Pension Benefits

Single-Employer Plans

We sponsor several single-employer defined benefit pension plans, the majority of which have been frozen. We also participated in two joint Company and Guild-sponsored plans covering employees who are members of The NewsGuild of New York. Effective January 1, 2018, the sponsorship of one of these plans, the Newspaper Guild of New York - The New York Times Pension Plan, which is frozen, was transferred exclusively to the Company.

We also have a foreign-based pension plan for certain employees (the “foreign plan”). The information for the foreign plan is combined with the information for U.S. non-qualified plans. The benefit obligation of the foreign plan is immaterial to our total benefit obligation.

Net Periodic Pension Cost

The components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:



	December 31, 2017								December 25, 2016									December 27, 2015
(In thousands)	Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans			All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans
Service cost	$	9,720		$	79	$	9,799		$	8,991		$	143		$	9,134		$	11,932		$	157	$	12,089
Interest cost	60,742			7,840		68,582			66,293			8,172			74,465			74,536			10,060		84,596
Expected return on plan assets	(102,900		)	—		(102,900		)	(111,159		)	—			(111,159		)	(115,261		)	—		(115,261		)
Amortization and other costs	29,051			4,318		33,369			28,274			4,184			32,458			36,442			5,081		41,523
Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost	(1,945		)	—		(1,945		)	(1,945		)	—			(1,945		)	(1,945		)	—		(1,945		)
Effect of settlement/curtailment	102,109			—		102,109			21,294			(1,599		)	19,695			40,329			—		40,329
Net periodic pension cost	$	96,777		$	12,237	$	109,014		$	11,748		$	10,900		$	22,648		$	46,033		$	15,298	$	61,331

Over the past several years the Company has taken steps to reduce the size and volatility of our pension obligations. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company entered into agreements with two insurance companies to transfer future benefit obligations and annuity administration for certain retirees (or their beneficiaries) in two of the Company’s qualified pension plans. This transfer of plan assets and obligations reduced the Company’s qualified pension plan obligations by $263.3 million. As a result of these agreements, the Company recorded pension settlement charges of $102.1 million. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company made discretionary contributions totaling $120 million to certain qualified pension plans.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, we recorded a pension settlement charge of $21.3 million in connection with a lump-sum payment offer made to certain former employees who participated in certain qualified pension plans. These lump-sum payments totaled $49.5 million and were made with cash from the qualified pension plans, not with Company cash. The effect of this lump-sum payment offer was to reduce our pension obligations by $52.2 million. In addition, we recorded a $1.6 million curtailment related to the streamlining of the Company’s international print operations. See Note 7 for more information on the streamlining of the Company’s international print operations.

In the first quarter of 2015, we recorded a pension settlement charge of $40.3 million in connection with a lump-sum payment offer made to certain former employees who participated in certain qualified pension plans. These lump-sum payments totaled $98.3 million and were made with cash from the qualified pension plans, not with Company cash. The effect of this lump-sum payment offer was to reduce our pension obligations by $142.8 million.

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income/loss were as follows:



(In thousands)	December 31, 2017			December 25, 2016			December 27, 2015
Net actuarial loss/(gain)	$	22,600		$	(4,289	)	$	31,044
Amortization of loss	(33,369		)	(32,458		)	(41,523		)
Amortization of prior service credit	1,945			1,945			1,945
Effect of curtailment	—			—			(1,264		)
Effect of settlement	(102,109		)	(21,294		)	(40,329		)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income)/loss	(110,933		)	(56,096		)	(50,127		)
Net periodic pension cost	109,014			22,648			61,331
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (income)/loss	$	(1,919	)	$	(33,448	)	$	11,204

Actuarial gains and losses are amortized using a corridor approach. The gain or loss corridor is equal to 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation and the market-related value of assets. Gains and losses in excess of the corridor are generally amortized over the future working lifetime for the ongoing plans and average life expectancy for the frozen plans.

