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Note 10 - Pension and Postretirement Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 03, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements  
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]
Note
10:
Pension and Postretirement Benefits
 
Defined Contribution Plan
 
All U.S. employees have the option of contributing up to
75
percent of their pre-tax earnings to a
401(k)
plan, subject to IRS limitations. We match up to the
first
4
percent of each employee's pre-tax earnings, based on the employee’s contributions. All U.S. employees are eligible for a separate annual retirement contribution to the
401(k)
plan of
3
percent of pay, that is invested based on the election of the individual participant. The
3
percent contribution is in addition to our
4
percent matching contribution described above and is in lieu of participation in our defined benefit pension plan. The total contribution to the
401(k)
plan for
2016
was
$10,417
which included the cost of the
4
percent company match of
$4,897
and the additional
3
percent contribution of
$5,520.
The total contributions to the
401(k)
plan were
$9,375
and
$9,414
in
2015
and
2014,
respectively.
 
The defined contribution plan liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets was
$6,597
and
$6,062
in
2016
and
2015,
respectively for the U.S. Plan and several statutorily required non-U.S. Plans.
 
Defined Benefit Plan
s
 
Noncontributory defined benefit pension plans cover all U.S. employees employed prior to
January
1,
2007.
Benefits for these plans are based primarily on each employee’s years of service and average compensation. During
2011,
we made significant changes to our U.S. Pension Plan (the Plan). The changes included: benefits under the Plan were locked-in using service and salary as of
May
31,
2011,
participants no longer earn benefits for future service and salary as they had in the past, affected participants receive a
three
percent increase to the locked-in benefit for every year they continue to work for us and we are making a retirement contribution of
three
percent of eligible compensation to the
401(k)
Plan for those participants. The funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements of federal law and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of listed equity securities and bonds. During
2015,
we amended the plan to add a program for eligible employees to take a lump sum distribution. A total of
$8,399
and
$15,493
was paid during
2016
and
2015
as lump sum distributions under this program, respectively. Other U.S. postretirement benefits are funded through a Voluntary Employees' Beneficiaries Association Trust.
 
Health care and life insurance benefits are provided for eligible retired employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits are provided through various insurance companies and health care providers. Costs are accrued during the years the employee renders the necessary service.
 
Certain non-U.S. subsidiaries provide pension benefits for their employees consistent with local practices and regulations. These plans are primarily defined benefit plans covering substantially all employees upon completion of a specified period of service. Benefits for these plans are generally based on years of service and annual compensation.
 
 
 
Following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets as of
December
3,
2016
and
November
28,
2015:
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
   
Other Postretirement
 
 
 
U.S. Plans
   
Non-U.S. Plans
   
Benefits
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Change in projected benefit obligation
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of
year
 
$
376,098
    $
408,595
 
 
$
201,172
    $
220,216
 
 
$
49,923
    $
54,370
 
Service cost
 
 
110
     
107
 
 
 
2,016
     
1,924
 
 
 
342
     
449
 
Interest cost
 
 
15,360
     
16,322
 
 
 
5,465
     
5,986
 
 
 
1,956
     
2,042
 
Participant contributions
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
282
     
328
 
Actuarial (gain)/loss
1
 
 
(2,253
)
   
(15,317
)
 
 
15,254
     
3,780
 
 
 
(6,450
)
   
(3,988
)
Other
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
19
     
-
 
 
 
-
     
-
 
Settlement payments
 
 
(8,399
)
   
(15,493
)
 
 
(511
)
   
-
 
 
 
-
     
-
 
Benefits paid
 
 
(18,703
)
   
(18,116
)
 
 
(7,382
)
   
(7,726
)
 
 
(3,332
)
   
(3,278
)
Foreign currency translation effect
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
(13,857
)
   
(23,008
)
 
 
-
     
-
 
Benefit obligation at end of year
 
 
362,213
     
376,098
 
 
 
202,176
     
201,172
 
 
 
42,721
     
49,923
 
                                                 
Change in plan assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning
of year
 
 
336,461
     
384,335
 
 
 
172,241
     
188,210
 
 
 
62,585
     
63,076
 
Actual return on plan assets
 
 
20,610
     
(15,799
)
 
