SR Spire Inc

Notes to Financial Statements

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting – The accompanying financial statements of Spire Employee Savings Plan (“the Plan”) have been prepared on the accrual basis.

Fair Value of Plan Assets – Fair value is 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. Fair value measurements must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy of inputs used to measure fair value includes:

Level 1      Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2      Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3      Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Descriptions of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy are included in Note 3.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition – The Plan’s investments in common stock, mutual funds, common/collective trusts (“CCTs”, singular “CCT”), and self-directed brokerage accounts (consisting of SEC registered investments such as mutual funds, individual stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and trusts) are stated at the market value of the underlying assets, which are determined by quoted market prices. CCTs are valued based on information reported by the trust based on its underlying assets and audited financial statements. The Plan also holds units of a CCT that has investments in fully benefit-responsive investment contracts (“FBRICs”). The Plan’s CCT investments in FBRICs are presented at fair value using the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) practical expedient in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits at both December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Purchases and sales of investments are recorded on a trade-date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date, the exception being Employee Stock Ownership Plan dividends, which are recorded on an as-received basis due to the participant’s ability to directly receive the payment in cash. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Net (depreciation) appreciation includes the Plan’s gains and losses on investments bought, sold, or held during the year.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Plan sponsor to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets and changes in net assets and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Administrative Expenses – The administrative cost of the plan is generally paid by Spire Services Inc. (the “Company”) (See Note 2). Participants bear the cost of some individual transactions such as loan fees, dividend pass-through checks, overnight check fees, and purchases of Spire Inc. stock.

Payment of Benefits – Benefits are recorded when paid. There were no distributions payable to Plan participants as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.

2.  INFORMATION REGARDING THE PLAN

The following description pertains to the Plan as in effect during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and is provided for informational purposes only. In case of conflict or discrepancy with the Plan document, the Plan document governs.

General – The Plan is a defined contribution plan. Assets of the Plan are maintained in trust with Fidelity Management Trust Company (“Trustee”). Spire Services Inc. is the sponsor of the Plan.

The following companies are Participating Employers in the Plan:

The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

Eligibility – Effective December 31, 2017, each participant who was a participant in the Plan or predecessor plan remained eligible to participate in the Plan. Each newly hired employee of the Company or Participating Employers are eligible to participate in the Plan on the first day of the first payroll period following or coinciding with the date the employee completes 90 days of consecutive service. Notwithstanding the forgoing, an employee is not eligible for participation in the Plan if he is governed by a collective bargaining agreement that does not provide for participation in the Plan.

Contributions – The Plan provides for voluntary participant contributions subject to certain Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) limitations, up to 75% of the participant’s compensation. Participants who attain age 50 by each December 31 are permitted to make additional contributions (“catch-up contributions”) as permitted by the IRC. Participant contributions are matched 100% up to 5% of compensation. Participants may change the amount of their contributions frequently, usually effective within one or two payroll cycles. Participants can make Roth 401(k) contributions to the Plan. Newly hired employees are auto-enrolled in the Plan at a deferral rate of 5% (6% for newly hired eligible Employees on or after January 1, 2023), along with the 5% matching employer contribution, effective the first pay period after they become eligible, unless they decline to defer or choose an alternative deferral amount in advance.

Vesting – Participant, Company and Participating Employer matching contributions are 100% vested when made.

Investment Options – Contributions to the Plan are invested in one or more investment funds at the direction of the participant. A minimum of 1% of the participant’s contribution must be directed into each fund selected.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan – The Spire Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) constitutes a portion of the Plan, not a separate plan. Participant allocated contributions and employer matching contributions are invested directly into the ESOP. A participant may elect to receive dividends on the ESOP shares paid in cash directly to him/her. The election to receive cash dividends shall remain in effect until changed by the participant. Dividends not paid in cash are reinvested under the terms of the Plan.

Participant Accounts – In addition to the participant, Company or Participating Employer matching contributions, each participant’s account is credited with an allocation of Plan earnings or charged with an allocation of the Plan losses, based on participant account balances, as defined in the Plan document.