The estimated actuarial loss and prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension cost over the next fiscal year is approximately $32 million and $2 million, respectively.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company’s ERISA Management Committee made a decision to freeze the accrual of benefits under the Retirement Annuity Plan For Craft Employees of The New York Times Companies with respect to all participants covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Company and The New York Newspaper Printing Pressmen’s Union No. 2N/1SE, effective as of the close of business on December 31, 2015. As a result, we recorded a curtailment of $1.3 million in 2015.

We also contribute to defined contribution benefit plans. The amount of cost recognized for defined contribution benefit plans was approximately $23 million for 2017, $15 million for 2016 and $16 million for 2015.

Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets

The changes in the benefit obligation and plan assets and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss were as follows:



	December 31, 2017									December 25, 2016
(In thousands)	Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans			All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans			All Plans
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,798,652		$	240,399		$	2,039,051		$	1,851,910		$	247,087		$	2,098,997
Service cost	9,720			79			9,799			8,991			143			9,134
Interest cost	60,742			7,840			68,582			66,293			8,172			74,465
Plan participants’ contributions	9			—			9			9			—			9
Actuarial loss	142,980			15,342			158,322			23,994			2,695			26,689
Curtailments	—			—			—			—			(1,599		)	(1,599		)
Settlements	(269,287		)	—			(269,287		)	(48,413		)	—			(48,413		)
Benefits paid	(106,328		)	(18,510		)	(124,838		)	(104,132		)	(15,992		)	(120,124		)
Effects of change in currency conversion	—			152			152			—			(107		)	(107		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	1,636,488			245,302			1,881,790			1,798,652			240,399			2,039,051
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	1,576,760			—			1,576,760			1,579,356			—			1,579,356
Actual return on plan assets	238,622			—			238,622			142,137			—			142,137
Employer contributions	127,635			18,510			146,145			7,803			15,992			23,795
Plan participants’ contributions	9			—			9			9			—			9
Settlements	(269,287		)	—			(269,287		)	(48,413		)	—			(48,413		)
Benefits paid	(106,328		)	(18,510		)	(124,838		)	(104,132		)	(15,992		)	(120,124		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,567,411			—			1,567,411			1,576,760			—			1,576,760
Net amount recognized	$	(69,077	)	$	(245,302	)	$	(314,379	)	$	(221,892	)	$	(240,399	)	$	(462,291	)
Amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Current liabilities	$	—		$	(16,901	)	$	(16,901	)	$	—		$	(16,818	)	$	(16,818	)
Noncurrent liabilities	(69,077		)	(228,401		)	(297,478		)	(221,892		)	(223,581		)	(445,473		)
Net amount recognized	$	(69,077	)	$	(245,302	)	$	(314,379	)	$	(221,892	)	$	(240,399	)	$	(462,291	)
Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Actuarial loss	$	641,194		$	109,880		$	751,074		$	765,096		$	98,855		$	863,951
Prior service credit	(20,731		)	—			(20,731		)	(22,676		)	—			(22,676		)
Total	$	620,463		$	109,880		$	730,343		$	742,420		$	98,855		$	841,275

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets was as follows:



(In thousands)	December 31, 2017		December 25, 2016
Projected benefit obligation	$	1,881,790	$	2,039,051
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	1,874,445	$	2,034,636
Fair value of plan assets	$	1,567,411	$	1,576,760

Assumptions

Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine benefit obligations for qualified pension plans were as follows:



	December 31, 2017		December 25, 2016
Discount rate	3.75	%	4.31	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	2.95	%	2.95	%

The rate of increase in compensation levels is applicable only for qualified pension plans that have not been frozen.

Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine net periodic pension cost for qualified plans were as follows:



	December 31, 2017		December 25, 2016		December 27, 2015
Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation	4.31	%	4.60	%	4.05	%
Discount rate in effect for determining service cost	4.74	%	5.78	%	4.05	%
Discount rate in effect for determining interest cost	3.54	%	3.68	%	4.05	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	2.95	%	2.91	%	2.89	%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.73	%	7.01	%	7.01	%

Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine benefit obligations for non-qualified plans were as follows:



	December 31, 2017		December 25, 2016
Discount rate	3.67	%	4.17	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	2.50	%	2.50	%

The rate of increase in compensation levels is applicable only for the non-qualified pension plans that have not been frozen.

Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine net periodic pension cost for non-qualified plans were as follows:



	December 31, 2017		December 25, 2016		December 27, 2015
Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation	4.17	%	4.40	%	3.90	%
Discount rate in effect for determining interest cost	3.39	%	3.44	%	3.90	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	2.50	%	2.50	%	2.50	%

We determined our discount rate using a Ryan ALM, Inc. Curve (the “Ryan Curve”). The Ryan Curve provides the bonds included in the curve and allows adjustments for certain outliers (i.e., bonds on “watch”). We believe the Ryan Curve allows us to calculate an appropriate discount rate.

To determine our discount rate, we project a cash flow based on annual accrued benefits. The projected plan cash flow is discounted to the measurement date, which is the last day of our fiscal year, using the annual spot rates provided in the Ryan Curve.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on assets, we evaluated input from our investment consultants, actuaries and investment management firms, including our review of asset class return expectations, as well as long-term historical asset class returns. Projected returns by such consultants and economists are based on broad equity and bond indices. Our objective is to select an average rate of earnings expected on existing plan assets and expected contributions to the plan during the year, less expense expected to be incurred by the plan during the year.

The market-related value of plan assets is multiplied by the expected long-term rate of return on assets to compute the expected return on plan assets, a component of net periodic pension cost. The market-related value of plan assets is a calculated value that recognizes changes in fair value over three years.

During the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, we adopted new mortality tables released by the Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) and revised the mortality assumptions used in determining our pension obligations. The net impact to our qualified and non-qualified pension obligations resulting from the new mortality assumptions in 2017 and 2016 was a decrease of $15.4 million and $34.7 million, respectively.

Beginning in 2016, we changed the approach used to calculate the service and interest components of net periodic benefit cost for benefit plans to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs. Prior to this change, we calculated these service and interest components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. We have elected to utilize an approach that discounts the individual expected cash flows using the applicable spot rates derived from the yield curve over the projected cash flow period. The spot rates used to estimate 2016 service and interest costs ranged from 1.32% to 4.79%. Service costs and interest costs for our benefit plans were reduced by approximately $18 million in 2016 due to the change in methodology.

Plan Assets

Company-Sponsored Pension Plans

The assets underlying the Company-sponsored qualified pension plans are managed by professional investment managers. These investment managers are selected and monitored by the pension investment committee, composed of certain senior executives, who are appointed by the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Finance Committee is responsible for adopting our investment policy, which includes rules regarding the selection and retention of qualified advisors and investment managers. The pension investment committee is responsible for implementing and monitoring compliance with our investment policy, selecting and monitoring investment managers and communicating the investment guidelines and performance objectives to the investment managers.

Our contributions are made on a basis determined by the actuaries in accordance with the funding requirements and limitations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Code.

Investment Policy and Strategy

The primary long-term investment objective is to allocate assets in a manner that produces a total rate of return that meets or exceeds the growth of our pension liabilities. Our investment objective is to transition the asset mix to hedge liabilities and minimize volatility in the funded status of the plans.

Asset Allocation Guidelines

In accordance with our asset allocation strategy, for substantially all of our Company-sponsored pension plan assets, investments are categorized into long duration fixed income investments whose value is highly correlated to that of the pension plan obligations (“Long Duration Assets”) or other investments, such as equities and high-yield fixed income securities, whose return over time is expected to exceed the rate of growth in our pension plan obligations (“Return-Seeking Assets”).

