PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS | 16. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS The Corporation maintains ten separate and distinct pension and other post-retirement defined benefit plans, consisting of three domestic plans and seven separate foreign pension plans. The domestic plans include a qualified pension plan, a non-qualified pension plan, and a postretirement health-benefits plan. The foreign plans consist of one defined benefit pension plan each in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland, two in Germany, and two in Mexico. Domestic Plans Qualified Pension Plan The Corporation maintains a defined benefit pension plan (the “CW Pension Plan”) covering certain employee populations under six benefit formulas: a non-contributory non-union and union formula for certain Curtiss-Wright (CW) employees, a contributory union and non-union benefit formula for employees at the EMD business unit, and two benefit formulas providing annuity benefits for participants in the former Williams Controls salaried and union plans. CW non-union employees hired prior to February 1, 2010 receive a “traditional” benefit based on years of credited service, using the five highest consecutive years’ compensation during the last ten years of service. These employees became participants under the CW Pension Plan after one three The formula for EMD employees covers both union and non-union employees and is designed to satisfy the requirements of relevant collective bargaining agreements. Employee contributions are withheld each pay period and are equal to 1.5% of salary. The benefits for the EMD employees are based on years of service and compensation. On December 31, 2012, the Corporation amended the CW Pension Plan to close the benefit to EMD employees hired after January 1, 2014. Participants of the former Williams Controls Retirement Income Plan for salaried employees are either deferred vested participants or currently receiving benefits, as benefit accruals under the plan were frozen to future accruals effective January 1, 2003. Benefits in the salaried plan are based on average compensation and years of service. Participants of the former Williams Controls UAW Local 492 Plan for union employees are entitled to a benefit based on years of service multiplied by a monthly pension rate, and may be eligible for supplemental benefits based upon attainment of certain age and service requirements. Effective January 1, 2014, all active non-union employees participating in the final and career average pay formulas in the defined benefit plan will cease accruals 15 years from the effective date of the amendment. In addition to the sunset provision, cash balance benefit accruals for non-union participants ceased as of January 1, 2014. Non-union employees who were not currently receiving final or career average pay benefits became eligible to participate in a new defined contribution plan which provides both employer match and non-elective contribution components. Subsequent to the original amendment, the Corporation successfully negotiated the sunset provision into the bargaining agreements for all represented employees that received benefits through this plan. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Corporation had a noncurrent pension liability of $50.2 million and $26.6 million, respectively. This increase was driven by a decrease in the discount rate as of December 31, 2019, partially offset by favorable asset experience due to strong market returns during 2019. On January 8, 2020, the Corporation made a voluntary contribution of $150 million to the plan. The Corporation does not expect to make any required contributions through 2024. Nonqualified Pension Plan The Corporation also maintains a non-qualified restoration plan (the “CW Restoration Plan”) covering those employees of CW and EMD whose compensation or benefits exceed the IRS limitation for pension benefits. Benefits under the CW Restoration Plan are not funded, and, as such, the Corporation had an accrued pension liability of $59.6 million and $52.8 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Corporation’s contributions to the CW Restoration Plan are expected to be $4.8 million in 2020. Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Plan The Corporation provides post-employment benefits consisting of retiree health and life insurance to three distinct groups of employees/retirees: the CW Grandfathered plan, and plans assumed in the acquisitions of EMD and Williams Controls. The Corporation also provides retiree health and life insurance benefits for substantially all of the Curtiss-Wright EMD employees. The plan provides basic health and welfare coverage for pre-65 participants based on years of service and are subject to certain caps. Effective January 1, 2011, the Corporation modified the benefit design for post-65 retirees by introducing Retiree Reimbursement Accounts (RRAs) to participants in lieu of the traditional benefit delivery. Participant accounts are funded a set amount annually that can be used to purchase supplemental coverage on the open market, effectively capping the benefit. The plan also provides retiree health and life insurance benefits for certain retirees of the Williams Controls salaried and union pension plans. Effective August 31, 2013, the Corporation modified the benefit design for post-65 retirees by introducing RRAs to align with the EMD delivery model. The Corporation had an accrued postretirement benefit liability as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 of $23.6 million and $22.0 million, respectively. The Corporation expects to contribute $1.5 million to the plan during 2020. Foreign Plans As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the total projected benefit obligation related to all foreign plans was $102.7 million and $83.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Corporation had a net pension (liability)/asset of $(0.2) million and $2.7 million, respectively. The Corporation's contributions to the foreign plans are expected to be $2.3 million in 2020. Components of net periodic benefit expense The net pension and net postretirement benefit costs (income) consisted of the following: Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits (In thousands) 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Service cost $ 23,664 $ 27,116 $ 25,093 $ 432 $ 490 $ 435 Interest cost 29,019 26,149 25,895 796 719 762 Expected return on plan assets (59,153) (58,641) (53,552) — — — Amortization of prior service cost (283) (252) (100) (656) (656) (656) Recognized net actuarial loss/(gain) 9,310 16,867 12,925 (198) (131) (223) Cost of settlements/curtailments — 337 327 — — — Net periodic benefit cost (income) $ 2,557 $ 11,576 $ 10,588 $ 374 $ 422 $ 318 The cost of settlements/curtailments indicated above represents events that are accounted for under guidance on employers’ accounting for settlements and curtailments of defined benefit pension plans. In 2018, a settlement charge was incurred in connection with a restructuring in Switzerland. In 2017, there were settlement charges incurred in both the U.K. and Switzerland. The following table outlines the Corporation's consolidated disclosure of the pension benefits and postretirement benefits information described previously. The Corporation had no foreign postretirement plans. All plans were valued using a December 31, 2019 measurement date. Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Change in benefit obligation: Beginning of year $ 814,894 $ 868,887 $ 22,060 $ 25,035 Service cost 23,664 27,116 432 490 Interest cost 29,019 26,149 796 719 Plan participants’ contributions 1,276 1,402 346 319 Actuarial (gain) loss 118,893 (58,913) 2,124 (1,982) Benefits paid (43,736) (41,962) (2,192) (2,521) Actual expenses (1,846) (1,371) — — Settlements — (2,228) — — Currency translation adjustments 3,023 (4,186) — — End of year $ 945,187 $ 814,894 $ 23,566 $ 22,060 Change in plan assets: Beginning of year $ 738,296 $ 776,482 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets 133,896 (44,876) — — Employer contribution 3,867 55,311 1,846 2,203 Plan participants’ contributions 1,276 1,402 346 319 Benefits paid (43,736) (44,190) (2,192) (2,522) Actual Expenses (1,846) (1,371) — — Currency translation adjustments 3,386 (4,462) — — End of year $ 835,139 $ 738,296 $ — $ — Funded status $ (110,048) $ (76,598) $ (23,566) $ (22,060) Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Amounts recognized on the balance sheet Noncurrent assets $ 11,711 $ 9,098 $ — $ — Current liabilities (5,143) (4,905) (1,547) (1,623) Noncurrent liabilities (116,616) (80,791) (22,019) (20,437) Total $ (110,048) $ (76,598) $ (23,566) $ (22,060) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) Net actuarial loss (gain) $ 263,660 $ 228,430 $ (2,429) $ (4,751) Prior service cost (934) (1,225) (1,404) (2,060) Total $ 262,726 $ 227,205 $ (3,833) $ (6,811) Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Projected benefit obligation $ 881,731 $ 743,632 N/A N/A Accumulated benefit obligation 848,309 714,146 N/A N/A Fair value of plan assets 759,972 658,327 N/A N/A Plan Assumptions Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits 2019 2018 2019 2018 Weighted-average assumptions in determination of benefit obligation: Discount rate 3.05 % 4.09 % 3.15 % 4.20 % Rate of compensation increase 3.46 % 3.50 % N/A N/A Health care cost trends: Rate assumed for subsequent year N/A N/A 7.50 % 7.85 % Ultimate rate reached in 2026 N/A N/A 4.50 % 4.50 % Weighted-average