RETIREMENT PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT COSTS

We have a qualified, noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (“Qualified Pension Plan”) covering substantially all U.S. associates. Benefits are based on years of service and final average compensation. Our policy is to fund at least the minimum actuarially computed annual contribution required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Plan assets consist primarily of listed equity and fixed income securities. Effective December 31, 2009, an amendment to the Qualified Pension Plan discontinued the benefit accruals for salary increases and credited service rendered after that date. On April 2, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a resolution to terminate the Qualified Pension Plan. The termination of the Qualified Pension Plan is subject to the Internal Revenue Service’s (“IRS”) determination that the Qualified Pension Plan is qualified on termination. We believe it will take 18 to 24 months to finalize the complete termination of the Qualified Pension Plan after obtaining IRS approval. We have not yet received IRS approval that the qualified plan is qualified on termination. Additionally, we have amended the Qualified Pension Plan to provide that participants are 100 percent vested in their accrued benefits as of the effective date of the plan termination, to adopt a new standard for disability benefits that will apply when the plan’s assets are distributed due to the termination, to add a lump sum distribution for employees and terminated vested participants who are not in payment status when Qualified Pension Plan assets are distributed due to the termination and to make certain other conforming amendments to the Qualified Pension Plan to comply with applicable laws that may be required by the IRS or may be deemed necessary or advisable to improve the administration of the Qualified Pension Plan or facilitate its termination and liquidation. We also intend to make contributions to the Trust Fund for the Qualified Pension Plan to ensure that there are sufficient assets to provide all Qualified Pension Plan benefits as of the anticipated distribution date. The financial impact of the plan termination will be recognized as a settlement of the Qualified Pension Plan liabilities. The settlement date and related financial impact have not yet been determined.

We have historically had in place a noncontributory supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”), which prior to January 1, 2014 was a nonqualified defined benefit plan that essentially mirrored the Qualified Pension Plan, but provided benefits in excess of certain limits placed on our Qualified Pension Plan by the Internal Revenue Code. As noted above, we froze our Qualified Pension Plan effective as of December 31, 2009 and the SERP provided benefits to participants as if the Qualified Pension Plan had not been frozen. Because the Qualified Pension Plan was frozen and because new employees were not eligible to participate in the Qualified Pension Plan, our Board of Directors adopted amendments to the SERP on October 8, 2013 that were effective as of December 31, 2013 to simplify the SERP calculation. The SERP is funded through a Rabbi Trust with BMO Harris Bank N.A. Under the amended SERP, participants received an accrued lump-sum benefit as of December 31, 2013 which was credited to each participant’s account. Going forward, each eligible participant will receive a supplemental retirement benefit equal to the foregoing lump sum benefit, plus an annual benefit accrual equal to 8% of the participant’s base salary and cash bonus, plus annual credited interest on the participant’s account balance. All current participants are fully vested in their account balances with any new individuals participating in the SERP effective on or after January 1, 2014 being subject to a five year vesting period. The SERP, which is considered a defined benefit plan under applicable rules and regulations, will continue to be funded through use of a Rabbi Trust to hold investment assets to be used in part to fund any future required lump sum benefit payments to participants. The foregoing amendments to the SERP did not have a material effect on our financial statements. During fiscal 2013, SERP benefits of approximately $5.8 million were cash settled using Rabbi Trust assets and current cash balances. We incurred a settlement charge to operations of approximately $2.1 million pre-tax as a result of a requirement to expense a portion of the unrealized actuarial losses due to the settlement of the SERP obligation. The charge had no effect on our aggregate equity balance because the unrealized actuarial losses were previously recognized during prior periods in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accordingly, the effect of the settlement charge on our retained earnings was offset by a corresponding reduction in our accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Rabbi Trust assets had a value of $2.3 million and $2.2 million at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively, and are included in Other Long-Term Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The projected benefit obligation under the amended SERP was $1.6 million at June 28, 2015 and $1.9 million at June 29, 2014, respectively. The SERP liabilities are included in the pension tables below. However, the Rabbi Trust assets are excluded from the tables as they do not qualify as plan assets.

