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Employee Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Employee Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Employee Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Retirement Plan
The Company maintains the MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Retirement Plan (the Pension Plan), which is a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of the domestic employees of the Company. The Pension Plan provides retirement benefits based on a cash balance formula, with annual pay credits based on a participant's eligible pay multiplied by a percentage determined by their age and years of service, with annual interest credits based on 30-year Treasury bond yields. Employees become eligible for the Pension Plan after 1 year of service, and participants become vested upon completing 3 years of vesting service. Prior to 2017, certain participants earned retirement benefits based on years of credited service and the final average earnings amount, as defined in the Pension Plan; such benefits became fixed as of the effective date of certain Plan amendments implementing the cash balance formula.
The Company's funding policy is to make contributions between the minimum required and the maximum deductible amount as allowed by the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to services to date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future.
Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company maintains the MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Retiree Health Reimbursement Plan (the HRA Plan), the MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Health Benefit Plan (the Health Plan), and the MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Employee Insurance Plan (the Insurance Plan). Under the HRA Plan, which became effective January 1, 2017, eligible post-65 retirees and dependents receive Company-provided financial support to purchase individual health coverage through annual allocations to a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that are designed to keep pace with medical inflation. The Health Plan provides certain healthcare benefits for eligible pre-65 retired employees and dependents; costs are shared between the Company and the retiree at a level of approximately 25% to 50%, depending on the retiree's age and length of service with the Company. The Insurance Plan provides life insurance benefits for those eligible employees who retired prior to January 1, 2001 and is noncontributory. Together, the HRA Plan, the Health Plan, and the Insurance Plan are presented as "Other Benefits Plan." The accounting for the Other Benefits Plan anticipates future cost-sharing changes described above that are consistent with the Company's intent. Assets set aside to cover such obligations are primarily invested in mutual funds and insurance contracts. In April 2014 the Health Benefit Plan was amended to discontinue the availability of retiree health benefits for the majority of employees.
The following table sets forth the fair value of the assets in the Company's Pension Plan and Other Benefits Plan as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
 
Pension Plan
 
Other Benefits
Plan
 
 
Years Ended
December 31,
 
Years Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Change in plan assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year
 
$
3,854

 
$
3,254

 
$
288

 
$
260

Actual return on plan assets
 
(196
)
 
608

 
(18
)
 
44

Employer contributions
 

 
115

 

 
1

Plan participants' contributions
 

 

 
4

 
4

Benefits paid
 
(129
)
 
(123
)
 
(19
)
 
(21
)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year
 
$
3,529

 
$
3,854

 
$
255

 
$
288


The investment objective for the Company's Pension Plan and Other Benefits Plan, collectively the Plans, is to maximize total return within reasonable and prudent levels of risk. The Plans' asset allocation strategy is the principal determinant in achieving expected investment returns on the Plans' assets. The Pension Plan asset allocation strategy favors equities, with a target allocation of 53% in equity securities, 35% in debt securities, and 12% in real estate investments as of December 31, 2018. The previous targets, until the 4th quarter of 2018, were 63%, 25%, and 12%, respectively. Similarly, the Other Benefits Plan asset allocation strategy favors equities with a target allocation of 70% in equity securities and 30% in debt securities. Additionally, the Other Benefits Plan holds an investment in an insurance contract with Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company, the cash value of which is invested in alignment with the target allocation. Actual asset allocations may fluctuate within acceptable ranges due to market value variability. If market fluctuations cause an asset class to fall outside of its strategic asset allocation range, the portfolio will be re-balanced as appropriate. A core equity position of domestic large cap and small cap stocks will be maintained, in conjunction with a diversified portfolio of international equities and fixed income securities. Plan asset performance is compared against established indexes and peer groups to evaluate whether the risk associated with the portfolio is appropriate for the level of return.
The Company periodically reviews the Plans' strategic asset allocation policy and the expected long-term rate of return for plan assets. The investment return volatility of different asset classes and the liability structure of the plans are evaluated to determine whether adjustments are required to the Plans' strategic asset allocation policy, taking into account the principles established in the Company's funding policy. Management periodically reviews and adjusts the long-term rate of return on assets assumption for the Plans based on the expected long-term rate of return for the asset classes and their weightings in the Plans' strategic asset allocation policy and taking into account the prevailing economic and regulatory climate and practices of other companies both within and outside our industry.
The following table provides the fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy of the Company's period-end assets by major asset category for the Pension Plan and Other Benefits Plan. For information about the fair value hierarchy levels, refer to Note 11 to these consolidated financial statements. The Plans do not hold any equity or debt securities issued by the Company or any related parties.
 