assumptions in determination of net periodic benefit cost: Discount rate 4.09 % 3.46 % 4.20 % 3.54 % Expected return on plan assets 7.59 % 7.47 % N/A N/A Rate of compensation increase 3.50 % 3.50 % N/A N/A Health care cost trends: Rate assumed for subsequent year N/A N/A 7.85 % 8.30 % Ultimate rate reached in 2026 N/A N/A 4.50 % 4.50 % Effective December 31, 2016, the Corporation adopted the spot rate, or full yield curve, approach for developing discount rates. The discount rate for each plan's past service liabilities and service cost is determined by discounting the plan’s expected future benefit payments using a yield curve developed from high quality bonds that are rated Aa or better by Moody’s as of the measurement date. The yield curve calculation matches the notional cash inflows of the hypothetical bond portfolio with the expected benefit payments to arrive at one effective rate for these components. Interest cost is determined by applying the spot rate from the full yield curve to each anticipated benefit payment, based on the anticipated optional form elections. The overall expected return on assets assumption is based on a combination of historical performance of the pension fund and expectations of future performance. Expected future performance is determined by weighting the expected returns for each asset class by the plan’s asset allocation. The expected returns are based on long-term capital market assumptions utilizing a ten-year time horizon through consultation with investment advisors. While consideration is given to recent performance and historical returns, the assumption represents a long-term prospective return. Pension Plan Assets The overall objective for plan assets is to earn a rate of return over time to meet anticipated benefit payments in accordance with plan provisions. The long-term investment objective of the domestic retirement plans is to achieve a total rate of return, net of fees, which exceeds the actuarial overall expected return on asset assumptions used for funding purposes and which provides an appropriate premium over inflation. The intermediate-term objective of the domestic retirement plans, defined as three to five years, is to outperform each of the capital markets in which assets are invested, net of fees. During periods of extreme market volatility, preservation of capital takes a higher precedence than outperforming the capital markets. The Finance Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors is responsible for formulating investment policies, developing investment manager guidelines and objectives, and approving and managing qualified advisors and investment managers. The guidelines established define permitted investments within each asset class and apply certain restrictions such as limits on concentrated holdings, and prohibits selling securities short, buying on margin, and the purchase of any securities issued by the Corporation. The Corporation maintains the funds of the CW Pension Plan under a trust that is diversified across investment classes and among investment managers to achieve an optimal balance between risk and return. As a part of its diversification strategy, the Corporation has established target allocations for each of the following assets classes: domestic equity securities, international equity securities, and debt securities. Below are the Corporation’s actual and established target allocations for the CW Pension Plan, representing 88% of consolidated assets: As of December 31, Target Expected 2019 2018 Exposure Range Asset class Domestic equities 51% 48% 50% 40%-60% International equities 15% 15% 15% 10%-20% Total equity 66% 63% 65% 55%-75% Fixed income 34% 37% 35% 25%-45% As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, cash funds in the CW Pension Plan represented approximately 3% and 6% of portfolio assets, respectively. Foreign plan assets represent 12% of consolidated plan assets, with the majority of the assets supporting the U.K. plan. Generally, the foreign plans follow a similar asset allocation strategy and are more heavily weighted in fixed income resulting in a weighted expected return on assets assumption of 4.3% for all foreign plans. The Corporation may from time to time require the reallocation of assets in order to bring the retirement plans into conformity with these ranges. The Corporation may also authorize alterations or deviations from these ranges where appropriate for achieving the objectives of the retirement plans. Fair Value Measurements The following table presents consolidated plan assets (in thousands) as of December 31, 2019 using the fair value hierarchy, as described in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Asset Category Total Quoted Prices Significant Significant Cash and cash