diff --git a/pkg/api/helpers.go b/pkg/api/helpers.go
index dbab8a172573d..0dcb5708928fd 100644
--- a/pkg/api/helpers.go
+++ b/pkg/api/helpers.go
@@ -236,6 +236,20 @@ var standardFinalizers = sets.NewString(
 	FinalizerOrphan,
 )
 
+// HasAnnotation returns a bool if passed in annotation exists
+func HasAnnotation(obj ObjectMeta, ann string) bool {
+	_, found := obj.Annotations[ann]
+	return found
+}
+
+// SetMetaDataAnnotation sets the annotation and value
+func SetMetaDataAnnotation(obj *ObjectMeta, ann string, value string) {
+	if obj.Annotations == nil {
+		obj.Annotations = make(map[string]string)
+	}
+	obj.Annotations[ann] = value
+}
+
 func IsStandardFinalizerName(str string) bool {
 	return standardFinalizers.Has(str)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/apis/storage/util/helpers.go b/pkg/apis/storage/util/helpers.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..49eada9934aea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/apis/storage/util/helpers.go
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2016 The Kubernetes Authors.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package util
+
+import (
+	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api"
+)
+
+// IsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation represents a StorageClass annotation that
+// marks a class as the default StorageClass
+//TODO: Update IsDefaultStorageClassannotation and remove Beta when no longer used
+const IsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation = "storageclass.beta.kubernetes.io/is-default-class"
+const BetaIsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation = "storageclass.beta.kubernetes.io/is-default-class"
+
+// AlphaStorageClassAnnotation represents the previous alpha storage class
+// annotation.  it's no longer used and held here for posterity.
+const AlphaStorageClassAnnotation = "volume.alpha.kubernetes.io/storage-class"
+
+// BetaStorageClassAnnotation represents the beta/previous StorageClass annotation.
+// It's currently still used and will be held for backwards compatibility
+const BetaStorageClassAnnotation = "volume.beta.kubernetes.io/storage-class"
+
+// StorageClassAnnotation represents the storage class associated with a resource.
+// It currently matches the Beta value and can change when official is set.
+// - in PersistentVolumeClaim it represents required class to match.
+//   Only PersistentVolumes with the same class (i.e. annotation with the same
+//   value) can be bound to the claim. In case no such volume exists, the
+//   controller will provision a new one using StorageClass instance with
+//   the same name as the annotation value.
+// - in PersistentVolume it represents storage class to which the persistent
+//   volume belongs.
+//TODO: Update this to final annotation value as it matches BetaStorageClassAnnotation for now
+const StorageClassAnnotation = "volume.beta.kubernetes.io/storage-class"
+
+// GetVolumeStorageClass returns value of StorageClassAnnotation or empty string in case
+// the annotation does not exist.
+// TODO: change to PersistentVolume.Spec.Class value when this attribute is
+// introduced.
+func GetVolumeStorageClass(volume *api.PersistentVolume) string {
+	if class, found := volume.Annotations[StorageClassAnnotation]; found {
+		return class
+	}
+
+	// 'nil' is interpreted as "", i.e. the volume does not belong to any class.
+	return ""
+}
+
+// GetClaimStorageClass returns name of class that is requested by given claim.
+// Request for `nil` class is interpreted as request for class "",
+// i.e. for a classless PV.
+// TODO: change to PersistentVolumeClaim.Spec.Class value when this
+// attribute is introduced.
+func GetClaimStorageClass(claim *api.PersistentVolumeClaim) string {
+	if class, found := claim.Annotations[StorageClassAnnotation]; found {
+		return class
+	}
+
+	return ""
+}
+
+// GetStorageClassAnnotation returns the StorageClass value
+// if the annotation is set, empty string if not
+// TODO: remove Alpha and Beta when no longer used or needed
+func GetStorageClassAnnotation(obj api.ObjectMeta) string {
+	if class, ok := obj.Annotations[StorageClassAnnotation]; ok {
+		return class
+	}
+	if class, ok := obj.Annotations[BetaStorageClassAnnotation]; ok {
+		return class
+	}
+	if class, ok := obj.Annotations[AlphaStorageClassAnnotation]; ok {
+		return class
+	}
+
+	return ""
+}
+
+// HasStorageClassAnnotation returns a boolean
+// if the annotation is set
+// TODO: remove Alpha and Beta when no longer used or needed
+func HasStorageClassAnnotation(obj api.ObjectMeta) bool {
+	if _, found := obj.Annotations[StorageClassAnnotation]; found {
+		return found
+	}
+	if _, found := obj.Annotations[BetaStorageClassAnnotation]; found {
+		return found
+	}
+	if _, found := obj.Annotations[AlphaStorageClassAnnotation]; found {
+		return found
+	}
+
+	return false
+
+}
+
+// IsDefaultAnnotationText returns a pretty Yes/No String if
+// the annotation is set
+// TODO: remove Beta when no longer needed
+func IsDefaultAnnotationText(obj api.ObjectMeta) string {
+	if obj.Annotations[IsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation] == "true" {
+		return "Yes"
+	}
+	if obj.Annotations[BetaIsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation] == "true" {
+		return "Yes"
+	}
+
+	return "No"
+}
+
+// IsDefaultAnnotation returns a boolean if
+// the annotation is set
+// TODO: remove Beta when no longer needed
+func IsDefaultAnnotation(obj api.ObjectMeta) bool {
+	if obj.Annotations[IsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation] == "true" {
+		return true
+	}
+	if obj.Annotations[BetaIsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation] == "true" {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/binder_test.go b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/binder_test.go
index 854e4b1d042b1..72b27c00684bf 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/binder_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/binder_test.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 )
 
