BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.   )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o      Preliminary Proxy Statement
o      Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule14a-6(e)(2))
o      Definitive Proxy Statement
o      Definitive Additional Materials
þ      Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
 
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No fee required
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
         
 
  (1)    Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
       
 
       
 
  (2)    Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
       
 
       
 
  (3)    Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
       
 
       
 
  (4)    Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
       
 
       
 
  (5)    Total fee paid:
 
       
 
       
o    Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
 
       
o    Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
       
 
  (1)    Amount Previously Paid:
 
       
 
       
 
  (2)    Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
       
 
       
 
  (3)    Filing Party:
 
       
 
       
 
  (4)    Date Filed:
 
       
 
       

 


 

Supplement A — D01 Example
Merger Benefits & Compensation Summary Sheet
For Director-Level
         
   Benefits:   From now until closing, the current benefit plans and compensation programs will continue in the normal course (however, BellSouth maintains the right to modify or terminate any of these programs in accordance with their terms).
 
       
    At closing, AT&T has agreed to continue the same aggregate level of compensation and benefits (under plans in effect on March 4, 2006) for former BellSouth employees until the later of 1 year following closing or 12/31/07.
 
       
   Bonuses:   2006 — Current terms apply and will be paid in accordance with current bonus program.
 
       
    2007 — If closing has not occurred by 3/1/07, BellSouth has option to set annual bonuses for
 
       
$19,550   2007 and also may determine achievement prior to closing so that a pro-rata portion of the bonus would be based on BellSouth performance (through closing).
 
       
   Performance
       
   Shares:

$48,100
  At closing, performance shares will vest and payout pro-rata based on actual achievement of performance goals. Remaining performance shares will be forfeited. Payments will be made by AT&T as soon as administratively practicable following the closing.
 
       
    Within 60 days following closing, AT&T will grant replacement performance shares (with new performance measures) in an amount approximately equal to the value of the performance shares forfeited at closing.
 
       
   Severance:   For 2 years following the closing, because AT&T has no obligation to maintain employment of any particular employee, AT&T will maintain a severance plan with the following terms. Upon a qualifying termination:
 
       
$172,500
       ·   Severance pay — 7% of base pay per year of service (minimum 50% and maximum 150%).
 
       
$3,258
       ·   Bonus for year of termination — pro-rated at target
 
       
 
       ·   Health benefits — rule of 65 retiree medical and 6 months paid COBRA for others
 
       
$67,771
       ·   Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units — fully vest as of date of termination
 
       
$22,268
       ·   Performance Shares — replacement AT&T performance shares fully vest as of date of termination and are paid out based on actual performance at end of performance period
 
       
 
       ·   Telephone concession — rule of 65 telephone concession
 
       
 
       ·   Outplacement
$265,798
Note: A “qualifying termination” is a termination by AT&T of an employee’s employment without cause or a termination by the employee with good reason (as those terms are defined in the applicable plan(s) or agreement(s)). Employees must give AT&T prompt notice of an event constituting good reason.

Overview Only — eligibility and benefits are controlled by the terms of the official Plan documents and Summary Plan Descriptions
for the applicable severance plans, severance agreements, merger agreement and underlying benefit plans and programs.

 


 

NOTE: In connection with the proposed merger, AT&T intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4, including a joint proxy statement of AT&T and BellSouth, and AT&T and BellSouth will file other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Investors are urged to read the registration statement, including the joint proxy statement (and all amendments and supplements to it) and other materials when they become available because they contain important information. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the registration and joint proxy statement, when they become available, as well as other filings containing information about AT&T and BellSouth, without charge, at the SEC’s Web site (www.sec.gov). Copies of AT&T’s filings may also be obtained for free from AT&T at AT&T’s Web site (www.att.com) or by directing a request to AT&T Inc. Stockholder Services, 175 E. Houston, San Antonio, Texas 78258. Copies of BellSouth’s filings may be obtained without charge from BellSouth at BellSouth’s Web site (www.bellsouth.com) or by directing a request to BellSouth at Investor Relations, 1155 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
AT&T, BellSouth and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees are potential participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger. Information regarding AT&T’s directors and executive officers is available in AT&T’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2006 and AT&T’s preliminary proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on February 10, 2006, and information regarding BellSouth’s directors and executive officers is available in BellSouth’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2006 and BellSouth’s proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2006. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the registration and joint proxy statement, and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available.
NOTE: This document only summarizes benefits and other employee programs, and individual situations may vary. For full details, including eligibility, you should consult the summary plan descriptions, summaries of material modifications or the official plan documents. If a benefit program or policy does not have an SPD or SMM, you should consult the company policy or guideline. In all cases, the official plan documents and company policies govern and are the final authority on the terms of the plans and programs. The Company reserves the right to terminate or amend any and all benefits plans and programs. Participation in a benefit plan or program is neither a contract nor a guarantee of future employment.

