Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Stock-Based Compensation

6. Stock-Based Compensation

Verizon Communications Long-Term Incentive Plan

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

Restricted Stock Units

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

Performance Stock Units

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

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

(shares in thousands)	Restricted Stock Units			Performance Stock Units
Outstanding, beginning of year		18,669			39,463
Granted		4,739			7,182
Payments		(7,237	)		(22,703	)
Cancelled/Forfeited		(122	)		(436	)
Outstanding, September 30, 2013		16,049			23,506

As of September 30, 2013, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of outstanding RSUs and PSUs was approximately $0.5 billion and is expected to be recognized over approximately two years.

The RSUs granted in 2013 have a weighted-average grant date fair value of $47.96 per unit.