Note 21 – Employee Benefits

The Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries provide various benefit programs, including defined benefit pension, postretirement health care, and defined contribution plans. A description of each major plan and related disclosures are provided below.

Pension. A noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan covers substantially all U.S. employees of Northern Trust. Employees of various European subsidiaries retain benefits in local defined benefit plans, although those plans are closed to new participants and to future benefit accruals.

Northern Trust also maintains a noncontributory supplemental pension plan for participants whose retirement benefit payments under the U.S. plan are expected to exceed the limits imposed by federal tax law. Northern Trust has a nonqualified trust, referred to as a “Rabbi” Trust, used to hold assets designated for the funding of benefits in excess of those permitted in certain of its qualified retirement plans. This arrangement offers participants a degree of assurance for payment of benefits in excess of those permitted in the related qualified plans. As the “Rabbi” Trust assets remain subject to the claims of creditors and are not the property of the employees, they are accounted for as corporate assets and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Total assets in the “Rabbi” Trust related to the nonqualified pension plan at December 31, 2014, and 2013 amounted to $93.2 million and $85.1 million, respectively. Contributions of $13.9 million and $16.4 million were made to the “Rabbi” Trust in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following tables set forth the status, amounts included in AOCI, and net periodic pension expense of the U.S. plan, non-U.S. plans, and supplemental plan for 2014, 2013, and 2012. Prior service costs are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 11 years for the U.S. plan and 9 years for the supplemental plan.

TABLE 87: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN STATUS


	U.S. PLAN						NON-U.S. PLANS						SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN
($ In Millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	974.8		$	827.9		$	184.6		$	164.7		$	109.2		$	89.8

Projected Benefit Obligation		1,091.5			919.7			184.6			164.7			123.0			101.5
Plan Assets at Fair Value		1,440.8			1,342.1			157.6			148.5			–			–

Funded Status at December 31	$	349.3		$	422.4		$	(27.0	)	$	(16.2	)	$	(123.0	)	$	(101.5	)
Weighted-Average Assumptions:
Discount Rates		4.25	%		5.00	%		3.20	%		4.31	%		4.25	%		5.00	%
Rate of Increase in Compensation Level		4.25			4.25			N/A			N/A			4.25			4.25
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Assets		7.25			7.75			4.00			4.84			N/A			N/A

TABLE 88: AMOUNTS INCLUDED IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


	U.S. PLAN						NON-U.S. PLANS				SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN
(In Millions)	2014			2013			2014		2013		2014		2013
Net Actuarial Loss	$	382.9		$	310.7		$	60.5	$	40.9	$	81.5	$	64.2
Prior Service Cost		(3.1	)		(3.5	)		–		–		1.1		1.6

Gross Amount in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		379.8			307.2			60.5		40.9		82.6		65.8
Income Tax Effect		143.3			119.5			6.3		4.8		30.9		25.6

Net Amount in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	$	236.5		$	187.7		$	54.2	$	36.1	$	51.7	$	40.2

TABLE 89: NET PERIODIC PENSION EXPENSE


	U.S. PLAN									NON-U.S. PLANS									SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN
($ In Millions)	2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Service Cost	$	32.7		$	30.3		$	35.3		$	–		$	–		$	–		$	3.1		$	1.6		$	3.0
Interest Cost		44.4			42.1			41.4			6.9			6.6			6.2			4.8			4.4			4.5
Expected Return on Plan Assets		(97.7	)		(93.3	)		(87.0	)		(7.0	)		(6.2	)		(6.8	)		N/A			N/A			N/A
Amortization:
Net Loss (Gain)		21.5			42.5			34.3			(1.6	)		1.0			0.7			5.8			6.7			6.1
Prior Service Cost		0.4			(0.4	)		(0.4	)		–			–			–			0.5			0.5			0.6

Net Periodic Pension Expense (Benefit)	$	0.5		$	21.2		$	23.6		$	(1.7	)	$	1.4		$	0.1		$	14.2		$	13.2		$	14.2

Weighted-Average Assumptions:
Discount Rates		5.00	%		4.25	%		4.75	%		4.31	%		4.42	%		5.02	%		5.00	%		4.25	%		4.75	%
Rate of Increase in Compensation Level		4.25			4.02			4.02			N/A			N/A			N/A			4.25			4.02			4.02
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Assets		7.75			7.75			8.00			4.84			4.76			5.28			N/A			N/A			N/A

Pension expense for 2015 is expected to include approximately $38.6 million and $(0.2) million related to the amortization of net loss and prior service cost balances, respectively, from AOCI.

