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Employee and Agent Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Employee and Agent Benefits  
Employee and Agent Benefits

11. Employee and Agent Benefits

        We have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of our U.S. employees and certain agents. Some of these plans provide supplemental pension benefits to employees and agents with salaries and/or pension benefits in excess of the qualified plan limits imposed by federal tax law. The employees and agents are generally first eligible for the pension plans when they reach age 21. For plan participants employed prior to January 1, 2002, the pension benefits are based on the greater of a final average pay benefit or a cash balance benefit. The final average pay benefit is based on the years of service and generally the employee's or agent's average annual compensation during the last five years of employment. Partial benefit accrual of final average pay benefits is recognized from first eligibility until retirement based on attained service divided by potential service to age 65 with a minimum of 35 years of potential service. The cash balance portion of the plan started on January 1, 2002. An employee's account is credited with an amount based on the employee's salary, age and service. These credits accrue with interest. For plan participants hired on and after January 1, 2002, only the cash balance plan applies. Our policy is to fund the cost of providing pension benefits in the years that the employees and agents are providing service to us. Our funding policy for the qualified defined benefit plan is to contribute an amount annually at least equal to the minimum annual contribution required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), and, generally, not greater than the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Our funding policy for the nonqualified benefit plan is to fund the plan in the years that the employees are providing service, taking into account the funded status of the trust. While we designate assets to cover the computed liability of the nonqualified plan, the assets are not included as part of the asset balances presented in this footnote as they do not qualify as plan assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

        We also provide certain health care, life insurance and long-term care benefits for retired employees. Subsidized retiree health benefits are provided for employees hired prior to January 1, 2002. Employees hired after December 31, 2001, have access to retiree health benefits but it is intended that they pay for the full cost of the coverage. The health care plans are contributory with participants' contributions adjusted annually. The contributions are based on the number of years of service and age at retirement for those hired prior to January 1, 2002, who retired prior to January 1, 2011. For employees hired prior to January 1, 2002, who retired on or after January 1, 2011, the contributions are 60% of the expected cost. As part of the substantive plan, the retiree health contributions are assumed to be adjusted in the future as claim levels change. The life insurance plans are contributory for a small group of previously grandfathered participants that have elected supplemental coverage and dependent coverage.

        Covered employees are first eligible for the health and life postretirement benefits when they reach age 57 and have completed ten years of service with us. Retiree long-term care benefits are provided for employees whose retirement was effective prior to July 1, 2000. Our policy is to fund the cost of providing retiree benefits in the years that the employees are providing service, taking into account the funded status of the trust.

Obligations and Funded Status

        The plans' combined funded status, reconciled to amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position, was as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Pension benefits

 

Other
postretirement
benefits

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Change in benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

(3,060.0

)

$

(2,440.2

)

$

(169.7

)

$

(140.6

)

Service cost

 

 

(63.2

)

 

(54.0

)

 

(2.0

)

 

(1.4

)

Interest cost

 

 

(120.3

)

 

(117.1

)

 

(6.6

)

 

(6.6

)

Actuarial gain (loss)

 

 

96.3

 

 

(532.9

)

 

(2.7

)

 

(26.0

)

Participant contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.4

)

 

(6.6

)

Benefits paid

 

 

95.0

 

 

84.2

 

 

12.7

 

 

12.2

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

(0.7

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

(3,052.2

)

$

(3,060.0

)

$

(165.7

)

$

(169.7

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Change in plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

$

2,218.3

 

$

1,925.6

 

$

639.7

 

$

613.0

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

(50.0

)

 

246.0

 

 

(6.9

)

 

31.9

 

Employer contribution

 

 

93.0

 

 

130.9

 

 

0.5

 

 

0.4

 

Participant contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

6.6

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(95.0

)

 

(84.2

)

 

(12.7

)

 

(12.2

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

$

2,166.3

 

$

2,218.3

 

$

627.0

 

$

639.7

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Amount recognized in statement of financial position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

$

 

$

 

$

461.9

 

