Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Benefit Plans

v3.10.0.1
Benefit Plans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Benefit Plans
Benefit Plans 
We recognized share-based payment expense of $133,175, $124,069 and $108,604 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
We account for equity instruments granted in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. ASC 718 requires all share-based compensation payments to be recognized in the financial statements based on fair value. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to value stock option awards and have elected to treat awards with graded vesting as a single award. Share-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. We measure restricted stock awards and units using the fair market value of the restricted shares of common stock on the day the award is granted. Stock-based awards granted to employees, non-employees and members of our board of directors include stock options and restricted stock units.
Fair value as determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model varies based on assumptions used for the expected life, expected stock price volatility, expected dividend yield and risk-free interest rates. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we estimated the fair value of awards granted using the hybrid approach for volatility, which weights observable historical volatility and implied volatility of qualifying actively traded options on our common stock. The expected life assumption represents the weighted-average period stock-based awards are expected to remain outstanding. These expected life assumptions are established through a review of historical exercise behavior of stock-based award grants with similar vesting periods. Where historical patterns do not exist for non-employees, contractual terms are used. Dividend yield is based on the current expected annual dividend per share and our stock price. The risk-free interest rate represents the daily treasury yield curve rate at the grant date based on the closing market bid yields on actively traded U.S. treasury securities in the over-the-counter market for the expected term. Our assumptions may change in future periods.
2015 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan
In May 2015, our stockholders approved the Sirius XM Holdings Inc. 2015 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”).  Employees, consultants and members of our board of directors are eligible to receive awards under the 2015 Plan.  The 2015 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards that the compensation committee of our board of directors deems appropriate.  Stock-based awards granted under the 2015 Plan are generally subject to a graded vesting requirement, which is generally three to four years from the grant date.  Stock options generally expire ten years from the date of grant.  Restricted stock units include performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”), the vesting of which are subject to the achievement of performance goals and the employee's continued employment and generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Each restricted stock unit entitles the holder to receive one share of common stock upon vesting.  As of December 31, 2018, 154,973 shares of common stock were available for future grants under the 2015 Plan.
Other Plans
We maintain two other share-based benefit plans — the Sirius XM Radio Inc. 2009 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the Amended and Restated Sirius Satellite Radio 2003 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. Excluding dividend equivalent units granted as a result of a declared dividend, no further awards may be made under these plans.
The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used to compute the fair value of options granted to employees and members of our board of directors:
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Risk-free interest rate
2.7%
 
1.8%
 
1.1%
Expected life of options — years
4.38
 
4.59
 
4.25
Expected stock price volatility
23%
 
24%
 
22%
Expected dividend yield
0.7%
 
0.7%
 
0.0%

Since we did not historically pay dividends on our common stock prior to the fourth quarter of 2016, the expected dividend yield used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model was less than one tenth percent for the year ended December 31, 2016.
The following table summarizes stock option activity under our share-based plans for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Options
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price Per Share
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at the beginning of January 1, 2016
338,481

 
$
3.29

 
 
 
 
Granted
55,222

 
$
4.14

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(50,728
)
 
$
2.66

 
 
 
 
Forfeited, cancelled or expired
(10,327
)
 
$
4.30

 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
332,648

 
$
3.50

 
 
 
 
Granted
27,339

 
$
5.49

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(73,296
)
 
$
3.21

 
 
 
 
Forfeited, cancelled or expired
(6,234
)
 
$
4.07

 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017
280,457

 
$
3.76

 
 
 
 
Granted
31,704

 
$
6.59

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(64,631
)
 
$
3.35

 
 
 
 
Forfeited, cancelled or expired
(4,128
)
 