 
10,516
     
7,408
 
 
 
4,388
     
1,249
 
Employer contributions
 
 
1,536
     
1,534
 
 
 
2,319
     
1,901
 
 
 
2,717
     
1,210
 
Participant contributions
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
282
     
328
 
Settlement payments
 
 
(8,399
)
   
(15,493
)
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
-
     
-
 
Other
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
98
     
-
 
 
 
-
     
-
 
Benefits paid
2
 
 
(18,703
)
   
(18,116
)
 
 
(7,382
)
   
(7,726
)
 
 
(3,332
)
   
(3,278
)
Foreign currency translation effect
 
 
-
     
-
 
 
 
(14,470
)
   
(17,552
)
 
 
-
     
-
 
Fair value of plan assets at end of
year
 
 
331,505
     
336,461
 
 
 
163,323
     
172,241
 
 
 
66,640
     
62,585
 
Plan assets (less than) in excess of
benefit obligation as of year end
 
$
(30,708
)
  $
(39,637
)
 
$
(38,853
)
  $
(28,931
)
 
$
23,919
    $
12,662
 
 
1
Actuarial loss in
2016
for the Non-U.S. Plans includes a
$16,330
loss due to assumption changes net of a
($1,076)
gain due to plan experience. Actuarial gain in
2015
for the U.S. Plans includes
$11,455
due to assumption changes and
$3,862
due to plan experience.
2
Amount excludes benefit payments made from sources other than plan assets.
 
 
For the U.S. Pension Plan, we adopted the new RP-
2014
mortality tables projected generationally using scale MP-
2016
.
 
Amounts in accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) that have not
been
 
Pension Benefits
   
Other
Postretirement
 
recognized as components of net
 
U.S. Plans
   
Non-U.S. Plans
   
Benefits
 
periodic benefit cost
 
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Unrecognized actuarial loss
 
$
157,185
    $
160,544
 
 
$
82,874
    $
75,157
 
 
$
13,653
    $
21,189
 
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)
 
 
61
     
90
 
 
 
(7
)
   
(11
)
 
 
-
     
(41
)
Ending balance
 
$
157,246
    $
160,634
 
 
$
82,867
    $
75,146
 
 
$
13,653
    $
21,148
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
   
Other Postretirement
 
 
 
U.S. Plans
   
Non-U.S. Plans
   
Benefits
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-current assets
 
$
-
    $
-
 
 
$
-
    $
4,282
 
 
$
27,093
    $
15,755
 
Accrued benefit cost
                                               
Current liabilities
 
 
(1,489
)
   
(1,490
)
 
 
(1,162
)
   
(1,100
)
 
 
(206
)
   
(191
)
Non-current liabilities
 
 
(29,219
)
   
(38,147
)
 
 
(37,691
)
   
(32,113
)
 
 
(2,968
)
   
(2,902
)
Ending balance
 
$
(30,708
)
  $
(39,637
)
 
$
(38,853
)
  $
(28,931
)
 
$
23,919
    $
12,662
 
 
The accumulated benefit obligation of the U.S. pension and other postretirement plans was
$392,400
at
December
3,
2016
and
$407,011
at
November
28,
2015.
The accumulated benefit obligation of the non-U.S. pension plans was
$201,151
at
December
3,
2016
and
$193,565
at
November
28,
2015.
 
The following amounts relate to pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of
December
3,
2016
and
November
28,
2015:
 
 
 
Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
 
U.S. Plans
 
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Accumulated benefit obligation
 
$
352,853
 
  $
355,988
 
 
$
201,151
 
  $
99,010
 
Fair value of plan assets
 
 
331,505
 
   
336,461
 
 
 
163,323
 
   
73,389
 
 
The following amounts relate to pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of
December
3,
2016
and
November
28,
2015:
 
 
 
Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
 
U.S. Plans
 
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Projected benefit obligation
 
$
362,213
 
  $
376,098
 
 
$
202,176
 
  $
113,633
 
Fair value of plan assets
 
 
331,505
 
   
336,461
 
 
 
163,323
 
   
80,421
 
 
Information about the expected cash flows follows:
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
 