$

470.7

 

Other liabilities

 

 

(885.9

)

 

(841.7

)

 

(0.6

)

 

(0.7

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total

 

$

(885.9

)

$

(841.7

)

$

461.3

 

$

470.0

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net actuarial (gain) loss

 

$

771.2

 

$

759.2

 

$

(8.6

)

$

(53.0

)

Prior service benefit

 

 

(5.1

)

 

(6.9

)

 

(33.0

)

 

(35.9

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss

 

$

766.1

 

$

752.3

 

$

(41.6

)

$

(88.9

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

        The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $2,799.2 million and $2,854.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

        Employer contributions to the pension plans include contributions made directly to the qualified pension plan assets and contributions from corporate assets to pay nonqualified pension benefits. Benefits paid from the pension plans include both qualified and nonqualified plan benefits. Nonqualified pension plan assets are not included as part of the asset balances presented in this footnote. The nonqualified pension plan assets are held in Rabbi trusts for the benefit of all nonqualified plan participants. The assets held in a Rabbi trust are available to satisfy the claims of general creditors only in the event of bankruptcy. Therefore, these assets are fully consolidated in our consolidated statements of financial position and are not reflected in our funded status as they do not qualify as plan assets under U.S. GAAP. The market value of assets held in these trusts was $330.8 million and $329.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Pension Plan Changes and Plan Gains/Losses

        On January 1, 2010, benefits under the Principal Pension Plan were frozen for certain participants.

        For the year ended December 31, 2015, the pension plans had a gain primarily due to the increase in discount rate offset by less than expected investment returns. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the pension plans had a loss primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate and updates to the mortality assumption.

Other Postretirement Plan Changes and Plan Gains/Losses

        The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the "Medicare Modernization Act") provides a prescription drug benefit under Medicare ("Medicare Part D") as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree medical benefit plans. During each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Medicare subsidies we received and accrued for were $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

        Effective January 1, 2016, post-65 medical coverage for employees who retired from January 1, 1992, to December 31, 2010, will transition from a traditional medical plan to a stipend health reimbursement arrangement. This plan change reduced our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by $15.5 million as of December 31, 2015. Offsetting this reduction is an adjustment in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (recognized in fourth quarter 2015 expense) of $5.8 million related to dental plan benefits.

        An actuarial loss occurred during 2015 for the other postretirement benefit plans. This was primarily due to a greater than expected increase in claim costs and a longer trend rate for participants under age 65. An actuarial loss occurred during 2014 for the other postretirement benefit plans. This was due to a decrease in the discount rate, a change in the mortality assumption, a lower than expected increase in the medical premium equivalents for participants over age 65 and a greater than expected increase in the claim costs for participants under age 65.

Information for Pension Plans With an Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets

        For 2015 and 2014, both the qualified and nonqualified plans had accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets. As noted previously, the nonqualified plans have assets that are deposited in trusts that fail to meet the U.S. GAAP requirements to be included in plan assets; however, these assets are included in our consolidated statements of financial position.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

3,052.2 

 

$

3,060.0 

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

 

2,799.2 

 

 

2,854.0 

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

 

2,166.3 

 

 

2,218.3 

 

Information for Other Postretirement Benefit Plans With an Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

 

$

1.3 

 

$

1.5 

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

 

0.7 

 

 

0.8 

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Pension benefits

 

Other postretirement
benefits

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Service cost

 

$

63.2

 

$

54.0

 

$

57.1

 

$

2.0

 

$

1.4

 

$

1.0

 

Interest cost

 

 

120.3

 

 

117.1

 

 

103.8

 

 

6.6

 

 

6.6

 

 

5.7

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(160.6

)

 

(131.9

)

 

(127.4

)

 

(33.9

)

 

(32.6

)

 

(28.8

)

Amortization of prior service benefit

 

 

(1.9

)

 

(4.7

)

 

(8.7

)

 

(18.5

)

 

(20.3

)

 

(25.9

)

Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss

 

 

102.4

 

 