 
December 31, 2018
(Dollars in millions)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Pension Plan Investments:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
25

 
$

 
$
25

U.S. government securities
 

 
382

 

 
382

Fixed and variable income securities
 

 
824

 

 
824

Equity securities
 
185

 
6

 

 
191

Mutual funds
 
620

 

 

 
620

Municipal bonds
 

 
37

 

 
37

Other
 

 
20

 

 
20

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
 
$
805

 
$
1,294

 
$

 
$
2,099

Investments measured at net asset value (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,420

Investments at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,519

Accrued dividends and interest receivable
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
12

Net pending trades
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(2
)
Total plan assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
3,529

 
 
(1)
In accordance with ASU No. 2015-07, investments in which fair value was measured based on net asset value per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in these tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to total plan assets.

 
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in millions)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Pension Plan Investments:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
26

 
$

 
$
26

U.S. government securities
 

 
195

 

 
195

Fixed and variable income securities
 

 
638

 

 
638

Equity securities
 
381

 
7

 

 
388

Mutual funds
 
830

 

 

 
830

Municipal bonds
 

 
43

 

 
43

Other
 
5

 
11

 

 
16

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
 
$
1,216

 
$
920

 
$

 
$
2,136

Investments measured at net asset value (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,704

Investments at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,840

Accrued dividends and interest receivable
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
8

Net pending trades
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
6

Total plan assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
3,854


 
 
(1)
In accordance with ASU No. 2015-07, investments in which fair value was measured based on net asset value per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in these tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to total plan assets.



 
 
December 31, 2018
(Dollars in millions)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Investments:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

U.S. government securities
 

 
37

 

 
37

Fixed and variable income securities
 

 
32

 

 
32

Equity securities
 

 

 

 

Mutual funds
 
54

 

 

 
54

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
 
$
54

 
$
70

 
$

 
$
124

Investments measured at net asset value (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
134

Investments at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
258

Net pending trades
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(3
)
Total plan assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
255

 
 
(1)
In accordance with ASU No. 2015-07, investments in which fair value was measured based on net asset value per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in these tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to total plan assets.

 
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in millions)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Investments:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

U.S. government securities
 

 
44

 

 
44

Fixed and variable income securities
 

 
29

 

 
29

Equity securities
 

 
1

 

 
1

Mutual funds
 
66

 

 

 
66

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
 
$
66

 
$
77

 
$

 
$
143

Investments measured at net asset value (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
157

Investments at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
300

Net pending trades
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(12
)
Total plan assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
288


 
 
(1)
In accordance with ASU No. 2015-07, investments in which fair value was measured based on net asset value per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in these tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to total plan assets.

The following tables as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 present the Company's Pension Plan and Other Benefits Plan investments in which fair value is measured using net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.

 
 
December 31, 2018
(Dollars in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
Unfunded Commitment
 
Redemption Frequency
 
Other Redemption Restrictions
 
Redemption Notice Period
Pension Plan Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity funds
 
$
789

 
$

 
Daily
 
None
 
None
Real estate funds
 
415

 

 
Quarterly
 
Availability of fund's liquid assets and approval of the board of directors
 
45-90 days
Real estate funds
 
7

 
3

 
None
 
Hold until dissolution date
 
None
International equity funds
 
159

 

 
Monthly
 
None
 
15 days
Money market funds
 
50

 

 
Immediate
 
None
 
None
Total
 
$
1,420

 
$
3

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
Unfunded Commitment
 
Redemption Frequency
 
Other Redemption Restrictions
 
Redemption Notice Period
Pension Plan Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity funds
 
$
1,101

 
$

 
Daily
 
None
 
None
Real estate funds
 
343

 

 
Quarterly
 
Availability of fund's liquid assets and approval of the board of directors
 
45-90 days
Real estate funds
 
13

 
5

 
None
 
Hold until dissolution; approximately four to six years from original final closing date
 
None
International equity funds
 
228

 

 
Monthly
 
None
 
15 days
Money market funds
 
19

 

 
Immediate
 
None
 
None
Total
 
$
1,704

 
$
5

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
December 31, 2018
(Dollars in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
Unfunded Commitment
 