TABLE 90: CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION


	U.S. PLAN						NON-U.S. PLANS						SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN
(In Millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
Beginning Balance	$	919.7		$	1,030.4		$	164.7		$	158.1		$	101.5		$	106.4
Service Cost		32.7			30.3			–			–			3.1			1.6
Interest Cost		44.4			42.1			6.9			6.6			4.8			4.4
Actuarial (Gain) Loss		153.1			(125.4	)		33.2			0.4			23.1			(0.5	)
Benefits Paid		(58.4	)		(57.7	)		(6.6	)		(5.0	)		(9.5	)		(10.4	)
Foreign Exchange Rate Changes		–			–			(13.6	)		4.6			–			–

Ending Balance	$	1,091.5		$	919.7		$	184.6		$	164.7		$	123.0		$	101.5

Effective December 31, 2014, Northern Trust adopted the RP-2014 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2014 released by the Society of Actuaries in October 2014. The updated mortality table and improvement scale reflect greater projected improvements in life expectancy and resulted in increases of $25.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in the projected benefit obligations for the U.S. qualified and supplemental pension plans as of December 31, 2014.

TABLE 91: ESTIMATED FUTURE BENEFIT PAYMENTS


(In Millions)	U.S. PLAN		NON-U.S. PLANS		SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN
2015	$	69.4	$	2.5	$	9.5
2016		68.4		3.1		10.6
2017		70.2		2.6		12.7
2018		70.7		3.0		12.4
2019		71.2		3.3		12.3
2020-2024		345.2		22.4		60.2

TABLE 92: CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS


	U.S. PLAN						NON-U.S. PLANS
(In Millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Fair Value of Assets at Beginning of Period	$	1,342.1		$	1,277.7		$	148.5		$	133.9
Actual Return on Assets		157.1			122.1			22.2			11.5
Employer Contributions		–			–			4.8			4.3
Benefits Paid		(58.4	)		(57.7	)		(6.6	)		(5.0	)
Foreign Exchange Rate Changes		–			–			(11.3	)		3.8

Fair Value of Assets at End of Period	$	1,440.8		$	1,342.1		$	157.6		$	148.5

The minimum required and maximum deductible contributions for the U.S. qualified plan in 2015 are estimated to be zero and $150.0 million, respectively.

A total return investment strategy approach is employed for Northern Trust’s U.S. pension plan whereby a mix of U.S. and non-U.S. equities, fixed income and alternative asset investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. This is accomplished by diversifying the portfolio across various asset classes, with the goal of reducing volatility of return, and among various issuers of securities to reduce principal risk. Northern Trust utilizes an asset/liability methodology to determine the investment policies that will best meet its short and long-term objectives. The process is performed by modeling current and alternative strategies for asset allocation, funding policy and actuarial methods and assumptions. The financial modeling uses projections of expected capital market returns and expected volatility of those returns to determine alternative asset mixes having the greatest probability of meeting the plan’s investment objectives. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The intent of this strategy is to minimize plan expenses by outperforming growth in plan liabilities over the long run.