50.5

 

 

118.5

 

 

(0.8

)

 

(3.4

)

 

1.0

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

 

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

 

$

123.4

 

$

85.0

 

$

143.3

 

$

(38.8

)

$

(48.3

)

$

(47.0

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

        The pension plans' actuarial gains and losses are amortized using a straight-line amortization method over the average remaining service period of plan participants. For the qualified pension plan, gains and losses are amortized without use of the 10% allowable corridor. For the nonqualified pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, the corridors allowed are used.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Pension
benefits

 

Other
postretirement
benefits

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Other changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

$

114.3

 

$

418.8

 

$

43.5

 

$

26.7

 

Amortization of gain (loss)

 

 

(102.4

)

 

(50.5

)

 

0.8

 

 

3.4

 

Amortization of prior service benefit

 

 

1.9

 

 

4.7

 

 

18.5

 

 

20.3

 

Plan changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15.5

)

 

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total recognized in pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

$

13.8

 

$

373.0

 

$

47.3

 

$

50.4

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

$

137.2

 

$

458.0

 

$

8.5

 

$

2.1

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

        Net actuarial (gain) loss and net prior service cost benefit have been recognized in AOCI.

        The estimated net actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost (benefit) that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost for the pension benefits during the 2016 fiscal year are $77.0 million and $(2.2) million, respectively. The estimated net actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost (benefit) for the postretirement benefits that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost during the 2016 fiscal year are $0.2 million and $(20.3) million, respectively.

Assumptions

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as disclosed under the Obligations and Funded Status section

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Pension
benefits

 

 

 

For the year ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Discount rate

 

 

4.50 

%

 

4.00 

%

Rate of compensation increase:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional benefit

 

 

2.98 

%

 

3.02 

%

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Other
postretirement
benefits

 

 

 

For the year
ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Discount rate

 

 

4.15 

%

 

4.00 

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

 

4.82 

%

 

4.82 

%

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Pension benefits

 

 

 

For the year ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

Discount rate

 

 

4.00 

%

 

4.90 

%

 

4.00 

%

Expected long-term return on plan assets

 

 

7.20 

%

 

6.75 

%

 

7.50 

%

Rate of compensation increase:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash balance benefit

 

 

5.25 

%

 

5.29 

%

 

5.29 

%

Traditional benefit

 

 

3.02 

%

 

3.06 

%

 

3.06 

%

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Other
postretirement
benefits

 

 

 

For the year ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

Discount rate

 

 

4.00 

%

 

4.90 

%

 

4.00 

%

Expected long-term return on plan assets

 

 

5.36 

%

 

5.36 

%

 

5.62 

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

 

4.82 

%

 

4.83 

%

 

4.83 

%

        The assumed salary growth rates used to project benefits for the projected benefit obligation are age-based for home office employees, ranging from 10.73% at age 21 to 2.25% at age 64. As a single representative rate for this assumption scale, past disclosures reflected the arithmetic average of the rates for the 44 ages (age 22 to age 65). The rate labeled cash balance benefit (relative to employees accruing a cash balance) is the lifecount-weighted average rate of salary growth in the coming year only, as the impact of salary assumption for cash balance benefits are limited to the upcoming year service cost. The rate labeled traditional benefit (relative to employees still accruing a final average pay benefit) is the lifecount-weighted average (at each age) of the single annual growth rate at the age that is equivalent to applying the scale from that age to age 65.

        For the pension benefits, the discount rate is determined by projecting future benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligation and discounting those cash flows using a spot yield curve for high quality corporate bonds. The plans' expected benefit payments are discounted to determine a present value using the yield curve and the discount rate is the level rate that produces the same present value. The expected return on plan assets is the long-term rate we expect to be earned based on the plans' investment strategy. Historical and expected future returns of multiple asset classes were analyzed to develop a risk free rate of return and risk premiums for each asset class. The overall rate for each asset class was developed by combining a long-term inflation component, the risk free real rate of return and the associated risk premium. A weighted average rate was developed based on those overall rates and the target asset allocation of the plans.

