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Employee Benefit Plans
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans
Mattel and certain of its subsidiaries have qualified and nonqualified retirement plans covering substantially all employees of these companies. These plans include defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution retirement plans, postretirement benefit plans, and deferred compensation and excess benefit plans. In addition, Mattel makes contributions to government-mandated retirement plans in countries outside the U.S. where its employees work.
A summary of retirement plan expense, net is as follows:
 For the Year Ended
 December 31,
2020		December 31,
2019		December 31,
2018
 (In thousands)
Defined benefit pension plans$9,670 $9,815 $12,366 
Defined contribution retirement plans26,697 32,743 35,318 
Postretirement benefit plans(1,972)(2,220)(2,148)
Deferred compensation and excess benefit plans6,391 10,994 (2,599)
$40,786 $51,332 $42,937 
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
Mattel provides defined benefit pension plans for eligible domestic employees, which are intended to comply with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). Some of Mattel’s foreign subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of their eligible employees. Mattel funds these plans in accordance with the terms of the plans and local statutory requirements, which differ for each of the countries in which the subsidiaries are located. Mattel also has unfunded postretirement health insurance plans covering certain eligible domestic employees.
A summary of the components of Mattel’s net periodic benefit cost (credit) and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
 Defined Benefit Pension PlansPostretirement Benefit Plans
 202020192018202020192018
 (In thousands)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit):
Service cost$4,348 $4,479 $4,223 $1 $1 $1 
Interest cost15,079 19,309 18,117 139 201 208 
Expected return on plan assets(19,694)(21,714)(22,508)— — — 
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)303 64 29 (2,038)(2,038)(2,037)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)9,584 7,585 8,518 (74)(384)(320)
Settlement loss— — 3,248 — — — 
Curtailment loss50 92 739 — — — 
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)$9,670 $9,815 $12,366 $(1,972)$(2,220)$(2,148)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial loss (gain)$12,624 $28,740 $(4,433)$850 $1,870 $(276)
Prior service cost 269 26 114 — — — 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit(303)(64)(29)2,038 2,038 2,037 
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (a)$12,590 $28,702 $(4,348)$2,888 $3,908 $1,761 
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit) and other comprehensive loss$22,260 $38,517 $8,018 $916 $1,688 $(387)
(a)Amounts exclude related tax expense (benefit) of $1.5 million, $(5.5) million, and $2.1 million, during 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, which are also included in other comprehensive loss.
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) for Mattel’s domestic defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans was calculated on January 1 of each year using the following assumptions:
 For the Year Ended
 December 31,
2020		December 31,
2019		December 31,
2018
Defined benefit pension plans:
Discount rate3.0 %4.1 %3.4 %
Weighted-average rate of future compensation increasesN/AN/AN/A
Long-term rate of return on plan assets5.5 %6.0 %6.0 %
Postretirement benefit plans:
Discount rate3.0 %4.1 %3.4 %
Annual increase in Medicare Part B premium6.0 %6.0 %6.0 %
Health care cost trend rate:
Pre-657.0 %7.0 %7.3 %
Post-656.8 %6.8 %7.3 %
Ultimate cost trend rate:
Pre-654.5 %4.5 %4.5 %
Post-654.5 %4.5 %4.5 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate cost trend rate:
Pre-65202620252025
Post-65202620252025
Discount rates, weighted-average rates of future compensation increases, and long-term rates of return on plan assets for Mattel’s foreign defined benefit pension plans differ from the assumptions used for Mattel’s domestic defined benefit pension plans due to differences in local economic conditions in the locations where the non-U.S. plans are based. The rates shown in the preceding table are indicative of the weighted-average rates of all of Mattel’s defined benefit pension plans given the relative insignificance of the foreign plans to the consolidated total.