Notes Receivable from Participants – Participants may borrow against their individual account balances a minimum of $500 up to 50% of their account balance, as long as the loan amount does not exceed $50,000, less the highest outstanding loan balance over the prior twelve months, if any. Loans are taken from investment accounts in the same proportion as the investment funds bear to each other. The maximum repayment period is five years, except for primary residence loans, which have a maximum repayment period of 10 years. Loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at a rate comparable to the rate charged by commercial lenders for similar loans. Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Delinquent participant loans are reclassified as distributions per the terms of the Plan document. Principal and interest are repaid in level payments through payroll deductions. Interest rates on participant loans ranged from 4.25% to 8.00% at December 31, 2022.

Payment of Benefits – Distributions are generally made to participants upon separation from service due to retirement, termination of employment, death or total and permanent disability. Participants aged 59-1/2 years or older may elect a partial or total distribution of their account. Distributions are normally made in single lump-sum cash payments; however, participants in the ESOP may elect to receive their distribution in the form of shares, with the value of fractional shares distributed in cash. Active participants who suffer a financial hardship and cannot obtain funds from other resources, including a loan from the Plan, may apply for a hardship withdrawal. Hardship withdrawals are subject to approval by the Plan administrator and are limited to the participant’s elective deferrals, plus related earnings, less any amounts used for collateral on outstanding loans. Participants making hardship withdrawals may not contribute to the Plan until the first payroll date following the expiration of a six-month period after receipt of the hardship withdrawal. Effective January 1, 2022, a participant may elect a distribution of a portion of his account in the form of a periodic lump sum (subject to a $500 minimum distribution) to be made at any time during the Plan year. The number of periodic lump sums that can be taken during a Plan year is two through December 31, 2022, but is unlimited effective January 1, 2023.

3.  INVESTMENTS

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 the participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

The Plan holds investments in a stable value fund, which consists of debt and equity securities wrapped by FBRICs. The FBRICs enable the fund to realize a specific known value for the assets if it needs to liquidate them for benefit payments. The FBRICs are issued by banks and insurance companies and serve to preserve the value of the fund’s investments by mitigating fluctuations in the market value of the associated underlying investments. These investment contracts are measured daily and may be redeemed daily with no restrictions related to the redemption notice period. However, if redemption does occur, the redeemed funds cannot be reinvested in a competing fund for at least 90 days. There are no reserves against the contract value for credit risk of the contract issuer or otherwise. Certain events, such as layoffs or early retirement incentives, may limit the ability of participants to access their investments at contract value. The likelihood of such events limiting the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value is not probable. The stable value fund has a Plan restriction requiring a 12-month notice period for fund redemption. There are no participant redemption restrictions for these investments; the redemption notice period is applicable only to the Plan.

Recurring Measurements – The table below presents the fair value measurements of assets recognized in the accompanying Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, investments are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of investments with similar characteristics or independent asset pricing services and pricing models, the inputs of which are market-based or independently sourced market parameters, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, and cash flows. Such investments are classified in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

*Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented on the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

4.  TAX STATUS

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has determined and informed the Company by a letter dated July 29, 2015 that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with the applicable sections of the IRC and therefore not subject to tax. Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Plan administrator and the Plan’s tax counsel believe that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC.

5.  RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Plan allows for transactions with certain parties who may perform services or have fiduciary responsibilities to the Plan, including the Company. These transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions. The Company provides certain administrative services at no cost to the Plan. The Plan incurs expenses related to general administration and recordkeeping. The Company pays a portion of these expenses and certain accounting and auditing fees related to the Plan. The Plan paid $83,572 and $103,263 of recordkeeping fees to the Trustee in the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Plan held 828,897 and 984,715 shares, respectively, of common stock of Spire Inc., the Company’s parent, with a market value of $57,077,825 and $64,223,100, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Plan received dividend income of $2,500,345 and $2,783,844, respectively, from Spire Inc.

6.  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 set forth in ERISA.