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Retirement Plans
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 28, 2023
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]  
Retirement Plans Retirement Plans
The Company has defined contribution plans that cover substantially all employees who work 1,000 hours or more in a year. In addition, the Company has a funded defined benefit plan (Pension Plan) and an unfunded defined benefit supplementary retirement plan (SERP), which provides benefits, for certain employees, in excess of qualified plan limitations. Effective January 1, 2012, the Pension Plan was closed to new participants, with limited exceptions, and effective January 2, 2012, the SERP was closed to new participants.
In February 2013, the Company announced changes to the Pension Plan and SERP whereby eligible employees no longer earn future pension service credits after December 31, 2013, with limited exceptions. All retirement benefits attributable to service in subsequent periods are provided through defined contribution plans.
Retirement expenses, excluding settlement charges, included the following components:
202220212020
(millions)
401(k) Qualified Defined Contribution Plan$86 $76 $68 
Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plan1 1 1 
Pension Plan(42)(85)(73)
Supplementary Retirement Plan26 24 26 
Postretirement Obligations(4)(4)(3)
$67 $12 $19 
The Company estimates the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs for the Pension Plan and SERP. This method uses a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components of net periodic benefit costs. Under this approach, the Company applies discounting using individual spot rates from the yield curve composed of the rates of return from a portfolio of high quality corporate debt securities available at the measurement date. These spot rates align to each of the projected benefit obligation and service cost cash flows.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company has a qualified plan that permits participating associates to defer eligible compensation up to the maximum limits allowable under the Internal Revenue Code. Beginning January 1, 2014, the Company has a non-qualified plan that permits participating associates to defer eligible compensation above the limits of the qualified plan. The Company contributes a matching percentage of employee contributions under both the qualified and non-qualified plans. Effective January 1, 2014, the Company's matching contribution to the qualified plan was enhanced for all participating employees, with limited exceptions. Prior to January 1, 2014, the matching contribution rate under the qualified plan was higher for those employees not eligible for the Pension Plan than for employees eligible for the Pension Plan.
The liability related to the qualified plan matching contribution, which is reflected in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $94 million at January 28, 2023 and $83 million at January 29, 2022. Expense related to matching contributions for the qualified plan amounted to $86 million for 2022, $76 million for 2021 and $68 million for 2020.
At January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, the liability under the non-qualified plan, which is reflected in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $35 million and $39 million, respectively. The liability related to the non-qualified plan matching contribution, which is reflected in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $1 million at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022. Expense related to matching contributions for the non-qualified plan amounted to $1 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020. In connection with the non-qualified plan, the Company had mutual fund investments at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 of $35 million and $39 million, respectively, which are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets, and funded status of the Pension Plan and SERP as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022:
Pension Plan SERP
2022202120222021
(millions)
Change in projected benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year$2,406 $3,030 $606 $673 
Service cost— 1 — — 
Interest cost68 49 15 11 
Actuarial gain(301)(172)(71)(32)
Benefits paid(194)(502)(42)(46)
Projected benefit obligation, end of year1,979 2,406 508 606 
Changes in plan assets    
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year2,900 3,359 — — 
Actual return (loss) on plan assets(317)43 — — 
Company contributions— — 42 46 
Benefits paid(194)(502)(42)(46)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year2,389 2,900 — — 
Funded status at end of year$410 $494 $(508)$(606)
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022
    
Other assets$410 $494 $— $— 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities— — (48)(47)
Other liabilities— — (460)(559)
$410 $494 $(508)$(606)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022
    
Net actuarial loss$704 $617 $175 $257 
Prior service cost— — 5 5 
$704 $617 $180 $262 
Net pension costs, settlement charges and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss for the Pension Plan and SERP included the following actuarially determined components:
Pension Plan SERP
202220212020202220212020
(millions)
Net Periodic Pension Cost
Service cost$— $1 $4 $— $— $— 
Interest cost68 49 66 15 11 14 
Expected return on assets(122)(161)(183)— — — 
Amortization of net actuarial loss12 26 40 11 13 12 
(42)(85)(73)26 24 26 
      
