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PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Text Block]
RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The net periodic benefit cost/(credit) of defined benefit pension plans includes:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Dollars in Millions
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost – benefits earned during the year
$
7

 
$
6

 
$
14

 
$
12

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
50

 
46

 
96

 
94

Expected return on plan assets
(109
)
 
(101
)
 
(218
)
 
(204
)
Amortization of prior service credits
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
19

 
20

 
40

 
41

Curtailments and settlements
38

 
36

 
69

 
69

Net periodic pension benefit cost/(credit)
$
4

 
$
6

 
$
(1
)
 
$
10



Pension settlement charges were recognized after determining that the annual lump sum payments will likely exceed the annual interest and service costs for the primary and certain other U.S. and international pension plans. The charges included the acceleration of a portion of unrecognized actuarial losses. Non-current pension liabilities were $403 million at June 30, 2018 and $456 million at December 31, 2017. Defined contribution plan expense in the U.S. was $47 million and $52 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Comprehensive medical and group life benefits are provided for substantially all U.S. retirees electing to participate in comprehensive medical and group life plans and to a lesser extent certain benefits for non-U.S. employees. The net periodic benefit credits were not material in both periods.