Redemption Frequency
 
Other Redemption Restrictions
 
Redemption Notice Period
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity funds
 
$
87

 
$

 
Daily
 
None
 
None
Pooled separate account - variable life insurance policies
 
46

 

 
Quarterly
 
Proof of death for death claim redemptions
 
7 business days
Money market funds
 
1

 

 
Immediate
 
None
 
None
Total
 
$
134

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
Unfunded Commitment
 
Redemption Frequency
 
Other Redemption Restrictions
 
Redemption Notice Period
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity funds
 
$
100

 
$

 
Daily
 
None
 
None
Pooled separate account - variable life insurance policies
 
52

 

 
Quarterly
 
Proof of death for death claim redemptions
 
7 business days
Money market funds
 
5

 

 
Immediate
 
None
 
None
Total
 
$
157

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 

A description of the valuation methodologies used to determine the fair value of the Plans' assets included within the tables above is as follows:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include short-term investments of government securities and other debt securities with remaining maturities of less than three months. These short-term investments are classified as Level 2 based on unadjusted prices in active markets for similar securities. Money market funds were measured at net asset value (NAV) per share and are included in the tables above showing Plan investments that are measured using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.
 U.S. Government Securities
U.S. government securities include U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities. U.S. Treasury securities are fixed income securities that are debt instruments issued by the United States Department of the Treasury. U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities are collateralized by residential mortgage loans and may be prepaid at par prior to maturity. U.S. government securities are classified as Level 2 based on valuations provided by third-party pricing services using quoted market prices in active markets for similar securities.
Fixed and Variable Income Securities
Fixed and variable income securities include a variety of debt instruments, including corporate bonds, private placements and asset-backed securities. These securities are classified as Level 2 based on valuations provided by a third-party pricing services using quoted market prices in active markets for similar securities.
Equity Securities
Equity securities are comprised of common stock and preferred securities. The fair value of common stock is recorded based on quoted market prices obtained from an exchange. These securities are classified as Level 1 based on unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets. The fair value of preferred securities is based on discounted cash flow models. These securities are classified as Level 2 based on valuations provided by third-party pricing services using observable market data.
Real Estate Funds
Real estate funds invest in real estate property with a focus on apartment, office, industrial and retail properties. These investments were measured at NAV per share and are included in the tables above showing Plan investments that are measured using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.
International Equity Funds
International equity funds invest in equity securities of foreign companies in developed and emerging markets across diverse industries and may seek to track the performance of the MSCI EAFE® or MSCI All-Country World ex-US indices. These investments were measured at NAV per share and are included in the tables above showing Plan investments that are measured using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.
Domestic Equity Funds
Domestic equity funds invest in equity securities that seek to track the performance of market indexes including the S&P 500 index. These funds are valued using NAV at the end of the period. Mutual funds are classified as Level 1 based on unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Collective investment funds are included in the tables above showing Plan investments that are measured using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.
Pooled Separate Account
The pooled separate account refers to private placement, variable life insurance policies with Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company, a successor to Hartford Life Insurance Company. The cash value of the life insurance is invested in four managed divisions that seek to track the S&P 500, Russell 2000, MSCI EAFE® and Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond indexes. Each division is valued using quoted market prices of its underlying investments to derive the division's NAV at the end of the period. This investment was measured at NAV per share and is included in the tables above showing Plan investments that are measured using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.
The following table sets forth the benefit obligation activity and the funded status for each of the Company's plans at December 31, 2018 and 2017. In addition, the table sets forth the over (under) funded status at December 31, 2018 and 2017. This pension benefits table does not include the obligations for Executive Supplemental Benefit Plans (ESBPs).
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
Years Ended
December 31,
 
Years Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Accumulated benefit obligation
 
$
3,038

 
$
3,101

 
 

 
 

Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Benefit obligation, beginning of year
 
$
3,242

 
$
2,942

 
$
265

 
$
261

Service cost
 
80

 
71

 
4

 
6

Interest cost
 
100

 
100

 
8

 
8

Plan participants' contributions
 

 

 
4

 
4

Actuarial loss/(gain)
 
(246
)
 
252

 
(21
)
 
6

Effect of plan amendments
 

 

 

 

Medicare Part D subsidy
 

 

 
1

 
1

Benefits paid
 
(129
)
 
(123
)
 
(19
)
 