        For other postretirement benefits, the discount rate is determined by projecting future benefit payments inherent in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, and discounting those cash flows using a spot yield curve for high quality corporate bonds. The plans' expected benefit payments are discounted to determine a present value using the yield curve and the discount rate is the level rate that produces the same present value. The 5.36% expected long-term return on plan assets for 2015 is based on the weighted average expected long-term asset returns for the medical, life and long-term care plans. The expected long-term rates for the medical, life and long-term care plans are 5.4%, 5.0% and 5.85%, respectively.

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year under age 65

 

 

7.0 

%

 

7.0 

%

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year age 65 and over

 

 

6.0 

%

 

6.0 

%

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

 

 

4.5 

%

 

4.5 

%

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate (under age 65)

 

 

2023 

 

 

2019 

 

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate (65 and older)

 

 

2021 

 

 

2020 

 

        Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

1-percentage
point increase

 

1-percentage
point decrease

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Effect on total of service cost and interest cost components

 

$

0.6

 

$

(0.5

)

Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

 

 

(7.1

)

 

6.5

 

Pension Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets

        Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels.

 

 

 

           

•          

Level 1 — Fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Our Level 1 assets include cash, fixed income investment funds and exchange traded equity securities. 

           

•          

Level 2 — Fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. Our Level 2 assets primarily include fixed income and equity investment funds and real estate investments. 

           

•          

Level 3 — Fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs for the asset. Our Level 3 assets include a Principal Life general account investment.

        Our pension plan assets consist of investments in separate accounts. Net asset value ("NAV") of the separate accounts is calculated in a manner consistent with U.S. GAAP for investment companies and is determinative of their fair value. Several of the separate accounts invest in publicly quoted mutual funds or actively managed stocks. The fair value of the underlying mutual funds or stock is used to determine the NAV of the separate account, which is not publicly quoted. Some of the separate accounts also invest in fixed income securities. The fair value of the underlying securities is based on quoted prices of similar assets and used to determine the NAV of the separate account.

        Our other postretirement benefit plan assets consist of cash, investments in fixed income security portfolios and investments in equity security portfolios. Because of the nature of cash, its carrying amount approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed income investment funds, U.S. equity portfolios and international equity portfolios is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The fair value of the Principal Life general account investment is the amount the plan would receive if withdrawing funds from this participating contract. The amount that would be received is calculated using a cash-out factor based on an associated pool of general account fixed income securities. The cash-out factor is a ratio of the asset investment value of these securities to asset book value. As the investment values change, the cash-out factor is adjusted, impacting the amount the plan receives at measurement date. To determine investment value for each category of assets, we project cash flows. This is done using contractual provisions for the assets, with adjustment for expected prepayments and call provisions. Projected cash flows are discounted to present value for each asset category. Interest rates for discounting are based on current rates on similar new assets in the general account based on asset strategy.

Pension Plan Assets

        The fair value of the qualified pension plan's assets by asset category as of the most recent measurement date is as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value hierarchy level

 

 

 

Assets
measured at
fair value

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. large cap equity portfolios (1)

 

$

591.2 

 

$

 

$

591.2 

 

$

 

U.S. small/mid cap equity portfolios (2)

 

 

138.0 

 

 

 

 

138.0 

 

 

 

Balanced asset portfolios (3)

 

 

119.9 

 

 

 

 

119.9 

 

 

 

International equity portfolios (4)

 

 

201.7 

 

 

 

 

201.7 

 

 

 

Fixed income security portfolios (5)

 

 

997.0 

 

 

 

 

997.0 

 

 

 

Real estate investment portfolios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct real estate investments (6)

 

 

118.5 

 

 

 

 

118.5 

 

 

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total

 

$

2,166.3 

 

$

 

$

2,166.3 

 

$

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value hierarchy level

 

 

 

Assets
measured at
fair value

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. large cap equity portfolios (1)

 

$

493.7 

 

$

 

$

493.7 

 

$

 

