f11kessop.htm




SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

-------------

FORM 11-K

-------------
 

 
[ X ]
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014
   
or
   
 
[    ]
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
 
1934
   
 
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
   
 
Commission File Number: 001-10607

 
-------------
 
 
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN


-------------


OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
307 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601















Total Pages: 18
 
 
 
 

 





SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Administration Committee has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on behalf of the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



     
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION EMPLOYEES
     
   SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN, Registrant
         
     
By:
  /s/ Karl W. Mueller
       
Karl W. Mueller, Member of the Administration Committee




Date: June 30, 2015



 
 

 



















OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

REPORT ON AUDITS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013




















 
 

 


OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE


 
 
 
Pages
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
1
   
Financial Statements:
 
   
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of
 
 
  December 31, 2014 and 2013
2
   
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the
 
 
  years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
3
   
 
Notes to Financial Statements
4 - 12
   
Supplemental Schedule:
 
     
 
Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) at December 31, 2014
14




    





















Note
Supplemental schedules required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended that have not been included herein are not applicable.

 
 

 


 








Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 

To the Participants and Administrator of the
Old Republic International Corporation Employees Savings and Stock Ownership Plan

 
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Old Republic International Corporation Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan (the "Plan") as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statements of changes in net 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 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.  The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  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 net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The supplemental information in the accompanying schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2014, has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan’s financial statements. The supplemental information is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but includes supplemental information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.   The supplemental information is the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental information reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental information. In forming our opinion on the supplemental information in the accompanying schedule, we have evaluated whether the supplemental information, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  In our opinion, the supplemental information is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

 

/s/ Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
                                                         
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
                                                         
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013
                                                         
           
2014
 
2013
           
Participant
 
Non-Participant
             
Participant
 
Non-Participant
           
           
Directed
 
Directed
 
Unallocated
Combined
 
Directed
 
Directed
 
Unallocated
Combined
           
Account
 
Account
 
    Account
 
Account
 
Account
 
Account
 
    Account
 
Account
                                                         
ASSETS;
                                                   
Investments, at fair value:
                                             
 
Old Republic International Corporation:
                                         
   
Common shares
 
$
6,261,850
 
$
162,421,205
 
$
28,296,673
 
$
196,979,728
 
$
6,474,623
 
$
191,852,574
 
$
43,608,356  
$
241,935,553
 
Mutual funds
   
305,691,547
   
155,409
   
-
   
305,846,956
   
275,642,267
    125,296    
-
   
275,767,563
  Short-term investments    
-
   
-
   
954,692
   
954,692
   
-
   
-
    1,143,945    
1,143,945
 
   Total investments
   
311,953,397
   
162,576,614
   
29,251,365
   
503,781,376
   
282,116,890
    191,977,870     44,752,301    
518,847,061
                                                         
Receivables:                                            
    Contributions from employers
-
   
-
   
4,544,433
   
4,544,433
   
-
   
87,813
    3,955,728    
4,043,541
    Contributions from employees
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
    93,305    
-
   
-
   
93,305
            Funds in course of settlement  
52,765
   
-
   
-
   
52,765
   
233,669
   
-
   
-
   
233,669
            Accrued interest and dividends   -     -     16     16     -     -     18     18
 
   Total receivables
   52,765    
-
    4,544,449     4,597,215     326,974     87,813     3,955,746      4,370,533
                                                         
 
   TOTAL ASSETS
 
 
312,006,162
 
 
162,576,614
 
 
33,795,815  
 
508,378,591
 
 
282,443,864  
 
192,065,683  
 
48,708,047  
 
523,217,594
                                                         
LIABILITIES:
                                                 
Notes payable
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
25,050,000
 
 
25,050,000
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
30,150,000  
 
30,150,000
Unpaid anti-discrimination refunds
 
1,010,992
   
-
   
-
   
1,010,992
   
385,615
   
-
   
-
   
385,615
Unpaid administrative expenses
 
-
   
25,253
   
-
   
25,253
   
-
    25,855    
-
   
25,855
     TOTAL LIABILITIES    
1,010,992
   
25,253
   
25,050,000
   
26,086,245
   
385,615
    25,855     30,150,000    
30,561,470
                                                         
                                                         
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS $   310,995,170   $  
 162,551,362
  8,745,815   482,292,347   282,058,250   192,039,826   18,558,047   492,656,124
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                           