(21
)
Benefit obligation, end of year
 
3,047

 
3,242

 
242

 
265

Fair value of plan assets, end of year
 
3,529

 
3,854

 
255

 
288

Over (Under) funded status
 
$
482

 
$
612

 
$
13

 
$
23


The Pension Plan obligation experienced a net gain of $246 million and a net loss of $252 million during 2018 and 2017, respectively, primarily due to changes in the discount rate.  The discount rate decreased from 3.98% at December 31, 2016 to 3.48% at December 31, 2017 and increased to 4.12% at December 31, 2018.  The Other Benefits Plan obligation experienced a net gain of $21 million and a net loss of $6 million during 2018 and 2017, respectively, primarily due to changes in the discount rate.  The discount rate decreased from 3.81% at December 31, 2016 to 3.37% at December 31, 2017 and increased to 4.01% at December 31, 2018. 
The following table illustrates the changes that were reflected in AOCI during 2018, 2017 and 2016. Pension benefits do not include the ESBPs.
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(Dollars in millions)
 
Net Actuarial
(Gain) Loss
 
Prior Service Credit
 
Net Actuarial
(Gain) Loss
 
Prior Service Credit
Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss:
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
Balance, December 31, 2015
 
$
1,027

 
$
(121
)
 
$
82

 
$
(15
)
Arising during the year
 
133

 
(76
)
 
6

 
(47
)
Recognized in net income during the year
 
(75
)
 
18

 
(10
)
 
12

Balance, December 31, 2016
 
$
1,085

 
$
(179
)
 
$
78

 
$
(50
)
Arising during the year
 
(101
)
 

 
(19
)
 

Recognized in net income during the year
 
(79
)
 
27

 
(8
)
 
21

Balance, December 31, 2017
 
$
905

 
$
(152
)
 
$
51

 
$
(29
)
Arising during the year
 
218

 

 
18

 

Recognized in net income during the year
 
(87
)
 
26

 
(5
)
 
15

Balance, December 31, 2018
 
$
1,036

 
$
(126
)
 
$
64

 
$
(14
)
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the following amounts were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for pension, including ESBPs, and other benefits.
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(Dollars in millions)
 
Gross
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
 
Gross
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
Net actuarial loss
 
$
1,036

 
$
273

 
$
763

 
$
64

 
$
18

 
$
46

Prior service credit
 
(126
)
 
(33
)
 
(93
)
 
(14
)
 
(4
)
 
(10
)
Pension and other postretirement benefits
 
910

 
240


670


50


14


36

Executive Supplemental Benefits Plans
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net actuarial loss
 
32

 
8

 
24

 

 

 

Prior service credit
 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive supplemental benefits plans adjustment
 
32

 
8

 
24

 

 

 

Pension and other postretirement benefits, as adjusted
 
$
942

 
$
248

 
$
694

 
$
50

 
$
14

 
$
36


 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(Dollars in millions)
 
Gross
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
 
Gross
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
Net actuarial loss
 
$
905

 
$
238

 
$
667

 
$
51

 
$
14

 
$
37

Prior service credit
 
(152
)
 
(40
)
 
(112
)
 
(29
)
 
(8
)
 
(21
)
Pension and other postretirement benefits
 
753

 
198

 
555

 
22

 
6

 
16

Executive Supplemental Benefits Plans
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net actuarial loss
 
40

 
11

 
29

 

 

 

Prior service credit
 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive supplemental benefits plans adjustment
 
40

 
11

 
29

 

 

 