The target allocation of plan assets since May 2014, by major asset category, is 20% U.S. equities, 15% non-U.S. equities, 45% long duration fixed income securities, and 20% alternative investments, split among private equity funds (5%), hedge funds (5%), real estate (5%) and global listed infrastructure (5%). Equity investments include common stocks that are listed on an exchange and investments in comingled funds that invest primarily in publicly traded equities. Equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks and divided by investment style and market capitalization. Fixed income securities held include U.S. treasury securities and investments in commingled funds that invest in a diversified blend of longer duration fixed income securities. Alternative investments, including private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and global infrastructure, are used judiciously to enhance long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification. Private equity assets consist primarily of investments in limited partnerships that invest in individual companies in the form of non-public equity or non-public debt positions. Direct or co-investment in non-public stock by the plan is prohibited. The plan’s private equity investments are limited to 20% of the total limited partnership and the maximum allowable loss cannot exceed the commitment amount. The plan holds two investments in a hedge fund of funds, which invests, either directly or indirectly, in a diversified portfolio of funds or other pooled investment vehicles.

Investment in real estate is designed to provide stable income returns and added diversification based upon the historical low correlation between real estate and equity or fixed income investments. The plan’s real estate assets consist of one collective index fund that invests in a diversified portfolio of global real estate investments, primarily equity securities.

Though not a primary strategy for meeting the plan’s objectives, derivatives may be used from time to time, depending on the nature of the asset class to which they relate, to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner, to hedge foreign currency exposure or interest rate risk, or to alter the duration of a portfolio. There were no derivatives held by the plan at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly liability measurements, periodic asset/liability studies, and quarterly investment portfolio reviews. Standards used to evaluate the plan’s investment manager performance include, but are not limited to, the achievement of objectives, operation within guidelines and policy, and comparison against a relative benchmark. In addition, each manager of the investment funds held by the plan is ranked against a universe of peers and compared to a relative benchmark. Total plan performance analysis includes an analysis of the market environment, asset allocation impact on performance, risk and return relative to other ERISA plans, and manager impacts upon plan performance.

The following describes the hierarchy of inputs used to measure fair value and the primary valuation methodologies used by Northern Trust for the U.S. qualified plan assets measured at fair value.

Level 1 – Quoted, active market prices for identical assets or liabilities. The U.S. pension plan’s Level 1 investments include foreign and domestic common stocks, a commodity return strategy fund, and mutual funds. The U.S. pension plan’s Level 1 investments are exchange traded and are valued at the closing price reported by the respective exchanges on the day of valuation. Share prices of the funds, referred to as a fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV), are calculated daily based on the closing market prices and accruals of securities in the fund’s total portfolio (total value of the fund) divided by the number of fund shares currently issued and outstanding. Redemptions of the mutual and collective trust fund shares occur by contract at the respective fund’s redemption date NAV.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted active market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets. The U.S. pension plan’s Level 2 assets include foreign preferred stocks, U.S. government securities, and collective trust funds. U.S. government securities are valued by a third party pricing source that incorporates market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes and reference data. The inputs used are based on observable data in active markets. The NAVs of the funds are calculated monthly based on the closing market prices and accruals of securities in the fund’s total portfolio (total value of the fund) divided by the number of fund shares currently issued and outstanding. Redemptions of the mutual and collective trust fund shares occur by contract at the respective fund’s redemption date NAV.

Level 3 – Valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in the marketplace. The U.S. pension plan’s Level 3 assets are private equity and hedge funds which invest in underlying groups of investment funds or other pooled investment vehicles that are selected by the respective funds’ investment managers. The investment funds and the underlying investments held by these investment funds are valued at fair value. In determining the fair value of the underlying investments of each fund, the fund’s investment manager or general partner takes into account the estimated value reported by the underlying funds as well as any other considerations that may, in their judgment, increase or decrease such estimated value.

While Northern Trust believes its valuation methods for plan assets are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions, particularly as applied to Level 3 assets, could have a material effect on the computation of their estimated fair values.

The following table presents the fair values of Northern Trust’s U.S. pension plan assets, by major asset category, and their level within the fair value hierarchy defined by GAAP as of December 31, 2014, and 2013.

TABLE 93: FAIR VALUE OF U.S. PENSION PLAN ASSETS

DECEMBER 31, 2014

(In Millions)

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

Common Stock

U.S.