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2

 

OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
  EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
                                                           
  STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
                                                           
  For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
                                                           
             
2014
 
2013
             
Participant
 
Non-Participant
             
Participant
 
Non-Participant
           
             
Directed
 
Directed
 
Unallocated
Combined
 
Directed
 
Directed
 
Unallocated
 
Combined
             
Account
 
Account
 
Account
 
Account
 
Account
 
Account
 
Account
 
Account
                                                           
 
Additions (Reductions):
                                                 
   
Employer contributions
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
4,544,433
 
$
4,544,433
 
$
-
 
$
89,813
 
$
3,955,728
 
$
4,045,541
   
Common shares committed for
                                             
     
release to participants
                                             
     
(590,939 shares at
                                             
     
$14.63 per share and
                                             
     
572,535 shares at $17,27
                                             
     
per share, respectively)
 
-
   
8,645,438
   
-
   
8,645,438
   
-
   
9,887,679
   
-
   
9,887,679
   
Employee contributions
 
35,350,395
   
-
   
-
   
35,350,395
   
22,975,580
   
-
   
-
   
22,975,580
   
Interfund transfers
   
5,628,149
   
(5,628,149)
   
-
   
-
   
4,639,804
   
(4,639,804)
   
-
   
-
   
Interest income
   
1,222
   
1,002
   
156
    2,381    
4,365
   
-
   
183
   
4,548
   
Dividend income
   
18,791,058
   
7,684,228
    1,947,806     28,423,092    
9,023,364
   
7,614,815
   
2,329,108
   
18,967,287
   
Net appreciation (depreciation) in
           
 
                     
 
     
     
fair value of investments
 
(61,078)
   
(28,747,292)
   
(6,666,246)
    (35,474,616)    
40,736,183
   
71,668,931
   
20,506,303
   
132,911,417
      Total additions (reductions)   
59,709,747
   
(18,044,773)
   
(173,851)
    41,491,123    
77,379,296
   
84,621,434
   
26,791,322
   
188,792,052
                                                           
 
Deductions:
                                                 
   
Termination and withdrawal
                                             
     
benefits
    29,737,932     11,426,405    
-
    41,164,337     21,851,640     11,216,258    
-
   
33,067,898
   
Common shares committed for
                                             
     
release to participants
                                             
     
(590,939 shares at
                                             
     
$14.63 per share and
                                             
     
572,535 shares at $17.27
                                             
     
per share, respectively)
 
-
   
-
    8,645,438     8,645,438    
-
   
-
    9,887,679    
9,887,679
   
Interest expense
   
-
   
-
    992,104     992,104    
-
   
-
    1,184,883    
1,184,883
   
Anti-discrimination refunds
 
1,010,992    
-
   
-
   
1,010,992
    385,615    
-
   
-
   
385,615
   
Administrative expenses
  23,902     17,287    
841
    42,030     27,723     41,891     841    
70,455
      Total deductions      30,772,826     11,443,693     9,638,382     51,854,900     22,264,978     11,258,149     11,073,403    
44,596,530
                                                 
     
Net additions (deductions)
28,936,921     (29,488,466)     (9,812,233)     (10,363,778)     55,114,318     73,363,285     15,717,919    
144,195,522
                                                 
  NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS:                                        
      Beginning of year   282,058,249     192,039,828     18,558,047      492,656,124     226,943,932     118,676,541     2,840,129     348,460,602
     
End of year
$
310,995,170  
$
162,551,362  
$
8,745,815  
$
482,292,347  
$
282,058,250  
$
192,039,826  
$
18,558,047  
$
492,656,124
                                                           
                                                           
                                                           
                                                           
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
3

 

OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________
 
 
1.  
Description of Plan

A.     Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements of the Old Republic International Corpora­tion Employees Savings and Stock Ownership Plan (the Plan) include plan assets for employees of Old Republic International Corporation and par­ticipating subsidiaries [the Corporation, the Plan Sponsor, the Company(ies) or the Employer(s)]. These financial statements and accompanying notes together provide only general information about the Plan. The Plan Document must be referred to for a complete description of the Plan's provisions.

B.     General

The Plan is a defined contribution plan, under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, covering a majority of employees of the Corporation and certain of its subsidiary companies and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). Employees become participants in the Plan on their employment date and as soon as they elect to make contributions to the Plan. Effective as of January 1, 2008, the Plan was amended and operates, in relevant part, as a leveraged employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), and is designed to comply with Section 4975(e)(7) and the regulations there under of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code) and is subject to the applicable provisions of ERISA.