 // Test single call to syncClaim and syncVolume methods.
@@ -430,14 +431,14 @@ func TestSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"13-1 - binding to class",
 			[]*api.PersistentVolume{
 				newVolume("volume13-1-1", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain),
-				newVolume("volume13-1-2", "10Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annClass),
+				newVolume("volume13-1-2", "10Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			},
 			[]*api.PersistentVolume{
 				newVolume("volume13-1-1", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain),
-				newVolume("volume13-1-2", "10Gi", "uid13-1", "claim13-1", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annBoundByController, annClass),
+				newVolume("volume13-1-2", "10Gi", "uid13-1", "claim13-1", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annBoundByController, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			},
-			newClaimArray("claim13-1", "uid13-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			withExpectedCapacity("10Gi", newClaimArray("claim13-1", "uid13-1", "1Gi", "volume13-1-2", api.ClaimBound, annBoundByController, annClass, annBindCompleted)),
+			newClaimArray("claim13-1", "uid13-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			withExpectedCapacity("10Gi", newClaimArray("claim13-1", "uid13-1", "1Gi", "volume13-1-2", api.ClaimBound, annBoundByController, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation, annBindCompleted)),
 			noevents, noerrors, testSyncClaim,
 		},
 		{
@@ -445,11 +446,11 @@ func TestSync(t *testing.T) {
 			// smaller PV with a class available
 			"13-2 - binding without a class",
 			[]*api.PersistentVolume{
-				newVolume("volume13-2-1", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annClass),
+				newVolume("volume13-2-1", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 				newVolume("volume13-2-2", "10Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain),
 			},
 			[]*api.PersistentVolume{
-				newVolume("volume13-2-1", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annClass),
+				newVolume("volume13-2-1", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 				newVolume("volume13-2-2", "10Gi", "uid13-2", "claim13-2", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annBoundByController),
 			},
 			newClaimArray("claim13-2", "uid13-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending),
@@ -462,14 +463,14 @@ func TestSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"13-3 - binding to specific a class",
 			volumeWithClass("silver", []*api.PersistentVolume{
 				newVolume("volume13-3-1", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain),
-				newVolume("volume13-3-2", "10Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annClass),
+				newVolume("volume13-3-2", "10Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			}),
 			volumeWithClass("silver", []*api.PersistentVolume{
 				newVolume("volume13-3-1", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain),
-				newVolume("volume13-3-2", "10Gi", "uid13-3", "claim13-3", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annBoundByController, annClass),
+				newVolume("volume13-3-2", "10Gi", "uid13-3", "claim13-3", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annBoundByController, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			}),
-			newClaimArray("claim13-3", "uid13-3", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			withExpectedCapacity("10Gi", newClaimArray("claim13-3", "uid13-3", "1Gi", "volume13-3-2", api.ClaimBound, annBoundByController, annBindCompleted, annClass)),
+			newClaimArray("claim13-3", "uid13-3", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			withExpectedCapacity("10Gi", newClaimArray("claim13-3", "uid13-3", "1Gi", "volume13-3-2", api.ClaimBound, annBoundByController, annBindCompleted, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation)),
 			noevents, noerrors, testSyncClaim,
 		},
 		{
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/framework_test.go b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/framework_test.go
index 9fe0657eaed40..971347d264c61 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/framework_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/framework_test.go
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/testapi"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/cache"
 	clientset "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/clientset_generated/internalclientset"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/clientset_generated/internalclientset/fake"
@@ -650,7 +651,7 @@ func newVolume(name, capacity, boundToClaimUID, boundToClaimName string, phase a
 			switch a {
 			case annDynamicallyProvisioned:
 				volume.Annotations[a] = mockPluginName
-			case annClass:
+			case storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation:
 				volume.Annotations[a] = "gold"
 			default:
 				volume.Annotations[a] = "yes"
@@ -699,13 +700,13 @@ func withMessage(message string, volumes []*api.PersistentVolume) []*api.Persist
 	return volumes
 }
 
-// volumeWithClass saves given class into annClass annotation.
+// volumeWithClass saves given class into storage.StorageClassAnnotation annotation.
 // Meant to be used to compose claims specified inline in a test.
 func volumeWithClass(className string, volumes []*api.PersistentVolume) []*api.PersistentVolume {
 	if volumes[0].Annotations == nil {
-		volumes[0].Annotations = map[string]string{annClass: className}
+		volumes[0].Annotations = map[string]string{storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: className}
 	} else {
-		volumes[0].Annotations[annClass] = className
+		volumes[0].Annotations[storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation] = className
 	}
 	return volumes
 }
@@ -747,7 +748,7 @@ func newClaim(name, claimUID, capacity, boundToVolume string, phase api.Persiste
 		claim.Annotations = make(map[string]string)
 		for _, a := range annotations {
 			switch a {
-			case annClass:
+			case storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation:
 				claim.Annotations[a] = "gold"
 			default:
 				claim.Annotations[a] = "yes"
@@ -774,13 +775,13 @@ func newClaimArray(name, claimUID, capacity, boundToVolume string, phase api.Per
 	}
 }
 
-// claimWithClass saves given class into annClass annotation.
+// claimWithClass saves given class into storage.StorageClassAnnotation annotation.
 // Meant to be used to compose claims specified inline in a test.
 func claimWithClass(className string, claims []*api.PersistentVolumeClaim) []*api.PersistentVolumeClaim {
 	if claims[0].Annotations == nil {
-		claims[0].Annotations = map[string]string{annClass: className}
+		claims[0].Annotations = map[string]string{storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: className}
 	} else {
-		claims[0].Annotations[annClass] = className
+		claims[0].Annotations[storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation] = className
 	}
 	return claims
 }
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/index.go b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/index.go
index e0f9f1159ea70..176c4b228fe12 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/index.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/index.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/cache"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/labels"
 )
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ func (pvIndex *persistentVolumeOrderedIndex) findByClaim(claim *api.PersistentVo
 	var smallestVolumeSize int64
 	requestedQty := claim.Spec.Resources.Requests[api.ResourceName(api.ResourceStorage)]
 	requestedSize := requestedQty.Value()
-	requestedClass := getClaimClass(claim)
+	requestedClass := storageutil.GetClaimStorageClass(claim)
 
 	var selector labels.Selector
 	if claim.Spec.Selector != nil {
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ func (pvIndex *persistentVolumeOrderedIndex) findByClaim(claim *api.PersistentVo
 			// with existing PVs, findByClaim must find only PVs that are
 			// pre-bound to the claim (by dynamic provisioning). TODO: remove in
 			// 1.5
-			if hasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annAlphaClass) {
+			if api.HasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation) {
 				continue
 			}
 