U.S. small/mid cap equity portfolios (2)

 

 

118.1 

 

 

 

 

118.1 

 

 

 

Balanced asset portfolios (3)

 

 

114.2 

 

 

 

 

114.2 

 

 

 

International equity portfolios (4)

 

 

174.8 

 

 

 

 

174.8 

 

 

 

Fixed income security portfolios (5)

 

 

1,213.2 

 

 

 

 

1,213.2 

 

 

 

Real estate investment portfolios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct real estate investments (6)

 

 

104.3 

 

 

 

 

104.3 

 

 

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total

 

$

2,218.3 

 

$

 

$

2,218.3 

 

$

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  


 

 

 

(1)          

The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of large U.S. companies.

(2)          

The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of mid-sized and small U.S. companies.

(3)          

The portfolios are a combination of underlying fixed income and equity investment options. These investment options may include balanced, asset allocation, target-date and target-risk investment options. Although typically lower risk than investment options that invest solely in equities, all investment options in this category have the potential to lose value.

(4)          

The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of non-U.S. companies.

(5)          

The portfolios invest in various fixed income securities, primarily of U.S. origin. These include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury securities, agency securities, asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.

(6)          

The portfolio invests primarily in U.S. commercial real estate properties through a separate account.

        We had no Level 3 assets in 2015, 2014 and 2013.

        We have established an investment policy that provides the investment objectives and guidelines for the pension plan. Our investment strategy is to achieve the following:

 

 

 

           

•          

Obtain a reasonable long-term return consistent with the level of risk assumed and at a cost of operation within prudent levels. Performance benchmarks are monitored. 

           

•          

Ensure sufficient liquidity to meet the emerging benefit liabilities for the plan. 

           

•          

Provide for diversification of assets in an effort to avoid the risk of large losses and maximize the investment return to the pension plan consistent with market and economic risk.

        In administering the qualified pension plan's asset allocation strategy, we consider the projected liability stream of benefit payments, the relationship between current and projected assets of the plan and the projected actuarial liabilities streams, the historical performance of capital markets adjusted for the perception of future short- and long-term capital market performance and the perception of future economic conditions.

        According to our investment policy, the target asset allocation for the qualified plan is:

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Asset Category

 

Target allocation

U.S. equity portfolios

 

0% - 45%

International equity portfolios

 

0% - 15%

Fixed income security portfolios

 

30% - 100%

Real estate investment portfolios

 

0% - 10%

Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets

        The fair value of the other postretirement benefit plans' assets by asset category as of the most recent measurement date is as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value hierarchy level

 

 

 

Assets
measured at
fair value

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5.9 

 

$

5.9 

 

$

 

$

 

Fixed income security portfolios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income investment funds (1)

 

 

181.7 

 

 

173.2 

 

 

8.5 

 

 

 

Principal Life general account investment (2)

 

 

33.5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.5 

 

U.S. equity portfolios (3)

 

 

339.6 

 

 

278.8 

 

 

60.8 

 

 

 

International equity portfolios (4)

 

 

66.3 

 

 

54.4 

 

 

11.9 

 

 

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total

 

$

627.0 

 

$

512.3 

 

$

81.2 

 

$

33.5 

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value hierarchy level

 

 

 

Assets
measured at
fair value

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5.5 

 

$

5.5 

 

$

 

$

 

Fixed income security portfolios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income investment funds (1)

 

 

164.4 

 

 

161.1 

 

 

3.3 

 

 

 

Principal Life general account investment (2)

 

 

36.3 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36.3 

 

U.S. equity portfolios (3)

 

 

375.6 

 

 

311.0 

 

 

64.6 

 

 

 

International equity portfolios (4)

 

 

57.9 

 

 

44.5 

 

 

13.4 

 

 

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total

 

$

639.7 

 

$

522.1 

 

$

81.3 

 

$

36.3 

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  


 

 

 

(1)          

The portfolios invest in various fixed income securities, primarily of U.S. origin. These include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury securities, agency securities, asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.