The Plan purchased Corporation common shares (ESSOP shares) using the proceeds of loans from the Corporation and participating subsidiary companies (see Note 4). Unallocated ESSOP shares purchased with the Corporation loan proceeds are pledged as collateral on the Corporation loan. The participating subsidiary company loans are guaranteed by the Corporation. ESSOP shares are held in a trust established under the Plan. The borrowings and interest costs are to be repaid over a ten year period by fully deductible Corporation contributions to the Plan, dividends from unallocated Corporation stock, and any earnings the net funds may earn.

The Corporation borrowed funds from a third-party lending institution to fund a portion of the loan proceeds. The Corporation borrowings are collateralized by the associated unallocated ESSOP shares of stock. The lender has no rights against shares once they are allocated under the Plan. Accordingly, the financial statements of the Plan as herein included, present separately the assets and liabilities and changes therein pertaining to the stock not yet allocated to participants under the column entitled “Unallocated Account.” Shares allocated are included in the financial statements herein under the columns entitled “Non-participant Directed Account” and are entitled to diversification as afforded within the Plan document.

On an annual basis, the Plan makes a calculation of the number of shares to be allocated (released) to the account of eligible participants. The calculation of allocated shares is made in accordance with applicable regulations under the Code and the Plan document. Shares allocated to participants will vest in accordance with the stated vesting provisions in the Plan document (see Note 1E).

C.     Contributions

Deferral elected contributions from employees are made on a pretax basis up to a limit of $17,500 in 2014. Participants may elect to make additional contributions, on a post-tax basis, up to a maximum of 100% of eligible compensation, as defined in the Plan, not to exceed the limits set by Section 415 of the Code. All contributions are recorded in the period in which the Companies make payroll deductions from Plan participants. Any employee who does not contribute to the Plan does not receive a Company matching contribution. Only employee contributions up to 6% are matched. However, the maximum amount of contribution which can be matched per employee cannot exceed $9,000 (6% of $150,000) per Plan year. Contributions are also subject to other Code limitations (including the limits imposed by Code Section 415).

Employees may also roll over into the Plan qualified distributions from their previous employer(s)’ qualified plan(s). In addition, employees who are 50 years of age at any time during the Plan year may make additional, pretax, catch-up contributions up to $5,500 in 2014. Rollovers and catch-up contributions are not eligible for company matching.
  
 
4

 

OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________
 
 
Participants direct the investment of their contributions into mutual funds offered by the Plan. In addition, participants may also direct their contributions to buy Old Republic common stock. Participants may change the investment allocation of their contributions and earnings up to 12 times a year.

A Plan participant is eligible to receive an allocation of ESSOP shares if the following criteria are met:

·  
the participant completes 1,000 or more hours of service during the year and
·  
the participant is employed by one of the Companies on December 31 of that year, died or became fully disabled during the year, or retired during the year after attaining age 65.

The Company contributions, when aggregated with the Plan’s dividends and other earnings on the unallocated ESSOP shares, are used to fund the Plan’s debt service. The debt service funding triggers the release of shares to be allocated to participants’ accounts, in accordance with regulations under ERISA, the Code and the Plan Document.

The Company matching contribution is based on the following formula:
  
 
 
If the percentage increase in the Corporation’s average
 
 
operating earnings per share for the most recent five year period is
   
Less Than
6.00%
9.01%
15.01%
Over
     
6%
to 9%
to 15%
to 20%
20%
Percentage of Recognized  
The Resulting Employer Matching Contribution
Compensation Contributed
 
on the First 6% of Employee Savings Will Be:
1.00%
 
30%
40%
65%
100%
140%
1.01% to 2.00%
 
28%
38%
63%
98%
138%
2.01% to 3.00%
 
26%
36%
61%
96%
136%
3.01% to 4.00%
 
24%
34%
59%
94%
134%
4.01% to 5.00%
 
22%
32%
57%
92%
132%
5.01% to 6.00%
 
20%
30%
55%
90%
130%
  6.01% to 15.00%
 
None
None
None
None
None
 
The percentage increase in the Corporation's average operating earnings per share is obtained by comparing the average diluted operating earnings per share for the Corporation for the five years ending with the calculation year, to the same average for the five years ending the year prior to the calculation year. Operating earnings per share are equal to net income per share exclusive of realized capital gains or losses and extraordinary items and income taxes applicable thereto.

