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Other Postretirement Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Other Postretirement Benefits
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
2017
2016
2017
2016
2015
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.
Other Postretirement Benefits
We provide health benefits to retired employees (and their eligible dependents) who meet the definition of an eligible participant and certain age and service requirements, as outlined in the plan document. While we offer pre-age 65 retiree medical coverage to employees who meet certain retiree medical eligibility requirements, we do not provide post-age 65 retiree medical benefits for employees who retired on or after March 1, 2009. We accrue the costs of postretirement benefits during the employees’ active years of service and our policy is to pay our portion of insurance premiums and claims from our assets.
Net Periodic Other Postretirement Benefit Income
The components of net periodic postretirement benefit income were as follows:
(In thousands)
 
December 31,
2017

 
December 25,
2016

 
December 27,
2015

Service cost
 
$
367

 
$
417

 
$
588

Interest cost
 
1,881

 
1,979

 
2,794

Amortization and other costs
 
3,621

 
4,105

 
5,197

Amortization of prior service credit
 
(7,755
)
 
(8,440
)
 
(9,495
)
Effect of settlement/curtailment (1)
 
(32,737
)
 

 

Net periodic postretirement benefit income
 
$
(34,623
)
 
$
(1,939
)
 
$
(916
)

(1) In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a gain in connection with the settlement of a funding obligation related to a postretirement plan.
    
The changes in the 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)
 
$
(6,625
)
 
$
28

 
$
(5,543
)
Prior service cost
 

 

 
1,145

Amortization of loss
 
(3,621
)
 
(4,105
)
 
(5,197
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
7,755

 
8,440

 
9,495

Effect of curtailment
 
6,502

 

 

Effect of settlement
 
26,235

 

 

Total recognized in other comprehensive loss/(income)
 
30,246

 
4,363

 
(100
)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income
 
(34,623
)
 
(1,939
)
 
(916
)
Total recognized in net periodic postretirement benefit income and other comprehensive (income)/loss
 
$
(4,377
)
 
$
2,424

 
$
(1,016
)

Actuarial gains and losses are amortized using a corridor approach. The gain or loss corridor is equal to 10% of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Gains and losses in excess of the corridor are generally amortized over the average remaining service period to expected retirement of active participants.
The estimated actuarial loss and prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is approximately $5 million and $6 million, respectively.
In connection with collective bargaining agreements, we contribute to several multiemployer welfare plans. These plans provide medical benefits to active and retired employees covered under the respective collective bargaining agreement. Contributions are made in accordance with the formula in the relevant agreement. Postretirement costs related to these plans are not reflected above and were approximately $15 million in 2017, $15 million in 2016 and $16 million in 2015.

The changes in the benefit obligation and plan assets and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income/loss were as follows:
(In thousands)
 
December 31,
2017

 
December 25,
2016

Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
 
$
65,042

 
$
71,047

Service cost
 
367

 
417

Interest cost
 
1,881

 
1,979

Plan participants’ contributions
 
4,007

 
4,409

Actuarial loss
 
3,703

 
28

Curtailments/settlements
 
(10,328
)
 

Benefits paid
 
(10,030
)
 
(12,838
)
Benefit obligation at the end of year
 
54,642

 
65,042

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
 

 

Employer contributions
 
6,023

 
8,429

Plan participants’ contributions
 
4,007

 
4,409

Benefits paid
 
(10,030
)
 
(12,838
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
 

 

Net amount recognized
 
$
(54,642
)
 
$
(65,042
)
Amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
$
(5,826
)
 
$
(7,043
)
Noncurrent liabilities
 
(48,816
)
 
(57,999
)
Net amount recognized
 
$
(54,642
)
 
$
(65,042
)
Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
Actuarial loss
 
$
38,512

 
$
22,522

Prior service credit
 
(18,613
)
 
(32,870
)
Total
 
$
19,899

 
$
(10,348
)

 Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine the postretirement benefit obligations were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2017

 
December 25,
2016

Discount rate
 
3.46
%
 
3.94
%
Estimated increase in compensation level
 
3.50
%
 
3.50
%
Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine net periodic postretirement cost were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2017

 
December 25,
2016

 
December 27,
2015

Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation
 
3.93
%
 
4.05
%
 
3.74
%
Discount rate in effect for determining service cost
 
4.08
%
 
4.24
%
 
3.74
%
Discount rate in effect for determining interest cost
 
3.21
%
 
2.96
%
 
3.74
%
Estimated increase in compensation level
 
3.50
%
 
3.50
%
 
3.50
%
The assumed health-care cost trend rates were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2017

 
December 25,
2016

Health-care cost trend rate
 
7.60
%
 
8.00
%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
 
2025

 
2025


Because our health-care plans are capped for most participants, the assumed health-care cost trend rates do not have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health-care plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed health-care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
 
 
One-Percentage Point
(In thousands)
 
Increase

 
Decrease

Effect on total service and interest cost for 2017
 
$
62

 
$
(53
)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017
 
$
2,200

 
$
(1,865
)

The following benefit payments (net of plan participant contributions) under our Company’s postretirement plans, which reflect expected future services, are expected to be paid:
(In thousands)
Amount

2018
$
5,968

2019
5,589

2020
5,286

2021
4,988

2022
4,655

2023-2027 (1)
19,045


(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.
We accrue the cost of certain benefits provided to former or inactive employees after employment, but before retirement. The cost is recognized only when it is probable and can be estimated. Benefits include life insurance, disability benefits and health-care continuation coverage. The accrued obligation for these benefits amounted to $11.3 million as of December 31, 2017 and $11.4 million as of December 25, 2016.
During the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, we adopted new mortality tables released by the SOA and revised the mortality assumptions used in determining our postretirement benefit obligations. The net impact to our postretirement obligations resulting from the new mortality assumptions in 2017 and 2016 was a decrease of $0.6 million and $1.2 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 $1 million in 2016 due to the change in methodology.