 


 

Supplement B — D01 Example
Merger Benefits and Compensation Summary Sheet
For Directors
             
Understanding Individual Compensation Values       ESTIMATES / WORKSHEET ONLY
The following example illustrates how different compensation components would be impacted by the anticipated merger. This example is based on the following assumptions:   This information, and the estimates and projections included, are intended only to provide an example of compensation amounts to which someone at your job grade may become entitled under
Job Grade Equivalent:
Base Salary:
Completed Years of Service:
Retirement Eligibility:
Assumed Close Date:
Involuntary Separation Date:
  D01
$115,000
22
Rule of 65
12/31/2006
2/28/2007
  NOTE: This document only summarizes benefits and other employee programs, and individual situations may vary. For full details, including eligibility, you should consult the summary plan descriptions, summaries of material modifications or the official plan documents. If a benefit program or policy does not have an SPD or SMM, you should consult the company policy or guideline. In all cases, the official plan documents and company policies govern and are the final authority on the terms of the plans and programs. The AT&T & BellSouth companies, respectively, reserve the right to terminate or amend any and all benefits plans and programs. Participation in a benefit plan or program is neither a contract nor a guarantee of future employment.   a given set of assumptions. Actual eligibility for and compensation amounts payable to you will be determined in accordance with the terms of the various underlying compensation programs and grant agreements applicable to you. This worksheet is not, nor is it intended to be, a governing document with respect to any of the compensation programs discussed or described. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the calculations provided; however, in the event of a discrepancy between this document and the governing documents, the governing documents will control in all circumstances. The actual amounts payable to you, if any, will be determined in accordance with the governing documents and will be calculated at the time of separation from employment or when such benefits are otherwise payable, whichever is appropriate.
 
2006 Bonus (Paid in 2007)
                                     
Base
Salary
 
X
  Target
Bonus

= 
Target
Bonus
 
X
  Company
Performance
 
X
  Personal
Performance
 
=
  Bonus
Payout
                                     
$115,000       17%   $19,550       100%       100%       $19,550
 
Performance Share Awards (Paid At Closing)
Individual performance share award grant levels are posted at Benefits@Your Fingertips, on the Your Total Rewards site
                                                         

Performance
Period
 
Performance
Measure
  Performance
Shares
Granted
 

X
  Final
Performance
Factor
1
 

=
 
Earned
Shares
 

X
 
BellSouth Stock
Price
2
  +

  Dividend
per Earned
Share
 

X
  Earned
Portion of
Award at Closing
 

=
 
Award
Payment
 
Forfeited
Award
                                                         
2004-2006
2004-2006
  TSR
ROIC
  350
350
      70%
100%
      245
350
      $34.28
$34.28
      $3.44
$3.44
      100%
100%
      $9,241
$13,202
  $ 0
$ 0
                                                         

Performance
Period
 
Performance
Measure
  Performance
Shares
Granted
 

X
  Final
Performance
Factor
1
 

=
 
Earned
Shares
 

X
 
BellSouth Stock
Price
2
  +

  Dividend
per Earned
Share
  X   Earned
Portion of
Award at Closing
 

=
 
Award
Payment
 
Forfeited
Award
                                                         
2005-2007
2005-2007
  TSR
ROIC
  350
350
      120%
100%
      420
350
      $34.28
$34.28
  $3.44
$3.44
      67%
67%
      $10,562
$8,801
  $5,281
$4,401
                                                         

