11-k Savings Plan 2014
UNITED STATES
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
 
o           Transition Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Commission file number 1-7933
 
A.      Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
 
Aon Savings Plan
200 E. Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
 
B.        Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
 
Aon plc
8 Devonshire Square
London EC2M 4PL





S I G N A T U R E S
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Committee acting as Plan Administrator, has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
AON SAVINGS PLAN
 
BY THE COMMITTEE
  
/s/ MICHAEL NELLER
 
Michael Neller
 
 
 
Date:
 
June 26, 2015
 





FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE

AON SAVINGS PLAN

Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Employer Plan Identification #36-3051915

Plan #020




AON SAVINGS PLAN

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE

Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

CONTENTS
 
 
Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Schedule:
 
 
 
 
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Exhibit 23.1





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Retirement Plan Governance and Investment Committee
Aon Savings Plan
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Aon 401(k) Plan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statement 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 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan's 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 also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and 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 Aon 401(k) Plan at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying supplemental 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 Aon 401(k) Plan's financial statements. The information in the supplemental schedules is the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the 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 schedules. In forming our opinion on the information, we evaluated whether such 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 information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.


/s/Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois
June 26, 2015




Employer Plan Identification #36-3051915
Plan #020
AON SAVINGS PLAN
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

(in Thousands)

 
 
December 31
 
2014
 
2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments - fair value
$
4,835,203

 
$
4,536,069

 
 
 
 
Receivables:
 
 
 
Pending trade sales
344

 
200

Accrued interest and dividends
3

 
540

Notes receivable from participants
55,028

 
53,543

Total receivables
55,375

 
54,283

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Pending trade purchases
(491
)
 
(427
)
Accrued expenses
(577
)
 
(703
)
Total liabilities
(1,068
)
 
(1,130
)
 
 
 
 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
(4,632
)
 
(3,075
)
Net assets available for benefits
$
4,884,878

 
$
4,586,147


See notes to financial statements.




2


Employer Plan Identification #36-3051915
Plan #020
AON SAVINGS PLAN
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

(in Thousands)

 
Year ended
 
December 31
 
2014
 
2013
Additions
 
 
 
Net investment income:
 
 
 
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
$
279,797

 
$
766,447

Interest income and dividends
21,614

 
19,718

Aon plc dividends
2,227

 
1,799

Total net investment income
303,638

 
787,964

 
 
 
 
Interest income on notes receivable from participants
2,517

 
2,192

 
 
 
 
Contributions:
 
 
 
Company
119,340

 
114,143

Participants
172,258

 
164,403

Rollovers
22,740

 
22,503

Total contributions
314,338

 
301,049

 
 
 
 
Total additions
620,493

 
1,091,205

 
 
 
 
Deductions:
 
 
 
Benefit payments
(314,611
)
 
(278,716
)
Management and administrative fees
(7,151
)
 
(7,735
)
Total deductions
(321,762
)
 
(286,451
)
 
 
 
 
Net increase in net assets available for benefits
298,731

 
804,754

 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year
4,586,147

 
3,781,393

Net assets available for benefits at end of year
$
4,884,878

 
$
4,586,147


See notes to financial statements.


3


Employer Plan Identification #36-3051915
Plan #020

AON SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year Ended December 31, 2014

1.
Description of Plan

General

The Aon Savings Plan (the Plan) was authorized by the Board of Directors of Aon Corporation (Aon or the Company or Plan Sponsor). It is a defined contribution plan with a salary deferral feature and an employee stock ownership (ESOP) feature. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). In lieu of the requirements of Items 1-3 of Form 11-K, the financial statements of the Plan and the supplemental schedule have been prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA and are presented herein.

Northern Trust Company (Northern Trust) serves as the Plan's trustee to administer the Plan's assets. Hewitt Associates, LLC serves as the Plan's record-keeper.

Participants in the Aon plc Class A Ordinary Shares ESOP Fund (the ESOP Fund) have the option to reinvest dividends in additional shares of Aon plc Class A Ordinary Shares in the Plan or receive dividends in cash. Participants are allowed to immediately diversify any Company-matching contributions allocated to the ESOP Fund.

The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants of the Plan should refer to the Summary Plan Description for a more complete description of the Plan.
Eligibility and Participation

Permanent employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are immediately eligible to participate. Permanent employees scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week and all temporary employees are eligible to participate after completing one Year of Service and attaining the age of 21. Employees are eligible for Company-matching contributions at the same time they are eligible to participate.

