Retirement Benefits |
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Retirement Benefits [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retirement Benefits | Retirement Benefits The Company maintains qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for its U.S. and non-U.S. eligible employees. Combined U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans The weighted average actuarial assumptions utilized for the U.S. and significant non-U.S. defined benefit plans and post-retirement benefit plans are as follows:
*Rate of compensation increase assumptions include a zero percent rate of compensation increase for the U.S. defined benefit plans since future benefit accruals were discontinued for those plans after December 31, 2016 and earned benefits are not subject to final salary level adjustments. The target asset allocation for the U.S. plans is 60% equities and equity alternatives and 40% fixed income. At the end of 2021, the actual allocation for the U.S. plans was 65% equities and equity alternatives and 35% fixed income. The target asset allocation for the U.K. plans, which comprise approximately 81% of non-U.S. plan assets, is 26% equities and equity alternatives and 74% fixed income. At the end of 2021, the actual allocation for the U.K. plans was 28% equities and equity alternatives and 72% fixed income. The assets of the Company's defined benefit plans are diversified and are managed in accordance with applicable laws and with the goal of maximizing the plans' real return within acceptable risk parameters. The Company uses threshold-based portfolio re-balancing to ensure the actual portfolio remains consistent with target asset allocation ranges. The components of the net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit and other post-retirement plans are as follows:
The following table provides the amounts reported in the consolidated statements of income:
Pension Settlement Charge The Company recorded $5 million, $3 million and $7 million of non-cash settlement charges for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 respectively, related to non-U.S. plans. Plan Assets For the U.S. plans, investment allocation decisions are made by a fiduciary committee composed of senior executives appointed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. For the non-U.S. plans, investment allocation decisions are made by local fiduciaries, in consultation with the Company for the larger plans. Plan assets are invested in a manner consistent with the fiduciary standards set forth in all relevant laws relating to pensions and trusts in each country. Primary investment objectives are (1) to achieve an investment return that, in combination with current and future contributions, will provide sufficient funds to pay benefits as they become due, and (2) to minimize the risk of large losses. The investment allocations are designed to meet these objectives by broadly diversifying plan assets among numerous asset classes with differing expected returns, volatilities, and correlations. The major categories of plan assets include equity securities, equity alternative investments, and fixed income securities. For the U.S. plan, the category ranges are 56-64% for equities and equity alternatives, and 36-44% for fixed income. For the U.K. plans, the category ranges are 23-29% for equities and equity alternatives, and 71-77% for fixed income. Asset allocation is monitored frequently and re-balancing actions are taken as appropriate. Plan investments are exposed to stock market, interest rate, and credit risk. Concentrations of these risks are generally limited due to diversification by investment style within each asset class, diversification by investment manager, diversification by industry sectors and issuers, and the dispersion of investments across many geographic areas. U.S. Plans The following tables provide information concerning the Company’s U.S. defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans:
The weighted average actuarial assumptions utilized in determining expense during the year and benefit obligation at the end of the year for the U.S. defined benefit and other U.S. post-retirement plans are as follows:
The accumulated benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan assets for U.S. pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $6.6 billion and $5.5 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and $6.9 billion and $5.1 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. The projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for U.S. pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets was $6.6 billion and $5.5 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and $6.9 billion and $5.1 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. The decrease in the benefit obligation in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects the increase in discount rates used to measure plan liabilities. As of December 31, 2021, the U.S. qualified plan holds 2 million shares of the Company’s common stock which were contributed to the qualified plan by the Company in 2005. This represented approximately 6.3% of that plan's assets as of December 31, 2021. The components of the net periodic benefit credit (cost) for the U.S. defined benefit and other post-retirement benefit plans are as follows:
The assumed health care cost trend rate for Medicare eligibles and non-Medicare eligibles is approximately 5.5% in 2021, gradually declining to 4% in 2045. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a small effect on the amounts reported for the U.S. health care plans because the Company caps its share of health care trend at 5%. Estimated Future Contributions The Company expects to contribute approximately $31 million to its U.S. plans in 2022. The Company’s policy for funding its tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plans is to contribute amounts at least sufficient to meet the funding requirements set forth in the U.S. and applicable foreign law. Non-U.S. Plans The following tables provide information concerning the Company’s non-U.S.defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans:
The weighted average actuarial assumptions utilized in determining expense during the year and benefit obligation at the end of the year for the non-U.S. defined benefit plans are as follows:
The accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the non-U.S. pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $1.6 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and $3.1 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. The projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for non-U.S. pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets was $1.7 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and $3.3 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. The decrease in the benefit obligation in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects an actuarial gain primarily due to the increase in discount rates used to measure plan liabilities. Components of Net Periodic Benefits Costs The components of the net periodic benefit cost for the non-U.S. defined benefit and other post-retirement benefit plans and the curtailment, settlement and termination expenses are as follows:
The assumed health care cost trend rate was approximately 4.94% in 2021, gradually declining to 4.36% in 2040. Assumed health care cost trend rates can have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the non-U.S. health care plans. Estimated Future Contributions The Company expects to contribute approximately $147 million to its non-U.S. pension plans in 2022. Funding requirements for non-U.S. plans vary by country. Contribution rates are generally based on local funding practices and requirements, which may differ significantly from measurements under U.S. GAAP. Funding amounts may be influenced by future asset performance, the level of discount rates and other variables impacting the assets and/or liabilities of the plan. Discretionary contributions may also be affected by alternative uses of the Company’s cash flows, including dividends, investments and share repurchases. In the U.K., the assumptions used to determine pension contributions are the result of legally prescribed negotiations between the Company and the plans' trustee that typically occurs every three years in conjunction with the actuarial valuation of the plans. Currently, this results in a lower funded status than under U.S. GAAP and may result in contributions irrespective of the U.S. GAAP funded status. During 2021, the JLT Pension Scheme was merged into the MMC U.K. Pension Fund with a new segregated JLT section created. The Company made deficit contributions of $38 million to the JLT section in 2021 and is expected to make contributions totaling approximately $112 million in 2022. The funding level of the JLT section will be reassessed during 2022 to determine contributions from 2023 onwards. For the MMC U.K. Pension Fund, excluding the JLT section, an agreement was reached with the trustee in the fourth quarter of 2019 based on the surplus funding position at December 31, 2018. Under the agreement no deficit funding is required until 2023. The funding level will be re-assessed during 2022, as part of the December 31, 2021 actuarial valuation, to determine if contributions are required in 2023. As part of a long-term strategy, which depends on having greater influence over asset allocation and overall investment decisions, in November 2019 the Company renewed its agreement to support annual deficit contributions by the U.K. operating companies under certain circumstances, up to £450 million over a seven-year period. Estimated Future Benefit Payments The estimated future benefit payments for the Company's pension and post-retirement benefit plans are as follows:
Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Disclosures The U.S. and non-U.S. plan investments are classified into Level 1, which refers to investments valued using quoted prices from active markets for identical assets; Level 2, which refers to investments not traded on an active market but for which observable market inputs are readily available; Level 3, which refers to investments valued based on significant unobservable inputs; and NAV, which refers to investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. See Note 10, Fair Value Measurements, for further description of fair value hierarchy leveling. The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, a summary of the U.S. and non-U.S. plans' investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