equivalents $ 42,261 $ 20,034 $ 22,227 $ — Equity securities- Mutual funds (1) 446,434 404,509 41,925 — Bond funds (2) 238,880 177,731 61,149 — Insurance Contracts (3) 8,408 — — 8,408 Other (4) 2,313 — — 2,313 December 31, 2018 $ 738,296 $ 602,274 $ 125,301 $ 10,721 Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,457 $ 2,010 $ 20,447 $ — Equity securities- Mutual funds (1) 534,479 427,391 107,088 — Bond funds (2) 273,979 211,372 62,607 — Insurance Contracts (3) — — — — Other (4) 4,224 — — 4,224 December 31, 2019 $ 835,139 $ 640,773 $ 190,142 $ 4,224 (1) This category consists of domestic and international equity securities. It is comprised of U.S. securities benchmarked against the S&P 500 index and Russell 2000 index, international mutual funds benchmarked against the MSCI EAFE index, global equity index mutual funds associated with our U.K. based pension plans and balanced funds associated with the U.K. and Canadian based pension plans. (2) This category consists of domestic and international bonds. The domestic fixed income securities are benchmarked against the Bloomberg Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond index, actively-managed bond mutual funds comprised of domestic investment grade debt, fixed income derivatives, and below investment-grade issues, U.S. mortgage backed securities, asset backed securities, municipal bonds, and convertible debt. International bonds consist of bond mutual funds for institutional investors associated with the CW Pension Plan, Switzerland, and U.K. based pension plans. (3) This category had consisted of a guaranteed investment contract (GIC) in Switzerland. Effective January 2019, the Corporation replaced the collective foundation administering the plan and the GIC was not an available offering in the new plan. (4) This category consists primarily of real estate investment trusts in Switzerland. Valuation Equity securities and exchange-traded equity and bond mutual funds are valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices of identical instruments. Pooled institutional funds are valued at their net asset values and are calculated by the sponsor of the fund. Fixed income securities are primarily valued using a market approach utilizing various underlying pricing sources and methodologies. Real estate investment trusts are priced at net asset value based on valuations of the underlying real estate holdings using inputs such as discounted cash flows, independent appraisals, and market-based comparable data. Cash balances in the United States are held in a pooled fund and classified as a Level 2 asset. Non-U.S. cash is valued using a market approach based on quoted market prices of identical instruments. The following table presents a reconciliation of Level 3 assets held during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018: (In thousands) Insurance Other Total December 31, 2017 $ 10,912 $ 2,191 $ 13,103 Actual return on plan assets: Relating to assets still held at the reporting date 163 (13) 150 Purchases, sales, and settlements (2,595) 152 (2,443) Foreign currency translation adjustment (72) (17) (89) December 31, 2018 $ 8,408 $ 2,313 $ 10,721 Actual return on plan assets: Relating to assets still held at the reporting date — 115 115 Purchases, sales, and settlements (8,408) 1,715 (6,693) Foreign currency translation adjustment — 81 81 December 31, 2019 $ — $ 4,224 $ 4,224 Benefit Payments The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid from the plans: (In thousands) Pension Postretirement Total 2020 $ 49,446 $ 1,547 $ 50,993 2021 51,481 1,594 53,075 2022 52,608 1,589 54,197 2023 53,597 1,592 55,189 2024 57,406 1,566 58,972 2025 — 2029 282,548 7,306 289,854 Defined Contribution Retirement Plans The Corporation offers all of its domestic employees the opportunity to participate in a defined contribution plan. Costs incurred by the Corporation in the administration and record keeping of the defined contribution plan are paid for by the Corporation and are not considered material. Effective January 1, 2014, all non-union employees who were not currently receiving final or career average pay benefits became eligible to receive employer contributions in the Corporation's sponsored 401(k) plan, including both employer match and non-elective contribution components. Effective January 1, 2019, the employer contribution was increased to a maximum of 7% of eligible compensation from 6% previously. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the expense relating to the plan was $17.8 million, consisting of $9.1 million in matching contributions to the plan in 2019, and $8.7 million in non-elective contributions paid in January 2020. Cumulative contributions of approximately $97 million are expected to be made from 2020 through 2024. |