The proportional allocation of assets between Long Duration Assets and Return-Seeking Assets is dependent on the funded status of each pension plan. Under our policy, for example, a funded status between 95% and 97.5% requires an allocation of total assets of 53% to 63% to Long Duration Assets and 37% to 47% to Return-Seeking Assets. As a plan's funded status increases, the allocation to Long Duration Assets will increase and the allocation to Return-Seeking Assets will decrease.

The following asset allocation guidelines apply to the Return-Seeking Assets:



Asset Category	Percentage Range			Actual
Public Equity	70%	-	90%	83	%
Growth Fixed Income	0%	-	15%	6	%
Alternatives	0%	-	15%	8	%
Cash	0%	-	10%	3	%

The asset allocations by asset category for both Long Duration and Return-Seeking Assets, as of December 31, 2017, were as follows:



Asset Category	Percentage Range			Actual
Long Duration	53%	-	63%	56	%
Public Equity	26%	-	42%	36	%
Growth Fixed Income	0%	-	7%	3	%
Alternatives	0%	-	7%	4	%
Cash	0%	-	5%	1	%

The specified target allocation of assets and ranges set forth above are maintained and reviewed on a periodic basis by the pension investment committee. The pension investment committee may direct the transfer of assets between investment managers in order to rebalance the portfolio in accordance with approved asset allocation ranges to accomplish the investment objectives for the pension plan assets.

Fair Value of Plan Assets

The fair value of the assets underlying our Company-sponsored qualified pension plans and the joint-sponsored Guild-Times Adjustable Pension Plan by asset category are as follows:



	December 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Investment Measured at Net Asset Value ⁽³⁾
Asset Category	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)				Total
Equity Securities:
U.S. Equities	$	65,466	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	65,466
International Equities	62,256		—		—		—		62,256
Mutual Funds	44,173		—		—		—		44,173
Registered Investment Companies	42,868		—		—		—		42,868
Common/Collective Funds⁽¹⁾	—		—		—		601,896		601,896
Fixed Income Securities:
Corporate Bonds	—		416,201		—		—		416,201
U.S. Treasury and Other Government Securities	—		144,085		—		—		144,085
Group Annuity Contract	—		—		—		45,005		45,005
Municipal and Provincial Bonds	—		36,674		—		—		36,674
Government Sponsored Enterprises⁽²⁾	—		11,364		—		—		11,364
Other	—		10,883		—		—		10,883
Cash and Cash Equivalents	—		—		—		32,352		32,352
Private Equity	—		—		—		20,289		20,289
Hedge Fund	—		—		—		33,899		33,899
Assets at Fair Value	214,763		619,207		—		733,441		1,567,411
Other Assets									—
Total	$	214,763	$	619,207	$	—	$	733,441	$	1,567,411


⁽¹⁾	The underlying assets of the common/collective funds are primarily comprised of equity and fixed income securities. The fair value in the above table represents our ownership share of the net asset value (“NAV”) of the underlying funds.


⁽²⁾	Represents investments that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.


⁽³⁾	Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.



	Fair Value Measurement at December 25, 2016
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Investment Measured at Net Asset Value ⁽³⁾
Asset Category	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)				Total
Equity Securities:
U.S. Equities	$	61,327	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	61,327
International Equities	48,494		—		—		—		48,494
Mutual Funds	49,869		—		—		—		49,869
Registered Investment Companies	30,870		—		—		—		30,870
Common/Collective Funds ⁽¹⁾	—		—		—		701,577		701,577
Fixed Income Securities:
Corporate Bonds	—		376,289		—		—		376,289
U.S. Treasury and Other Government Securities	—		128,179		—		—		128,179
Group Annuity Contract	—		—		—		54,872		54,872
Municipal and Provincial Bonds	—		33,115		—		—		33,115
Government Sponsored Enterprises ⁽²⁾	—		7,227		—		—		7,227
Other	—		4,486		—		—		4,486
Cash and Cash Equivalents	—		—		—		22,829		22,829
Private Equity	—		—		—		24,931		24,931
Hedge Fund	—		—		—		31,939		31,939
Assets at Fair Value	190,560		549,296		—		836,148		1,576,004
Other Assets	—		—		—		—		756
Total	$	190,560	$	549,296	$	—	$	836,148	$	1,576,760


⁽¹⁾	The underlying assets of the common/collective funds are primarily comprised of equity and fixed income securities. The fair value in the above table represents our ownership share of the net asset value (“NAV”) of the underlying funds.