Performance
Period
 
Performance
Measure
  Performance
Shares
Granted
 

X
  Final
Performance
Factor
1
 

=
 
Earned
Shares
 

X
 
BellSouth Stock
Price
2
  +

  Dividend
per Earned
Share
 

X
  Earned
Portion of
Award at Closing
 

=
 
Award
Payment
 
Forfeited
Award
                                                         
2006-2008
2006-2008
  TSR
ROIC
  250
250
      100%
100%
      250
250
      $34.28
$34.28
  $3.48
$3.48
      33%
33%
      $3,147
$3,147
$48,1003
  $6,293
$6,293
$22,2684
1
 
1   Actual performance as of 12/31/05;
 
2   Closing price as of 3/22/06, actual price will be as defined in grant agreement;
 
3   The earned portion of each award is paid in cash after closing.
 
4   For performance share value that is forfeited, AT&T will grant replacement performance shares equal to approximately the forfeited value. These AT&T performance shares are fully earned upon qualifying termination and will be paid out at the end of the performance period;
 
5   AT&T closing price as of 3/22/06, actual price will be defined in grant agreement.


 

Supplement B — D01 Example
Merger Benefits and Compensation Summary Sheet
For Directors
 
Severance (only applicable upon qualifying involuntary termination within the two year period following closing)
                                 
Years of Completed
Service
 
X
 
7%
 
=
  Minimum = 50%
Maximum = 150%
 
X
  Base
Salary
 
=
  Severance
Payment
                                 
22       7%       150%       $115,000       $172,500
 
2007 Bonus (Normally payable in 2008)
                                             


Base
Salary
 


X
 

Target
Bonus
 

Target
Bonus
 


X
 

Company
Performance
 


X
 

Personal
Performance



=



Bonus
 


X
  Earned
Portion
of Bonus at
Separation




Prorated
Bonus
Payment
                                             
$115,000       17%   $19,550       100%       100%   $19,550       17%   $3,258
 
Unvested Restricted Stock
                             

Grant
Year
 
Unvested
Shares/Units
 

X
 
Conversion to
AT&T Shares



=
Total
AT&T
Shares
 

X
  Estimated
AT&T
Stock Price
5
 
Estimated
Value
                             
2004   700       1.325     928       $26.92   $24,968
2005   700       1.325     928       $26.92   $24,968
2006   500       1.325     663       $26.92   $17,835
                             
    1,900           2,518           $67,771
 
 
Total Severance Value — Includes the sum of Severance Pay, 2007 prorated Bonus, Restricted Stock and Forfeited Performance ShareValue $265,798
This illustration does not include any value for SERP, Deferred Compensation, Supplemental Life, Telephone Concession or Outplacement.
 
 
NOTE: In connection with the proposed merger, AT&T intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4, including a joint proxy statement of AT&T and BellSouth, and AT&T and BellSouth will file other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Investors are urged to read the registration statement, including the joint proxy statement (and all amendments and supplements to it) and other materials when they become available because they contain important information. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the registration and joint proxy statement, when they become available, as well as other filings containing information about AT&T and BellSouth, without charge, at the SEC’s Web site (www.sec.gov). Copies of AT&T’s filings may also be obtained for free from AT&T at AT&T’s Web site (www.att.com) or by directing a request to AT&T Inc. Stockholder Services, 175 E. Houston, San Antonio, Texas 78258. Copies of BellSouth’s filings may be obtained without charge from BellSouth at BellSouth’s Web site (www.bellsouth.com) or by directing a request to BellSouth at Investor Relations, 1155 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
AT&T, BellSouth and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees are potential participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger. Information regarding AT&T’s directors and executive officers is available in AT&T’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2006 and AT&T’s preliminary proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on February 10, 2006, and information regarding BellSouth’s directors and executive officers is available in BellSouth’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2006 and BellSouth’s proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2006. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the registration and joint proxy statement, and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available.