$
4.76

 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
243,402

 
$
4.22

 
6.32
 
$
391,868

Exercisable as of December 31, 2018
143,804

 
$
3.60

 
5.40
 
$
303,266


The weighted average grant date fair value per share of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $1.45, $1.17 and $0.81, respectively.  The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $214,705, $166,517 and $81,204, respectively.  During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 the number of net settled shares which were issued as a result of stock option exercises was 19,393, 16,957 and 10,918, respectively.
We recognized share-based payment expense associated with stock options of $67,158, $78,491 and $80,266 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The following table summarizes the restricted stock unit, including PRSU, activity under our share-based plans for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Shares
 
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Nonvested at the beginning of January 1, 2016
16,088

 
$
3.73

Granted
18,523

 
$
4.21

Vested
(4,212
)
 
$
3.68

Forfeited
(506
)
 
$
3.75

Nonvested as of December 31, 2016
29,893

 
$
4.03

Granted
11,721

 
$
5.35

Vested
(8,842
)
 
$
3.92

Forfeited
(1,449
)
 
$
4.42

Nonvested as of December 31, 2017
31,323

 
$
4.54

Granted
17,475

 
$
6.40

Vested
(12,775
)
 
$
4.43

Forfeited
(1,415
)
 
$
4.99

Nonvested as of December 31, 2018
34,608

 
$
5.50


The total intrinsic value of restricted stock units, including PRSUs, vesting during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $84,623, $48,473 and $17,807, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the number of net settled shares which were issued as a result of restricted stock units vesting totaled 7,444, 5,365 and 2,493, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we granted 5,158, 938 and 3,036 PRSUs to certain employees, respectively. We believe it is probable that the performance target applicable to these PRSUs will be achieved.
In connection with the cash dividends paid during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we granted 249, 247 and 70 restricted stock units, respectively, including PRSUs, in accordance with the terms of existing award agreements. These grants did not result in any additional incremental share-based payment expense being recognized during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
We recognized share-based payment expense associated with restricted stock units, including PRSUs, of $66,017, $45,578 and $28,338 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share-based payment awards for stock options and restricted stock units, including PRSUs, granted to employees, members of our board of directors and third parties at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $254,273 and $241,521, respectively.  The total unrecognized compensation costs at December 31, 2018 are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.
401(k) Savings Plan
Sirius XM sponsors the Sirius XM Radio Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Sirius XM Plan”) for eligible employees. The Sirius XM Plan allows eligible employees to voluntarily contribute from 1% to 50% of their pre-tax eligible earnings, subject to certain defined limits. We match 50% of an employee’s voluntary contributions per pay period on the first 6% of an employee’s pre-tax salary up to a maximum of 3% of eligible compensation.  We may also make additional discretionary matching, true-up matching and non-elective contributions to the Sirius XM Plan.  Employer matching contributions under the Sirius XM Plan vest at a rate of 33.33% for each year of employment and are fully vested after three years of employment for all current and future contributions.  Our cash employer matching contributions are not used to purchase shares of our common stock on the open market, unless the employee elects our common stock as their investment option for this contribution.  We recognized $8,692, $7,582 and $7,104 in expense during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in connection with the Sirius XM Plan.
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
In 2015, we adopted the Sirius XM Holdings Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DCP”).  The DCP allows members of our board of directors and certain eligible employees to defer all or a portion of their base salary, cash incentive compensation and/or board of directors’ cash compensation, as applicable.  Pursuant to the terms of the DCP, we may elect to make additional contributions beyond amounts deferred by participants, but we are under no obligation to do so.  We have established a grantor (or “rabbi”) trust to facilitate the payment of our obligations under the DCP.
Contributions to the DCP, net of withdrawals, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $7,605, $7,628 and $4,295, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of the investments held in the trust were $21,860 and $14,641, respectively, which is included in Other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheets and classified as trading securities.  Trading gains and losses associated with these investments are recorded in Other income within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.  The associated liability is recorded within Other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, and any increase or decrease in the liability is recorded in General and administration expense within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.  For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded an immaterial amount of unrealized losses and gains on investments, respectively, held in the trust.