14.8

–

14.8

Fixed Income – U.S. Government

–

159.5

–

159.5

Other Investments

Mutual Funds:

Global Large Cap Blend

69.6

–

69.6

Collective Trust Funds:

Foreign Large Cap Blend

–

105.4

–

105.4

Foreign Small Cap Blend

–

37.2

–

37.2

Domestic Large Cap Blend

–

196.7

–

196.7

Domestic Small Cap Value

–

26.5

–

26.5

Domestic Mid Cap Value

–

14.4

–

14.4

Domestic Small Cap Growth

–

21.2

–

21.2

Domestic Mid Cap Growth

–

15.2

–

15.2

Short-Term Investment

–

3.4

–

3.4

Global Real Estate Blend

–

73.8

–

73.8

Domestic Long-Term Bond

–

508.0

–

508.0

Emerging Market Large Cap Blend

–

68.2

–

68.2

Private Equity Funds

–

49.0

Hedge Funds

–

68.6

Cash and Other

9.3

–

9.3

Total Assets at Fair Value

93.7

1,229.5

117.6

1,440.8


	DECEMBER 31, 2013
(In Millions)	LEVEL 1		LEVEL 2		LEVEL 3		TOTAL
Preferred and Common Stock
U.S.	$	116.0	$	–	$	–	$	116.0
Non-U.S.		52.9		3.9		–		56.8
Fixed Income – U.S. Government		–		131.7		–		131.7
Other Investments
Mutual Funds:
Domestic Large Cap Growth		69.4		–		–		69.4
Foreign Large Cap Blend		66.6		–		–		66.6
Collective Trust Funds:
Foreign Large Cap Blend		–		74.3		–		74.3
Foreign Small Cap Blend		–		31.6		–		31.6
Domestic Large Cap Blend		–		101.0		–		101.0
Domestic Small Cap Value		–		26.3		–		26.3
Domestic Mid Cap Value		–		19.1		–		19.1
Domestic Small Cap Growth		–		14.3		–		14.3
Domestic Mid Cap Growth		–		38.0		–		38.0
Short-Term Investment		–		6.6		–		6.6
Global Real Estate Blend		–		65.4		–		65.4
Domestic Long-Term Bond		–		333.7		–		333.7
Emerging Market Large Cap Blend		–		40.9		–		40.9
Commodity Linked Fund		39.7		–		–		39.7
Ishares Index Fund		2.4		–		–		2.4
Private Equity Funds		–		–		47.7		47.7
Hedge Funds		–		–		55.1		55.1
Cash and Other		5.5		–		–		5.5

Total Assets at Fair Value	$	352.5	$	886.8	$	102.8	$	1,342.1

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2013.

TABLE 94: CHANGE IN LEVEL 3 ASSETS


	PRIVATE EQUITY FUNDS						HEDGE FUNDS
(In Millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Fair Value at January 1	$	47.7		$	47.4		$	55.1		$	30.2
Actual Return on Plan Assets		10.3			5.5			1.8			4.9
Realized Gain		–			–			1.7			–
Purchases		3.5			6.2			15.0			20.0
Sales		(12.5	)		(11.4	)		(5.0	)		–

Fair Value at December 31	$	49.0		$	47.7		$	68.6		$	55.1

Note: The return on plan assets represents the change in the unrealized gain (loss) on assets still held at December 31.

A building block approach is employed for Northern Trust’s U.S. pension plan in determining the long-term rate of return for plan assets. Historical markets and long-term historical relationships between equities, fixed income and other asset classes are studied using the widely-accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long-run. Current market factors such as inflation expectations and interest rates are evaluated before long-term capital market assumptions are determined. The long-term portfolio rate of return is established with consideration given to diversification and rebalancing. The rate is reviewed against peer data and historical returns to verify the return is reasonable and appropriate. Based on this approach and the plan’s target asset allocation, the expected long-term rate of return on assets as of the plan’s December 31, 2014, measurement date was set at 7.25%.