(2)          

The general account is invested in various fixed income securities.

(3)          

The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of large U.S. companies.

(4)          

The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of non-U.S. companies.

        As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, $81.2 million and $81.3 million of assets in the U.S. equity and international equity portfolios were included in a trust owned life insurance contract.

        The reconciliation for all assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

Actual return gains
(losses) on plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending
asset
balance
as of
December 31,
2015

 

 

 

Beginning
asset
balance as
of December 31,
2014

 

Relating to
assets still
held at the
reporting
date

 

Relating to
assets sold
during the
period

 

Net
purchases,
sales, and
settlements

 

Transfers
into
Level 3

 

Transfers
out of
Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Life general account investment

 

$

36.3

 

$

0.2

 

$

 

$

(3.0

)

$

 

$

 

$

33.5

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Actual return gains
(losses) on plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending
assets
balance
as of
December 31,
2014

 

 

 

Beginning
assets
balance as
of December 31,
2013

 

Relating to
assets still
held at the
reporting
date

 

Relating to
assets sold
during the
period

 

Net
purchases,
sales,
and
settlements

 

Transfers
into
Level 3

 

Transfers
out of
Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Life general account investment

 

$

38.8

 

$

0.8

 

$

 

$

(3.3

)

$

 

$

 

$

36.3

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Actual return gains
(losses) on plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending
assets
balance
as of
December 31,
2013

 

 

 

Beginning
assets
balance as
of December 31,
2012

 

Relating to
assets still
held at the
reporting
date

 

Relating to
assets sold
during the
period

 

Net
purchases,
sales, and
settlements

 

Transfers
into
Level 3

 

Transfers
out of
Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Life general account investment

 

$

42.1

 

$

1.1

 

$

 

$

(4.4

)

$

 

$

 

$

38.8

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

        According to our investment policy, the target asset allocation for the other postretirement benefit plans is:

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Asset Category

 

Target allocation

 

U.S. equity portfolios

 

 

45 

%

International equity portfolios

 

 

30 

%

Fixed income security portfolios

 

 

25 

%

        The investment strategies and policies for the other postretirement benefit plans are similar to those employed by the qualified pension plan.

Contributions

        Our funding policy for the qualified pension plan is to fund the plan annually in an amount at least equal to the minimum annual contribution required under ERISA and, generally, not greater than the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. We do not anticipate contributions will be needed to satisfy the minimum funding requirements of ERISA for our qualified plan. At this time, it is too early to estimate the amount that may be contributed, but it is possible that we may fund the plans in 2016 up to $125 million. This includes funding for both our qualified and nonqualified pension plans. While we designate assets to cover the computed liability of the nonqualified plan, the assets are not included as part of the asset balances presented in this footnote as they do not qualify as plan assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We may contribute to our other postretirement benefit plans in 2016 pending future analysis.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

        The estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, and the expected amount of subsidy receipts under Medicare Part D are:

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Pension benefits

 

Other postretirement
benefits (gross benefit
payments, including
prescription drug benefits)

 

Amount of Medicare
Part D subsidy receipts

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Year ending December 31:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

$

110.0 

 

$

14.3 

 

$

0.2 

 

2017

 

 

117.9 

 

 

14.4 

 

 

0.1 

 

2018

 

 

127.9 

 

 

14.5 

 

 

0.2 

 

2019

 

 

131.5 

 

 

14.9 

 

 

0.1 

 

2020

 

 

141.9 

 

 

15.2 

 

 

0.1 

 

2021 - 2025

 

 

842.4 

 

 

83.9 

 

 

0.4 

 

        The above table reflects the total estimated future benefits to be paid from the plan, including both our share of the benefit cost and the participants' share of the cost, which is funded by their contributions to the plan.

        The assumptions used in calculating the estimated future benefit payments are the same as those used to measure the benefit obligation for the year ended December 31, 2015.