Additional amounts from consolidated annual net profits after taxes or accumulated earnings as the Board of Directors of the Companies may determine from time to time may be added to the contributions resulting from the above formula. The amount of the Companies' contributions are subject to the following limitations:

·  
Prior to December 31, 2008, no contribution could be made if the Corporation’s consolidated annual net profit before extraordinary items and taxes was less than $2,500,000. Effective as of December 31, 2008, the Plan was amended to allow the Corporation’s Board of Directors to waive such minimum profit requirement. 
·  
No contribution shall be made by any Employer for any fiscal year which exceeds the maximum amount currently deductible by that Employer under section 404 of the Code.
·  
No contribution shall be made by any Employer for any fiscal year which would cause its total contribution to exceed the amount of its annual net profit before taxes and its accumulated earnings.
 
For plan years 2014 and 2013, the Corporation’s Board of Directors declared contributions of $4,544,433 and $4,043,541, respectively. The approval of these amounts was necessary to enable the Plan to meet its debt service requirements for 2014 and 2013.
 
5

 

OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________
 

D.    Employee Account

When a Plan participant makes employee contributions, the contributions are allocated to the mutual fund(s) or Old Republic common stock fund as designated by the participant. These funds constitute the participant’s Employee Account which, for financial statement purposes, is included under the column entitled “Participant Directed Account.” Earnings or losses inure to each Plan participant's Employee Account on a daily basis, based upon the performance of the mutual fund(s) and Old Republic common stock fund that the Plan participant selected. Participants are fully vested in their contribution funds and earnings/losses thereon. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.

For contributions made to the Plan prior to 2005, participants may make in-service withdrawals from their Employee Account no more than twice during a plan year. The minimum amount of such in-service withdrawal shall be the lower of $500 or the balance of the participant’s Employee Account as of the last day of the prior plan year. For contributions made to the Plan after 2004, participants may make in-service withdrawals, including contributions made during the year of the in-service withdrawal, only if they meet the hardship provisions outlined in the Internal Revenue Service Regulations. Effective January 1, 2014, participants may only withdraw Employee after-tax contributions that were not made during the current year and may not withdraw after-tax contributions allocated on or after January 1, 2014, nor any earnings thereon.

E.     Company Account

Each year, the released shares triggered by the debt service funding and the earnings/losses thereon are allocated to the participant’s Company Account which, for financial statement purposes, is included under the column entitled “Non-Participant Directed Account.” If a Plan participant terminates service with the Companies, the amount that he/she receives from his/her Company Account depends upon his/her vested interest in such account. A Plan participant vests in his/her Company Account based on his/her "Years of Service," over a six year period, with 20% vesting after two years of service plus an additional 20% per additional vesting year.

A Plan participant earns a Year of Service for each calendar year during which he/she completes 1,000 or more hours of service for the Companies. However, a Plan participant will become 100% vested in his/her Company Account prior to six years of service if:

·  
the Plan participant has reached age 65, or
·  
termination is caused by death, or
·  
termination is caused by total and permanent disability which renders the employee incapable of performing satisfactory service for the Companies.

Upon meeting any of the above, the participant may elect to receive his/her benefits in the form of cash or Old Republic International Corporation common shares (Company Stock). If a participant elects a cash distribution of both his/her Company Account and Employee Account, he/she may elect to be paid:

·  
in one lump sum, or
·  
in a direct rollover to an eligible retirement plan specified by the participant, or
·  
in substantially equal annual or more frequent installments paid over a reasonable period of time not to exceed the life expectancy of the participant or the joint life expectancy of the participant and his/her spouse or designated beneficiary.
  
The amount a Plan participant receives from his/her Company Account is also affected by forfeitures and earnings/losses. If a Plan participant terminates service prior to full vesting, the non-vested portion of his/her Company Account is forfeited. Forfeited matching amounts are re-allocated to remaining participants who made employee contributions, completed 1,000 or more hours of service for the Company during the year, and are employed by the Company on December 31 or terminated service due to retirement on or after age 65, death, or total and permanent disability. Forfeited amounts from other employer discretionary contributions not included in matching contributions are reallocated to all remaining eligible Plan participants who are employed by the Companies on the last day of the year. Forfeitures are allocated based upon the ratio of the Plan participant's eligible compensation to the eligible compensation of all eligible Plan participants (eligible compensation is limited to a maximum of $150,000). Forfeitures allocated in the 2014 and 2013 plan years were $381,984 and $408,000, respectively.
 