⁽²⁾	Represents investments that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.


⁽³⁾	Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Level 1 and Level 2 Investments

Where quoted prices are available in an active market for identical assets, such as equity securities traded on an exchange, transactions for the asset occur with such frequency that the pricing information is available on an ongoing/daily basis. We classify these types of investments as Level 1 where the fair value represents the closing/last trade price for these particular securities.

For our investments where pricing data may not be readily available, fair values are estimated by using quoted prices for similar assets, in both active and not active markets, and observable inputs, other than quoted prices, such as interest rates and credit risk. We classify these types of investments as Level 2 because we are able to reasonably estimate the fair value through inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. There are no restrictions on our ability to sell any of our Level 1 and Level 2 investments.

Cash Flows

In 2017, we made contributions to qualified pension plans of $127.6 million. We expect contributions made to satisfy minimum funding requirements to total approximately $8 million in 2018.

The following benefit payments, which reflect future service for plans that have not been frozen, are expected to be paid:



	Plans
(In thousands)	Qualified		Non- Qualified		Total
2018	$	84,216	$	17,181	$	101,397
2019	85,816		17,068		102,884
2020	87,162		16,794		103,956
2021	89,169		16,583		105,752
2022	91,192		16,389		107,581
2023-2027⁽¹⁾	479,738		78,560		558,298


⁽¹⁾	While benefit payments under these plans are expected to continue beyond 2027, we have presented in this table only those benefit payments estimated over the next 10 years.

Multiemployer Plans

We contribute to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of various collective bargaining agreements that cover our union-represented employees. In recent years, certain events, such as amendments to various collective bargaining agreements and the sale of the New England Media Group, resulted in withdrawals from multiemployer pension plans. These actions, along with a reduction in covered employees, have resulted in us estimating withdrawal liabilities to the respective plans for our proportionate share of any unfunded vested benefits. In 2016 and 2015, we recorded $6.7 million and $9.1 million in charges for partial withdrawal obligations under multiemployer pension plans, respectively. There was no such charge in 2017.

Our multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability was approximately $108 million as of December 31, 2017 and approximately $113 million as of December 25, 2016. This liability represents the present value of the obligations related to complete and partial withdrawals that have already occurred as well as an estimate of future partial withdrawals that we considered probable and reasonably estimable. For those plans that have yet to provide us with a demand letter, the actual liability will not be fully known until they complete a final assessment of the withdrawal liability and issue a demand to us. Therefore, the estimate of our multiemployer pension plan liability will be adjusted as more information becomes available that allows us to refine our estimates.

The risks of participating in multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects:


•	Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.


•	If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers.


•	If we elect to withdraw from these plans or if we trigger a partial withdrawal due to declines in contribution base units or a partial cessation of our obligation to contribute, we may be assessed a withdrawal liability based on a calculated share of the underfunded status of the plan.


•	If a multiemployer plan from which we have withdrawn subsequently experiences a mass withdrawal, we may be required to make additional contributions under applicable law.

Our participation in significant plans for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2017, is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit plan number. The zone status is based on the latest information that we received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. A plan is generally classified in critical status if a funding deficiency is projected within four years or five years, depending on other criteria. A plan in critical status is classified in critical and declining status if it is projected to become insolvent in the next 15 or 20 years, depending on other criteria. A plan is classified in endangered status if its funded percentage is less than 80% or a funding deficiency is projected within seven years. If the plan satisfies both of these triggers, it is classified in seriously endangered status. A plan not classified in any other status is classified in the green zone. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The “Surcharge Imposed” column includes plans in a red zone status that are required to pay a surcharge in excess of regular contributions. The last column lists the expiration date(s) of the collective bargaining agreement(s) to which the plans are subject.