        The information that follows shows supplemental information for our defined benefit pension plans. Certain key summary data is shown separately for qualified and nonqualified plans.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

Qualified
Plan

 

Nonqualified
Plan

 

Total

 

Qualified
Plan

 

Nonqualified
Plan

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Amount recognized in statement of financial position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Other liabilities

 

 

(453.0

)

 

(432.9

)

 

(885.9

)

 

(385.3

)

 

(456.4

)

 

(841.7

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total

 

$

(453.0

)

$

(432.9

)

$

(885.9

)

$

(385.3

)

$

(456.4

)

$

(841.7

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net actuarial loss

 

$

659.0

 

$

112.2

 

$

771.2

 

$

603.1

 

$

156.1

 

$

759.2

 

Prior service benefit

 

 

(2.6

)

 

(2.5

)

 

(5.1

)

 

(3.4

)

 

(3.5

)

 

(6.9

)

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

$

656.4

 

$

109.7

 

$

766.1

 

$

599.7

 

$

152.6

 

$

752.3

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Components of net periodic benefit cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

54.8

 

$

8.4

 

$

63.2

 

$

46.8

 

$

7.2

 

$

54.0

 

Interest cost

 

 

102.3

 

 

18.0

 

 

120.3

 

 

99.1

 

 

18.0

 

 

117.1

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(160.6

)

 

 

 

(160.6

)

 

(131.9

)

 

 

 

(131.9

)

Amortization of prior service benefit

 

 

(0.8

)

 

(1.1

)

 

(1.9

)

 

(3.1

)

 

(1.6

)

 

(4.7

)

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

 

86.3

 

 

16.1

 

 

102.4

 

 

42.9

 

 

7.6

 

 

50.5

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

82.0

 

$

41.4

 

$

123.4

 

$

53.8

 

$

31.2

 

$

85.0

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Other changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial (gain) loss

 

$

142.1

 

$

(27.8

)

$

114.3

 

$

347.8

 

$

71.0

 

$

418.8

 

Amortization of net loss

 

 

(86.3

)

 

(16.1

)

 

(102.4

)

 

(42.9

)

 

(7.6

)

 

(50.5

)

Amortization of prior service benefit

 

 

0.8

 

 

1.1

 

 

1.9

 

 

3.1

 

 

1.6

 

 

4.7

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total recognized in pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss

 

$

56.6

 

$

(42.8

)

$

13.8

 

$

308.0

 

$

65.0

 

$

373.0

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss

 

$

138.6

 

$

(1.4

)

$

137.2

 

$

361.8

 

$

96.2

 

$

458.0

 

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

​  

        In addition, we have defined contribution plans that are generally available to all U.S. employees and agents. Eligible participants could not contribute more than $18,000 of their compensation to the plans in 2015. Effective January 1, 2006, we made several changes to the retirement programs. In general, the pension and supplemental executive retirement plan benefit formulas were reduced, and the 401(k) matching contribution was increased. Employees who were ages 47 or older with at least ten years of service on December 31, 2005, could elect to retain the prior benefit provisions and forgo receipt of the additional matching contributions. The employees who elected to retain the prior benefit provisions are referred to as "Grandfathered Choice Participants." We match the Grandfathered Choice Participant's contribution at a 50% contribution rate up to a maximum matching contribution of 3% of the participant's compensation. For all other participants, we match the participant's contributions at a 75% contribution rate up to a maximum matching contribution of 6% of the participant's compensation. The defined contribution plans allow employees to choose among various investment options, including our common stock. We contributed $45.7 million, $41.7 million and $39.8 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to our qualified defined contribution plans.

        We also have nonqualified deferred compensation plans available to select employees and agents that allow them to defer compensation amounts in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law with respect to the qualified plans. In 2015, we matched the Grandfathered Choice Participant's deferral at a 50% match deferral rate up to a maximum matching deferral of 3% of the participant's compensation. For all other participants, we matched the participant's deferral at a 75% match deferral rate up to a maximum matching deferral of 6% of the participant's compensation. We contributed $4.5 million, $4.1 million and $5.0 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to our nonqualified deferred compensation plans.