Other
 
 
 
U.S. Plans
 
 
Non-U.S.
Plans
 
 
Postretirement
Benefits
 
Employer contributions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
  $
-
    $
466
    $
2,000
 
Expected benefit payments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
  $
19,206
    $
6,987
    $
3,219
 
2018
   
19,579
     
7,138
     
3,214
 
2019
   
19,926
     
7,487
     
3,214
 
2020
   
20,342
     
7,330
     
3,193
 
2021
   
20,781
     
7,734
     
3,171
 
2022-2026    
107,660
     
40,290
     
15,046
 
 
 
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost and other supplemental information for the years ended
December
3,
2016,
November
28,
2015
and
November
29,
2014
follow:
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
 
Other
 
 
 
U.S. Plans
 
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
 
Postretirement Benefits
 
Net periodic cost (benefit)
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Service cost
 
$
110
 
  $
107
    $
93
 
 
$
2,016
 
  $
1,924
    $
1,699
 
 
$
342
 
  $
449
    $
434
 
Interest cost
 
 
15,360
 
   
16,322
     
16,086
 
 
 
5,465
 
   
5,986
     
7,626
 
 
 
1,956
 
   
2,042
     
2,143
 
Expected return on assets
 
 
(24,776
)
   
(25,682
)    
(23,865
)
 
 
(9,919
)
   
(10,422
)    
(10,749
)
 
 
(5,470
)
   
(5,510
)    
(4,742
)
Amortization:
                                                                       
Prior service cost
 
 
29
 
   
29
     
29
 
 
 
(3
)
   
(4
)    
(4
)
 
 
(41
)
   
(2,505
)    
(3,771
)
Actuarial loss (gain)
 
 
5,271
 
   
5,628
     
4,575
 
 
 
3,106
 
   
3,173
     
3,056
 
 
 
2,169
 
   
2,431
     
2,709
 
Curtailment loss (gain)
 
 
-
 
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
19
 
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
-
 
   
-
     
-
 
Settlement charge (credit)
 
 
-
 
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
135
 
   
-
     
246
 
 
 
-
 
   
-
     
-
 
Net periodic benefit (benefit) cost
 
$
(4,006
)
  $
(3,596
)   $
(3,082
)
 
$
819
 
  $
657
    $
1,874
 
 
$
(1,044
)
  $
(3,093
)   $
(3,227
)
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
 
 
U.S. Plans
 
 
Non-U.S.
Plans
 
 
Postretirement
benefits
 
Amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other
comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs over next fiscal
year as of December 3, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)
 
$
29
 
 
$
(3
)
 
$
-
 
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss
 
 
5,229
 
 
 
3,537
 
 
 
1,010
 
 
 
$
5,258
 
 
$
3,534
 
 
$
1,010
 
 
Weighted-average
 
Pension Benefits
 
 
Other
 
assumptions used to
 
U.S. Plans
 
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
 
Postretirement Benefits
 
determine benefit obligations
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Discount rate
 
 
4.08
%
   
4.28
%    
4.08
%
 
 
2.31
%
   
2.82
%    
2.90
%
 
 
3.85
%
   
4.02
%    
3.84
%
Rate of compensation increase
1
 
 
4.50
%
   
4.50
%    
4.50
%
 
 
1.47
%
   
1.58
%    
1.67
%
 
 
N/A
 
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
 
Weighted-average assumptions used to
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
determine net costs
for years ended
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Discount rate
 
 
4.28
%
   
4.08
%    
4.74
%
 
 
2.83
%
   
2.95
%    
3.77
%
 
 
4.02
%
   
3.84
%    
4.33
%
Expected return on plan assets
 
 
7.75
%
   
7.75
%    
7.75
%
 
 
6.20
%
   
6.22
%    
6.17
%
 
 
8.75
%
   
8.75
%    
8.75
%
Rate of compensation increase
1
 
 
4.50
%
   
4.50
%    
4.50
%
 
 
1.58
%
   
1.58
%    
1.67
%
 
 
N/A
 
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
 
1
Benefits under the U.S. Pension Plan were locked-in as of
May
31,
2011
and no longer include compensation increases. The
4.50
percent rate for
2016,
2015
and
2014
are for the supplemental executive retirement plan only.
 