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@ func (pvIndex *persistentVolumeOrderedIndex) findByClaim(claim *api.PersistentVo
 			} else if selector != nil && !selector.Matches(labels.Set(volume.Labels)) {
 				continue
 			}
-			if getVolumeClass(volume) != requestedClass {
+			if storageutil.GetVolumeStorageClass(volume) != requestedClass {
 				continue
 			}
 
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/index_test.go b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/index_test.go
index a1844c667e423..ddb084e4304fe 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/index_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/index_test.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/resource"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/testapi"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 )
 
 func TestMatchVolume(t *testing.T) {
@@ -177,7 +178,7 @@ func TestMatchVolume(t *testing.T) {
 					Name:      "claim01",
 					Namespace: "myns",
 					Annotations: map[string]string{
-						annClass: "silver",
+						storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "silver",
 					},
 				},
 				Spec: api.PersistentVolumeClaimSpec{
@@ -202,7 +203,7 @@ func TestMatchVolume(t *testing.T) {
 					Name:      "claim01",
 					Namespace: "myns",
 					Annotations: map[string]string{
-						annClass: "silver",
+						storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "silver",
 					},
 				},
 				Spec: api.PersistentVolumeClaimSpec{
@@ -626,7 +627,7 @@ func createTestVolumes() []*api.PersistentVolume {
 					"should-exist": "true",
 				},
 				Annotations: map[string]string{
-					annClass: "silver",
+					storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "silver",
 				},
 			},
 			Spec: api.PersistentVolumeSpec{
@@ -646,7 +647,7 @@ func createTestVolumes() []*api.PersistentVolume {
 				UID:  "gce-pd-silver2",
 				Name: "gce0024",
 				Annotations: map[string]string{
-					annClass: "silver",
+					storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "silver",
 				},
 			},
 			Spec: api.PersistentVolumeSpec{
@@ -666,7 +667,7 @@ func createTestVolumes() []*api.PersistentVolume {
 				UID:  "gce-pd-gold",
 				Name: "gce0025",
 				Annotations: map[string]string{
-					annClass: "gold",
+					storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "gold",
 				},
 			},
 			Spec: api.PersistentVolumeSpec{
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/provision_test.go b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/provision_test.go
index aeb7dbb22a882..870fd2de9c883 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/provision_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/provision_test.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 )
 
