assets (real estate, energy, and timber). The actual allocations to these asset classes may vary tactically around the long-term policy allocations based on relative market valuations. Contributions and Future Benefit Payments We do not expect to make contributions to our defined benefit, other postretirement, and postemployment benefits plans in fiscal 2011. Actual fiscal 2011 contributions could exceed our current projections, as influenced by our decision to undertake discretionary funding of our benefit trusts and future changes in regulatory requirements. Estimated benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appro- priate, are expected to be paid from fiscal 2011-2020 as follows: Defined Contribution Plans The General Mills Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan that covers domestic salaried, hourly, nonunion, and certain union employees. This plan is a 401(k) savings plan that includes a number of investment funds, includ- ing a Company stock fund, and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). We sponsor another money purchase plan for certain domestic hourly employees with net assets of $16.8 million as of May 30, 2010, and $15.6 million as of May 31, 2009. We also sponsor defined contribution plans in many of our foreign loca- tions. Our total recognized expense related to defined contribu- tion plans was $64.5 million in fiscal 2010, $59.5 million in fiscal 2009, and $61.9 million in fiscal 2008. We matched a percentage of employee contributions to the General Mills Savings Plan with a base match plus a variable year-end match that depended on annual results. Effective April 1, 2010, the company match is directed to investment options of the participant’s choosing. Prior to April 1, 2010, the company match was invested in company stock in the ESOP fund. The number of shares of our common stock allocated to participants in the ESOP was 5.9 million as of May 30, 2010, and 5.6 million as of May 31, 2009. The components of earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures and the corresponding income taxes thereon are as follows: The Company stock fund and the ESOP had $610.3 million and $425.3 million of General Mills common stock as of May 30, 2010, and May 31, 2009. The ESOP originally purchased our common stock principally with funds borrowed from third parties and guaranteed by us. The ESOP shares are included in net shares outstanding for the purposes of calculating our EPS. The ESOP’s third-party debt was repaid on June 30, 2007. The ESOP’s only assets are our common stock and temporary cash balances. The ESOP’s share of the total defined contribution expense was $53.7 million in fiscal 2010, $50.6 million in fiscal 2009, and $52.3 million in fiscal 2008. The ESOP’s expense was calculated by the “shares allocated” method. NOTE 14. INCOME TAXES In Millions Defined Benefit Pension Plans Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Gross Payments Medicare Subsidy Receipts Postemployment Benefit Plans ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2011 $ 194.8 $ 56.5 $ 5.4 $18.4 2012 202.8 60.9 5.8 18.4 2013 211.9 64.0 6.4 17.2 2014 221.4 66.1 6.9 15.9 2015 231.4 69.6 7.5 15.0 2016 – 2020 1,331.7 394.8 45.4 67.0 In Millions 2010 2009 2008 Fiscal Year ............................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................... Earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures: United States $2,060.4 $1,717.5 $1,646.5 Foreign 144.1 224.7 183.0 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... Total earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures $2,204.5 $1,942.2 $1,829.5 Income taxes: Currently payable: Federal $ 616.0 $ 457.8 $ 447.7 State and local 87.4 37.3 52.9 Foreign 45.5 9.5 23.5 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... Total current 748.9 504.6 524.1 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... Deferred: Federal 38.5 155.7 65.9 State and local (4.9) 36.3 24.2 Foreign (11.3) 23.8 8.0 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... Total deferred 22.3 215.8 98.1 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... Total income taxes $ 771.2 $ 720.4 $ 622.2 Annual Report 2010 77