Contributions

Participant – Participant contributions are made by means of regular payroll deductions. All eligible employees may elect to contribute up to 50% of their compensation, as defined by the Plan, plus "catch-up" contributions.

Participant contributions are limited to amounts allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Accordingly, the maximum participant contribution was $17,500 in 2014 and 2013. In addition to regular participant contributions, catch-up contributions of up to $5,500 for 2014 and 2013 were allowed for any participants who were age 50 or older during the Plan year.

New employees are automatically enrolled in the Plan at a 4% contribution rate after 30 days of service unless the election is waived. After participants have completed six months of service, their automatic enrollment contribution will increase by 1% each April until reaching 9% (up to 6% prior to July 1, 2014). Participants can change their deferral percentage or investment selections at any time after initial enrollment.

For automatic enrollment, contributions to Plan accounts are automatically invested in the applicable Target Retirement Investment Portfolio (TRIP Options). TRIP Options are a premixed portfolio of investments based on the participant’s age. TRIP Options are managed with the goal of providing investors with an optimal level of return and risk based on a target retirement date (for example, 2020, 2030, 2040 or 2050) and reach an ultimate allocation target post-retirement. The Plan allows participants to make Roth 401(k) contributions to the Plan. Roth contributions are


4


1.
Description of Plan (continued)

made on an after-tax basis, and participants would then owe no further tax on these contributions or their earnings after meeting applicable requirements.

Company – For 2014 and 2013, the Company contributed an amount equal to 100% of the first 6% of a participant’s compensation that a participant contributes to the Plan. These contributions are made concurrent with participant contributions. The Company may make a further discretionary contribution as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. There were no discretionary contributions in 2014 and 2013.

Investment Options

Both participant and Company contributions to the Plan will be invested in any of the various investment alternatives offered by the Plan in any whole percentages as directed by the participant. Additionally, a brokerage account is offered, whereby participants can invest up to 50% of their account in various stock, mutual funds and other investments.

Participant Accounts

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and allocations of (a) the Company’s contributions and (b) Plan earnings (losses). The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.

Vesting

Participants are fully vested in their contributions plus actual earnings of the Plan. Participants become 100% vested in the employer contributions after five years of Plan service, according to a graded vesting schedule. All contributions made after January 1, 2012, were 100% vested immediately.

Forfeitures

Forfeitures of $271 thousand for 2014 and $484 thousand for 2013 were used to provide partial funding for Company contributions and to pay other expenses of the Plan.

Benefit Payments

Upon retirement or termination of service, a participant will receive a lump-sum payment equal to their vested account balance. The participant may elect to receive this payment directly or to be rolled into another plan or individual retirement account (IRA). Vested amounts of the ESOP may be received in cash or Aon plc Class A Ordinary Shares. There are other distribution options based on various age, service and account balance parameters.

Plan Termination

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of Plan termination, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.

Participant Loans

Under the loan provision of the Plan, each participant is permitted one loan in a twelve-month period, and the outstanding balance of all loans made to a participant may not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of the vested portion of the participant’s account, excluding the ESOP and Aon Retirement Account portion of the account. The interest rate for each loan is equal to 1% plus the prime rate as quoted in The Wall Street Journal for the last day of the month preceding the loan request. Loans are made for a period of up to five years, except for residential loans that have a fixed repayment period of up to fifteen years.





5


2.
Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements of the Plan are prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

Investments held by the Plan are stated at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Contract value, however, is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net 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. The Plan created the Stable Value Fund which includes investments in investment contracts through a collective trust, with Synthetic Investment Contracts (SICs). The statements of net assets available for benefits present the fair value of the investment contracts as well as the adjustment from fair value to contract value relating to the investment contracts. The statement of changes in net assets available for benefits is prepared on a contract-value basis.

The plan sponsor maintains proper oversight of the Plan through the Retirement Plan Governance and Investment Committee (RPGIC). The RPGIC is responsible for determining the Plan’s valuation policies and analyzing information provided by the investment custodians and issuers that is used to determine the fair value of the Plan’s investments.

In conformity with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurement, assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized into the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3 for further discussion and disclosures related to fair value measurements.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded as earned. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net appreciation includes the Plan’s gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year.

