EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

We have one qualified non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering a portion of our employees and an unfunded plan that provides benefits in excess of amounts allowable under current tax law in the qualified plans. We closed enrollment in the pension plans to salaried employees hired after December 31, 2005. Effective December 31, 2016, we froze benefits for all employees participating in the pension plan. In lieu of the pension plan, we provide those employees with an enhanced 401(k) plan match similar to what is currently provided to employees hired after December 31, 2005. Employee benefit plan liabilities are calculated using actuarial estimates and management assumptions. These estimates are based on historical information, along with certain assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions, as well as changes in actual experience, could cause the estimates to change.

In December 2022, the Rayonier Board of Directors approved the resolution to terminate the Defined Benefit Plan and notified impacted parties of the termination and alternative distribution options. The Defined Benefit Plan was terminated on February 28, 2023. In conjunction with the termination of the Defined Benefit Plan, we also plan to terminate the unfunded plan and distribute all benefits in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. We expect to recognize pre-tax non-cash pension settlement charges related to the actuarial losses currently in AOCI upon settlement of the obligations of the Defined Benefit and Excess Benefit Plans. These charges are currently expected to occur in 2023 and 2024, with the specific timing and final amounts dependent upon several factors.

We expect to make cash contributions of approximately $7.6 million during the settlement process in order to fund the Defined Benefit Plan on a plan termination basis. The Defined Benefit Plan will be settled upon completion of lump sum distributions and purchase of annuity contracts. The settlement is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2024. The Excess Benefit Plan will be settled entirely with lump sum payments upon termination with expected cash contributions in 2024 of approximately $1.3 million. Projected cash contributions are an estimate, as actual amounts will be dependent upon the nature and timing of participant settlements and interest rates, as well as prevailing market conditions.

The net pension and postretirement benefit (credits) costs that have been recorded are shown in the following table:

Components of Net Periodic Benefit (Credit) Cost	Income Statement Location	Pension		Postretirement
		Three Months Ended March 31,		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023	2022	2023	2022
Service cost	Selling and general expenses	—	—	$1	$2
Interest cost	Interest and other miscellaneous income (expense), net	844	609	17	13
Expected return on plan assets (a)	Interest and other miscellaneous income (expense), net	(887)	(872)	—	—
Amortization of losses	Interest and other miscellaneous income (expense), net	1	184	—	4
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost		($42)	($79)	$18	$19

(a)The weighted-average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in computing 2023 net periodic benefit cost for pension benefits is 5.0%.