The discount rate assumption is determined using an actuarial yield curve approach, which results in a discount rate that reflects the characteristics of the plan. The approach identifies a broad population of corporate bonds that meet the quality and size criteria for the particular plan. We use this approach rather than a specific index that has a certain set of bonds that
may
or
may
not be representative of the characteristics of our particular plan. A higher discount rate decreases the present value of the pension obligations. The discount rate for the U.S. pension plan was
4.10
percent at
December
3,
2016,
compared to
4.30
percent at
November
28,
2015
and
4.10
percent at
November
29,
2014.
Net periodic pension cost for a given fiscal year is based on assumptions developed at the end of the previous fiscal year. A discount rate reduction of
0.5
percentage points at
December
3,
2016
would increase pension and other postretirement plan expense approximately
$213
(pre-tax) in fiscal
2017.
Discount rates for non-U.S. plans are determined in a manner consistent with the U.S. plan.
 
 
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for the U.S. pension plan was
7.75
percent in
2016,
2015
and
2014.
  Our expected long-term rate of return on U.S. plan assets was based on our target asset allocation assumption of
60
percent equities and
40
percent fixed-income. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by considering the expected future returns and volatility levels for each asset class that are based on historical returns and forward-looking observations. For
2016
the expected long-term rate of return on the target equities allocation was
8.75
percent and the expected long-term rate of return on the target fixed-income allocation was
5.0
percent. The total plan rate of return assumption included an estimate of the effect of diversification and the plan expense. A change of
0.5
percentage points for the expected return on assets assumption would impact U.S. net pension and other postretirement plan expense by approximately
$1,991
(pre-tax).
 
Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, uses the actual historical rates of return of the asset categories to assess the reasonableness of the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.
 
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for non-U.S. pension plans was a weighted-average of
6.20
percent in
2016
compared to
6.22
percent in
2015
and
6.17
percent in
2014.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption used in each non-U.S. plan is determined on a plan-by-plan basis for each local jurisdiction and is based on expected future returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio for that plan.  Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, develops expected rates of return for each plan, considers expected long-term returns for each asset category in the plan, reviews expectations for inflation for each local jurisdiction, and estimates the effect of active management of the plan’s assets. Our largest non-U.S. pension plans are in the United Kingdom and Germany, respectively. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the United Kingdom was
6.75
percent and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for Germany was
5.75
percent. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, uses actual historical returns of the asset portfolio to assess the reasonableness of the expected rate of return for each plan.
 
Assumed health care trend rates
 
2016
   
2015
   
2014
 
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
 
 
6.75
%
   
7.00
%    
6.50
%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)
 
 
5.00
%
   
5.00
%    
5.00
%
Fiscal year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
 
2023
   
2024
   
2018
 
 
Sensitivity Information:
A
one
-percentage point change in the health care cost trend rate would have the following effects on the
December
3,
2016
service and interest cost and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at
December
3,
2016:
 
 
 
One-Percentage Point
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
Decrease
 
Effect on service and interest cost components – annual
  $
1
    $
(88
)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
  $
2,132
    $
(1,899
)
 
The asset allocation for the company’s U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans at the end of
2016
and
2015
follows.
 
 
 
U.S. Pension Plans
 
 
Non-U.S. Pension Plans
 
 
Other Postretirement Plans
 
 
 
Target
 
 
Percentage of Plan
Assets at Year-End
 
 
Target
 
 
Percentage of Plan
Assets at Year-End
 
 
Target
 
 
Percentage of Plan
Assets at Year-End
 
Asset Category
 
2016
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2016
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2016
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Equities
   
60.0
%    
62.4
%    
57.7
%    
49.0
%    
49.8
%    
50.3
%    
0.0
%    
0.0
%    
0.0
%
Fixed income
   
40.0
%    
38.4
%    
38.8
%    
51.0
%    
49.6
%    
49.1
%    
0.0
%    
0.0
%    
0.0
%
Insurance
   
0.0
%    
0.0
%    
0.0
%    
0.0
%    
0.0
%    
0.0
%    
100.0
%    
99.1
%    
99.5
%
Cash
   
