Boston Scientific 11K - 2014



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORM 11-K
 
FOR ANNUAL REPORTS OF EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE,
SAVINGS AND SIMILAR PLANS PURSUANT TO
SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Mark One):
 
 
 
 
 
þ
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
 
For the transition period from                 to                             
            
   Commission file number: 1-11083
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A.
Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
 
 
 
Boston Scientific Corporation
 
 
 
 
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 B.
Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive
 
 
office:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Boston Scientific Corporation
 
 
 
 
300 Boston Scientific Way
 
 
 
 
Marlborough, MA 01752
 
















Audited Financial Statements
and Supplemental Schedule
 
Boston Scientific Corporation
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
 
 
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the Year Ended December 31, 2014





















                    

Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
 
Audited Financial Statements
and Supplemental Schedule
 
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Contents
 
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
1
 
 
 
Audited Financial Statements
 
 
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits    
2
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
3
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
4-12
 
 
 
Supplemental Schedule
 
 
 
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
14
 
 
 
Signature and Exhibits
15-16
 







Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Employee Benefits Committee and Participants
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2014. 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 Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2014, 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 Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan’s financial statements. The information in the supplemental schedule 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 schedule. 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
Boston, Massachusetts
June 29, 2015




1


Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits


 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Assets
 
 
 
Investments
$
2,491,278,305

 
$
2,313,546,834

Receivables:
 
 
 
      Participant contributions
5,505

 
12,602

      Employer contributions
7,516

 
100,425

      Notes receivable from participants
27,409,075

 
25,934,170

Total receivables
27,422,096

 
26,047,197

 
 
 
 
Net assets reflecting investments at fair value
2,518,700,401

 
2,339,594,031

 
 
 
 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for
 
 
 
      fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
(7,496,169
)
 
(6,766,642
)
 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits
$
2,511,204,232

 
$
2,332,827,389


    

See accompanying notes to the Financial Statements.



























2


Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

Year Ended December 31, 2014


Additions:
 
   Investment income:
 
      Interest and dividends
$
79,544,382

      Net appreciation in fair value of investments
91,654,107

 
171,198,489

 
 
Interest income on notes receivable from participants
1,092,037

 
 
   Contributions:
 
      Participants
93,955,519

      Employer
65,020,097

      Participant rollovers
15,175,585

 
174,151,201

 
 
Total additions
346,441,727

 
 
Deductions:
 
      Benefit payments
167,777,629

      Administrative expenses
287,255

Total deductions
168,064,884

 
 
Net increase
178,376,843

 
 
Net assets available for benefits:
 
      Beginning of year
2,332,827,389

      End of year
$
2,511,204,232

    


See accompanying notes to the Financial Statements.










3
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

    
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

The following description of the Boston Scientific Corporation (the Company or Boston Scientific) 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, as amended (the Plan), provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Summary Plan Description and the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions. Copies of these documents are available from the Employee Benefits Committee (the Committee). Capitalized terms used in this description not otherwise defined herein shall each have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

General
The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all Eligible Employees who have completed an Hour of Service and have attained eighteen years of age. If, as a result of temporary or short-term employment at Boston Scientific, an employee satisfies the minimum service requirement for the Plan, he or she will be considered an Eligible Employee for purposes of the Plan. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

The Plan is administered by the Committee, whose members are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (Vanguard) is a fiduciary and trustee of the Plan and also serves as the record keeper of each Plan Participant's account.

Contributions
The Plan satisfies the requirements to be a safe harbor plan, in accordance with Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 401(k)(12)(B). An Eligible Employee may contribute between 1% and 25% of his or her Eligible Compensation to the Plan as Elective Deferrals, up to established federal limits indexed annually. Elective Deferrals include pre-tax contributions and Roth (after-tax) contributions. If elected, Roth contributions are combined with all annual pre-tax contributions in determining the maximum amount which a Participant may contribute in Elective Deferrals each year. Participants are not permitted to make contributions on a traditional after-tax basis. Participants age 50 or older by December 31, 2014 were also eligible to contribute additional "catch up" contributions, up to established federal limits.

The Plan provides for “Automatic Enrollments,” whereby an Eligible Employee who completes an Hour of Service with the Company and who would otherwise have been eligible to make Elective Deferrals but did not, is enrolled in the Plan thirty (30) days after he or she satisfies the Plan's eligibility requirements. This feature automatically enrolls each Participant into the Plan at a default rate of 2% of his or her Eligible Compensation on a pre-tax basis for the first Plan year. Contributions are allocated to the Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA). Following the first Plan year, the rate of contribution of an Eligible Employee's Compensation under the automatic enrollment increases annually in 1% increments, up to a maximum of 6% in the fifth Plan year in which the Automatic Compensation Reduction Authorization is in effect. Participants receive advance notice of their right to elect out of both of these automatic Plan features and are permitted to stop or change either feature at any time.