Reporting of Investment Contracts

The Plan does not hold any Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GICs). However, the Plan invests in SICs with Voya Financial, Inc., Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) and Prudential Insurance Company of America. SICs are wrap contracts paired with an underlying investment or investments, usually a portfolio, owned by the Plan, of high-quality, intermediate-term fixed income securities. The Plan purchases a wrapper contract from a financial services institution. SICs credit a stated interest rate for a specified period of time. Investment gains and losses are amortized over the expected duration through the calculation of the interest rate applicable to the Plan on a prospective basis. SICs provided for a variable crediting rate, which typically resets at least quarterly, and the issuer of the wrap contract provides assurance that future adjustments to the crediting rate cannot result in a crediting rate less than zero. The crediting rate is primarily based on the current yield to maturity of the covered investments, plus or minus amortization of the difference between the market value and contract value of the covered investments over the duration of the covered investments at the time of computation. The crediting rate is most impacted by the change in the annual effective yield to maturity of the underlying securities, but it is also affected by the difference between the contract value and the market value of the covered investments. This difference is amortized over the duration of the covered investments. Depending on the change in duration from reset period to reset period, the magnitude of the impact to the crediting rate of the contract to market difference is heightened or lessened. The crediting rate can be adjusted periodically and is usually adjusted either monthly or quarterly, but in no event is the crediting rate less than zero.

Certain events limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the insurance company and the financial institution issuer. Such events include the following: (1) amendments to the Plan documents (including complete or partial Plan termination or merger with another plan), (2) changes to the Plan’s prohibition on competing investment options or deletion of equity wash provisions, (3) bankruptcy of the Plan Sponsor or other Plan Sponsor events (e.g., divestitures or spin-offs of a subsidiary) that cause a significant withdrawal from the Plan or (4) the failure of the trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA.

6


2.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

The Plan administrator does not believe that the occurrence of any such value event, which would limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with participants, is probable.

The SIC does not permit Voya Financial, Inc., MetLife and Prudential Insurance Company of America to terminate the agreement prior to the scheduled maturity date. However, the SICs generally impose conditions on both the Plan and the issuer. If an event of default occurs and is not cured, the non-defaulting party may terminate the contract. The following may cause the Plan to be in default: (1) a breach of material obligation under the contract, (2) a material misrepresentation or (3) a material amendment to the Plan agreement. The issuer may be in default if it breaches a material obligation under the investment contract, makes a material misrepresentation, has a decline in its long-term credit rating below a threshold set forth in the contract, or is acquired or reorganized and the successor issuer does not satisfy the investment or credit guidelines applicable to issuers. If, in the event of default of an issuer, the Plan were unable to obtain a replacement investment contract, the Plan may experience losses if the value of the Plan’s assets no longer covered by the contract value is below contract value. The Plan may seek to add additional issuers over time to diversify the Plan’s exposure to such risk, but there is no assurance that the plan may be able to do so. The combination of the default of an issuer and an inability to obtain a replacement agreement could render the Plan unable to achieve its objective of maintaining a stable contract value. The terms of an investment contract generally provide for settlement of payments only upon termination of the contract or total liquidation of the covered investments. Generally, payments will be made pro rata based on the percentage of investments covered by each issuer. Contract termination occurs whenever the contract value or market value of the covered investments reaches zero or upon certain events of default. If the contract terminates due to issuer default (other than a default occurring because of a decline in its rating), the issuer will generally be required to pay to the Plan the excess, if any, of contract value over market value on the date of termination. If the SICs terminate due to a decline in the ratings of the issuer, the issuer may be required to pay to the Plan the cost of acquiring a replacement contract within the meaning of the contract. If the contract terminates when the market value equals zero, the issuer will pay the excess of contract value over market value to the Plan to the extent necessary for the Plan to satisfy outstanding contract value withdrawal requests. Contract termination also may occur by either party upon election and notice.

Certain separate account contracts permit the Stable Value Fund or the issuer to elect to terminate the contract, with the Fund having the right to elect to receive either market value, convert the contract to a GIC or make an amortization election. In addition, if the Fund defaults in its obligations under the separate account contract, the issuer may terminate, and the Fund will receive market value.

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
Average yields for Stable Value Fund
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
Based on actual earnings (1)
 
1.15%
 
1.01%
Based on interest rate credited to participants (2)
 
1.28%
 
1.14%

1)
Computed by dividing the annualized one-day actual earnings of the Stable Value Fund on the last day of the plan year by the fair value of the investments of the Stable Value Fund on the same date.

2)
Computed by dividing the annualized one-day earnings credited to participants in the Fund on the last day of the plan year by the fair value of the investments of the Stable Value Fund on the same date.

Notes Receivable from Participants

Notes receivable from participants represent participant loans that are recorded at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Interest income on notes receivable from participants is recorded when it is earned. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2014 or 2013. If a participant ceases to make loan repayments and the plan administrator deems the participant loan to be a distribution, the participant loan balance is reduced, and a benefit payment is recorded.