 var class1Parameters = map[string]string{
@@ -108,10 +109,10 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			// Provision a volume (with a default class)
 			"11-1 - successful provision with storage class 1",
 			novolumes,
-			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid11-1", "1Gi", "uid11-1", "claim11-1", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-1", "uid11-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid11-1", "1Gi", "uid11-1", "claim11-1", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-1", "uid11-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			// Binding will be completed in the next syncClaim
-			newClaimArray("claim11-1", "uid11-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-1", "uid11-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			noevents, noerrors, wrapTestWithProvisionCalls([]provisionCall{provision1Success}, testSyncClaim),
 		},
 		{
@@ -119,8 +120,8 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"11-2 - plugin not found",
 			novolumes,
 			novolumes,
-			newClaimArray("claim11-2", "uid11-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-2", "uid11-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-2", "uid11-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-2", "uid11-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			[]string{"Warning ProvisioningFailed"}, noerrors,
 			testSyncClaim,
 		},
@@ -129,8 +130,8 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"11-3 - newProvisioner failure",
 			novolumes,
 			novolumes,
-			newClaimArray("claim11-3", "uid11-3", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-3", "uid11-3", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-3", "uid11-3", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-3", "uid11-3", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			[]string{"Warning ProvisioningFailed"}, noerrors,
 			wrapTestWithProvisionCalls([]provisionCall{}, testSyncClaim),
 		},
@@ -139,18 +140,18 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"11-4 - provision failure",
 			novolumes,
 			novolumes,
-			newClaimArray("claim11-4", "uid11-4", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-4", "uid11-4", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-4", "uid11-4", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-4", "uid11-4", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			[]string{"Warning ProvisioningFailed"}, noerrors,
 			wrapTestWithProvisionCalls([]provisionCall{provision1Error}, testSyncClaim),
 		},
 		{
 			// No provisioning if there is a matching volume available
 			"11-6 - provisioning when there is a volume available",
-			newVolumeArray("volume11-6", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annClass),
-			newVolumeArray("volume11-6", "1Gi", "uid11-6", "claim11-6", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annBoundByController, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-6", "uid11-6", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-6", "uid11-6", "1Gi", "volume11-6", api.ClaimBound, annClass, annBoundByController, annBindCompleted),
+			newVolumeArray("volume11-6", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newVolumeArray("volume11-6", "1Gi", "uid11-6", "claim11-6", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain, annBoundByController, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-6", "uid11-6", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-6", "uid11-6", "1Gi", "volume11-6", api.ClaimBound, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation, annBoundByController, annBindCompleted),
 			noevents, noerrors,
 			// No provisioning plugin confingure - makes the test fail when
 			// the controller errorneously tries to provision something
@@ -161,16 +162,16 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			// a volume.
 			"11-7 - claim is bound before provisioning",
 			novolumes,
-			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid11-7", "1Gi", "uid11-7", "claim11-7", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-7", "uid11-7", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid11-7", "1Gi", "uid11-7", "claim11-7", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-7", "uid11-7", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			// The claim would be bound in next syncClaim
-			newClaimArray("claim11-7", "uid11-7", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-7", "uid11-7", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			noevents, noerrors,
 			wrapTestWithInjectedOperation(wrapTestWithProvisionCalls([]provisionCall{}, testSyncClaim), func(ctrl *PersistentVolumeController, reactor *volumeReactor) {
 				// Create a volume before provisionClaimOperation starts.
 				// This similates a parallel controller provisioning the volume.
 				reactor.lock.Lock()
-				volume := newVolume("pvc-uid11-7", "1Gi", "uid11-7", "claim11-7", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, annClass)
+				volume := newVolume("pvc-uid11-7", "1Gi", "uid11-7", "claim11-7", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation)
 				reactor.volumes[volume.Name] = volume
 				reactor.lock.Unlock()
 			}),
@@ -180,10 +181,10 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			// second retry succeeds
 			"11-8 - cannot save provisioned volume",
 			novolumes,
-			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid11-8", "1Gi", "uid11-8", "claim11-8", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-8", "uid11-8", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid11-8", "1Gi", "uid11-8", "claim11-8", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-8", "uid11-8", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			// Binding will be completed in the next syncClaim
-			newClaimArray("claim11-8", "uid11-8", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-8", "uid11-8", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			noevents,
 			[]reactorError{
 				// Inject error to the first
@@ -199,8 +200,8 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"11-9 - cannot save provisioned volume, delete succeeds",
 			novolumes,
 			novolumes,
-			newClaimArray("claim11-9", "uid11-9", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-9", "uid11-9", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-9", "uid11-9", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-9", "uid11-9", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			[]string{"Warning ProvisioningFailed"},
 			[]reactorError{
 				// Inject error to five kubeclient.PersistentVolumes.Create()
@@ -224,8 +225,8 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"11-10 - cannot save provisioned volume, no delete plugin found",
 			novolumes,
 			novolumes,
-			newClaimArray("claim11-10", "uid11-10", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-10", "uid11-10", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-10", "uid11-10", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-10", "uid11-10", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			[]string{"Warning ProvisioningFailed", "Warning ProvisioningCleanupFailed"},
 			[]reactorError{
 				// Inject error to five kubeclient.PersistentVolumes.Create()
@@ -245,8 +246,8 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"11-11 - cannot save provisioned volume, deleter fails",
 			novolumes,
 			novolumes,
-			newClaimArray("claim11-11", "uid11-11", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-11", "uid11-11", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-11", "uid11-11", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-11", "uid11-11", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			[]string{"Warning ProvisioningFailed", "Warning ProvisioningCleanupFailed"},
 			[]reactorError{
 				// Inject error to five kubeclient.PersistentVolumes.Create()
@@ -275,8 +276,8 @@ func TestProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"11-12 - cannot save provisioned volume, delete succeeds 2nd time",
 			novolumes,
 			novolumes,
-			newClaimArray("claim11-12", "uid11-12", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim11-12", "uid11-12", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-12", "uid11-12", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim11-12", "uid11-12", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			[]string{"Warning ProvisioningFailed"},
 			[]reactorError{
 				// Inject error to five kubeclient.PersistentVolumes.Create()
@@ -365,9 +366,9 @@ func TestAlphaProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 			"14-1 - successful alpha provisioning",
 			novolumes,
 			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid14-1", "1Gi", "uid14-1", "claim14-1", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned),
-			newClaimArray("claim14-1", "uid14-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annAlphaClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim14-1", "uid14-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation),
 			// Binding will be completed in the next syncClaim
-			newClaimArray("claim14-1", "uid14-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annAlphaClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim14-1", "uid14-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation),
 			noevents, noerrors, wrapTestWithProvisionCalls([]provisionCall{provisionAlphaSuccess}, testSyncClaim),
 		},
 		{
@@ -379,9 +380,9 @@ func TestAlphaProvisionSync(t *testing.T) {
 				newVolume("volume14-2", "1Gi", "", "", api.VolumePending, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimRetain),
 				newVolume("pvc-uid14-2", "1Gi", "uid14-2", "claim14-2", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned),
 			},
-			newClaimArray("claim14-2", "uid14-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annAlphaClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim14-2", "uid14-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation),
 			// Binding will be completed in the next syncClaim
-			newClaimArray("claim14-2", "uid14-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annAlphaClass),
+			newClaimArray("claim14-2", "uid14-2", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation),
 			noevents, noerrors, wrapTestWithProvisionCalls([]provisionCall{provisionAlphaSuccess}, testSyncClaim),
 		},
 	}
@@ -408,10 +409,10 @@ func TestProvisionMultiSync(t *testing.T) {
 			// Provision a volume with binding
 			"12-1 - successful provision",
 			novolumes,
-			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid12-1", "1Gi", "uid12-1", "claim12-1", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, annClass),
-			newClaimArray("claim12-1", "uid12-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, annClass),
+			newVolumeArray("pvc-uid12-1", "1Gi", "uid12-1", "claim12-1", api.VolumeBound, api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete, annBoundByController, annDynamicallyProvisioned, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
+			newClaimArray("claim12-1", "uid12-1", "1Gi", "", api.ClaimPending, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation),
 			// Binding will be completed in the next syncClaim
-			newClaimArray("claim12-1", "uid12-1", "1Gi", "pvc-uid12-1", api.ClaimBound, annClass, annBoundByController, annBindCompleted),
+			newClaimArray("claim12-1", "uid12-1", "1Gi", "pvc-uid12-1", api.ClaimBound, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation, annBoundByController, annBindCompleted),
 			noevents, noerrors, wrapTestWithProvisionCalls([]provisionCall{provision1Success}, testSyncClaim),
 		},
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/pv_controller.go b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/pv_controller.go
index 404c7fe74cde2..72f528d3a887d 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/pv_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/pv_controller.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/cache"
 	clientset "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/clientset_generated/internalclientset"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/record"
@@ -110,20 +111,6 @@ const annBindCompleted = "pv.kubernetes.io/bind-completed"
 // pre-bound). Value of this annotation does not matter.
 const annBoundByController = "pv.kubernetes.io/bound-by-controller"
 