Postretirement Health Care. Northern Trust maintains an unfunded postretirement health care plan under which those employees who retire at age 55 or older under the provisions of the U.S. defined benefit plan and had attained 15 years of service as of December 31, 2011 may be eligible for subsidized postretirement health care coverage. The provisions of this plan may be changed further at the discretion of Northern Trust, which also reserves the right to terminate these benefits at any time.

Effective in 2012 Northern Trust participates in an Employee Group Waiver Plan which allows Northern Trust to offer substantially the same postretirement prescription benefits to eligible participants while increasing subsidy reimbursements received by Northern Trust from the U.S. government. This action served to reduce the January 31, 2012 postretirement health care plan liability by approximately $26.7 million and increased amortization of the net actuarial gain for the year ended December 31, 2012 by approximately $3.3 million.

The following tables set forth the postretirement health care plan status and amounts included in AOCI at December 31, the net periodic postretirement benefit cost of the plan for 2014 and 2013, and the change in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation during 2014 and 2013.


TABLE 95: POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE PLAN STATUS	DECEMBER 31,
(In Millions)	2014		2013
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation at Measurement Date:
Retirees and Dependents	$	25.0	$	22.5
Actives Eligible for Benefits		8.4		8.7

Net Postretirement Benefit Obligation	$	33.4	$	31.2


TABLE 96: AMOUNTS INCLUDED IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	DECEMBER 31,
(In Millions)	2014			2013
Net Actuarial Gain	$	(2.4	)	$	(6.0	)
Prior Service Benefit		–			–

Gross Amount in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		(2.4	)		(6.0	)
Income Tax Effect		(0.9	)		(2.3	)

Net Amount in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	$	(1.5	)	$	(3.7	)


TABLE 97: NET PERIODIC POSTRETIREMENT (BENEFIT) EXPENSE	FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(In Millions)	2014			2013			2012
Service Cost	$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.2
Interest Cost		1.5			1.2			1.3
Amortization
Net (Gain) Loss		(0.6	)		(1.2	)		(2.3	)
Prior Service Benefit		–			(3.0	)		(5.1	)

Net Periodic Postretirement (Benefit) Expense	$	1.0		$	(2.9	)	$	(5.9	)


TABLE 98: CHANGE IN ACCUMULATED POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION	FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(In Millions)	2014			2013
Beginning Balance	$	31.2		$	30.6
Service Cost		0.1			0.1
Interest Cost		1.5			1.2
Actuarial Loss		3.0			1.9
Net Claims Paid		(3.1	)		(2.8	)
Medicare Subsidy		0.7			0.2

Ending Balance	$	33.4		$	31.2

Northern Trust’s December 31, 2014, adoption of the RP-2014 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2014 resulted in a $2.2 million increase in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014.


TABLE 99: ESTIMATED FUTURE BENEFIT PAYMENTS
(In Millions)	TOTAL POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFITS
2015	$	3.0
2016		3.1
2017		3.1
2018		3.1
2019		3.1
2020-2024		12.9

Net periodic postretirement (benefit) expense for 2015 is not expected to include any amortization from AOCI of the net actuarial gain. The weighted average discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 4.25% at December 31, 2014, and 5.0% at December 31, 2013. For measurement purposes, an 8.0% annual increase in the cost of pre-age 65 medical and drug benefits and a 7.5% annual increase in the cost of post-age 65 medical and drug benefits were assumed for 2014. These rates are both assumed to gradually decrease until they reach 5.0% in 2022. The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts reported. For example, increasing or decreasing the assumed health care trend rate by one percentage point in each year would have the following effect.


TABLE 100: HEALTH CARE COST TREND RATE ASSUMPTION
(In Millions)	1–PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE		1–PERCENTAGE POINT DECREASE
Effect on Postretirement Benefit Obligation	$	1.0	$	(0.9	)
Effect on Total Service and Interest Cost Components		–		–

Defined Contribution Plans. The Corporation and its subsidiaries maintain various defined contribution plans covering substantially all employees. The Corporation’s contribution includes a matching component. The expense associated with defined contribution plans is charged to employee benefits and totaled $46.8 million in 2014, $43.0 million in 2013, and $41.0 million in 2012.