Retirement Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Retirement Benefit Plans [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure

Retirement Benefit Plans

Pretax Savings Plan

Autodesk has a 401(k) plan that covers nearly all U.S. employees. Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their pretax salary, subject to limitations mandated by the Internal Revenue Service. Autodesk makes voluntary cash contributions and matches a portion of employee contributions in cash. Autodesk’s contributions were $7.3 million in fiscal 2012, $6.7 million in fiscal 2011 and $7.1 million in fiscal 2010. Autodesk does not allow participants to invest in Autodesk common stock through the 401(k) plan.

Other Plans

Autodesk provides certain defined benefit pension plans to employees primarily located in countries outside of the U.S. The Company deposits funds for specific plans, consistent with the requirements of local law, with insurance companies or third-party trustees, and accrues for the unfunded portion of the obligation, where material. The assumptions used in calculating the obligation for these plans depend on the local economic environment. The net liability related to the funded status of the plans was approximately $18.0 million and $18.2 million as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The projected benefit obligation was $52.8 million and $47.3 million as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The related fair value of plan assets was $34.8 million and $29.1 million as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our practice is to fund the pension plans in amounts at least sufficient to meet the minimum requirements of local laws and regulations. The assets of the plans are primarily invested in high quality fixed income investments. Our contributions were approximately $4.2 million, $3.5 million and $3.4 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of January 31, 2012, our estimated future benefit payments are an aggregate $10.2 million for fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2017 and an aggregate of $7.9 million for fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2022. Autodesk recorded $8.2 million and $9.8 million of unrealized changes in the unfunded portion of Autodesk’s defined benefit plans in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively.

Autodesk also provides defined contribution plans in certain foreign countries where required by statute. Autodesk’s funding policy for foreign defined contribution plans is consistent with the local requirements in each country. Autodesk’s contributions to these plans were $20.4 million in fiscal 2012, $13.6 million in fiscal 2011 and $13.4 million in fiscal 2010.

In addition, Autodesk offers a non-qualified deferred compensation plan to certain key employees whereby they may defer a portion (or all) of their annual compensation until retirement or a different date specified by the employee in accordance with terms of the plan. See Note 6, “Deferred Compensation,” for further discussion.