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EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS
We sponsor qualified defined-benefit and defined-contribution retirement plans for most of our employees. In addition to our qualified defined-benefit pension plans, we have unfunded non-qualified defined-benefit pension plans covering certain employees, which provide for benefits in addition to those provided by the qualified pension plans. Substantially all salaried employees participate in non-contributory defined-contribution retirement plans, to which payments are determined annually by the Compensation Committee.
Pre-tax expense included in income from continuing operations related to our retirement plans was as follows, in millions:
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Defined-contribution plans
$
40

 
$
37

 
$
43

Defined-benefit pension plans
24

 
17

 
29

 
$
64

 
$
54

 
$
72


In addition to the pre-tax expense related to our defined-benefit pension plans, in 2017 we recognized $58 million of actuarial losses, net of tax, that were previously included within accumulated other comprehensive loss due to the disposition of a pension plan in connection with the divestiture of Moores, which was recorded within other income (expense), net.
As of January 1, 2010, substantially all our domestic and foreign qualified and domestic non-qualified defined-benefit pension plans were frozen to future benefit accruals. In December 2019, our Board of Directors approved a resolution to terminate our qualified domestic defined-benefit pension plans. As a result of this decision, the projected benefit obligations for these plans were increased to reflect the incremental cost to terminate the plans.
Changes in the projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets, and the funded status of our defined-benefit pension plans were as follows, in millions:
 
2019
 
2018
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
Changes in projected benefit obligation:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Projected benefit obligation at January 1
$
896

 
$
155

 
$
961

 
$
170

Service cost
3

 

 
3

 

Interest cost
33

 
6

 
30

 
6

Actuarial loss (gain), net
149

 
13

 
(48
)
 
(9
)
Foreign currency exchange
(3
)
 

 
(7
)
 

Benefit payments
(44
)
 
(13
)
 
(43
)
 
(12
)
Projected benefit obligation at December 31
$
1,034

 
$
161

 
$
896

 
$
155

Changes in fair value of plan assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair value of plan assets at January 1
$
670

 
$

 
$
695

 
$

Actual return on plan assets
105

 

 
(25
)
 

Foreign currency exchange
(1
)
 

 
(4
)
 

Company contributions
56

 
13

 
52

 
12

Expenses, other
(6
)
 

 
(5
)
 

Benefit payments
(44
)
 
(13
)
 
(43
)
 
(12
)
Fair value of plan assets at December 31
$
780

 
$

 
$
670

 
$

Funded status at December 31
$
(254
)
 
$
(161
)
 
$
(226
)
 
$
(155
)






M. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)
Amounts in our consolidated balance sheets were as follows, in millions:
 
At December 31, 2019
 
At December 31, 2018
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
Other assets
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

 
$

Accrued liabilities
(1
)
 
(13
)
 
(1
)
 
(13
)
Other liabilities
(254
)
 
(148
)
 
(226
)
 
(142
)
Total net liability
$
(254
)
 
$
(161
)
 
$
(226
)
 
$
(155
)

Unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss before income taxes was as follows, in millions:
 
At December 31, 2019
 
At December 31, 2018
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
Net loss
$
520

 
$
57

 
$
448

 
$
47

Net prior service cost
4

 

 
3

 

Total
$
524

 
$
57

 
$
451

 
$
47


Information for defined-benefit pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets was as follows, in millions:
 
At December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
Projected benefit obligation
$
1,019

 
$
161

 
$
882

 
$
155

Accumulated benefit obligation
1,019

 
161

 
882

 
155

Fair value of plan assets
763

 

 
655

 


The projected benefit obligation was in excess of plan assets for all of our qualified defined-benefit pension plans at December 31, 2019 and 2018 which had an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets.
Net periodic pension cost for our defined-benefit pension plans, with the exception of service cost, is recorded in other income (expense), net, in our consolidated statement of operations. Net periodic pension cost for our defined-benefit pension plans was as follows, in millions:
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
Service cost
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

 
$

Interest cost
39

 
6

 
36

 
6

 
44

 
6

Expected return on plan assets
(44
)
 

 
(48
)
 

 
(46
)
 

Recognized net loss
18

 
2

 
17

 
3

 
19

 
3

Net periodic pension cost
$
16

 
$
8

 
$
8

 
$
9

 
$
20

 
$
9


We expect to recognize $26 million of pre-tax net loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension cost in 2020 related to our defined-benefit pension plans. For plans in which almost all of the plan's participants are inactive, pre-tax net loss within accumulated other comprehensive loss is amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining life expectancy of the inactive plan participants. For plans which do not have almost all inactive participants, pre-tax net loss within accumulated other comprehensive loss is amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining service period of the active employees expected to receive benefits from the plan.


M. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)
Plan Assets.    Our qualified defined-benefit pension plan weighted average asset allocation, which is based upon fair value, was as follows:
 
2019
 
2018
Equity securities
41
%
 
34
%
Debt securities
54
%
 
49
%
Other
5
%
 
17
%
Total
100
%
 
100
%

For our qualified defined-benefit pension plans, we have adopted accounting guidance that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and prescribes disclosures about fair value measurements. Accounting guidance defines fair value as "the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date."
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018.
        Common and Preferred Stocks and Short-Term and Other Investments: Valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded or based on the active market for similar securities. Certain investments are valued based on net asset value ("NAV"), which approximates fair value. Such basis is determined by referencing the respective fund's underlying assets. There are no unfunded commitments or other restrictions associated with these investments.
        Private Equity and Hedge Funds: Valued based on an estimated fair value using either a market approach or an income approach, both of which require a significant degree of judgment. There is no active trading market for these investments and they are generally illiquid. Due to the significant unobservable inputs, the fair value measurements used to estimate fair value are a Level 3 input. Certain investments are valued based on NAV, which approximates fair value. Such basis is determined by referencing the respective fund's underlying assets. As there are no remaining investments valued at NAV, there are no unfunded commitments or other restrictions associated with these investments.
        Corporate, Government and Other Debt Securities: Valued based on either the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded or using pricing models maximizing the use of observable inputs for similar securities. This includes basing value on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. Certain investments are valued based on NAV, which approximates fair value. Such basis is determined by referencing the respective fund's underlying assets. There are no unfunded commitments or other restrictions associated with these investments.
        Common Collective Trust Fund: Valued based on an amortized cost basis, which approximates fair value. Such basis is determined by reference to the respective fund's underlying assets, which are primarily cash equivalents. There are no unfunded commitments or other restrictions associated with this fund.
        Buy-in Annuity: Valued based on the associated benefit obligation for which the buy-in annuity covers the benefits, which approximates fair value. Such basis is determined based on various assumptions, including the discount rate, long-term rate of return on plan assets and mortality rate.
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while we believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the qualified defined-benefit pension plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, as well as those valued at NAV using the practical expedient, which approximates fair value, in millions.



M. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)
 
At December 31, 2019
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Valued at NAV
 
Total
Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common and Preferred Stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
85

 
$

 
$

 
$
82

 
$
167

International
47

 

 

 
110

 
157

Private Equity and Hedge Funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States

 

 
2

 

 
2

International

 

 
17

 

 
17

Corporate Debt Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
74

 

 

 
124

 
198

International

 
1

 

 

 
1

Government and Other Debt Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States

 
3

 

 
148

 
151

International
29

 
38

 

 

 
67

Common Collective Trust Fund – United States

 
4

 

 

 
4

Buy-in Annuity - International

 
12

 

 

 
12

Short-Term and Other Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
2

 

 

 

 
2

International
2

 

 

 

 
2

Total Plan Assets
$
239

 
$
58

 
$
19

 
$
464

 
$
780

 
At December 31, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Valued at NAV
 
Total
Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common and Preferred Stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
81

 
$

 
$

 
$
21

 
$
102

International
37

 

 

 
89

 
126

Private Equity and Hedge Funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States

 

 
32

 

 
32

International

 

 
27

 
34

 
61

Corporate Debt Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
34

 

 

 
102

 
136

International

 
1

 

 

 
1

Government and Other Debt Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States

 
2

 

 
130

 
132

International
29

 
33

 

 

 
62

Common Collective Trust Fund – United States

 
4

 

 

 
4

Buy-in Annuity - International

 
11

 

 

 
11

Short-Term and Other Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

United States
1

 

 

 

 
1

International
2

 

 

 

 
2

Total Plan Assets
$
184

 
$
51

 
$
59

 
$
376

 
$
670


M. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)
Changes in the fair value of the qualified defined-benefit pension plan Level 3 assets, were as follows, in millions:
 
2019
 
2018
Fair Value, January 1
$
59

 
$
60

Purchases
4

 
6

Sales
(41
)
 
(12
)
Unrealized (losses) gains
(3
)
 
5

Fair Value, December 31
$
19

 
$
59


Assumptions.    Weighted average major assumptions used in accounting for our defined-benefit pension plans were as follows:
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Discount rate for obligations
2.50
%
 
