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Employee Benefit Plans
 12 Months Ended
May 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans
Pension Plans
In conjunction with the acquisition of G&K, Cintas assumed G&K's noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the Pension Plan) that covers substantially all legacy G&K employees who were employed as of July 1, 2005, except certain employees who were covered by union-administered plans. Benefits are based on the number of years of service and each employee’s compensation near retirement. We will make annual contributions to the Pension Plan consistent with federal funding requirements. The Pension Plan was frozen by G&K effective December 31, 2006. Future growth in benefits will not occur beyond this date. Applicable accounting standards require that the consolidated balance sheet reflect the funded status of the Pension Plan. The funded status of the Pension Plan is measured as the difference between the plan assets at fair value and the PBO. The PBO represents the actuarial present value of benefits expected to be paid upon retirement based on estimated future compensation levels. The measurement of the PBO is based on the Company’s estimates and actuarial valuations. The net pension liability at May 31, 2020 and 2019 is included in the long-term accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Unrecognized differences between actual amounts and estimates based on actuarial assumptions are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in our consolidated balance sheet. The difference between actual amounts and estimates based on actuarial assumptions are recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income in the period in which they occur. The estimated amortization from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 2021 is immaterial.
Obligations and Funded Status at May 31:
(In thousands)
20202019
Change in benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year$91,935  $86,341  
Interest cost2,881  3,124  
Actuarial loss13,662  5,455  
Benefits paid(3,121) (2,985) 
Projected benefit obligation, end of year$105,357  $91,935  
Change in plan assets:  
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year$62,267  $58,781  
Actual return on plan assets7,097  2,437  
Employer contributions2,098  4,034  
Benefits paid(3,121) (2,985) 
Fair value of plan assets, end of year$68,341  $62,267  
Funded status-net amount recognized$(37,016) $(29,668) 

The net pension liability of $37.0 million and $29.7 million was included in long-term accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. An unrecognized net actuarial loss of $16.2 million and $6.7 million related to the Pension Plan was included in "other" within the accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet at May 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Components of Net Periodic Pension (Benefit) Cost
(In thousands)
20202019
Interest cost$2,881  $3,124  
Expected return on assets(2,961) (2,882) 
Net periodic pension (benefit) cost$(80) $242  

Assumptions
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine benefit obligations for the Pension Plan for the fiscal years ended May 31 :  
20202019
Discount rate2.54 %3.54 %
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/A

The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine net periodic pension (benefit) cost for the Pension Plan for the fiscal years ended May 31:  
20202019
Discount rate3.54 %3.95 %
Expected return on plan assets4.80 %4.90 %
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/A
Plan Assets
The asset allocations in the Pension Plan at May 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: 
202020202019
 Target Asset
Allocation		Actual Asset
Allocation		Actual Asset
Allocation
Large cap equity26.0 %25.0 %26.4 %
Small cap equity5.0 %4.4 %5.3 %
International equity8.0 %6.7 %7.8 %
Fixed income45.0 %51.5 %45.0 %
Absolute return strategy funds16.0 %11.9 %13.3 %
Cash— %0.5 %2.2 %
Total100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %
Our investment committee, assisted by outside consultants, evaluates the objectives and investment policies concerning our long-term investment goals and asset allocation strategies. Plan assets are invested in various asset classes that are expected to produce a sufficient level of diversification and investment return over the long term. To develop the expected long-term rate of return on asset assumptions, we consider the historical returns and future expectations of returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation, changes in investments expenses and investment goals of the pension portfolio. This resulted in the selection of 4.80% expected return on plan assets for fiscal year 2020 and 4.90% expected return on plan assets for fiscal year 2019. The investment goals are (1) to meet or exceed the assumed actuarial rate of return over the long term within reasonable and prudent levels of risk, and (2) to preserve the real purchasing power of assets to meet future obligations. The nature and duration of benefit obligations, along with assumptions concerning asset class returns and return correlations, are considered when determining an appropriate asset allocation to achieve the investment objectives. Pension plan assets for our qualified pension plans are held in a trust for the benefit of the plan participants and are invested in a diversified portfolio of equity investments, fixed income investments and cash. Risk targets are established and monitored against acceptable ranges. All investment policies and procedures are designed to ensure that the plans' investments are in compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Guidelines are established defining permitted investments within each asset class.
The implementation of the investment strategy discussed above is executed through a variety of investment types, including U.S. government securities, corporate debt and mutual funds. The mutual fund investments are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded and are not adjusted from the quoted active market price at the consolidated balance sheet date. The remaining investments, primarily corporate debt, are valued using unadjusted observable inputs such as third-party quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for the assets or liabilities.
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 consolidated balance sheet date.
Information on the Pension Plan investments as of May 31, 2020 and 2019, using the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 1 entitled Significant Accounting Polices, is as follows:  
May 31, 2020
(In thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Cash equivalents$585  $—  $—  $585  
U.S. government securities2,733  4,327  —  7,060  
Corporate debt—  27,666  —  27,666  
Mutual funds:
   U.S. securities28,455  —  —  28,455  
   International securities4,575  —  —  4,575  
Total$36,348  $31,993  $—  $68,341  
May 31, 2019
(In thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Cash equivalents$1,379  $—  $—  $1,379  
U.S. government securities2,113  3,974  —  6,087  
Corporate debt—  21,970  —  21,970  
Mutual funds:
   U.S. securities27,984  —  —  27,984  
   International securities4,847  —  —  4,847  
Total$36,323  $25,944  $—  $62,267  

We expect to make contributions of approximately $4.4 million to the Pension Plan during the next 12 months. The Pension Plan benefit payments expected to be paid for each of the next five years and thereafter are $3.9 million, $4.1 million, $4.2 million, $4.4 million, $4.5 million and $24.3 million, respectively.

Future changes in plan asset returns, assumed discount rates and various other factors related to the Pension Plan will impact future net periodic pension cost and liabilities. We cannot predict the impact of these changes in the future, and any changes may have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial position.

Cintas administers a pension plan that was assumed in a previous acquisition and has historically been deemed immaterial for disclosure purposes. As of May 31, 2020 and 2019, the fair value of this pension plan's total assets was $7.3 million and $7.3 million, respectively, and the PBO was $9.4 million and $7.9 million, respectively.

Non-Contributory Retirement Plans
Cintas' Partners' Plan (the Plan) is a non-contributory profit sharing plan and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) for the benefit of substantially all U.S. Cintas employee-partners who have completed one year of service. The Plan also includes a 401(k) savings feature covering substantially all U.S. employee-partners. The amounts of contributions to the Plan and ESOP, as well as the matching contribution to the 401(k), are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Total contributions, including Cintas' matching contributions, which approximate cost, were $74.3 million, $67.6 million and $56.7 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The expense associated with these contributions was recorded in selling general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income.

Cintas has a non-contributory deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP), which covers substantially all Canadian employee-partners. In addition, a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is offered to those employees. The amounts of contributions to the DPSP, as well as the matching contribution to the RRSP, are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Total contributions, which approximate cost, were $2.6 million, $2.5 million and $2.8 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Cintas has a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code for the benefit of certain highly compensated Cintas employee-partners. The SERP allows participants to defer the receipt of compensation which would otherwise become payable to them. Matching contributions are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Total matching contributions were $8.4 million, $8.6 million and $8.2 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.