7


2.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Assets Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. It also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient.

Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using the practical expedient. ASU 2015-07 will be effective for the Plan beginning in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Plan's financial statements.

Administrative Expenses

Some administrative expenses of the Plan, including expenses of Northern Trust Company (the Trustee), are paid from the Plan assets, except to the extent that the Company, at its discretion, may decide to pay such expenses or is limited to do so by Department of Labor or other applicable regulations. The Company paid $624 thousand of Plan expenses in 2014 and $971 thousand in 2013.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassification

Certain amounts in prior year's financial statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. In 2013, $2.6 million of investment management fees were recognized in Net Appreciation in Fair Value of Investments in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits. These amounts are now included in Management and Administrative Fees in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits. The Company has chosen to correct this presentation from prior year in order to accurately reflect the expenses paid from the Plan assets.

3.
Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., an exit price). The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:
Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active
Observable inputs other than quoted prices that are used in the valuation of the asset or liabilities (e.g., interest rate and yield curve quotes at commonly quoted intervals)

8


3.
Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). Level 3 inputs include management’s own assumption about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).
The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is classified is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measure in its entirety.
Following is a description of the valuation techniques and inputs used for each major class of assets measured at fair value by the Plan.
Mutual funds and common stock: valued at quotes obtained from national securities exchanges.

Preferred stock: valued at representative quoted market prices.

Common collective trusts: valued at the net asset value (NAV) provided by the administrator of the fund. The NAV is based on the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding. These funds are primarily invested in publicly traded common stocks and bonds. Participant-directed and Plan redemptions have no restrictions.

Long-term bonds: valued generally at matrix-calculated prices that are obtained from various pricing services.

Individual assets of the SICs are valued at representative quoted market prices. The fair value of the wrap contracts for the SICs is determined using the replacement cost approach, which is a discounting methodology that incorporates the difference between current market-level rates for contract-level wrap fees and the wrap fee being charged. The difference is calculated as a dollar value and discounted by the prevailing interpolated swap rate as of period-end.

Investments at fair value as of December 31, 2014:
 
 
Investments at fair value
 
 
as of December 31, 2014
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
(In Thousands)
Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock - Large Cap Domestic Equity
 
$
668,928

 
$

 
$

 
$
668,928

Common Collective Trust - Commodities
 

 
14,814

 

 
14,814

Common Collective Trust - Fixed Income
 
20

 
960,265

 

 
960,285

Common Stock - International Equity
 
79,044

 

 

 
79,044

Common Stock - Small/Mid Cap
 
261,422

 

 

 
261,422

Mutual Fund - International Equity
 
856,500

 

 

 
856,500

Mutual Fund - Large Cap Domestic Equity
 
1,162,913

 

 

 
1,162,913

Mutual Fund - Small/Mid Cap
 
479,018

 

 

 
479,018

Preferred Stock/Other Equity
 

 
14,060

 

 
14,060

REITS
 
104,270

 

 

 
104,270

Separate Account - Fixed Income
 

 
172,024

 

 
172,024

Short Term Investment Fund
 
30,007

 

 

 
30,007

Mutual Fund - Balanced
 
31,918

 

 

 
31,918

Total investments at fair value
 
$
3,674,040

 
$
1,161,163

 
$

 
$
4,835,203


9


3.
Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Investments at fair value as of December 31, 2013:
 
 
Investments at fair value
 
 
as of December 31, 2013
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
(in Thousands)
Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Collective Trust - Commodities
 
$

 
$
36,368

 
$

 
$
36,368

Common Collective Trust - Fixed Income
 
4,306

 
858,424

 

 
862,730

Common Stock - International Equity
 
81,183

 

 

 
81,183

Common Stock - Large Cap Domestic Equity
 
1,011,089

 

 

 
1,011,089

Mutual Fund - International Equity
 
823,820

 

 

 
823,820

Mutual Fund - Large Cap Domestic Equity
 
881,414

 

 

 
881,414

Mutual Fund - Small/Mid Cap
 
502,384

 

 

 
502,384

Mutual Fund Balanced
 
27,359

 

 

 
27,359

Preferred Stock/Other Equity
 
10,737

 
649

 

 
11,386

REITS
 
71,840

 

 

 
71,840

Separate Account Fixed Income
 

 
179,832

 

 
179,832

Short Term Investment Fund
 
46,664

 

 

 
46,664

Total investments at fair value
 
$
3,460,796

 
$
1,075,273

 
$

 
$
4,536,069


The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan's Level 3 Assets for the year ended December 31, 2013.
 