Settlement charges39 96 74 — — 10 
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Projected Benefit Obligation Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss      
Net actuarial (gain) loss138 (55)(178)(71)(32)40 
Amortization of net actuarial loss(12)(26)(40)(11)(13)(12)
Settlement charges(39)(96)(74)— — (10)
87 (177)(292)(82)(45)18 
Total recognized$84 $(166)$(291)$(56)$(21)$54 
In 2022 and 2021, the Company incurred non-cash settlement charges of $39 million and $96 million, respectively. For 2022, these charges relate to the pro-rata recognition of net actuarial losses associated with the Company's Pension Plan and is the result of the lump sum distributions associated with retiree distribution elections. For 2021, these charges related to the pro-rata recognition of net actuarial losses associated with the Company's Pension Plan and were the result of the transfer of pension obligations for certain retirees and beneficiaries under the Pension Plan through the purchase of a group annuity contract with an insurance company. The Company transferred $256 million of Pension Plan assets to the insurance company in the second quarter of 2021, thereby reducing its Pension Plan benefit obligations.
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the projected benefit obligations for the Pension Plan and SERP at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022:
Pension Plan SERP
2022202120222021
Discount rate4.73 %3.06 %4.74 %3.10 %
Rate of compensation increases3.50 %3.50 %— — 
Cash balance plan interest crediting rate5.00 %5.00 %— — 
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the Pension Plan and SERP:
Pension Plan SERP
202220212020202220212020
Discount rate used to measure service cost
3.35% - 5.76%
2.69% - 3.07%
2.35% - 2.96%
— — — 
Discount rate used to measure interest cost
2.55% - 5.49%
1.76% - 2.07%
1.65% - 2.46%
2.53 %1.74 %
1.65% - 2.44%
Expected long-term return on plan assets4.60 %5.75 %6.25 %— — — 
Rate of compensation increases3.50 %3.45 %3.25 %— — — 
Cash balance plan interest crediting rate5.00 %5.00 %5.00 %— — — 
The Pension Plan and SERP’s assumptions are evaluated annually, and at interim re-measurements if required, and updated as necessary. Due to settlement accounting and re-measurements during 2022, 2021 and 2020, for the Pension Plan, and during 2020 for the SERP, the discount rate used to measure service cost and the discount rate used to measure interest cost varied between periods. The table above shows the range of rates used to determine net periodic expense for the plans.
The discount rates used to determine the present value of the projected benefit obligation for the Pension Plan and SERP are based on a yield curve constructed from a portfolio of high quality corporate debt securities with various maturities. Each year's expected future benefit payments are discounted to their present value at the appropriate yield curve rate, thereby generating the overall discount rate for the projected benefit obligation.
The Company develops its expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumption by evaluating input from several professional advisors taking into account the asset allocation of the portfolio and long-term asset class return expectations, as well as long-term inflation assumptions. Expected returns for each major asset class are considered along with their volatility and the expected correlations among them. These expectations are based upon historical relationships as well as forecasts of how future returns may vary from historical returns. Returns by asset class and correlations among asset classes are combined using the target asset allocation to derive an expected return for the portfolio as a whole. Long- term historical returns of the portfolio are also considered. Portfolio returns are calculated net of all expenses, therefore, the Company also analyzes expected costs and expenses, including investment management fees, administrative expenses, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums and other costs and expenses. As of January 28, 2023, the Company increased the assumed annual long-term rate of return for the Pension Plan's assets from 4.60% to 5.30% based on expected future returns on the portfolio of assets.
The assets of the Pension Plan are managed by investment specialists with the primary objectives of payment of benefit obligations to Plan participants and an ultimate realization of investment returns over longer periods in excess of inflation. The Company employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of domestic and foreign equity securities, fixed income securities and other investments is used to maximize the long-term return on the assets of the Pension Plan for a prudent level of risk. Risks are mitigated through asset diversification and the use of multiple investment managers. The target allocation for plan assets is currently 5% equity securities, 87% debt securities, 1% real estate and 7% private equities.
The Company generally employs investment managers to specialize in a specific asset class. These managers are chosen and monitored with the assistance of professional advisors, using criteria that include organizational structure, investment philosophy, investment process, performance compared to market benchmarks and peer groups.
The Company periodically conducts an analysis of the behavior of the Pension Plan's assets and liabilities under various economic and interest rate scenarios to ensure that the long-term target asset allocation is appropriate given the liabilities.
The fair values of the Pension Plan assets as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, excluding interest and dividend receivables and pending investment purchases and sales, by asset category are as follows:
Fair Value Category20222021
(millions)
Short term investmentsLevel 2$— $10 
Money market fundsLevel 178 206 
Equity securities:   
U.S. pooled fundsLevel 169 77 
International pooled fundsLevel 126 31 
Fixed income securities:   
U.S. Treasury bondsLevel 241 121 
Other Government bondsLevel 260 74 
Corporate bondsLevel 21,592 1,877 
Mortgage-backed securitiesLevel 214 10 
Asset-backed securitiesLevel 2— 1 
Pooled fundsLevel 148 72 
Other types of investments:   
Derivatives in a positive positionLevel 211 12 
Derivatives in a negative positionLevel 2(3)(1)
Pooled funds (a)271 164 
Real estate (a)19 32 
Private equity (a)133 186 
Total$2,359 $2,872 
(a)Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in these tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the fair value of plan assets.
Corporate bonds consist primarily of investment grade bonds of U.S. issuers from diverse industries.
The fair value of certain pooled funds including equity securities, real estate and private equity investments represents the reported net asset value of shares or underlying assets of the investment as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. International equity pooled funds seek to provide long-term capital growth and income by investing in equity securities of non-U.S. companies located both in developed and emerging markets. There are generally no redemption restrictions or unfunded commitments related to these equity securities.
Real estate investments include several funds that seek risk-adjusted return by providing a stable, income-driven rate of return over the long term with high potential for growth of net investment income and appreciation of value. The real estate investments are diversified across property types and geographical areas primarily in the United States of America. Private equity investments have an objective of realizing aggregate long-term returns in excess of those available from investments in the public equity markets. Private equity investments generally consist of limited partnerships in the United States of America, Europe and Asia. Private equity and real estate investments are valued using fair values per the most recent financial reports provided by the investment sponsor, adjusted as appropriate for any lag between the date of the financial reports and the Company’s reporting date.
Due to the nature of the underlying assets of the real estate and private equity investments, changes in market conditions and the economic environment may significantly impact the net asset value of these investments and, consequently, the fair value of the Pension Plan's investments. These investments are redeemable at net asset value to the extent provided in the documentation governing the investments. However, these redemption rights may be restricted in accordance with the governing documents. Redemption of these investments is subject to restrictions including lock-up periods where no redemptions are allowed, restrictions on redemption frequency and advance notice periods for redemptions.
The Company does not anticipate making funding contributions to the Pension Plan in 2023.
The following benefit payments are estimated to be paid from the Pension Plan and from the SERP:
Pension PlanSERP
(millions)
Fiscal year
2023$215 $48 
2024192 46 
2025187 44 
2026180 49 
2027171 42 
2028-2032725 185