Mattel used a measurement date of December 31, 2020 for its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans. A summary of the changes in benefit obligation and plan assets is as follows:
 Defined Benefit
Pension Plans		Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 December 31,
2020		December 31,
2019		December 31,
2020		December 31,
2019
 (In thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year$628,152 $567,502 $5,781 $6,201 
Service cost4,348 4,479 1 1 
Interest cost15,079 19,309 139 201 
Impact of currency exchange rate changes9,076 1,500 — — 
Actuarial loss45,907 72,353 773 1,486 
Benefits paid(33,447)(36,991)(448)(2,108)
Plan amendments2,066 — — — 
Benefit obligation, end of year$671,181 $628,152 $6,246 $5,781 
Change in Plan Assets:
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year$431,747 $401,929 $— $— 
Actual return on plan assets44,104 60,721 — — 
Employer contributions10,937 3,670 448 2,108 
Impact of currency exchange rate changes4,769 2,418 — — 
Benefits paid(33,447)(36,991)(448)(2,108)
Settlements(230)— — — 
Plan assets at fair value, end of year$457,880 $431,747 $— $— 
Net Amount Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Funded status, end of year$(213,301)$(196,405)$(6,246)$(5,781)
Current accrued benefit liability$(5,687)$(4,593)$(840)$(750)
Noncurrent accrued benefit liability, net(207,614)(191,812)(5,406)(5,031)
Net amount recognized$(213,301)$(196,405)$(6,246)$(5,781)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a):
Net actuarial loss (gain)$279,338 $266,714 $(351)$(1,201)
Prior service cost (credit)148 182 (10,148)(12,186)
$279,486 $266,896 $(10,499)$(13,387)
(a)Amounts exclude related tax benefits of $83.0 million and $84.5 million for December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which are also included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it assumes future compensation levels will remain unchanged. Mattel’s accumulated benefit obligation for its defined benefit pension plans as of 2020 and 2019 totaled $652.7 million and $608.4 million, respectively.
The actuarial loss recognized in 2020 for the defined benefit pension plan was driven primarily by the decrease in the discount rate from the prior year that was used to determine the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2020.
The actuarial loss recognized in 2019 for the defined benefit pension plan was driven primarily by the decrease in the discount rate from the prior year that was used to determine the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, information for pension plans that had aggregate accumulated benefit obligations and projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets is as follows:
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2020		December 31,
2019
 (In thousands)
Projected benefit obligation$577,418 $545,367 
Accumulated benefit obligation$559,039 $525,661 
Fair value of plan assets$351,650 $334,604 
The assumptions used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations of Mattel’s domestic defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:
 December 31,
2020		December 31,
2019
Defined benefit pension plans:
Discount rate2.2 %3.0 %
Cash balance interest crediting rate4.0 %4.0 %
Weighted-average rate of future compensation increasesN/AN/A
Postretirement benefit plans:
Discount rate2.2 %3.0 %
Annual increase in Medicare Part B premium6.0 %6.0 %
Health care cost trend rate:
Pre-657.0 %7.0 %
Post-656.8 %6.8 %
Ultimate cost trend rate:
Pre-654.5 %4.5 %
Post-654.5 %4.5 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate cost trend rate:
Pre-6520272026
Post-6520272026
The estimated future benefit payments for Mattel’s defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:
Defined Benefit
Pension Plans		Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 (In thousands)
2021$47,473 $840 
202237,067 740 
202336,693 630 
202439,266 630 
202537,830 530 
2026 - 2030177,680 1,930 
Mattel expects to make cash contributions totaling approximately $17 million to its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans in 2021, substantially all of which will be for benefit payments for its unfunded plans.
Mattel periodically commissions a study of the plans’ assets and liabilities to determine an asset allocation that would best match expected cash flows from the plans’ assets to expected benefit payments. Mattel monitors the returns earned by the plans’ assets and reallocates investments as needed. Mattel’s overall investment strategy is to achieve an adequately diversified asset allocation mix of investments that provides for both near-term benefit payments as well as long-term growth. The assets are invested in a combination of indexed and actively managed funds. The target allocations for Mattel’s domestic plan assets, which comprise 76% of Mattel’s total plan assets, are 42% in U.S. equities, 28% in non-U.S. equities, 20% in fixed income securities, and 10% in real estate securities. The U.S. equities are benchmarked against the S&P 500, and the non-U.S. equities are benchmarked against a combination of developed and emerging markets indices. Fixed income securities are long-duration bonds intended to closely match the duration of the liabilities and include U.S. government treasuries and agencies, corporate bonds from various industries, and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
Mattel’s defined benefit pension plan assets are measured and reported in the consolidated financial statements at fair value using inputs, which are more fully described in "Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Fair Value Measurements," as follows:
 December 31, 2020
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
 (In thousands)
U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities$— $14,132 $— $14,132 
U.S. corporate debt instruments— 69,708 — 69,708 
International corporate debt instruments— 17,490 — 17,490 
Mutual funds (a)— — — 73,314 
Money market funds323 — — 323 
Other investments— 8,449 — 8,449 
Insurance "buy-in" policy— — 32,794 32,794 
Collective trust funds (a):
U.S. equity securities86,175 
International equity securities94,812 
International fixed income17,799 
Diversified funds42,884 
Total$323 $109,779 $32,794 $457,880 
 December 31, 2019
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
 (In thousands)
U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities$— $16,196 $— $16,196 
U.S. corporate debt instruments— 57,669 — 57,669 
International corporate debt instruments— 14,088 — 14,088 
Mutual funds (a)— — — 74,750 
Money market funds618 — — 618 
Other investments— 14,952 — 14,952 
Insurance "buy-in" policy— — 31,281 31,281 
Collective trust funds (a):
U.S. equity securities78,170 
International equity securities89,381 
International fixed income15,387 
Diversified funds39,255 
Total$618 $102,905 $31,281 $431,747 
(a)    These investments consist of privately placed funds that are valued based on net asset value per share. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position and its related disclosures.