 
Level 3 Assets
Balance at January 1, 2013
 
$
193,411

Realized loss
 
(299
)
Unrealized loss
 
(496
)
Sales
 
(12,784
)
Transfers out/ Reclassification
 
(179,832
)
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$



10


4.
Investments
During 2014 and 2013, the Plan’s investments (including investments bought, sold, and held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in fair value as follows (in Thousands):
 
December 31
 
2014
 
2013
 




Fair
Value
 
Net Realized and Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) in Fair Value of Investments
 




Fair
Value
 
Net Realized and Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) in Fair Value
of Investments
Investments, at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aon plc Class A Ordinary Shares
$
225,967

 
$
26,839

 
$
218,431

 
$
76,336

Brokerage Accounts
49,072

 
838

 
43,683

 
4,692

Investments in Mutual Funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dwight Funds – Fund of Funds
586,836

 
18,604

 
563,301

 
77,137

Vanguard Large Company Index Fund
807,096

 
99,645

 
718,501

 
177,485

Capital Research Europacific Foreign Fund
302,343

 
(7,004
)
 
326,202

 
56,532

Vanguard All Foreign Index Fund
214,406

 
(10,056
)
 
167,134

 
18,464

Market Fund
106,321

 
(3,167
)
 
108,681

 
(5,461
)
Vanguard Capital Opportunities Fund
156,129

 
22,262

 
124,336

 
35,056

Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund
49,924

 
1,346

 
47,431

 
6,393

PIMCO All Asset Fund
31,918

 
(1,524
)
 
27,095

 
(1,215
)
Vanguard Extended Market Fund
296,437

 
16,771

 
267,248

 
67,333

Investments Separately Managed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIMCO Diversified Bond
228,141

 
11,964

 
220,123

 
(4,021
)
Dodge & Cox Stock Fund
505,453

 
41,679

 
482,079

 
134,896

Dwight Stable Fund
485,621

 
5,559

 
514,207

 
5,391

T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund
270,960

 
22,808

 
266,462

 
75,978

Aon Corp Global Real Estate Fund

 
6,994

 
71,707

 
1,064

Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund
85,223

 
3,844

 

 

Westfield Small Cap Fund
138,389

 
7,782

 
148,526

 
44,602

Common Collective Trust:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-Term Investment Fund
2,684

 
153

 
1,707

 
121

Blackrock US Bond Index Fund
292,283

 
14,460

 
219,215

 
(4,336
)
Total
$
4,835,203

 
$
279,797

 
$
4,536,069

 
$
766,447


11


4.
Investments (continued)
The fair value of individual investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s assets is as follows (in Thousands):
 
December 31
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Investments in Mutual Funds:
 
 
 
Dwight Funds – Fund of Funds
$
586,836

 
$
563,301

Vanguard Large Company Index Fund
807,096

 
718,501

Capital Research Europacific Foreign Fund
302,343

 
326,202

Vanguard Extended Market Fund
296,437

 
267,248

Investments Separately Managed:
 
 
 
Dodge & Cox Stock Fund
505,453

 
482,079

Dwight Stable Value
485,621

 
514,207

T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund
270,960

 
266,462

Common Collective Trust:
 
 
 
Blackrock US Bond Index Fund
292,283

 
*

 
 
 
 
* Fund value does not represent 5% of Plan's assets for the applicable year.

5.
Income Taxes
The Plan has received a determination letter from the IRS dated September 16, 2013, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the IRS, the Plan was amended and restated. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualified status. The plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and therefore, believes the Plan, as amended and restated, is qualified and the related trust is tax-exempt.

GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan. The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The Plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan and has concluded that as of December 31, 2014, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken. The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The Plan administrator believes the Plan is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2011.

6.
Risks and Uncertainties
The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

7.
Related Party Transactions
The Plan invests in the Class A Ordinary Shares of Aon plc and during 2014 and 2013, the Plan held investments managed by the Trustee. In addition, the Plan uses Hewitt Associates, LLC as the record-keeper. These transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions; however, they are exempt from prohibited transaction rules under ERISA.


