽³⁾ no observable pricing inputs in the market

Equity securities consist of investments in common stock of domestic and international corporations in a variety of industry sectors and are generally measured using quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 1.

Fixed income securities consist primarily of investments in U.S. Treasuries and agencies, as well as municipal bonds. We use quoted prices in active markets for our U.S. Treasury securities, and therefore these securities are classified as Level 1. For all other fixed income securities that do not have quoted prices in active markets, we use alternative matrix pricing as a practical expedient resulting in these debt securities being classified as Level 2.

Derivative contracts are valued using models based on readily observable market parameters for all substantial terms of our derivative contracts and thus are classified within Level 2. We use mid-market pricing for fair value measurements of our derivative instruments.

We recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Fair Value of Short-term and Long-term Debt

The fair value of our short-term and long-term debt, excluding capital leases, which is determined based on market quotes for similar terms and maturities or future cash flows discounted at current rates, was as follows:

Derivative Instruments

We enter into derivative transactions to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and equity and commodity prices. We employ risk management strategies, which may include the use of a variety of derivatives including cross currency swaps, foreign currency and prepaid forwards and collars, interest rate and commodity swap agreements and interest rate locks. We do not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

We measure all derivatives, including derivatives embedded in other financial instruments, at fair value and recognize them as either assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments not qualifying as hedges or any ineffective portion of hedges are recognized in earnings in the current period. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments used effectively as fair value hedges are recognized in earnings, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of the effective portions of cash flow hedges are reported in Other comprehensive income and recognized in earnings when the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

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Interest Rate Swaps

We have entered into domestic interest rate swaps to achieve a targeted mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We principally receive fixed rates and pay variable rates based on LIBOR, resulting in a net increase or decrease to Interest expense. These swaps are designated as fair value hedges and hedge against changes in the fair value of our debt portfolio. We record the interest rate swaps at fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets and liabilities. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are recorded to Interest expense, which are offset by changes in the fair value of the debt due to changes in interest rates. The fair value of these contracts was $0.6 billion at September 30, 2011 and $0.3 billion at December 31, 2010, and is primarily included in Other assets and Long-term debt. As of September 30, 2011, the total notional amount of these interest rate swaps was $8.0 billion.

Forward Interest Rate Swaps

In order to manage our exposure to future interest rate changes, during 2010, we entered into forward interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $1.4 billion. We had designated these contracts as cash flow hedges. The fair value of these contracts was $0.1 billion at December 31, 2010 and the contracts were included in Other assets. On or before February 7, 2011, we terminated these forward interest rate swaps.

Cross Currency Swaps

Verizon Wireless has entered into cross currency swaps designated as cash flow hedges to exchange approximately $2.4 billion of British Pound Sterling and Euro-denominated debt into U.S. dollars and to fix our future interest and principal payments in U.S. dollars, as well as to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction gains or losses. The fair value of these swaps, primarily included in Other assets, was approximately $0.1 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, a pretax loss of $0.2 billion was recognized in Other comprehensive income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the pretax loss recognized in Other comprehensive income was not significant. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, a pretax gain of $0.2 billion and a pretax loss of $0.2 billion, respectively, were recognized in Other comprehensive income. A portion of these gains and losses recognized in Other comprehensive income was reclassified to Other income and (expense), net to offset the related pretax foreign currency transaction gain or loss on the underlying debt obligations.

Verizon Communications Long-Term Incentive Plan

The 2009 Verizon Communications Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan) permits the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance stock units and other awards. The maximum number of shares available for awards from the Plan is 119.6 million shares.

Restricted Stock Units

The Plan provides for grants of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) that generally vest at the end of the third year after the grant. The RSUs granted prior to January 1, 2010 are classified as liability awards because the RSUs will be paid in cash upon vesting. The RSU award liability is measured at its fair value at the end of each reporting period and, therefore, will fluctuate based on the performance of Verizon common stock. The RSUs granted subsequent to January 1, 2010 are classified as equity awards because the RSUs will be paid in Verizon common stock upon vesting. The RSU equity awards are measured using the grant date fair value of Verizon common stock and are not remeasured at the end of each reporting period. Dividend equivalent units are also paid to participants at the time the RSU award is paid, and in the same proportion as the RSU award.

Performance Stock Units

The Plan also provides for grants of Performance Stock Units (PSUs) that generally vest at the end of the third year after the grant. As defined by the Plan, the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors determines the number of PSUs a participant earns based on the extent to which the corresponding goal has been achieved over the three-year performance cycle. All payments are subject to approval by the Human Resources Committee. The PSUs are classified as liability awards because the PSU awards are paid in cash upon vesting. The PSU award liability is measured at its fair value at the end of each reporting period and, therefore, will fluctuate based on the price of Verizon common stock as well as performance relative to the targets. Dividend equivalent units are also paid to participants at the time that the PSU award is determined and paid, and in the same proportion as the PSU award.