The tables below set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the plans’ Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value: Company common stock: Valued at the closing price reported on the New York Stock Exchange. Common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible equity securities, rights/warrants and real estate investment trusts (included in Corporate stocks): Valued at the closing price reported on the primary exchange. Corporate bonds (included in Corporate obligations): The fair value of corporate bonds is estimated using recently executed transactions, market price quotations (where observable) and bond spreads. The spread data used are for the same maturity as the bond. If the spread data does not reference the issuer, then data that references a comparable issuer are used. When observable price quotations are not available, fair value is determined based on cash flow models. Commercial mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities (included in Corporate obligations): Fair value is determined using discounted cash flow models. Observable inputs are based on trade and quote activity of bonds with similar features including issuer vintage, purpose of underlying loan (first or second lien), prepayment speeds and credit ratings. The discount rate is the combination of the appropriate rate from the benchmark yield curve and the discount margin based on quoted prices. Common/Collective trusts: Trust assets include mutual funds that are valued based on readily determinable market values and other assets valued at the net asset value of units of a bank collective trust. The net asset value as provided by the trustee, is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The net asset value is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its liabilities. This practical expedient is not used when it is determined to be probable that the fund will sell the investment for an amount different than the reported net asset value. U.S. government bonds (included in Government securities): The fair value of U.S. government bonds is estimated by pricing models that utilize observable market data including quotes, spreads and data points for yield curves. U.S. agency securities (included in Government securities): U.S. agency securities are comprised of two main categories consisting of agency issued debt and mortgage pass-throughs. Agency issued debt securities are valued by benchmarking market-derived prices to quoted market prices and trade data for identical or comparable securities. Mortgage pass-throughs include certain "To-be-announced" (TBA) securities and mortgage pass-through pools. TBA securities are generally valued using quoted market prices or are benchmarked thereto. Fair value of mortgage pass-through pools are model driven with respect to spreads of the comparable TBA security. Private equity and real estate partnerships: Investments in private equity and real estate partnerships are valued based on the fair value reported by the manager of the corresponding partnership and reported on a one quarter lag. The managers provide unaudited quarterly financial statements and audited annual financial statements which set forth the value of the fund. The valuations obtained from the managers are based on various analyses on the underlying holdings in each partnership, including financial valuation models and projections, comparable valuations from the public markets, and precedent private market transactions. Investments are valued in the accompanying financial statements based on the Plan’s beneficial interest in the underlying net assets of the partnership as determined by the partnership agreement. Insurance group annuity contracts: The fair values for these investments are based on the current market value of the aggregate accumulated contributions plus interest earned. Net derivative liabilities: Includes interest rate swaps, inflation swaps, total return swaps, repurchase agreements and equity based derivatives, primarily related to the U.K. plans. These derivatives are structured to hedge interest rate, inflation and equity exposure in the U.K. plans. Fair values for interest rate, inflation and equity based derivatives are calculated using a discounted cash flow pricing model. These models use observable market data such as contractual fixed rate, spot equity price or index value and dividend data. Short-term investment funds: Primarily high-grade money market instruments valued at a readily determinable price. Registered investment companies: Valued at the closing price reported on the primary exchange. Defined Contribution Plans The Company maintains certain defined contribution plans for its employees, including the Marsh & McLennan Companies 401(k) Savings & Investment Plan ("MMC 401(k) Plan") and the Marsh & McLennan Agency Savings and Investment Plan (collectively, the "401(k) Plans"), that are qualified under U.S. tax laws. For the 401(k) Plans, eligible employees may contribute a percentage of their base salary, subject to certain limitations, and the Company matches a fixed portion of the employees’ contributions. In addition, the Company also amended the MMC 401(k) Plan for most of its U.S. employees to add an automatic Company contribution equal to 4% of eligible base pay beginning on January 1, 2017. The 401(k) Plans contain an Employee Stock Ownership Plan feature under U.S. tax law. Approximately $742 million of the 401(k) Plans' assets at December 31, 2021 and $537 million at December 31, 2020 were invested in the Company’s common stock. If a participant does not choose an investment direction for his or her future contributions, they are automatically invested in a BlackRock LifePath Portfolio that most closely matches the participant’s expected retirement year. The cost of these defined contribution plans was $150 million in 2021, $145 million in 2020 and $139 million in 2019. In addition, the Company has significant defined contribution plans in the U.K. As noted above, effective August 1, 2014, a newly formed defined contribution plan replaced the existing defined contribution and defined benefit plans with regard to future service. In addition, the Company has assumed responsibility for the defined contribution section of the JLT U.K. plan. The cost of the U.K. defined contribution plan was $141 million, $121 million and $100 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
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