12


8.
Reconciliation of Financial Statements to the Form 5500
The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements as of December 31, to the Form 5500:
 
December 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
$
4,884,878

 
$
4,586,147

Add adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive SICs
4,632

 
3,075

Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
$
4,889,510

 
$
4,589,222





13

Employer Plan Identification #36-3051915
Plan #020
AON SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2014


 
 
 
Current Value
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor or Similar Party
 
(thousands)
Common Stock - Large Cap Domestic Equity
 
 
 
Reorg/Allergan Inc Com Stock Cash And Stock Merger 03-17-2015
 
$
3,146

 
Reorg/Medtronic Mandatory Exch Medtronic Hldg Ltd 291Sac1 01-27-2015
 
3,596

 
Dropbox Inc Cl A Com Stk - TRowe Price Only
 
461

 
ADT Corp Com
 
3,837

 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc Com
 
3,756

 
Amazon Com Inc Com
 
9,590

 
American Airlines Inc Com Usd1
 
5,862

 
American Tower Corp
 
4,083

 
Apache Corp Com
 
10,096

 
Apple Inc Com Stk
 
5,122

 
Autozone Inc Com
 
3,343

 
Baker Hughes Inc Com
 
5,618

 
Bank New York Mellon Corp Com Stk
 
13,680

 
Bank Of America Corp
 
14,024

 
Bb&T Corp Com
 
5,596

 
Biogen Inc Common Stock
 
5,638

 
Blackrock Inc Com Stk
 
1,323

 
Boeing Co Com
 
4,107

 
Cap 1 Fncl Com
 
19,837

 
Carmax Inc Com
 
5,213

 
Celgene Corp Com
 
3,792

 
Chevron Corp Com
 
7,419

 
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc Com Stk
 
1,780

 
Cigna Corporation
 
5,434

 
Cisco Systems Inc
 
2,932

 
Coach Inc Com
 
3,148

 
Comcast Corp New-Cl A
 
13,222

 
Continental Res Inc Com
 
648

 
Corning Inc Com
 
6,686

 
Costco Wholesale Corp New Com
 
1,432

 
Crown Castle Intl Corp New Com
 
4,203

 
CVS Health Corp Com
 
3,111

 
Danaher Corp Com
 
9,410

 
Delphi Automotive Plc
 
2,160

 
Dish Network Corp Cl A Com Stk
 
4,140

 
Ebay Inc Com Usd0.001
 
7,745

 
Ecolab Inc Com
 
460

 
EMC Corp Com
 
6,025

 
EOG Resources Inc Com
 
534

 
EQT Corp Com
 
1,597

 
Estee Lauder Companies Inc Cl A Usd0.01
 
1,013

 
Express Scripts Hldg Co Com
 
7,654

 
Facebook Inc Cl A Cl A
 
6,054

 
Fedex Corp Com
 
14,987

 
Fiserv Inc Com
 
1,164

 
General Electric Co
 
4,963


14


AON SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2014
(continued)

 
 
 
Current Value
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor or Similar Party
 
(thousands)
 
Gilead Sciences Inc
 
5,823

 
Goldman Sachs Group Inc Com
 
11,785

 
Google Inc Cl A
 
10,825

 
Google Inc Com Usd0.001 Cl'C'
 