Pension and other postretirement benefits, as adjusted
 
$
793

 
$
209

 
$
584

 
$
22

 
$
6

 
$
16


Pension Benefits
Our pre-tax net actuarial losses increased $157 million in 2018 from 2017. At December 31, 2018, the net actuarial loss totaled $910 million, which is net of $126 million in prior service credits. In addition, $214 million, representing the deficiency of the fair value of plan assets over the market-related value of plan assets, is recognized separately through the asset smoothing method over four years$447 million of loss is subject to amortization over approximately eight years, and the prior service credits are being amortized until 2022 and 2025. The cumulative net actuarial loss resulted primarily from differences between expected and actual rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate. Included in our 2019 net periodic pension cost will be $62 million of amortization related to net actuarial losses. We estimate that our total 2019 net periodic pension cost will be a credit of approximately $27 million, assuming no contributions in 2019. The 2019 estimate for net periodic pension cost was actuarially determined using the individual spot rates of 4.19% for service cost and 3.9% for interest cost, an expected return on plan assets of 7.0% and an expected compensation increase assumption of 5.1%.
A 50 basis point increase in the discount rate or in the expected return on plan assets would decrease the 2019 periodic pension cost by $25 million and $18 million, respectively, while a 50 basis point increase in the rate of future compensation levels would increase the 2019 periodic pension cost by $1 million. A 50 basis point decrease in the discount rate or in the expected return on plan assets would increase the 2019 periodic pension cost by $27 million and $18 million, respectively, while a 50 basis point decrease in the rate of future compensation levels would decrease the 2019 periodic pension cost by $1 million.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments and Subsidies
The following pension and postretirement benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid over the next 10 years. This table does not include the ESBPs.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Postretirement
Benefits
Years ending December 31,
 
 

 
 

2019
 
$
140

 
$
17

2020
 
147

 
17

2021
 
153

 
18

2022
 
160

 
18

2023
 
166

 
18

Years 2024 - 2028
 
914

 
82


The following tables summarize the weighted average assumptions used in computing the present value of the benefit obligations and the net periodic benefit cost.
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
Years Ended
December 31,
 
Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Discount rate in determining net periodic benefit cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For service cost
 
3.26
%
 
3.79
%
 
3.49
%
 
3.97
%
For interest cost
 
3.16

 
3.42

 
3.02

 
3.19

Discount rate in determining benefit obligations at year end
 
4.12

 
3.48

 
4.01

 
3.37

Rate of increase in future compensation levels for determining net periodic benefit cost
 
4.70

 
4.70

 
n/a

 
n/a

Rate of increase in future compensation levels for determining benefit obligations at year end
 
5.10

 
4.70

 
n/a

 
n/a

Expected return on plan assets
 
7.50

 
7.50

 
7.50

 
7.50

Cash balance crediting rate for determining net periodic benefit cost
 
2.74

 
3.06

 
n/a

 
n/a

Cash balance crediting rate for determining benefit obligations at year end
 
3.02

 
2.74

 
n/a

 
n/a



 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
ESBPs
 
 
Years Ended
December 31,
 
Years Ended
December 31,
 
Years Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Service cost
 
$
80

 
$
71

 
$
91

 
$
4

 
$
6

 
$
8

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

Interest cost
 
100

 
100

 
103

 
8

 
8

 
9

 
3

 
3

 
2

Expected return on plan assets
 
(268
)
 
(254
)
 
(235
)
 
(21
)
 
(19
)
 
(19
)
 

 

 

Amortization of prior service credit
 
(26
)
 
(27
)
 
(18
)
 
(15
)
 
(21
)
 
(12
)
 

 

 

Recognized net actuarial loss
 
87

 
79

 
75

 
5

 
8

 
10

 
3

 
4

 
3

Curtailment gain
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
Total net periodic benefit cost
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(31
)
 
$
16

 
$
(19
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
6


$
7

 
$
5


The Company's assumed weighted-average healthcare cost trend rates are as follows.
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year
 
4.44
%
 
4.44
%
 
4.64
%
Rate to which cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)
 
3.94
%
 
3.94
%
 
3.96
%
Year the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
 
2027

 
2026

 
2026



Executive Supplemental Benefit Plans
The Company has several frozen ESBPs, which provide covered participants with supplemental retirement benefits. The plans are nonqualified defined benefit plans and unfunded. The accrued liability for ESBPs included in other liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets was $89 million and $98 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Section 401(k) Savings Plans
The Company has a defined contribution plan authorized under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All benefits-eligible employees are eligible to participate in the plan. Employees may contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation on a pre-tax or Roth basis, or up to 10% of their eligible compensation on an after-tax basis, through payroll deductions, to a combined maximum of 75% of eligible compensation, subject to statutory limits. The Company makes a matching contribution equal to 100% of every pre-tax or Roth dollar an employee contributes on the first 3% of the employee's eligible compensation and 50% of every pre-tax or Roth dollar an employee contributes on the next 2% of the employee's eligible compensation, for a maximum matching opportunity of 4%. Company matching contributions are credited to eligible participants' accounts annually following year-end. Matching contributions are fully vested when credited. All employer contributions are tax deductible by the Company. The Company's combined matching contribution expense was $59 million, $55 million and $48 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.