We also sponsor a postretirement health care plan for all U.S. associates hired prior to June 1, 2001. The expected cost of retiree health care benefits is recognized during the years the associates who are covered under the plan render service. Effective January 1, 2010, an amendment to the postretirement health care plan limited the benefit for future eligible retirees to $4,000 per plan year and the benefit is further subject to a maximum five year coverage period based on the associate’s retirement date and age. The postretirement health care plan is unfunded.

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, at June 28, 2015, which have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost were as follows (thousands of dollars):

	Pension and SERP		Postretirement
Prior service cost (credit)	$	21	$	(1,715	)
Net actuarial loss		17,160		3,171
	$	17,181	$	1,456

Prior service cost (credit) and unrecognized net actuarial losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 28, 2015 which are expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in fiscal 2016, net of tax, for the pension, SERP and postretirement plans are as follows (thousands of dollars):

	Pension and SERP		Postretirement
Prior service cost (credit)	$	7	$	(481	)
Net actuarial loss		1,539		388
	$	1,546	$	(93	)

The following tables summarize the pension, SERP and postretirement plans’ income and expense, funded status and actuarial assumptions for the years indicated (thousands of dollars). We use a June 30 measurement date for our pension and postretirement plans.

	Pension and SERP Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
	Years Ended									Years Ended
	June 28, 2015			June 29, 2014			June 30, 2013			June 28, 2015			June 29, 2014			June 30, 2013
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST:
Service cost	$	64		$	217		$	216		$	14		$	15		$	15
Interest cost		4,173			4,407			4,447			114			157			181
Expected return on plan assets		(6,174	)		(6,442	)		(6,126	)		—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		11			12			12			(764	)		(764	)		(764	)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss		2,775			2,665			4,453			693			847			898
Settlement loss		—			—			2,144			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	849		$	859		$	5,146		$	57		$	255		$	330

	Pension and SERP Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	2015			2014			2015			2014
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS
Benefit Obligations:
Discount rate		4.53	%		4.39	%		4.53	%		4.39	%
Rate of compensation increases - SERP		3.0	%		3.0	%		n/a			n/a
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Discount rate		4.39	%		5.02	%		4.39	%		5.02	%
Expected return on plan assets		6.5	%		7.5	%		n/a			n/a
Rate of compensation increases - SERP		3.0	%		3.0	%		n/a			n/a
CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	97,445		$	89,915		$	2,929		$	3,540
Service cost		64			217			14			15
Interest cost		4,173			4,407			114			157
Plan Amendments		-			(3	)		—			—
Actuarial (gain) loss		2,118			7,030			(189	)		(112	)
Benefits paid		(4,471	)		(4,121	)		(689	)		(671	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	99,329		$	97,445		$	2,179		$	2,929
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	104,340		$	90,434		$	—		$	—
Actual return on plan assets		2,450			14,021			—			—
Employer contribution		3,153			4,006			689			671
Benefits paid		(4,471	)		(4,121	)		(689	)		(671	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	105,472		$	104,340		$	—		$	—
Funded status – prepaid (accrued) benefit obligations	$	6,143		$	6,895		$	(2,179	)	$	(2,929	)
AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS:
Other long-term assets	$	7,733		$	8,768		$	—		$	—
Accrued payroll and benefits (current liabilities)		(259	)		(254	)		(522	)		(706	)
Accrued benefit obligations (long-term liabilities)		(1,331	)		(1,619	)		(1,657	)		(2,223	)
Net amount recognized	$	6,143		$	6,895		$	(2,179	)	$	(2,929	)
CHANGES IN PLAN ASSETS AND BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS RECOGNIZED IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net periodic benefit cost	$	849		$	859		$	57		$	255
Net actuarial (gain) loss		5,843			(550	)		(189	)		(112	)
Prior service cost		—			(3	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service (cost) credits		(11	)		(12	)		764			764
Amortization of unrecognized net loss		(2,775	)		(2,665	)		(693	)		(847	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income), before tax		3,057			(3,230	)		(118	)		(195	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income), before tax	$	3,906		$	(2,371	)	$	(61	)	$	60

