Transfers Between Levels
The availability of observable market data is monitored to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period.
The significance of transfers between levels are evaluated based upon the nature of the financial instrument and size of the transfer relative to total net assets available for benefits. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no transfers between levels.
4. | Federal Income Tax Status |
The Plan is a qualified employees’ profit sharing trust under Section 401(k) of the IRC and, as such, is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(a). Pursuant to Section 402(a) of the IRC, a participant is not taxed on the income and pre-tax contributions allocated to the participant’s account until such time as the participant or the participant’s beneficiaries receive distributions from the Plan.
The Plan obtained its latest determination letter on May 19, 2016, in which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stated that the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. In December 2016, the IRS began publishing a Required Amendments List (List) for individually designed plans which specifies changes in qualification requirements. The List is published annually and requires plans to be amended for each item on the List, as applicable, to retain its tax exempt status. The Plan has been amended since applying for the determination letter; however, the Plan administrator believes that the Plan is currently designed and operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.
5. | Exempt Party-In-Interest Transactions |
At December 31, 2019, the Plan held 5.1 million shares of common stock of Dominion Energy, the named fiduciary of the plan, with a cost basis of $379.1 million. At December 31, 2018, the Plan held 7.2 million shares of common stock of SCANA Corporation, the sponsoring employer, with a cost basis of $289.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Plan recorded dividend income of $18.9 million.
In addition, the Plan issues loans to participants, which qualify as permitted party-in-interest transactions. Such loans are secured by the vested balances in the participants’ accounts.
The Trustee is a party-in-interest. Any administrative expenses for record keeping, servicing fees and other expenses paid to the Trustee during 2019 qualify as permitted party-in-interest transactions.
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, Dominion Energy has the right under the Plan to discontinue contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA.
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