4
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

        
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)

Contributions (Continued)
Vanguard Target Retirement Funds represent the QDIA for the Plan. In the event contributions are made on behalf of a Participant for whom there are no fund allocations elected, the contributions and any associated matching contribution will be allocated to the applicable Target Retirement Fund that is closest to the date that the Participant attains age 65.

The Company matches Elective Deferrals at a rate of 200% for the first 2% of the Participant's Eligible Compensation during the Plan year and 50% of the Elective Deferrals thereafter up to a maximum of 6% of the Participant's Eligible Compensation. The Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue or modify its matching contributions at any time. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors may approve additional discretionary contributions to the Plan. No additional discretionary contributions were made during 2014.

The Plan includes a Boston Scientific Common Stock Fund feature. The Plan also includes a Pfizer Common Stock Fund, which was transferred from the Pfizer Savings and Investment Plan on behalf of former employees of Schneider (USA) Inc. following the Company's acquisition of Schneider in 1998. No additional contributions can be made to the Pfizer Common Stock Fund, and earnings within this fund are allocated in accordance with the Participant's current investment elections under the Plan. A Participant can transfer amounts out of the Pfizer Common Stock Fund to other investment funds within the Plan, and any amount so transferred may not be reallocated to the Pfizer Common Stock Fund.

Participant Accounts and Vesting
A Participant can allocate his or her account among various investment funds. Each Participant's account is credited with the Participant's contribution, the Company's contribution, and an allocation of the earnings and losses for the Participant's particular investment funds. Under current Plan rules, each Participant is fully vested immediately in his or her contributions and Company contributions.

Notes Receivable from Participants
Subject to certain limitations, a Participant may borrow from his or her account a minimum of $1,000 and up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50 percent of his or her vested account balance. Loan terms range from one to five years in most instances, or up to ten years if the loan is for the purchase of a primary residence. However, Participants of the defined contribution plans of acquired companies may retain the loan terms granted under their former plans. Loans are secured by the balance in the Participant's account and bear an interest rate of the Prime Rate plus 1%. The interest rate is updated monthly, and is applied as of the first day of the month in which the loan is confirmed. Principal and interest are repaid ratably through automatic payroll deductions.










5
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)


1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)

Payment of Benefits
All benefit payments, including balances in the common stock funds, are made in the form of a lump-sum distribution equal to the value of the Participant's account, whether as cash distributions or rollovers. Boston Scientific and Pfizer common stock may be distributed in-kind, if requested by the Participant. If a terminated Participant's account is valued at, and remains in excess of, $5,000 (less any rollover amounts), the Participant has the option of leaving the funds invested in the Plan until attaining the age of 65. While employed by the Company, a Participant may withdraw all or a portion of his or her elective contributions to the extent necessary to meet a Financial Hardship, as provided for in the Plan, not to exceed one Financial Hardship withdrawal per year. Financial Hardship withdrawals are strictly regulated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a Participant must exhaust all available loan options and available distributions prior to requesting a Financial Hardship withdrawal.

Participants may make withdrawals for any reason after attaining age 59½. Disabled Participants, as defined in the Company's group long-term disability contract, are allowed to make withdrawals at any time regardless of age. The Plan also allows withdrawals regardless of age from a Participant's after-tax accounts for any reason.

Forfeitures
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, unallocated forfeited non-vested accounts totaled $398,102 and $305,313, respectively. These amounts are used to (a) restore any amount previously forfeited as required by applicable regulations; (b) pay reasonable expenses of administering the Plan; and (c) reduce future employer matching contributions. In 2014, employer contributions were reduced by forfeited non-vested accounts in the amount of $1,629.

Administrative Expenses
The Plan's administrative expenses are paid by the Plan or the Company, in accordance with the Plan's provisions. Administrative expenses paid by the Plan include record keeping and trustee fees. Expenses relating to purchases, sales, or transfers of the Plan's investments are charged to the particular investment fund to which the expenses relate. All other administrative expenses of the Plan are paid by the Company.

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 a termination of the Plan, the assets shall be liquidated and distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and as prescribed by ERISA and the regulations pursuant thereto. Upon termination of the Plan, the Participants will become fully vested in any non-vested portion of their accounts.









6
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)


2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP).

Payment of Benefits
Benefits are recorded when paid.

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. Related fees are recorded as administrative expenses and are expensed when they are incurred. 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.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
The Plan's investments 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). See Note 4 for further discussion of fair value measurements. The Committee is responsible for determining the Plan's investment strategy and analyzing information provided by the investment custodians and issuers that is used to determine the fair value of the Plan's investments.

The Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust III (comprising the Stable Value Fund) is a tax-exempt collective trust that invests in fully benefit-responsive investment contracts issued by insurance companies and commercial banks, and similar types of fixed principal investments. This fund is recorded at fair value (see Note 4); however, since these contracts are fully benefit-responsive, an adjustment is reflected in the statements of net assets available for benefits to present the Stable Value Fund's investment in these investments at contract value. Contract value is the relevant measurement 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 contract value represents contributions plus earnings, less Participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is accrued when earned. Net appreciation includes the Plan's gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held, during the year. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions are included in dividend income.









7
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)


2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

New Accounting Pronouncement
In May 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share (or its Equivalent) (ASU 2015-07). ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments for which fair values are estimated using the net asset value practical expedient provided by Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Disclosures about investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share are limited under ASU 2015-07 to those investments for which the entity has elected to estimate the fair value using the net asset value practical expedient. ASU 2015-07 is effective for entities (other than public business entities) for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with retrospective application to all periods presented. Early application is permitted. Management has elected to adopt ASU 2015-07 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and, accordingly, will retrospectively apply the provisions of ASU 2015-07 to 2014 and 2013.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 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 could differ from those estimates.


3. INVESTMENTS

The following investments represent five percent or more of the Plan's net assets available for benefits.                                        
 
December 31,
 
2014
2013
Common Stock:
 
 
    Boston Scientific Corporation Common Stock Fund
$
181,108,715

$
183,994,314

Mutual Funds:
 
 
    Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Plus Shares
361,033,679

321,387,538

    Vanguard Growth Index Fund Inst
251,256,942

225,446,693

    Vanguard International Growth Fund
205,471,550

221,761,287

    Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares
187,546,482

167,556,475

    T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Stock Fund
181,454,272

185,350,433

    Vanguard Windsor II Fund Investor Shares
168,835,019

154,717,776

    Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund: Institutional Shares
133,189,521

114,774,523

    Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
127,704,205

123,551,709

Stable Value Fund:

 
    Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust III (fair value) *
251,693,325

249,576,928

        
* The contract value of the Plan's investment in the Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust III was $244,197,156 and $242,810,286 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

8
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)


3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

During 2014, the Plan's investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated in value by $91,654,107 as follows:
Mutual funds
$
65,050,137

Common stock
18,334,710

Common collective trusts
8,269,260

Net appreciation in fair value of investments
$
91,654,107



4. 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). ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The categorization of financial assets and financial liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are other observable inputs, including quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities and market-corroborated inputs.

Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs based on management's best estimate of inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date, including assumptions about risk.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. The Plan's valuation methodology used to measure the fair value of common stock and mutual funds was derived from quoted market prices, as substantially all of these instruments have active markets. The investment in the Stable Value Fund is stated at fair value based on the year end market value of each unit held, using net asset value, which is derived from the market value of the underlying net assets disclosed in the audited financial statements of the Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust III. The investments in the Common Collective Trusts are stated at fair value based on the year end market value of each unit held, using net asset value, which is derived from the market value of the underlying net assets.










9
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)


4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan's investments carried at fair value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
 
Investments at Fair Value as of December 31, 2014
 
Level 1
Level 2
 
Level 3
Total
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
     Index
$
745,480,141

$
—

 
$
—

$
745,480,141

     Growth
558,704,091

—

 
—

558,704,091

     Other
181,469,462

—

 
—

181,469,462

     Balanced
187,546,482

—

 
—

187,546,482

Common stock
184,444,285

—

 
—

184,444,285

Common Collective Trusts
—

381,940,519

†
—

381,940,519

Stable Value Fund
—

251,693,325

††
—

251,693,325

Total investments at fair value
$
1,857,644,461

$
633,633,844

 
$
—

$
2,491,278,305

 
Investments at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
 
Level 1
Level 2
 
Level 3
Total
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
     Index
$
661,608,754

$
—

 
$
—

$
661,608,754

     Growth
825,102,085

—

 
—

825,102,085

     Other
221,708,416

—

 
—

221,708,416

     Balanced
167,556,475

—

 
—

167,556,475

Common stock
187,994,176

—

 
—

187,994,176

Stable Value Fund
—

249,576,928

††
—

249,576,928

Total investments at fair value
$
2,063,969,906

$
249,576,928

 
$
—

$
2,313,546,834

†
This category includes the Target Retirement trusts, which are investments in highly diversified funds designed to remain appropriate for investors in terms of risk throughout a variety of life circumstances. These common/collective trust funds share the common goal of first growing and then later preserving principal and contain a mix of common stocks, bonds, and cash. There are currently no redemption restrictions on these investments.