-// annClass annotation represents the storage class associated with a resource:
-// - in PersistentVolumeClaim it represents required class to match.
-//   Only PersistentVolumes with the same class (i.e. annotation with the same
-//   value) can be bound to the claim. In case no such volume exists, the
-//   controller will provision a new one using StorageClass instance with
-//   the same name as the annotation value.
-// - in PersistentVolume it represents storage class to which the persistent
-//   volume belongs.
-const annClass = "volume.beta.kubernetes.io/storage-class"
-
-// alphaAnnClass annotation represents the previous alpha storage class
-// annotation.  it's no longer used and held here for posterity.
-const annAlphaClass = "volume.alpha.kubernetes.io/storage-class"
-
 // This annotation is added to a PV that has been dynamically provisioned by
 // Kubernetes. Its value is name of volume plugin that created the volume.
 // It serves both user (to show where a PV comes from) and Kubernetes (to
@@ -199,7 +186,7 @@ type PersistentVolumeController struct {
 func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) syncClaim(claim *api.PersistentVolumeClaim) error {
 	glog.V(4).Infof("synchronizing PersistentVolumeClaim[%s]: %s", claimToClaimKey(claim), getClaimStatusForLogging(claim))
 
-	if !hasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annBindCompleted) {
+	if !api.HasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annBindCompleted) {
 		return ctrl.syncUnboundClaim(claim)
 	} else {
 		return ctrl.syncBoundClaim(claim)
@@ -224,8 +211,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) syncUnboundClaim(claim *api.PersistentVo
 			glog.V(4).Infof("synchronizing unbound PersistentVolumeClaim[%s]: no volume found", claimToClaimKey(claim))
 			// No PV could be found
 			// OBSERVATION: pvc is "Pending", will retry
-			// TODO: remove Alpha check in 1.5
-			if getClaimClass(claim) != "" || hasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annAlphaClass) {
+			if storageutil.GetClaimStorageClass(claim) != "" || api.HasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation) {
 				if err = ctrl.provisionClaim(claim); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
@@ -297,7 +283,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) syncUnboundClaim(claim *api.PersistentVo
 			} else {
 				// User asked for a PV that is claimed by someone else
 				// OBSERVATION: pvc is "Pending", pv is "Bound"
-				if !hasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
+				if !api.HasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
 					glog.V(4).Infof("synchronizing unbound PersistentVolumeClaim[%s]: volume already bound to different claim by user, will retry later", claimToClaimKey(claim))
 					// User asked for a specific PV, retry later
 					if _, err = ctrl.updateClaimStatus(claim, api.ClaimPending, nil); err != nil {
@@ -318,7 +304,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) syncUnboundClaim(claim *api.PersistentVo
 // syncBoundClaim is the main controller method to decide what to do with a
 // bound claim.
 func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) syncBoundClaim(claim *api.PersistentVolumeClaim) error {
-	// hasAnnotation(pvc, annBindCompleted)
+	// HasAnnotation(pvc, annBindCompleted)
 	// This PVC has previously been bound
 	// OBSERVATION: pvc is not "Pending"
 	// [Unit test set 3]
@@ -462,7 +448,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) syncVolume(volume *api.PersistentVolume)
 			}
 			return nil
 		} else if claim.Spec.VolumeName == "" {
-			if hasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
+			if api.HasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
 				// The binding is not completed; let PVC sync handle it
 				glog.V(4).Infof("synchronizing PersistentVolume[%s]: volume not bound yet, waiting for syncClaim to fix it", volume.Name)
 			} else {
@@ -497,7 +483,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) syncVolume(volume *api.PersistentVolume)
 			return nil
 		} else {
 			// Volume is bound to a claim, but the claim is bound elsewhere
-			if hasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annDynamicallyProvisioned) && volume.Spec.PersistentVolumeReclaimPolicy == api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete {
+			if api.HasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annDynamicallyProvisioned) && volume.Spec.PersistentVolumeReclaimPolicy == api.PersistentVolumeReclaimDelete {
 				// This volume was dynamically provisioned for this claim. The
 				// claim got bound elsewhere, and thus this volume is not
 				// needed. Delete it.
@@ -510,7 +496,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) syncVolume(volume *api.PersistentVolume)
 			} else {
 				// Volume is bound to a claim, but the claim is bound elsewhere
 				// and it's not dynamically provisioned.
-				if hasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
+				if api.HasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
 					// This is part of the normal operation of the controller; the
 					// controller tried to use this volume for a claim but the claim
 					// was fulfilled by another volume. We did this; fix it.
@@ -734,8 +720,8 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) bindVolumeToClaim(volume *api.Persistent
 	}
 
 	// Set annBoundByController if it is not set yet
-	if shouldSetBoundByController && !hasAnnotation(volumeClone.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
-		setAnnotation(&volumeClone.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController, "yes")
+	if shouldSetBoundByController && !api.HasAnnotation(volumeClone.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
+		api.SetMetaDataAnnotation(&volumeClone.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController, "yes")
 		dirty = true
 	}
 
@@ -791,14 +777,14 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) bindClaimToVolume(claim *api.PersistentV
 	}
 