0.0
%    
-0.8
%    
3.5
%    
0.0
%    
0.6
%    
0.6
%    
0.0
%    
0.9
%    
0.5
%
Total
   
100
%    
100
%    
100
%    
100
%    
100
%    
100
%    
100
%    
100
%    
100
%
 
 
 
Plan Asset Management
 
Plan assets are held in trust and invested in mutual funds, separately managed accounts and other commingled investment vehicles holding U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities, fixed income securities and other investment classes. We employ a total return approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Futures and options
may
also be used to enhance risk-adjusted long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification and duration. Risk management is accomplished through diversification across asset classes, utilization of multiple investment managers and general plan-specific investment policies. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of the plan liabilities, plan funded status and our assessment of our overall liquidity position. This asset allocation policy mix is reviewed annually and actual versus target allocations are monitored regularly and rebalanced on an as-needed basis. Plan assets are invested using a combination of active and passive investment strategies. Passive, or “indexed” strategies, attempt to mimic rather than exceed the investment performance of a market benchmark. The plans’ active investment strategies employ multiple investment management firms which in aggregate cover a range of investment styles and approaches. Performance is monitored and compared to relevant benchmarks on a regular basis.
 
The U.S. pension plans consist of
two
plans: a pension plan and a supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”). There were no assets in the SERP in
2016
and
2015.
Consequently, all of the data disclosed in the asset allocation table for the U.S. pension plans pertain to our U.S. pension plan.
 
During
2016
we maintained our assets within the allowed ranges of the target asset allocation mix of
60
percent equities and
40
percent fixed income plus or minus
5
percent and continued our focus to reduce volatility of plan assets in future periods and to more closely match the duration of the assets with the duration of the liabilities of the plan. We plan to maintain the portfolio at this target allocation in
2017.
 
The non-U.S. pension plans consist of all the pension plans administered by us outside the U.S., principally consisting of plans in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. During
2016
we maintained our assets for the non-U.S. pension plans at the specific target asset allocation mix determined for each plan plus or minus the allowed rate and continued our focus to reduce volatility of plan assets in future periods and to more closely match the duration of the assets with the duration of the liabilities of the individual plans. We plan to maintain the portfolios at their respective target asset allocations in
2017.
 
Other postretirement benefits plans consist of
two
U.S. plans: a retiree medical health care plan and a group term life insurance plan. There were no assets in the group term life insurance plan for
2016
and
2015.
Consequently, all of the data disclosed in the asset allocation table for other postretirement plans pertain to our retiree medical health care plan. Our investment strategy for other postretirement benefit plans is to own insurance policies that maintain an asset allocation nearly completely in equities. These equities are invested in a passive portfolio indexed to the S&P
500.
Our large weighting to equities in these plans is driven by the investment options available and the relative underfunded status of the plans.
 
Fair Value of Plan Assets
 
The following table presents plan assets categorized within a
three
-level fair value hierarchy as described in Note
13.
 
 
 
December 3, 2016
 
U.S. Pension Plans
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total Assets
 
Equities
  $
127,275
    $
79,669
    $
-
    $
206,944
 
Fixed income
   
41,513
     
85,363
     
320
     
127,196
 
Cash
   
(2,635
)    
-
     
-
     
(2,635
)
Total
  $
166,153
    $
165,032
    $
320
    $
331,505
 
 
 
 
Non-U.S. Pension Plans
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total Assets
 
Equities
  $
30,165
    $
1,165
    $
-
    $
31,330
 
Fixed income
   
41,490
     
6,013
     
569
     
48,072
 
Cash
   
996
     
-
     
-
     
996
 
Total categorized in the fair value hierarchy
   
72,651
     
7,178
     
569
     
80,398
 
Other investments measured at NAV
1
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
82,925
 
Total
  $
72,651
    $
7,178
    $
569
    $
163,323
 
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total Assets
 
Insurance
  $
-
    $
-
    $
66,064
    $
66,064
 
Cash
   
576
     
-
     
-
     
576
 
Total
  $
576
    $
-
    $
66,064
    $
66,640
 
 
 
 
November 28, 2015
 
U.S. Pension Plans
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total Assets
 