†† This category includes a common/collective trust fund that is designed to deliver safety and stability by preserving principal and accumulating earnings. This fund is primarily invested in guaranteed investment contracts and synthetic investment contracts. Participant-directed redemptions have no restrictions; however, the Plan is required to provide a one year redemption notice to liquidate its entire share in the fund. The fair value of this fund has been estimated based on the fair value of the underlying investment contracts in the fund as reported by the issuer of the fund. The fair value differs from the contract value. As previously discussed in Note 2, contract value is the relevant measurement 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.

10
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)


5. TRANSACTIONS WITH PARTIES-IN-INTEREST

The Plan invests in certain funds managed by an affiliate of Vanguard. As noted in Note 1, Vanguard is a fiduciary and trustee of the Plan and also serves as the record keeper to maintain the individual accounts of each Participant. The Plan also invests in the common stock of the Company. Transactions in these investments qualify as party-in-interest transactions; however, they are exempt from the prohibited transaction rules under ERISA. Fees for legal, accounting, and other services rendered during the year by parties-in-interest were paid by the Company.


6. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as overall market volatility, interest rate, 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. During 2014, net appreciation in fair value of investments totaled $91,654,107.


7. INCOME TAX STATUS

The Plan has received a determination letter from the IRS dated September 18, 2013, stating that the Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2011, is qualified under Section 401(a) of the IRC and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the IRC to maintain its qualified status. The Company is committed to ensuring that the Plan is compliant with the IRC, and has indicated that it will take the necessary steps, if any, to bring the Plan's operations into compliance with the IRC.

U.S. 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 the 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 and 2013, there were 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 it is no longer subject to income tax examination for Plan years prior to 2011.









11
Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)


8. RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500

The following is a reconciliation of the net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
$
2,511,204,232

 
$
2,332,827,389

Adjustments from contract value to fair value for fully
 
 
 
          benefit-responsive investment contracts
7,496,169

 
6,766,642

Deemed distributions
(79,968
)
 
(113,432
)
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
$
2,518,620,433

 
$
2,339,480,599


The following is a reconciliation of the net increase in the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to net income per the Form 5500 as of December 31, 2014:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2014
Net increase per the financial statements
$
178,376,843

Adjustments from contract value to fair value for fully
 
          benefit-responsive investment contracts
729,527

Deemed distributions
33,464

Net income per the Form 5500
$
179,139,834



12



















SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE

































Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
EIN #04-2695240
Plan #001

Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2014
                    

Identity of Issue
Shares or Units

 
Current Value

*Vanguard Group:
 
 
 
     Institutional Index Fund Plus
1,913,471

 
361,033,679

     Growth Index Fund Inst
4,678,900

 
251,256,942

     International Growth Fund
9,539,069

 
205,471,550

     Wellington Fund Admiral Shares
2,773,946

 
187,546,482

     Windsor II Fund Investor Shares
4,525,195

 
168,835,019

     Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional
12,252,946

 
133,189,521

     Mid-Cap Growth Fund
5,272,676

 
127,704,205

     Target Retirement 2035 Trust II
2,407,469

 
62,546,049

     Target Retirement 2040 Trust II
2,170,926

 
57,420,988

     Target Retirement 2030 Trust II
2,018,318

 
52,435,894

     Target Retirement 2045 Trust II
1,844,255

 
48,743,667

     Target Retirement 2025 Trust II
1,749,951

 
46,496,206

     Target Retirement 2020 Trust II
1,347,856

 
36,526,910

     Target Retirement 2050 Trust II
1,156,703

 
30,722,025

     Target Retirement 2015 Trust II
664,697

 
18,272,530

     Target Retirement Income Trust II
559,749

 
16,658,130

     Target Retirement 2055 Trust II
203,710

 
7,254,123

     Target Retirement 2010 Trust II
129,895

 
3,572,110

     Target Retirement 2060 Trust II
46,040

 
1,291,887

     Target Retirement Income
1,177

 
15,191

  T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Stock Fund
4,094,185

 
181,454,272

  Harbor International Fund Institutional
506,410

 
32,805,231

  Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
969,878

 
23,888,083

*Stable Value Fund:
 
 
 
     Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust III
244,197,156

 
251,693,325

*Boston Scientific Corporation Common Stock Fund
13,668,582

 
181,108,715

  Pfizer Common Stock Fund
107,081

 
3,335,571

*Notes receivable from Participants, interest rates 4.25% - 9.25%
 
 
27,409,075

 
 
 
$
2,518,687,380



* Indicates party-in-interest to the Plan.

Note: Cost information is not presented, because all investments are Participant-directed.



14



SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustee (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


 
 
 
 
 
Boston Scientific Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 29, 2015
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Daniel Bird
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Bird
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vice President, Global Total Rewards and HR Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
Member, Employee Benefits Committee






































15


EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit Number
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm



















































16