 	// Set annBoundByController if it is not set yet
-	if shouldSetBoundByController && !hasAnnotation(claimClone.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
-		setAnnotation(&claimClone.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController, "yes")
+	if shouldSetBoundByController && !api.HasAnnotation(claimClone.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
+		api.SetMetaDataAnnotation(&claimClone.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController, "yes")
 		dirty = true
 	}
 
 	// Set annBindCompleted if it is not set yet
-	if !hasAnnotation(claimClone.ObjectMeta, annBindCompleted) {
-		setAnnotation(&claimClone.ObjectMeta, annBindCompleted, "yes")
+	if !api.HasAnnotation(claimClone.ObjectMeta, annBindCompleted) {
+		api.SetMetaDataAnnotation(&claimClone.ObjectMeta, annBindCompleted, "yes")
 		dirty = true
 	}
 
@@ -884,7 +870,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) unbindVolume(volume *api.PersistentVolum
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unexpected volume cast error : %v", volumeClone)
 	}
 
-	if hasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
+	if api.HasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController) {
 		// The volume was bound by the controller.
 		volumeClone.Spec.ClaimRef = nil
 		delete(volumeClone.Annotations, annBoundByController)
@@ -1208,7 +1194,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) provisionClaimOperation(claimObj interfa
 		return
 	}
 
-	claimClass := getClaimClass(claim)
+	claimClass := storageutil.GetClaimStorageClass(claim)
 	glog.V(4).Infof("provisionClaimOperation [%s] started, class: %q", claimToClaimKey(claim), claimClass)
 
 	//  A previous doProvisionClaim may just have finished while we were waiting for
@@ -1294,13 +1280,13 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) provisionClaimOperation(claimObj interfa
 	volume.Status.Phase = api.VolumeBound
 
 	// Add annBoundByController (used in deleting the volume)
-	setAnnotation(&volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController, "yes")
-	setAnnotation(&volume.ObjectMeta, annDynamicallyProvisioned, plugin.GetPluginName())
-	// For Alpha provisioning behavior, do not add annClass for volumes created
-	// by annAlphaClass
-	// TODO: remove this check in 1.5, annClass will be always non-empty there.
+	api.SetMetaDataAnnotation(&volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController, "yes")
+	api.SetMetaDataAnnotation(&volume.ObjectMeta, annDynamicallyProvisioned, plugin.GetPluginName())
+	// For Alpha provisioning behavior, do not add storage.BetaStorageClassAnnotations for volumes created
+	// by storage.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation
+	// TODO: remove this check in 1.5, storage.StorageClassAnnotation will be always non-empty there.
 	if claimClass != "" {
-		setAnnotation(&volume.ObjectMeta, annClass, claimClass)
+		api.SetMetaDataAnnotation(&volume.ObjectMeta, storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation, claimClass)
 	}
 
 	// Try to create the PV object several times
@@ -1402,12 +1388,12 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) newRecyclerEventRecorder(volume *api.Per
 // provisioner is requested.
 func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) findProvisionablePlugin(claim *api.PersistentVolumeClaim) (vol.ProvisionableVolumePlugin, *storage.StorageClass, error) {
 	// TODO: remove this alpha behavior in 1.5
-	alpha := hasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annAlphaClass)
-	beta := hasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annClass)
+	alpha := api.HasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation)
+	beta := api.HasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, storageutil.BetaStorageClassAnnotation)
 	if alpha && beta {
 		// Both Alpha and Beta annotations are set. Do beta.
 		alpha = false
-		msg := fmt.Sprintf("both %q and %q annotations are present, using %q", annAlphaClass, annClass, annClass)
+		msg := fmt.Sprintf("both %q and %q annotations are present, using %q", storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation, storageutil.BetaStorageClassAnnotation, storageutil.BetaStorageClassAnnotation)
 		ctrl.eventRecorder.Event(claim, api.EventTypeNormal, "ProvisioningIgnoreAlpha", msg)
 	}
 	if alpha {
@@ -1417,7 +1403,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) findProvisionablePlugin(claim *api.Persi
 
 	// provisionClaim() which leads here is never called with claimClass=="", we
 	// can save some checks.
-	claimClass := getClaimClass(claim)
+	claimClass := storageutil.GetClaimStorageClass(claim)
 	classObj, found, err := ctrl.classes.GetByKey(claimClass)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
@@ -1469,7 +1455,7 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) findAlphaProvisionablePlugin() (vol.Prov
 func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) findDeletablePlugin(volume *api.PersistentVolume) (vol.DeletableVolumePlugin, error) {
 	// Find a plugin. Try to find the same plugin that provisioned the volume
 	var plugin vol.DeletableVolumePlugin
-	if hasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annDynamicallyProvisioned) {
+	if api.HasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annDynamicallyProvisioned) {
 		provisionPluginName := volume.Annotations[annDynamicallyProvisioned]
 		if provisionPluginName != "" {
 			plugin, err := ctrl.volumePluginMgr.FindDeletablePluginByName(provisionPluginName)
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/pv_controller_base.go b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/pv_controller_base.go
index 42f6ca2328ed5..14292a39b5544 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/pv_controller_base.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/persistentvolume/pv_controller_base.go
@@ -496,27 +496,15 @@ func (ctrl *PersistentVolumeController) upgradeVolumeFrom1_2(volume *api.Persist
 