The fair value of collective trust funds is determined based on the net asset value per share held at year-end. The fair value of U.S. government securities, U.S. government agency securities, corporate debt instruments, mutual funds, and money market funds are determined based on quoted market prices or are estimated using pricing models with observable inputs or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics.
In December 2017, Mattel entered into an insurance buy-in policy contract with a private limited life insurance company to insure a portion of the U.K. pension plan, covering approximately 40% of the total membership in the plan. The assets and liabilities with respect to insured pensioners are assumed to match for the purposes of ASC 715, Pension — Retirement Benefits (i.e. the full benefits have been insured). The initial value of the asset associated with this policy was equal to the premium paid to secure the policy, and is adjusted each reporting period for changes in interest rates, discount rates, and benefits paid. As the valuation of this asset is judgmental, and there are no observable inputs associated with the valuation, the buy-in contract is classified as Level 3 on the fair value hierarchy.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
Level 3
(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2018$29,857 
Purchases, sales, and settlements (a)— 
Change in fair value1,424 
Balance at December 31, 201931,281 
Purchases, sales, and settlements (a)— 
Change in fair value1,513 
Balance at December 31, 2020$32,794 
(a)    There were no purchases, sales, or settlements of Level 3 assets, or transfers in or out of Level 3, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Mattel’s defined benefit pension plan assets are not directly invested in Mattel common stock. Mattel believes that the long-term rate of return on plan assets of 5.5% as of December 31, 2020 is reasonable based on historical returns.
Defined Contribution Retirement Plans
Domestic employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) savings plan, the Mattel, Inc. Personal Investment Plan (the "Plan"), sponsored by Mattel, which is a funded defined contribution plan intended to comply with ERISA’s requirements. Contributions to the Plan include voluntary contributions by eligible employees and employer automatic and matching contributions by Mattel. The automatic contributions by Mattel were temporarily suspended in May 2020 and reinstated in November 2020. The Plan allows employees to allocate both their voluntary contributions and their employer automatic and matching contributions to a variety of investment funds, including a fund that is invested in Mattel common stock (the "Mattel Stock Fund"). Employees are not required to allocate any of their Plan account balance to the Mattel Stock Fund, allowing employees to limit or eliminate their exposure to market changes in Mattel’s stock price. Furthermore, the Plan limits the percentage of the employee’s total account balance that may be allocated to the Mattel Stock Fund to 25%. Employees may generally reallocate their account balances on a daily basis. However, pursuant to Mattel’s insider trading policy, employees classified as insiders under Mattel’s insider trading policy are limited to certain periods in which they may make allocations into or out of the Mattel Stock Fund.
Certain non-U.S. employees participate in other defined contribution retirement plans with varying vesting and contribution provisions.
Deferred Compensation and Excess Benefit Plans
Mattel maintains a deferred compensation and 401(k) excess plan (the "DCP") that permits certain officers and key employees to elect to defer portions of their compensation. The participant DCP deferrals, together with certain contributions made by Mattel, earn various rates of return. The liability for these plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $59.9 million and $65.2 million, respectively, and is primarily included in other noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the market value of the participant-selected investment options are recorded as retirement plan expense within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Separately, Mattel has purchased group trust-owned life insurance contracts designed to assist in funding these benefits under the DCP. The cash surrender value of these
policies, valued at $79.9 million and $75.7 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are held in an irrevocable grantor trust, the assets of which are subject to the claims of Mattel’s creditors and are included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
Annual Incentive Compensation
Mattel has annual incentive compensation plans under which officers and key employees may earn cash incentive compensation based on Mattel’s and individual performance, subject to certain approvals of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Incentive compensation for 2020, 2019, and 2018, was $122.5 million, $119.5 million, and $84.1 million, respectively, for awards under these plans and was included in other selling and administrative expenses.