 
6

 
 
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________
 
 
Each participant’s account is credited with an allocation of ESSOP shares released by the Trustee from the unallocated account and forfeitures of terminated participants’ non-vested accounts. Only those participants who are eligible participants, as described above, will receive an allocation in accordance with the Plan document.

Participants are able to divest Company Stock acquired with employer matching and profit sharing contributions after completing three years of service. The investment options available for diversification are the same mutual funds available for investment of Employee contributions. Previously diversified funds may be re-diversified into Old Republic common stock. For financial statement purposes, diversified funds are transferred from the Non-Participant Directed Account to the Participant Directed Account, but are still considered part of the Company Account.
 
F.    Unallocated Account

The unallocated account represents all assets and liabilities of the Plan relating to the leveraging of the Plan and not yet allocated or committed to be allocated to participants.

G.    Common Shares Committed to be Allocated to Participants

The Common Shares Committed to be Allocated to Participants represents the fair market value of the ESSOP shares to be allocated to participants’ accounts after December 31. It represents the number of shares calculated in accordance with applicable regulations under the Code. It takes into account the debt service provided by the company contributions, and dividends received on the unallocated ESSOP shares during the year. The release fraction applied to the number of unreleased shares at December 31 is the principal paid that coincides with the timing of the company contributions, and the interest paid during the plan year (numerator) divided by the numerator plus an estimate of the remaining future principal and interest (assuming most recent interest rate at December 31) to be paid.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, 590,939 and 572,535 ESSOP shares, respectively, were committed to be released and 1,934,154 and 2,525,093 respectively, remained as unallocated. It should be noted that there is no connection as to the number of shares being allocated and the market value of the Corporation’s common shares at any given time. Hence, the market value of the stock on the actual day of allocation (release) to participants’ accounts may vary from the fair market value at December 31, 2014 and 2013, as presented in the financial statements.

H.    Voting Rights

Each participant is entitled to exercise voting rights attributable to the shares allocated to his or her account and is notified by the Trustee prior to the time that such voting rights are to be exercised. The Trustee is not permitted to vote any allocated share for which instructions have not been given by a participant. The Trustee is required, however, to vote any unallocated shares on behalf of the collective best interest of Plan participants and beneficiaries.

2.  
Summary of Accounting Policies

A.    Basis of Accounting

The Plan’s financial statements are prepared on an accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

B.    Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Plan’s administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of additions and deductions during the reporting period. Actual results can differ from those estimates.
 
 
7

 
 
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________
 
 
C.    Risks and Uncertainties

Besides the investment of matching contributions into common stock of the Corporation, the Plan provides participants with various investment alternatives for their savings contributions and or diversifications. These investment alternatives are made up of various mutual funds which can be equity based, fixed income based or a combination thereof. In addition, participants may also direct their contributions to buy Old Republic common stock.

All of the above investment alternatives are exposed to various market risks including the level of interest rates, economic conditions and individual credit profiles. Due to these risks and the uncertainty related to changes in the market value of underlying investment securities, it is possible that participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits and the statements of changes in net assets available for benefits could be materially affected.

D.    Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

The Plan’s investments are reported at fair value. Shares of mutual funds are valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at the valuation date. Old Republic International Corporation common shares are traded on a national securities exchange and are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the year. Short-term investments are valued at cost plus accrued interest which approximates fair value.

The statements of changes in net assets available for benefits reflect the net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of the Plan’s investments, which consists of realized gains or losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those investments. Interest income is recorded as earned and dividend income is recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Purchases and sales are recorded on a trade-date basis.

E.    Termination and Withdrawal Benefit Payments

Termination and withdrawal benefit payments are recorded upon distribution payment.

F.    Plan Expenses

Plan expenses including fees for trustee, legal, accounting, auditing, investment, custodial and other services are paid by the Plan and included in administrative expenses. Certain other expenses are paid or provided by the Plan Sponsor. Investment management fees paid by the Plan are included in the net fund investment appreciation (depreciation) for the year.