3.80
%
 
3.30
%
Expected return on plan assets
3.00
%
 
7.00
%
 
7.25
%
Rate of compensation increase
%
 
%
 
%
Discount rate for net periodic pension cost
3.80
%
 
3.30
%
 
3.50
%

The discount rate for obligations for 2019, 2018 and 2017 is based primarily upon the expected duration of each defined-benefit pension plan's liabilities matched to the December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 Willis Towers Watson Rate Link Curve. At December 31, 2019, such rates for our defined-benefit pension plans ranged from 1.1 percent to 3.0 percent, with the most significant portion of the liabilities having a discount rate for obligations of 2.4 percent or higher. At December 31, 2018, such rates for our defined-benefit pension plans ranged from 1.5 percent to 4.2 percent, with the most significant portion of the liabilities having a discount rate for obligations of 4.1 percent or higher. At December 31, 2017, such rates for our defined‑benefit pension plans ranged from 1.5 percent to 3.6 percent, with the most significant portion of the liabilities having a discount rate for obligations of 3.4 percent or higher. The decrease in the weighted average discount rate from 2019 to 2018 is principally the corresponding cost to terminate the domestic qualified defined-benefit pension plans, as well as, lower long-term interest rates in the bond markets. The increase in the weighted average discount rate from 2017 to 2018 is principally the result of higher long-term interest rates in the bond markets.
For 2019, we determined the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 3.00 percent for our domestic qualified defined-benefit pension plans based upon an analysis of expected and historical rates of return of various asset classes utilizing the current and long-term target asset allocation of the plan assets and the decision to terminate these plans in 2021. For 2019 our weighted average projected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the foreign qualified defined-benefit pension plans was 3.9 percent. For 2018 and 2017, our projected long-term rate of return on plan assets were 7.00 percent and 7.25 percent, respectively. The projected asset return at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 considered near term returns, including current market conditions as well as that pension assets are long-term in nature. The actual annual rate of return on our pension plan assets was positive 17.7 percent, negative 4.9 percent and positive 13.9 percent in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For the 10-year period ended December 31, 2019, the actual annual rate of return on our pension plan assets was 7.4 percent.
The investment objectives seek to minimize the volatility of the value of our plan assets relative to pension liabilities and to ensure plan assets are sufficient to pay plan benefits. In 2019, we made substantial progress toward achieving our targeted asset allocation: 30 percent equities, 65 percent fixed-income, and 5 percent alternative investments (such as private equity, commodities and hedge funds).





M. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Concluded)
The asset allocation of the investment portfolio was developed with the objective of achieving our expected rate of return and reducing volatility of asset returns, and considered the freezing of future benefits. The equity portfolios are invested in individual securities or funds that are expected to mirror broad market returns for equity securities. The fixed-income portfolio is invested in corporate bonds, bond index funds and U.S. Treasury securities. It is expected that the alternative investments would have a higher rate of return than the targeted overall long-term return of 3.00 percent. However, these investments are subject to greater volatility, due to their nature, than a portfolio of equities and fixed-income investments, and would be less liquid than financial instruments that trade on public markets. In anticipation of our decision to terminate the domestic qualified defined-benefit pension plans, we sold the majority of our alternative investments. Plan assets associated with private equity and hedge funds were $19 million at December 31, 2019, compared to $93 million at December 31, 2018.
The fair value of our plan assets is subject to risk including significant concentrations of risk in our plan assets related to equity, interest rate and operating risk. In order to ensure plan assets are sufficient to pay benefits, a portion of plan assets is allocated to equity investments that are expected, over time, to earn higher returns with more volatility than fixed-income investments which more closely match pension liabilities. Within equity, risk is mitigated by targeting a portfolio that is broadly diversified by geography, market capitalization, manager mandate size, investment style and process.
In order to minimize asset volatility relative to the liabilities, a significant portion of plan assets are allocated to fixed-income investments that are exposed to interest rate risk. Rate increases generally will result in a decline in fixed-income assets, while reducing the present value of the liabilities. Conversely, rate decreases will increase fixed income assets, partially offsetting the related increase in the liabilities.
Potential events or circumstances that could have a negative effect on estimated fair value include the risks of inadequate diversification and other operating risks. To mitigate these risks, investments are diversified across and within asset classes in support of investment objectives. Policies and practices to address operating risks include ongoing manager oversight, plan and asset class investment guidelines and instructions that are communicated to managers, and periodic compliance and audit reviews to ensure adherence to these policies. In addition, we periodically seek the input of our independent advisor to ensure the investment policy is appropriate.
Other.    We sponsor certain post-retirement benefit plans that provide medical, dental and life insurance coverage for eligible retirees and dependents based upon age and length of service. Substantially all of these plans were frozen as of January 1, 2010. The aggregate present value of the unfunded accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was $10 million and $9 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Cash Flows.    At December 31, 2019, we expect to contribute approximately $50 million to our domestic qualified defined-benefit pension plans in 2020, which will exceed ERISA requirements. We also expect to contribute approximately $1 million and $13 million in 2020 to our foreign and non-qualified (domestic) defined-benefit pension plans, respectively.
At December 31, 2019, the benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years, and in aggregate for the five years thereafter, relating to our defined-benefit pension plans, were as follows, in millions:
 
Qualified
Plans
 
Non-Qualified
Plans
2020
$
49

 
$
13

2021
834

 
12

2022
5

 
12

2023
5

 
12

2024
6

 
12

2025 - 2029
32

 
53