15,424

 
Hanesbrands Inc Com Stk
 
2,188

 
Hewlett Packard Co Com
 
20,828

 
Home Depot Inc Com
 
3,013

 
Humana Inc Com
 
1,752

 
Incyte Corp Com
 
1,374

 
Intercontinental Exchange Inc Com
 
1,908

 
Intuitive Surgical Inc Com New Stk
 
3,703

 
Invesco Ltd Com Stk Usd0.20
 
154

 
Jpmorgan Chase & Co Com
 
8,085

 
KS CY Southn
 
1,855

 
Las Vegas Sands Corp Com Stk
 
2,338

 
Liberty Interactive Corp Interactive Comser A
 
3,617

 
Liberty Interactive Corp Liberty Ventures Com Ser A
 
659

 
Linkedin Corp Cl A
 
2,251

 
Lowes Cos Inc Com
 
4,183

 
Mastercard Inc Cl A
 
6,109

 
Mckesson Corp
 
5,895

 
Merck & Co Inc New Com
 
9,938

 
Metlife Inc Com Stk Usd0.01
 
5,793

 
Mgm Resorts International Com
 
2,728

 
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd Com Npv
 
946

 
Microsoft Corp Com
 
19,077

 
Morgan Stanley Com Stk Usd0.01
 
2,650

 
National Oilwell Varco Com Stk
 
4,083

 
Netapp Inc Com Stk
 
6,682

 
Netflix Inc Com Stk
 
2,261

 
Nike Inc Cl B
 
1,558

 
Palo Alto Networks Inc Com Usd0.0001
 
527

 
Pfizer Inc Com
 
7,779

 
Pioneer Nat Res Co Com Stk
 
1,771

 
Precision Castparts Corp Com
 
4,745

 
Red Hat Inc Com
 
1,805

 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc Com
 
2,174

 
Roper Inds Inc New Com
 
2,877

 
Ross Stores Inc Com
 
1,197

 
Salesforce Com Inc Com Stk
 
3,582

 
Schlumberger Ltd Com Com
 
11,898

 
Schwab Charles Corp Com New
 
14,063

 
Servicenow Inc Com Usd0.001
 
1,303

 
Sherwin-Williams Co Com
 
3,025

 
Sprint Corp Com Ser 1 Com Ser 1
 
2,304

 
Starbucks Corp Com
 
3,093

 
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc Com Stk
 
1,257


15


AON SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2014
(continued)

 
 
 
Current Value
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor or Similar Party
 
(thousands)
 
State Str Corp Com
 
1,719

 
Sun Tr Banks Inc Com
 
3,846

 
Symantec Corp Com
 
10,965

 
Target Corp Com Stk
 
7,325

 
TD Ameritrade Hldg Corp Com Stk
 
1,564

 
TE Connectivity Ltd
 
7,402

 
Tesla Mtrs Inc Com
 
2,313

 
The Priceline Group Inc
 
8,267

 
Time Warner Cable Inc Com
 
14,809

 
Time Warner Inc Usd0.01
 
16,500

 
Tractor Supply Co Com
 
3,014

 
Twenty-First Centy Fox Inc Cl A Cl A
 
10,108

 
Twitter Inc Com
 
843

 
Tyco International Plc Eur1.00
 
6,492

 
Under Armor Inc Cl A
 
1,032

 
United Contl Hldgs Inc Com Stk
 
2,582

 
United Technologies Corp Com
 
1,277

 
Unitedhealth Group Inc Com
 
10,625

 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc Com
 
1,960

 
Visa Inc Com Cl A Stk
 
9,046

 
Vmware Inc Cl A Com Cl A Com
 
1,279

 
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc Com
 
1,478

 
Wal-Mart Stores Inc Com
 
13,397

 
Walt Disney Co
 
3,466

 
Wells Fargo & Co New Com Stk
 
20,369

 
Workday Inc Cl A Com Usd0.001
 
653

 
Wynn Resorts Ltd Com
 
3,761

 
Aon SDA Option
 
20,310

 
Total Common Stock - Large Cap Domestic
 
$
668,928

 
 
 
 
Common Collective Trust - Commodities
 
 
 
MFO Aon Commodities Unit G
 
$
14,814

 
Total Common Collective Trust - Commodities
 
$
14,814

 
 
 
 
Common Collective Trust - Fixed Income
 
 
 
MFO Aon High Yield Unit J
 
$
21,950

 
MFO Aon Intermediate Bond Unit B
 
302,371

 
MFO Aon Stable Tips Unit H
 
25,962

 
MFO Aon Stable Value Unit A
 
306,903

 
MFO Aon Tips Unit I
 
6,415

 
MFO Blackrock Us Debt Index Non Lendablefund F
 
292,283

 
Aon SDA Option
 
4,401

 
Common Collective Trust - Fixed Income
 
$
960,285

 
 
 
 
Common Stock - International Equity
 
 
 
Actavis Plc Com
 
$
3,089

 
ADR Aegon N V Ny Registry Shs Shs
 
3,753


16


AON SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2014
(continued)

 
 
 
Current Value
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor or Similar Party
 
(thousands)
 
ADR Alibaba Group Hldg Ltd-Sp A
 
3,972

 
ADR Asml Hldg Nv Ny Reg 2012 (Post Rev Split)
 
1,520

 
ADR Baidu Inc Sponsored ADR
 
5,038

 
ADR Ctrip Com Intl Ltd Ads American Dep Shs
 
1,542

 
ADR Glaxosmithkline Plc Sponsored ADR
 
4,159

 
ADR Nokia Corp Sponsored ADR
 
1,729

 
ADR Novartis Ag
 
16,799

 
ADR Roche Hldg Ltd Sponsored ADR Isin #Us771195104
 
12,502

 
ADR Vipshop Hldgs Ltd Sponsored ADR
 
1,981

 
Konninklijke Philips N.V
 
2,288

 
Mobileye Nv Eur0.01
 
673

 
Naver Corporation Krw500
 
834

 
Sanofi Sponsored ADR
 
10,601

 
Softbank Corp Npv
 
1,594

 
Tencent Hldgs Limited Common Stock
 
1,680

 
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc Common Stock
 
4,064

 
Wynn Macau Ltd Hkd0.001
 
1,226

 
Total Common Stock - International Equity
 
$
79,044

 
 