The pension benefits have a separately determined accumulated benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits based on service rendered and current and past compensation levels. This differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumptions about future compensation levels. The following table summarizes the accumulated benefit obligations and projected benefit obligations for the pension and SERP (thousands of dollars):

	Pension				SERP
	June 28, 2015		June 29, 2014		June 28, 2015		June 29, 2014
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	97,739	$	95,573	$	1,245	$	1,422
Projected benefit obligation	$	97,739	$	95,573	$	1,590	$	1,872

For measurement purposes as it pertains to the estimated obligation associated with retirees prior to January 1, 2012, a 7.5 percent annual rate increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for fiscal 2016; the rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5 percent by the year 2022 and remain at that level thereafter.

The health care cost trend assumption has a significant effect on the postretirement benefit amounts reported. A 1% change in the health care cost trend rates would have the following effects (thousands of dollars):

	1% Increase		1% Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest cost components in fiscal 2015	$	2	$	(2	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation as of June 28, 2015	$	24	$	(24	)

We employ a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of short and long-term plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio primarily contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, as well as growth and value style managers, and small, mid and large market capitalizations. The investment portfolio does not include any real estate holdings, but has a small allocation to hedge funds. The investment policy of the plan prohibits investment in STRATTEC stock. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through periodic investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements and periodic asset/liability studies. The pension plan weighted-average asset allocations by asset category were as follows for 2015 and 2014:

	Target Allocation			June 28, 2015			June 29, 2014
Equity investments		35	%		35	%		43	%
Fixed-income Investments		30			26			26
Cash		35			39			26
Other		—			—			5
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%

The following is a summary, by asset category, of the fair value of pension plan assets at the June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014 measurement dates (thousands of dollars):

	June 30, 2015								June 30, 2014
Asset Category	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	41,241	$	—	$	41,241	$	—	$	27,736	$	—	$	27,736
Equity Securities/Funds:
Small Cap		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Mid Cap		10,766		—		—		10,766		10,866		—		—		10,866
Large Cap		17,965		—		—		17,965		21,920		—		—		21,920
International		8,483		—		—		8,483		11,728		—		—		11,728
Fixed Income Bond Funds/Bonds		5,041		21,925		—		26,966		4,884		21,771		—		26,655
Hedge Funds		—		—		51		51		—		—		5,435		5,435
Total	$	42,255	$	63,166	$	51	$	105,472	$	49,398	$	49,507	$	5,435	$	104,340

The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 investments for the pension plan assets (thousands of dollars):

						Realized and
	Fair Value		Net Purchases			Unrealized		Fair Value
	June 30, 2014		and Sales			Gain, net		June 30, 2015
Hedge Funds	$	5,435	$	(5,557	)	$	173	$	51

There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 investments during the year ended June 30, 2015.

The expected long-term rate of return on U.S. pension plan assets used to calculate net periodic benefit cost was lowered to 5.45 percent for 2016 from 6.5 percent for 2015. The target asset allocation is 35 percent public equity and 65 percent fixed income/cash. The 6.5 percent is approximated by applying returns of 10 percent on public equity and 3 percent on fixed income to the target allocation. The actual historical returns are also relevant. Annualized returns for periods ended June 30, 2015 were 6.40 percent for 5 years, 4.67 percent for 10 years, 4.28 percent for 15 years, 5.80 percent for 20 years, 6.30 percent for 25 years and 7.29 percent for 30 years.

We expect to contribute approximately $3 million to our qualified pension plan and $522,000 to our postretirement health care plan in fiscal 2016. We do not expect to make contributions to our SERP in fiscal 2016. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid during the fiscal years noted below (thousands of dollars):

	Pension and SERP Benefits		Postretirement Benefits
2016	$	5,033	$	522
2017	$	5,042	$	432
2018	$	5,292	$	361
2019	$	5,540	$	277
2020	$	5,857	$	202
2021-2025	$	31,164	$	514

All U.S. associates may participate in our 401(k) Plan. We contribute 100 percent up to the first 5 percent of eligible compensation that a participant contributes to the plan. Our contributions to the 401(k) Plan were as follows (thousands of dollars):

	2015				2014				2013
Company Contributions	$	1,729			$	1,605			$	1,464