G.    Subsequent Events

Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.
 
 
 
8

 
 
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________

 
3.
Investments

A.      Investments Greater Than 5% of Plan Net Assets

The following presents investments, the fair value of which are 5% or more of Plan net assets available for benefits at December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
Old Republic International Corporation Common Stock:
     
Allocated and participant directed accounts
(428,014 and 374,906 shares, respectively)
$         6,261,850
 
$       6,474,623
Allocated and non-participant directed accounts
(10,510,989 and 10,536,473 shares, respectively)
153,775,767
 
181,964,895
Committed to be allocated to participant accounts
(590,939 and 572,535 shares, respectively)
8,645,438
 
9,887,679
Not allocated to participant accounts
(1,934,154 and 2,525,093 shares, respectively)
28,296,673
 
43,608,356
Total held by the Plan
(13,464,096 and 14,009,007 shares, respectively)
$     196,979,728
 
$   241,935,553
       
Spartan 500 Index Institutional Fund
$       28,202,993
 
$     26,381,790
 
Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund
$       33,520,011
 
$     25,350,660
       
Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund
$       26,326,936
 
*
       
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund
$       26,895,309
 
*

* Investment balance was less than 5% of net assets available for benefits at December 31, 2013.

Net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments is broken down as follows for the years ended December 31:

 
2014
 
2013
           
Old Republic International Corporation Common Stock
$
  (36,456,143)   
  
$
94,682,572 
Mutual funds
 
         981,527  
   
38,228,845 
 
$
      (35,474,616) )
 
$
132,911,417 
 
B.      Fair Value Measurements

The Plan investments are reported at fair value in the accompanying statements of net assets available for plan benefits. Fair value is defined as the estimated price that is likely to be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (an exit price) at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is established that prioritizes the sources (“inputs”) used to measure fair value into three broad levels: inputs based on quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1); observable inputs based on corroboration with available market data (Level 2); and unobservable inputs based on uncorroborated market data or a reporting entity’s own assumptions (Level 3).

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value are discussed further in Note 2(D). There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2014 from prior years.
 
 
9

 
 
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________

 
The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014:
   
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Mutual funds:
                       
Balanced funds
 
$
77,902,247
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
77,902,247
Equity funds
   
76,383,880
   
-
   
-
   
76,383,880
Fixed Income funds
   
43,995,716
   
-
   
-
   
43,995,716
Growth fund
   
32,475,467
   
-
   
-
   
32,475,467
Index funds
   
75,089,646
   
-
   
-
   
75,089,646
Total mutual funds
   
305,846,956
   
-
   
-
   
305,846,956
Company common stock
   
196,979,728
   
-
   
-
   
196,979,728
Other short-term
   
954,692
   
-
   
-
   
954,692
Total investments at fair value
 
$
503,781,376
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
503,781,376

 
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013:
   
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Mutual funds:
                       
Balanced funds
 
$
72,831,369
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
72,831,369
Equity funds
   
104,463,077
   
-
   
-
   
104,463,077
Fixed Income funds
   
56,379,483
   
-
   
-
   
56,379,483
Growth fund
   
7,921,625
   
-
   
-
   
7,921,625
Index funds
   
34,172,009
   
-
   
-
   
34,172,009
Total mutual funds
   
275,767,563
   
-
   
-
   
275,767,563
Company common stock
   
241,935,553
   
-
   
-
   
241,935,553
Other short-term
   
1,143,945
   
-
   
-
   
1,143,945
Total investments at fair value
 
$
518,847,061
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
518,847,061

4.  
Notes Payable

In December 2008, the Plan entered into term loan agreements with the Corporation and participating subsidiary companies for aggregate borrowings of $50,000,000 ($30,000,000 from the Corporation and $20,000,000 from the participating subsidiary companies). The proceeds of the loans were used to purchase 5,488,475 shares of the Corporation’s common stock. Unallocated shares associated with the Corporation’s loan are collateral on the loans. The Corporation pledged its rights associated with the collateral shares as collateral on the Corporation’s loan with a financial institution. The participating subsidiary company loans are guaranteed by the Corporation. The loans all bear interest at a variable interest rate indexed to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 350 basis points. The interest rate was 3.66% and 3.67% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Interest is payable quarterly with any remaining accrued interest due and payable on maturity of the loan. Principal on the Corporation’s loan is payable in accordance with the following maturity schedule through March 2018 when any remaining principal and accrued interest are due and payable. Principal amounts on the participating subsidiary company loans are due on March 31, 2015, subject to annual loan renewal under the ESSOP loan agreements dated December 8, 2008. In 2015, the Plan repaid $2,200,000 principal to the subsidiary companies. The repayment of the remaining principal balance of $7,820,000 was extended through March 31, 2016.