 
 
Common Stock - Small/Mid Cap
 
 
 
AOL Inc Com Stk
 
$
2,638

 
Aon Plc Class A Ordinary Shares
 
224,811

 
Ashland Inc New Com
 
1,293

 
Cadence Design Sys Inc Com
 
1,542

 
Celanese Corp Del Com Ser A Stk
 
4,802

 
Flowserve Corp Com
 
760

 
Hunt J B Trans Svcs Inc Com
 
1,407

 
Huron Consulting Group Inc Com Stk
 
47

 
Juniper Networks Inc Com
 
1,306

 
Martin Marietta Matls Inc Com
 
750

 
Maxim Integrated Prods Inc Com
 
4,188

 
N V R Inc Com
 
1,148

 
Netsuite Inc Com Stk
 
1,419

 
News Corp New Cl A Cl A
 
923

 
Now Inc Com
 
401

 
Pandora Media Inc
 
439

 
Pharmacyclics Inc Com
 
1,418

 
Range Res Corp Com
 
1,341

 
Stratasys Inc Shs
 
723

 
Synopsys Inc Com
 
4,630

 
Time Inc New Com
 
1,034

 
Wabtec Corp Com
 
2,103

 
Weatherford International Ltd(Ie)Usd0.001
 
2,299

 
Common Stock - Small/Mid Cap
 
$
261,422

 
 
 
 
Mutual Fund - International Equity
 
 
 
MFO Aon Emerging Markets Unit L
 
$
12,117


17


AON SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2014
(continued)

 
 
 
Current Value
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor or Similar Party
 
(thousands)
 
MFO Aon International Ex-Us Unit F
 
321,730

 
MFO Aon International Unit E
 
412,370

 
MFO Dfa Invt Dimensions Group Inc Emerging Mkts Core Equity Port
 
106,321

 
Aon SDA Option
 
3,962

 
Total Mutual Fund - International Equity
 
$
856,500

 
 
 
 
Mutual Fund - Large Cap Domestic Equity
 
 
 
MFO Aon Large Cap Growth Unit C
 
$
956,647

 
MFO Aon Small Cap Unit D
 
213

 
MFO Vanguard Horizon Fds Cap Opportunityfd Admiral Shs #5111
 
156,129

 
MFO Wells Fargo Fds Tr Advantage Small Cap Value Fd Instl Cl
 
49,924

 
Total Mutual Fund - Large Cap Domestic Equity
 
$
1,162,913

 
 
 
 
Mutual Fund - Small/Mid Cap
 
 
 
MFO Aon Small Cap Unit D
 
$
182,581

 
MFO Vanguard Index Tr Extended Mkt Indexfd Instl Plus Shs
 
296,437

 
Total Mutual Fund - Small/Mid Cap
 
$
479,018

 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock/Other Equity
 
 
 
Airbnb Inc Series D Cvt Pfd Stock Trowe Price Only
 
$
407

 
Pvtpl Flipkart Limited Series G Preference Shares - T Rowe Price Only
 
334

 
Aon SDA Option
 
13,319

 
Total Preferred Stock/Other Equity
 
$
14,060

 
 
 
 
REITS
 
 
 
MFO Aon Real Estate Unit K
 
$
104,270

 
Total REITS
 
$
104,270

 
 
 
 
Separate Account - Fixed Income
 
 
 
MFO Aon Stable Value Unit A
 
$
172,024

 
Total Separate Account - Fixed Income
 
$
172,024

 
 
 
 
Short Term Investment Fund
 
 
 
Japanese Yen
 
$
6

 
MFB NI Treasury Money Market Fund - Sweep
 
12,012

 
MFO Aon Stable Value Unit A
 
7,691

 
United States Dollar
 
3,219

 
Aon SDA Option
 
7,079

 
Total Short Term Investment Fund
 
$
30,007

 
 
 
 
Mutual Fund - Balanced
 
 
 
MFO Pimco Fds Pac Invt Mgmt Ser All Ast Fd Instl Cl
 
$
31,918

 
Total Mutual Fund - Balanced
 
$
31,918

 
 
 
 
* Participant Loans (4.25%)
 
$
55,028

 
 
 
 
 
Total Investments at Fair Value
 
$
4,890,231

*Indicates party-in-interest not prohibited by ERISA

 
 

18