Equities
  $
123,816
    $
70,325
    $
-
    $
194,141
 
Fixed income
   
29,948
     
100,086
     
352
     
130,386
 
Cash
   
11,934
     
-
     
-
     
11,934
 
Total
  $
165,698
    $
170,411
    $
352
    $
336,461
 
 
Non-U.S. Pension Plans
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total Assets
 
Equities
  $
31,253
    $
1,134
    $
-
    $
32,387
 
Fixed income
   
41,572
     
5,899
     
530
     
48,001
 
Cash
   
861
     
-
     
-
     
861
 
Total categorized in the fair value hierarchy
   
73,686
     
7,033
     
530
     
81,249
 
Other investments measured at NAV
1
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
90,992
 
Total
  $
73,686
    $
7,033
    $
530
    $
172,241
 
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total Assets
 
Insurance
  $
-
    $
-
    $
62,299
    $
62,299
 
Cash
   
286
     
-
     
-
     
286
 
Total
  $
286
    $
-
    $
62,299
    $
62,585
 
 
1
In accordance with ASC Topic
820
-
10,
Fair Value Measurement, certain investments that are measured at NAV (Net Asset Value per share) (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts represented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position.
 
The definitions of fair values of our pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets at
December
3,
2016
and
November
28,
2015
by asset category are as follows:
 
Equities
—Primarily publicly traded common stock for purposes of total return and to maintain equity exposure consistent with policy allocations. Investments include: (i) U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities and mutual funds valued at closing prices from national exchanges; and (ii) commingled funds valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments. Funds valued at net asset value have various investment strategies including seeking maximum total returns consistent with prudent investment management, seeking current income consistent with preservation of capital and daily liquidity and seeking to approximate the risk and return characterized by a specific index fund. There are no restrictions for redeeming holdings out of these funds and the funds have no unfunded commitments.
 
 
Fixed income
—Primarily corporate and government debt securities for purposes of total return and managing fixed income exposure to policy allocations. Investments include (i) mutual funds valued at closing prices from national exchanges, (ii) corporate and government debt securities valued at closing prices from national exchanges, (iii) commingled funds valued at unit values or net asset value provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments, and (iv) an annuity contract, the value of which is determined by the provider and represents the amount the plan would receive if the contract were cashed out at year-end.
 
Insurance
—Insurance contracts for purposes of funding postretirement medical benefits. Fair values are the cash surrender values as determined by the providers which are the amounts the plans would receive if the contracts were cashed out at year end.
 
Cash
Cash balances on hand, accrued income and pending settlements of transactions for purposes of handling plan payments. Fair values are the cash balances as reported by the Trustees of the plans.
 
The following is a roll forward of the Level
3
investments of our pension and postretirement benefit plan assets during the year ended
December
3,
2016
and
November
28,
2015:
 
 
 
Fixed Income
 
U.S. Pension Plans
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Level 3 balance at beginning of year
 
$
352
 
  $
407
 
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
 
 
(32
)
   
(55
)
Level 3 balance at end of year
 
$
320
 
  $
352
 
 
 
 
Fixed Income
 
 
Real Estate
 
Non-U.S. Pension Plans
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Level 3 balance at beginning of year
 
$
530
 
  $
582
 
 
$
-
 
  $
2,160
 
Net transfers into / (out of) level 3
 
 
21
 
   
28
 
 
 
-
 
   
(12
)
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
 
 
-
 
   
-
 
 
 
-
 
   
(2,388
)
Net gains
 
 
16
 
   
9
 
 
 
-
 
   
282
 
Currency change effect
 
 
2
 
   
(89
)
 
 
-
 
   
(42
)
Level 3 balance at end of year
 
$
569
 
  $
530
 
 
$
-
 
  $
-
 
 
 
 
Insurance
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Level 3 balance at beginning of year
 
$
62,299
 
  $
61,980
 
Net transfers into / (out of) level 3
 
 
(435
)
   
(701
)
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
 
 
(482
)
   
(462
)
Net gains
 
 
4,682
 
   
1,482
 
Level 3 balance at end of year
 
$
66,064
 
  $
62,299