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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits

We have our own noncontributory, qualified pension plan.

We serve as plan sponsor and administrator for certain OPEB plans. The benefits are funded through irrevocable trusts, as allowed for income tax purposes. Our balance sheets reflect only the liabilities associated with our past and current employees and our share of the plan assets and obligations. WEC Energy Group also offers medical, dental, and life insurance benefits to our active employees and their dependents. We expense the allocated costs of these benefits as incurred.
The defined benefit pension plans are closed to all new hires. In addition, the service accruals for the defined benefit pension plans were frozen for non-union employees as of January 1, 2013. These employees receive an annual company contribution to their 401(k) savings plan, which is calculated based on age, wages, and full years of vesting service as of December 31 each year.

We use a year-end measurement date to measure the funded status of all of the pension and OPEB plans. Due to the regulated nature of our business, we have concluded that substantially all of the unrecognized costs resulting from the recognition of the funded status of the pension and OPEB plans qualify as a regulatory asset.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in our share of the plans' benefit obligations and fair value of assets:
Pension BenefitsOPEB Benefits
(in millions)2023202220232022
Change in benefit obligation
Obligation at January 1$560.7 $773.1 $112.2 $146.9 
Service cost4.8 9.0 2.8 4.0 
Interest cost30.1 22.7 6.1 4.4 
Net transfer from affiliates — — — 0.3 
Actuarial loss (gain)25.3 (204.9)16.7 (36.2)
Participant contributions— — 0.8 0.6 
Benefit payments(34.2)(39.2)(9.9)(7.8)
Obligation at December 31$586.7 $560.7 $128.7 $112.2 
Change in fair value of plan assets
Fair value at January 1$685.1 $859.4 $255.6 $303.6 
Actual return on plan assets62.2 (135.7)24.5 (41.7)
Employer contributions0.6 0.6 0.9 0.9 
Participant contributions— — 0.8 0.6 
Benefit payments(34.2)(39.2)(9.9)(7.8)
Fair value at December 31$713.7 $685.1 $271.9 $255.6 
Funded status at December 31$127.0 $124.4 $143.2 $143.4 

In 2023, we had actuarial losses related to our pension benefit obligations of $25.3 million and actuarial gains in 2022 of $204.9 million. The primary driver for the actuarial loss was the change in discount rate. Partially offsetting the loss in 2023, was higher than expected asset returns. The discount rate for our pension benefits was 5.15%, 5.50%, and 3.00% in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

In 2023, we had actuarial losses related to our OPEB benefit obligation of $16.7 million and actuarial gains in 2022 of $36.2 million. The primary driver for the actuarial loss was changes to medical trend assumptions and a lower discount rate in 2023. Partially offsetting the loss in 2023, was higher than expected asset returns. The discount rate for our OPEB benefits was 5.16%, 5.50%, and 2.98% in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

The amounts recognized on our balance sheets at December 31 related to the funded status of the benefit plans were as follows:
Pension BenefitsOPEB Benefits
(in millions)2023202220232022
Pension and OPEB assets$131.6 $129.5 $152.9 $152.6 
Other long-term liabilities4.6 5.1 9.7 9.2 
Total net assets$127.0 $124.4 $143.2 $143.4 

The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plans was $548.1 million and $525.9 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table shows information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets. There were no plan assets related to these pension plans. Amounts presented are as of December 31:
(in millions)20232022
Accumulated benefit obligation$4.7 $5.1 

The following table shows information for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets. There were no plan assets related to these pension plans. Amounts presented are as of December 31:
(in millions)20232022
Projected benefit obligation$4.7 $5.1 

The following table shows information for OPEB plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets. Amounts presented are as of December 31:
(in millions)20232022
Accumulated benefit obligation$14.5 $14.4 
Fair value of plan assets4.8 5.3 

The following table shows the amounts that had not yet been recognized in our net periodic benefit cost as of December 31:
Pension BenefitsOPEB Benefits
(in millions)2023202220232022
Net regulatory assets (liabilities)
Net actuarial loss (gain)$53.2 $56.1 $(28.1)$(35.6)
Prior service credits— — (21.0)(31.2)
Total$53.2 $56.1 $(49.1)$(66.8)

The components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) (including amounts capitalized to our balance sheets) for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
 Pension BenefitsOPEB Benefits
(in millions)202320222021202320222021
Service cost$4.8 $9.0 $10.6 $2.8 $4.0 $4.3 
Interest cost30.1 22.7 21.9 6.1 4.4 4.2 
Expected return on plan assets(51.3)(55.2)(51.8)(16.3)(21.0)(20.4)
Plan curtailment— — — — — (6.4)
Amortization of prior service credit— — — (10.2)(10.2)(10.3)
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)17.3 17.3 26.6 1.0 (2.5)(3.7)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)$0.9 $(6.2)$7.3 $(16.6)$(25.3)$(32.3)

Effective January 1, 2023, the PSCW approved escrow accounting for pension and OPEB costs. As a result, as of December 31, 2023, we recorded a $6.7 million regulatory asset for pension costs and a $6.8 million regulatory asset for OPEB costs. The above table does not reflect any adjustments for the creation of these regulatory assets.
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations for the plans were as follows for the years ended December 31:
Pension BenefitsOPEB Benefits
2023202220232022
Discount rate5.15%5.50%5.16%5.50%
Rate of compensation increase4.00%4.00%N/AN/A
Interest credit rate4.50%4.00%N/AN/A
Assumed medical cost trend rate (Pre 65)N/AN/A6.25%6.50%
Ultimate trend rate (Pre 65)N/AN/A5.00%5.00%
Year ultimate trend rate is reached (Pre 65)N/AN/A20312031
Assumed medical cost trend rate (Post 65)N/AN/A6.25%6.00%
Ultimate trend rate (Post 65)N/AN/A5.00%5.00%
Year ultimate trend rate is reached (Post 65)N/AN/A20302031