At December 31, 2014, loans due to the Corporation and participating subsidiary companies aggregated $25,050,000.
 
 
10

 
 
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________

 
Maturities of the Plan’s ESSOP loans are as follows:

   
Total
 
Corporation
 
Participating
Subsidiary
Companies
                   
          2015
 
$
5,500,000
 
$
3,300,000
 
$
2,200,000
          2016
   
11,390,000
   
3,570,000
   
7,820,000
          2017
   
3,960,000
   
3,960,000
   
-         
          2018
   
4,200,000
   
4,200,000
   
-         
          Total
 
$
25,050,000
 
$
15,030,000
 
$
10,020,000

The fair value of the Plan’s notes payable are equal to their carrying value. The estimated fair value is based on an internally generated interest yield market matrix table, which incorporates maturity, coupon rate, credit quality, structure and current market conditions. All notes payable are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as described in Note 3(B).

5.  
Parties in Interest

Old Republic International Corporation and participating subsidiaries are parties in interest. The Plan’s Non-Participant Directed Account (Company Account) and Unallocated Account are made up of the Corporation’s common stock as noted in Note 3. Also, office personnel, space and equipment are furnished by the Companies at no charge to the Plan.

Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company, Inc. (Fidelity Investments), a subsidiary of FMR Corporation, is the Plan’s custodian, record keeper and provider of educational information to Plan participants. Certain mutual funds are managed by subsidiaries of FMR Corporation, which make FMR Corporation a party in interest. Fees paid by the Plan to Fidelity Investments for custodianship, transaction and maintenance were $11,423 and $37,876 during 2014 and 2013, respectively.

6.  
Termination Priorities

Although it has no plans to do so, the Corporation reserves the right, either with or without formal action, to terminate the Plan. Each Employer reserves the right to permanently discontinue its contributions to the Plan. In the event that an Employer permanently discontinues its contributions to the Plan, or the Corporation terminates the Plan, or the Plan is partially terminated under operation of law, the accounts of the affected participants shall be fully vested and non-forfeitable. Upon termination of the Plan, the Plan shall direct the trustee to pay all liabilities and expenses of the Trust Fund and sell shares of financed ESSOP shares held in the loan suspense account to the extent it determines such sale to be necessary in order to repay the loans.

7.  
Tax Status

The Internal Revenue Service issued a favorable determination letter, dated September 19, 2013, stating that the Plan is designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter. However, the Plan's Sponsor believes that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.

8.  
Anti-Discrimination Refunds
 
Due to limits imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 415 and ERISA, tests are performed annually to determine that the Plan has not discriminated between highly compensated employees and non-highly compensated employees. In most years, initial tests indicate that there is an excess differential between contributions by highly compensated employees and non-highly compensated employees. To bring the Plan into compliance, a determination is made as to how many contrinbtions need to be returned to highly compensated employees so the Plan can meet the "Actual Contribution Percentage Test for Non-excludable Employees". This amount represents the anti-

 
 
11

 
 

OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________
 
 
discrimination refunds payable at any given year-end. Anti-discrimination refunds payable to participants were $1,010,992 and $385,615 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 

 
12 

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
13 

 
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
           
   EMPLOYEES SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
         
FORM 5500-ANNUAL RETURN/REPORT OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
     
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i-SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
     
DECEMBER 31, 2014
               
EIN: 36-2678171  PLAN NUMBER-002
               
                     
         
(c)
         
         DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT INCLUDING MATURITY DATE, RATE
         OF INTEREST, COLLATERAL, SHARES, PAR OR MATURITY VALUE
   
        (b)
   
RATE OF
 
SHARES, PAR,
   
(e)
   
IDENTITY OF ISSUE, BORROWER,
MATURITY
 INTEREST   OR MATURITY
 
(d)
CURRENT
(a)
LESSOR, OR SIMILAR PARTY
 
DATE
DIVIDENDS
COLLATERAL
VALUE
 
COST
VALUE
                     
MUTUAL FUNDS:
               