 // Stateless functions
 
-func hasAnnotation(obj api.ObjectMeta, ann string) bool {
-	_, found := obj.Annotations[ann]
-	return found
-}
-
-func setAnnotation(obj *api.ObjectMeta, ann string, value string) {
-	if obj.Annotations == nil {
-		obj.Annotations = make(map[string]string)
-	}
-	obj.Annotations[ann] = value
-}
-
 func getClaimStatusForLogging(claim *api.PersistentVolumeClaim) string {
-	bound := hasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annBindCompleted)
-	boundByController := hasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController)
+	bound := api.HasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annBindCompleted)
+	boundByController := api.HasAnnotation(claim.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController)
 
 	return fmt.Sprintf("phase: %s, bound to: %q, bindCompleted: %v, boundByController: %v", claim.Status.Phase, claim.Spec.VolumeName, bound, boundByController)
 }
 
 func getVolumeStatusForLogging(volume *api.PersistentVolume) string {
-	boundByController := hasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController)
+	boundByController := api.HasAnnotation(volume.ObjectMeta, annBoundByController)
 	claimName := ""
 	if volume.Spec.ClaimRef != nil {
 		claimName = fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s (uid: %s)", volume.Spec.ClaimRef.Namespace, volume.Spec.ClaimRef.Name, volume.Spec.ClaimRef.UID)
@@ -592,29 +580,3 @@ func storeObjectUpdate(store cache.Store, obj interface{}, className string) (bo
 	}
 	return true, nil
 }
-
-// getVolumeClass returns value of annClass annotation or empty string in case
-// the annotation does not exist.
-// TODO: change to PersistentVolume.Spec.Class value when this attribute is
-// introduced.
-func getVolumeClass(volume *api.PersistentVolume) string {
-	if class, found := volume.Annotations[annClass]; found {
-		return class
-	}
-
-	// 'nil' is interpreted as "", i.e. the volume does not belong to any class.
-	return ""
-}
-
-// getClaimClass returns name of class that is requested by given claim.
-// Request for `nil` class is interpreted as request for class "",
-// i.e. for a classless PV.
-func getClaimClass(claim *api.PersistentVolumeClaim) string {
-	// TODO: change to PersistentVolumeClaim.Spec.Class value when this
-	// attribute is introduced.
-	if class, found := claim.Annotations[annClass]; found {
-		return class
-	}
-
-	return ""
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/describe.go b/pkg/kubectl/describe.go
index fb2f8c65567ee..a7749a5fe5499 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/describe.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/describe.go
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/certificates"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/extensions"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	clientset "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/clientset_generated/internalclientset"
 	client "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/unversioned"
 	deploymentutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/controller/deployment/util"
@@ -734,6 +735,7 @@ func (d *PersistentVolumeDescriber) Describe(namespace, name string, describerSe
 	return tabbedString(func(out io.Writer) error {
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Name:\t%s\n", pv.Name)
 		printLabelsMultiline(out, "Labels", pv.Labels)
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "StorageClass:\t%s\n", storageutil.GetStorageClassAnnotation(pv.ObjectMeta))
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Status:\t%s\n", pv.Status.Phase)
 		if pv.Spec.ClaimRef != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintf(out, "Claim:\t%s\n", pv.Spec.ClaimRef.Namespace+"/"+pv.Spec.ClaimRef.Name)
@@ -803,6 +805,7 @@ func (d *PersistentVolumeClaimDescriber) Describe(namespace, name string, descri
 	return tabbedString(func(out io.Writer) error {
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Name:\t%s\n", pvc.Name)
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Namespace:\t%s\n", pvc.Namespace)
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "StorageClass:\t%s\n", storageutil.GetStorageClassAnnotation(pvc.ObjectMeta))
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Status:\t%v\n", pvc.Status.Phase)
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Volume:\t%s\n", pvc.Spec.VolumeName)
 		printLabelsMultiline(out, "Labels", pvc.Labels)
@@ -2365,6 +2368,7 @@ func (s *StorageClassDescriber) Describe(namespace, name string, describerSettin
 	}
 	return tabbedString(func(out io.Writer) error {
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Name:\t%s\n", sc.Name)
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "IsDefaultClass:\t%s\n", storageutil.IsDefaultAnnotationText(sc.ObjectMeta))
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Annotations:\t%s\n", labels.FormatLabels(sc.Annotations))
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Provisioner:\t%s\n", sc.Provisioner)
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Parameters:\t%s\n", labels.FormatLabels(sc.Parameters))
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/resource_printer.go b/pkg/kubectl/resource_printer.go
index e1a6a1d383b50..1e382b409fe16 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/resource_printer.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/resource_printer.go
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/extensions"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/rbac"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/labels"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/runtime"
 	utilerrors "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/util/errors"
@@ -2082,6 +2083,10 @@ func printNetworkPolicyList(list *extensions.NetworkPolicyList, w io.Writer, opt
 
 func printStorageClass(sc *storage.StorageClass, w io.Writer, options PrintOptions) error {
 	name := sc.Name
+
+	if storageutil.IsDefaultAnnotation(sc.ObjectMeta) {
+		name += " (default)"
+	}
 	provtype := sc.Provisioner
 
 	if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\t%s\t", name, provtype); err != nil {
diff --git a/plugin/pkg/admission/storageclass/default/admission.go b/plugin/pkg/admission/storageclass/default/admission.go
index d4a47d06a3b2e..cbd5850f0e496 100644
--- a/plugin/pkg/admission/storageclass/default/admission.go
+++ b/plugin/pkg/admission/storageclass/default/admission.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 	api "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/errors"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/cache"
 	clientset "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/clientset_generated/internalclientset"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/runtime"
@@ -94,12 +95,6 @@ func (a *claimDefaulterPlugin) Stop() {
 	}
 }
 