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the plans were as follows for the years ended December 31:
Pension Benefits
202320222021
Discount rate5.50%3.00%2.74%
Expected return on plan assets6.75%7.00%7.00%
Rate of compensation increase4.00%4.00%4.00%
Interest credit rate4.00%2.25%2.25%

OPEB Benefits
202320222021
Discount rate5.50%2.98%2.95%
Expected return on plan assets6.50%7.00%7.00%
Assumed medical cost trend rate (Pre 65)6.50%5.70%5.85%
Ultimate trend rate (Pre 65)5.00%5.00%5.00%
Year ultimate trend rate is reached (Pre 65)203120282028
Assumed medical cost trend rate (Post 65)6.00%5.60%5.70%
Ultimate trend rate (Post 65)5.00%5.00%5.00%
Year ultimate trend rate is reached (Post 65)203120282028

WEC Energy Group consults with its investment advisors on an annual basis to help forecast expected long-term returns on plan assets by reviewing historical returns as well as calculating expected total trust returns using the weighted-average of long-term market returns for each of the major target asset categories utilized in the trust. For 2024, the expected return on asset assumption is 6.75% for the pension plan and 6.50% for the OPEB plan.

Plan Assets

Current pension trust assets and amounts which are expected to be contributed to the trusts in the future are expected to be adequate to meet pension payment obligations to current and future retirees.

The Investment Trust Policy Committee oversees investment matters related to all of our funded benefit plans. The Committee works with external actuaries and investment consultants on an on-going basis to establish and monitor investment strategies and target asset allocations. Forecasted cash flows for plan liabilities are regularly updated based on annual valuation results. Target allocations are determined utilizing projected benefit payment cash flows and risk analyses of appropriate investments. They are intended to reduce risk, provide long-term financial stability for the plans and maintain funded levels which meet long-term plan obligations while preserving sufficient liquidity for near-term benefit payments.

Our pension trust target asset allocations are 25% equity investments, 55% fixed income investments, and 20% private equity and real estate investments. The OPEB trust has a target asset allocation of 45% equity investments, 45% fixed income investments, and 10% real estate investments. Equity securities include investments in large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies. Fixed income
securities include corporate bonds of companies from diversified industries, mortgage and other asset backed securities, commercial paper, and United States Treasuries.

Pension and OPEB plan investments are recorded at fair value. See Note 1(o), Fair Value Measurements, for more information regarding the fair value hierarchy and the classification of fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used.

The following tables provide the fair values of our investments by asset class:
December 31, 2023
Pension Plan AssetsOPEB Assets
(in millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Asset Class
Equity securities:
United States equity$52.0 $— $— $52.0 $32.6 $— $— $32.6 
International equity53.7 — — 53.7 29.8 — — 29.8 
Fixed income securities: (1)
United States bonds— 176.7 — 176.7 33.9 61.3 — 95.2 
International bonds— 22.8 — 22.8 — 2.9 — 2.9 
$105.7 $199.5 $— $305.2 $96.3 $64.2 $— $160.5 
Investments measured at net asset value:
Equity securities112.5 65.1 
Fixed income securities66.1 17.1 
Other229.9 29.2 
Total$713.7 $271.9 

(1)    This category represents investment grade bonds of United States and foreign issuers denominated in United States dollars from diverse industries.
December 31, 2022
Pension Plan AssetsOPEB Assets
(in millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Asset Class
Equity securities:
United States equity$70.2 $— $— $70.2 $28.4 $— $— $28.4 
International equity61.3 — — 61.3 27.3 — — 27.3 
Fixed income securities: (1)
United States bonds— 130.7 — 130.7 50.2 32.6 — 82.8 
International bonds— 23.7 — 23.7 — 3.0 — 3.0 
$131.5 $154.4 $— $285.9 $105.9 $35.6 $— $141.5 
Investments measured at net asset value:
Equity securities141.6 58.6 
Fixed income securities53.0 24.7 
Other204.6 30.8 
Total$685.1 $255.6 

(1)    This category represents investment grade bonds of United States and foreign issuers denominated in United States dollars from diverse industries.

Cash Flows

We expect to contribute $0.6 million to the pension plans and $0.9 million to the OPEB plans in 2024, dependent upon various factors affecting us, including our liquidity position and possible tax law changes.
The following table shows the payments, reflecting expected future service, that we expect to make for pension and OPEB over the next 10 years:
(in millions)Pension BenefitsOPEB Benefits
2024$37.2 $8.8 
202537.1 9.0 
202637.3 9.4 
202737.6 9.7 
202838.0 9.9 
2029-2033190.8 50.1 

Savings Plans

WEC Energy Group sponsors 401(k) savings plans that allow substantially all of our full-time employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax and/or after-tax income in accordance with plan-specified guidelines. A percentage of employee contributions are matched by us through a contribution into the employee's savings plan account, up to certain limits. The 401(k) savings plans include an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Certain employees receive an employer retirement contribution, which amounts are contributed to an employee's savings plan account based on the employee's wages, age, and years of service. Total costs incurred under all of these plans were $12.8 million, $11.7 million, and $11.0 million in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.