 
BALANCED FUNDS:
               
*
 
FIDELITY FREEDOM INCOME FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
245,212
sh
#
$2,839,557
*
 
FIDELITY FREEDOM 2010 FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
567,040
sh
#
8,726,746
*
 
FIDELITY FREEDOM 2020 FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
2,182,292
sh
#
33,520,011
*
 
FIDELITY FREEDOM 2030 FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
1,188,803
sh
#
19,175,396
*
 
FIDELITY FREEDOM 2040 FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
1,143,655
sh
#
10,681,733
*
 
FIDELITY FREEDOM 2050 FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
236,777
sh
#
2,502,738
   
VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
6,746
sh
#
456,066
 
EQUITY FUNDS:
               
*
 
FIDELITY VALUE FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
204,158
sh
#
23,122,975
*
 
FIDELITY MID-CAP STOCK FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
685,776
sh
#
26,326,936
*
 
FIDELITY REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
3,976
sh
#
46,402
*
 
FIDELITY SELECT ENERGY PORTFOLIO
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
5,033
sh
#
225,529
   
FRANKLIN CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
4,737
sh
#
85,116
   
T. ROWE PRICE VALUE FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
578,775
sh
#
20,054,566
   
VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
63,727
sh
#
5,509,157
   
VANGUARD HEALTH CARE FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
11,346
sh
#
1,013,199
 
FIXED INCOME FUNDS:
               
*
 
FIDELITY INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
1,157,797
sh
#
12,654,725
*
 
FIDELITY CAPITAL & INCOME FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
1,384,913
sh
#
13,405,958
*
 
FIDELITY CASH RESERVES
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
17,668,605
sh
A
17,668,605
*
 
FIDELITY GNMA
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
251
sh
#
2,925
*
 
FIDELTIY NEW MARKETS INCOME FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
7,694
sh
#
117,417
   
VANGUARD LONG TERM INVESTMENT-GRADE FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
13,589
sh
#
146,086
 
GROWTH FUND:
               
   
T. ROWE PRICE GROWTH STOCK FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
297,976
sh
#
15,479,828
   
VANGUARD GROWTH INDEX FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
6,813
sh
#
365,844
   
VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
242,877
sh
#
16,629,795
 
INDEX FUNDS:
               
*
 
SPARTAN 500 INDEX INSTITUTIONAL
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
387,085
sh
#
28,202,993
   
VANGUARD DIVIDEND APPRECIATION INDEX FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
828,058
sh
#
26,895,309
   
VANGUARD EXTENDED MARKET INDEX FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
73,932
sh
#
4,923,880
   
VANGUARD MID-CAP GROWTH INDEX FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
8,727
sh
#
381,524
   
VANGUARD REIT INDEX FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
6,406
sh
#
735,631
   
VANGUARD SHORT-TERM BOND INDEX FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
1,038,389
sh
#
10,882,316
   
VANGUARD TOTAL BOND MARKET INDEX FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
7,330
sh
#
79,678
   
VANGUARD TOTAL INTERNATIONAL BOND INDEX FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
3,797
sh
#
80,570
   
VANGUARD TOTAL INTERNATIONAL STOCK INDEX FUND
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
25,385
sh
#
2,639,499
   
VANGUARD VALUE INDEX FUND
 
N/A
VARIABLE
N/A
8,143
sh
#
268,246
   
   TOTAL
             
305,846,956
                     
EMPLOYER SECURITIES:
               
*
 
OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL
               
   
   CORPORATION COMMON STOCK:
           
   
PARTICIPANT DIRECTED
 
N/A
N/A
N/A
428,014
sh
$5,505,870
6,261,850
   
NON-PARTICIPANT DIRECTED
 
N/A
N/A
N/A
11,101,928
sh
113,889,158
162,421,205
   
UNALLOCATED
 
N/A
N/A
N/A
1,934,154
sh
17,620,136
28,296,673
   
   TOTAL
       
13,464,096
sh
$137,015,164
196,979,728
                     
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
N/A
N/A
N/A
954,692
sh
$954,692
954,692
                     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS HELD
             
$503,781,376
                     
Note:
               
*
   Parties in Interest.
               
#
   Participant directed funds.
               
A
   Includes Non-Participant directed funds (155,409 shares with a cost and current value of $155,409).
 
14