-// This is a stand-in until we have a real field.  This string should be a const somewhere.
-const classAnnotation = "volume.beta.kubernetes.io/storage-class"
-
-// This indicates that a particular StorageClass nominates itself as the system default.
-const isDefaultAnnotation = "storageclass.beta.kubernetes.io/is-default-class"
-
 // Admit sets the default value of a PersistentVolumeClaim's storage class, in case the user did
 // not provide a value.
 //
@@ -121,8 +116,7 @@ func (c *claimDefaulterPlugin) Admit(a admission.Attributes) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	_, found := pvc.Annotations[classAnnotation]
-	if found {
+	if storageutil.HasStorageClassAnnotation(pvc.ObjectMeta) {
 		// The user asked for a class.
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -142,7 +136,7 @@ func (c *claimDefaulterPlugin) Admit(a admission.Attributes) error {
 	if pvc.ObjectMeta.Annotations == nil {
 		pvc.ObjectMeta.Annotations = map[string]string{}
 	}
-	pvc.Annotations[classAnnotation] = def.Name
+	pvc.Annotations[storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation] = def.Name
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -154,7 +148,7 @@ func getDefaultClass(store cache.Store) (*storage.StorageClass, error) {
 		if !ok {
 			return nil, errors.NewInternalError(fmt.Errorf("error converting stored object to StorageClass: %v", c))
 		}
-		if class.Annotations[isDefaultAnnotation] == "true" {
+		if storageutil.IsDefaultAnnotation(class.ObjectMeta) {
 			defaultClasses = append(defaultClasses, class)
 			glog.V(4).Infof("getDefaultClass added: %s", class.Name)
 		}
diff --git a/plugin/pkg/admission/storageclass/default/admission_test.go b/plugin/pkg/admission/storageclass/default/admission_test.go
index 427c7abcf6766..40786a4c12b91 100644
--- a/plugin/pkg/admission/storageclass/default/admission_test.go
+++ b/plugin/pkg/admission/storageclass/default/admission_test.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/conversion"
 )
 
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ func TestAdmission(t *testing.T) {
 		ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 			Name: "default1",
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
-				isDefaultAnnotation: "true",
+				storageutil.IsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation: "true",
 			},
 		},
 		Provisioner: "default1",
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ func TestAdmission(t *testing.T) {
 		ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 			Name: "default2",
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
-				isDefaultAnnotation: "true",
+				storageutil.IsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation: "true",
 			},
 		},
 		Provisioner: "default2",
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ func TestAdmission(t *testing.T) {
 		ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 			Name: "nondefault1",
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
-				isDefaultAnnotation: "false",
+				storageutil.IsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation: "false",
 			},
 		},
 		Provisioner: "nondefault1",
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ func TestAdmission(t *testing.T) {
 		ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 			Name: "nondefault2",
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
-				isDefaultAnnotation: "",
+				storageutil.IsDefaultStorageClassAnnotation: "",
 			},
 		},
 		Provisioner: "nondefault1",
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ func TestAdmission(t *testing.T) {
 			Name:      "claimWithClass",
 			Namespace: "ns",
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
-				classAnnotation: "foo",
+				storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "foo",
 			},
 		},
 	}
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@ func TestAdmission(t *testing.T) {
 			Name:      "claimWithEmptyClass",
 			Namespace: "ns",
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
-				classAnnotation: "",
+				storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "",
 			},
 		},
 	}
@@ -218,7 +219,7 @@ func TestAdmission(t *testing.T) {
 
 		class := ""
 		if claim.Annotations != nil {
-			if value, ok := claim.Annotations[classAnnotation]; ok {
+			if value, ok := claim.Annotations[storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation]; ok {
 				class = value
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/test/e2e/volume_provisioning.go b/test/e2e/volume_provisioning.go
index 3c37231210cfd..0d98fc7537a3c 100644
--- a/test/e2e/volume_provisioning.go
+++ b/test/e2e/volume_provisioning.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/resource"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	client "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/test/e2e/framework"
 
@@ -172,11 +173,11 @@ func newClaim(ns string, alpha bool) *api.PersistentVolumeClaim {
 
 	if alpha {
 		claim.Annotations = map[string]string{
-			"volume.alpha.kubernetes.io/storage-class": "",
+			storageutil.AlphaStorageClassAnnotation: "",
 		}
 	} else {
 		claim.Annotations = map[string]string{
-			"volume.beta.kubernetes.io/storage-class": "fast",
+			storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "fast",
 		}
 
 	}
diff --git a/test/integration/persistentvolumes/persistent_volumes_test.go b/test/integration/persistentvolumes/persistent_volumes_test.go
index 8e768602c716d..44cd0564eaad4 100644
--- a/test/integration/persistentvolumes/persistent_volumes_test.go
+++ b/test/integration/persistentvolumes/persistent_volumes_test.go
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apimachinery/registered"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	clientset "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/clientset_generated/internalclientset"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/restclient"
 	fake_cloud "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/cloudprovider/providers/fake"
@@ -884,7 +885,7 @@ func TestPersistentVolumeProvisionMultiPVCs(t *testing.T) {
 	for i := 0; i < objCount; i++ {
 		pvc := createPVC("pvc-provision-"+strconv.Itoa(i), ns.Name, "1G", []api.PersistentVolumeAccessMode{api.ReadWriteOnce})
 		pvc.Annotations = map[string]string{
-			"volume.beta.kubernetes.io/storage-class": "gold",
+			storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "gold",
 		}
 		pvcs[i] = pvc
 	}
diff --git a/test/integration/storageclasses/storage_classes_test.go b/test/integration/storageclasses/storage_classes_test.go
index 0c35039ea4c5c..85e4283aa5347 100644
--- a/test/integration/storageclasses/storage_classes_test.go
+++ b/test/integration/storageclasses/storage_classes_test.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apimachinery/registered"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage"
+	storageutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/storage/util"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/restclient"
 	client "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/client/unversioned"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/test/integration/framework"
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ func DoTestStorageClasses(t *testing.T, client *client.Client, ns *api.Namespace
 			Name:      "XXX",
 			Namespace: ns.Name,
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
-				"volume.beta.kubernetes.io/storage-class": "gold",
+				storageutil.StorageClassAnnotation: "gold",
 			},
 		},
 		Spec: api.PersistentVolumeClaimSpec{