	EIN/Pension Plan Number	Pension Protection Act Zone Status		FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	(In thousands) Contributions of the Company						Surcharge Imposed	Collective Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date
Pension Fund	EIN/Pension Plan Number	2017	2016	FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	2017		2016		2015		Surcharge Imposed	Collective Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date
CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan	13-6212879-001	Critical and Declining as of 1/01/17	Critical and Declining as of 1/01/16	Implemented	$	425	$	486	$	543	No	⁽¹⁾
Newspaper and Mail Deliverers’-Publishers’ Pension Fund	13-6122251-001	Green as of 6/01/17	Green as of 6/01/16	N/A	995		1,040		1,038		No	3/30/2020⁽²⁾
GCIU-Employer Retirement Benefit Plan	91-6024903-001	Critical and Declining as of 1/01/17	Critical and Declining as of 1/01/16	Implemented	39		43		57		Yes	3/30/2021⁽³⁾
Pressmen’s Publishers’ Pension Fund	13-6121627-001	Green as of 4/01/17	Green as of 4/01/16	N/A	963		1,001		1,033		No	3/30/2021⁽⁴⁾
Paper-Handlers’-Publishers’ Pension Fund	13-6104795-001	Critical and Declining as of 4/01/17	Critical and Declining as of 4/01/16	Implemented	88		100		97		Yes	3/30/2021⁽⁵⁾
Contributions for individually significant plans					$	2,510	$	2,670	$	2,768
Total Contributions					$	2,510	$	2,670	$	2,768


⁽¹⁾	There are two collective bargaining agreements requiring contributions to this plan: Mailers which expires March 30, 2019, and Typographers which expires March 30, 2020.


⁽²⁾	Elections under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010: Extended Amortization of Net Investment Losses (IRS Section 431(b)(8)(A)) and the Expanded Smoothing Period (IRS Section 431(b)(8)(B)).

⁽³⁾

We previously had two collective bargaining agreements requiring contributions to this plan. With the sale of the New England Media Group only one collective bargaining agreement remains for the Stereotypers, which expires March 30, 2021. The method for calculating actuarial value of assets was changed retroactive to January 1, 2009, as elected by the Board of Trustees and as permitted by IRS Notice 2010-83. This election includes smoothing 2008 investment losses over ten years.

⁽⁴⁾

The Plan sponsor elected two provisions of funding relief under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 (PRA 2010) to more slowly absorb the 2008 plan year investment loss, retroactively effective as of April 1, 2009. These included extended amortization under the prospective method and 10-year smoothing of the asset loss for the plan year beginning April 1, 2008.


⁽⁵⁾	Board of Trustees elected funding relief. This election includes smoothing the March 31, 2009 investment losses over 10 years.

The rehabilitation plan for the GCIU-Employer Retirement Benefit Plan includes minimum annual contributions no less than the total annual contribution made by us from September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009.

The Company was listed in the plans’ respective Forms 5500 as providing more than 5% of the total contributions for the following plans and plan years:



Pension Fund	Year Contributions to Plan Exceeded More Than 5 Percent of Total Contributions (as of Plan’s Year-End)
CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan	12/31/2016 & 12/31/2015⁽¹⁾
Newspaper and Mail Deliverers’-Publishers’ Pension Fund	5/31/2016 & 5/31/2015⁽¹⁾
Pressmen’s Publisher’s Pension Fund	3/31/2017 & 3/31/2016
Paper-Handlers’-Publishers’ Pension Fund	3/31/2017 & 3/31/2016

⁽¹⁾Forms 5500 for the plans’ year ended 12/31/17 and 5/31/17 were not available as of the date we filed our financial statements.

The Company received a notice and demand for payment of withdrawal liability from the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers’-Publishers’ Pension Fund in September 2013 and December 2014 associated with partial withdrawals. See Note 18 for further information.