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The following table summarizes the Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Stock Unit activity:

As of September 30, 2011, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of Verizon’s RSUs and PSUs was approximately $0.5 billion and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.

The RSUs granted in 2011 and 2010, and classified as equity awards, have a weighted average grant date fair value of $36.38 and $28.63 per unit, respectively.

Stock Options

The Plan provides for grants of stock options to participants at an option price per share of no less than 100% of the fair market value of Verizon common stock on the date of grant. Each grant has a 10-year life, vesting equally over a three-year period, starting at the date of the grant. We have not granted new stock options since 2004.

The following table summarizes Verizon’s stock option activity:

All stock options outstanding at September 30, 2011 were exercisable.

Verizon Wireless Long-Term Incentive Plan

The 2000 Verizon Wireless Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Wireless Plan) provides compensation opportunities to eligible employees of Verizon Wireless (the Partnership). The Wireless Plan provides rewards that are tied to the long-term performance of the Partnership. Under the Wireless Plan, Value Appreciation Rights (VARs) were granted to eligible employees. As of September 30, 2011, all VARs were fully vested. We have not granted new VARs since 2004.

The following table summarizes the Value Appreciation Rights activity:

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We maintain non-contributory defined benefit pension plans for many of our employees. In addition, we maintain postretirement health care and life insurance plans for our retirees and their dependents, which are both contributory and non-contributory, and include a limit on our share of the cost for certain recent and future retirees. In accordance with our accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefits, actuarial gains and losses are recognized in operating results in the year in which they occur. These gains and losses are measured annually as of December 31 or upon a remeasurement event.

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following table summarizes the benefit cost related to our pension and postretirement health care and life insurance plans:

Severance, Pension and Benefit Charges

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded net pre-tax severance, pension and benefits charges of $0.3 billion, including pension settlement losses, for our pension and postretirement plans in accordance with our accounting policy to recognize actuarial gains and losses upon a remeasurement event.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded net pre-tax severance, pension and benefits charges of $1.2 billion and $5.1 billion, respectively. The charges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 included remeasurement losses of $1.2 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, for our pension and postretirement plans in accordance with our accounting policy to recognize actuarial gains and losses upon a remeasurement event. The remeasurement losses included $0.1 billion of pension settlement losses related to employees that received lump sum distributions primarily resulting from our previously announced separation plans. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we reached an agreement with certain unions on temporary enhancements to the separation programs contained in their existing collective bargaining agreements. These temporary enhancements were intended to help address a previously declared surplus of employees and to help reduce the need for layoffs. Accordingly, we recorded severance, pension and benefits charges associated with the approximately 11,900 union-represented employees who volunteered for the incentive offer. These charges included $1.0 billion for severance for the 2010 separation programs mentioned above and a planned workforce reduction of approximately 2,500 employees in 2011. In addition, we recorded $1.2 billion for pension and postretirement curtailment losses and special termination benefits that were due to the workforce reductions, which caused the elimination of a significant amount of future service.

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Severance Payments

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we paid severance benefits of $0.1 billion and $0.4 billion, respectively. At September 30, 2011, we had a remaining severance liability of $1.2 billion, a portion of which includes future contractual payments to employees separated as of September 30, 2011.

Employer Contributions

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we contributed $25 million to our nonqualified pension plans and $0.4 billion to our other postretirement benefit plans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we contributed $0.4 billion to our qualified pension trusts, $0.1 billion to our nonqualified pension plans and $1.1 billion to our other postretirement benefit plans. We do not expect to make additional qualified pension plan contributions during the remainder of 2011.

Medicare Part D Subsidy

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, both of which became law in March 2010 (collectively the Health Care Act), beginning in 2013, Verizon and other companies that receive a subsidy under Medicare Part D to provide retiree prescription drug coverage will no longer receive a federal income tax deduction for the expenses incurred in connection with providing the subsidized coverage to the extent of the subsidy received. Because future anticipated retiree prescription drug plan liabilities and related subsidies are already reflected in Verizon’s financial statements, this change required Verizon to reduce the value of the related tax benefits recognized in its financial statements in the period during which the Health Care Act was enacted. As a result, Verizon recorded a one-time, non-cash income tax charge of $1.0 billion in the first quarter of 2010 to reflect the impact of this change.

Equity

Changes in the components of Total equity were as follows:

Noncontrolling interests included in our condensed consolidated financial statements primarily consist of Vodafone Group Plc’s 45% ownership interest in Verizon Wireless. On July 28, 2011, the Board of Representatives of Verizon Wireless declared a distribution to its owners, payable on January 31, 2012 in proportion to their partnership interests on that date, in the aggregate amount of $10 billion. As a result, based on current ownership interests in Verizon Wireless, we will receive a cash payment of $5.5 billion and Vodafone Group Plc will receive a cash payment of $4.5 billion on the distribution date, which is included in Other current liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

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Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting equity that, under generally accepted accounting principles, are excluded from net income. Significant changes in the components of Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax expense (benefit), are described below.