Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

The Company's 401k Plan is maintained for U.S.-based employees and includes a 401(k) feature, as well as an employer match. The 401(k) feature allows participants to make pre-tax contributions that are matched each pay period (with an annual true-up) from shares released under the leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") and employer cash contributions.

All current account balances, future contributions and related earnings can be invested in eight investment alternatives as well as McDonald’s stock in accordance with each participant’s investment elections. Future participant contributions are limited to 20% investment in McDonald’s stock. Participants may choose to make separate investment choices for current account balances and future contributions.

The Company also maintains certain nonqualified supplemental benefit plans that allow participants to (i) make tax-deferred contributions and (ii) receive Company-provided allocations that cannot be made under the 401k Plan because of IRS limitations. The investment alternatives and returns are based on certain market-rate investment alternatives under the 401k Plan. Total liabilities were $484.3 million at December 31, 2017, and $464.9 million at December 31, 2016, and were primarily included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company has entered into derivative contracts to hedge market-driven changes in certain of the liabilities. At December 31, 2017, derivatives with a fair value of $167.3 million indexed to the Company's stock and a total return swap with a notional amount of $202.8 million indexed to certain market indices were included at their fair value in Miscellaneous other assets and Accrued payroll and other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheet. Changes in liabilities for these nonqualified plans and in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded primarily in Selling, general & administrative expenses. Changes in fair value of the derivatives indexed to the Company’s stock are recorded in the income statement because the contracts provide the counterparty with a choice to settle in cash or shares.

Total U.S. costs for the 401k Plan, including nonqualified benefits and related hedging activities, were (in millions): 2017–$19.3; 2016–$24.8; 2015–$24.0. Certain subsidiaries outside the U.S. also offer profit sharing, stock purchase or other similar benefit plans. Total plan costs outside the U.S. were (in millions): 2017–$43.3; 2016–$46.0; 2015–$53.4.

The total combined liabilities for international retirement plans were $44.6 million and $65.6 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other post-retirement benefits and post- employment benefits were immaterial.