Retirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Retirement Benefits

Retirement Benefits

We sponsor funded and unfunded pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for our employees. The pension plans provide for monthly pension payments to eligible employees after retirement. Pension benefits for salaried employees generally are based on years of credited service and average earnings. Pension benefits for hourly employees are primarily based on specified benefit amounts and years of service. Effective July 1, 2010, we closed participation in our U.S. and Canada pension plans to employees hired after June 30, 2010. Employees hired after June 30, 2010, are instead eligible to participate in defined contribution plans. Effective October 1, 2010, we also closed participation in our U.K. pension plan to employees hired after September 30, 2010, and these employees are now eligible for a defined contribution plan. Benefits to be provided to plan participants hired before July 1, 2010, or October 1, 2010, respectively, are not affected by these changes. Our policy with respect to funding our pension obligations is to fund at a minimum the amount required by applicable laws and governmental regulations. We were not required to make contributions to satisfy minimum funding requirements in our U.S. pension plans in 2024, 2023, or 2022. We did not make voluntary contributions to our U.S. qualified pension plan in 2024, 2023, and 2022.

We sponsor various defined contribution savings plans that allow eligible employees to contribute a portion of their income in accordance with plan specific guidelines. We contribute to savings plans and/or will match a percentage of the employee contributions up to certain limits. The Company contributions to defined contribution plans are based on age and years of service and range from 3% to 7% of eligible compensation. Expense related to these plans was $91.7 million in 2024, $76.9 million in 2023, and $63.8 million in 2022.

Other postretirement benefits are primarily in the form of retirement medical plans that cover certain employees in the U.S. and Canada and provide for the payment of certain medical costs of eligible employees and dependents after retirement. The postretirement benefit plan was closed to employees hired after December 31, 2004.

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost were (in millions):

	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	2024		2023		2022		2024		2023		2022
Service cost	$	37.2	$	42.0	$	70.9	$	0.5	$	0.6	$	0.8
Interest cost	146.5		149.7		135.6		2.6		2.2		1.3
Expected return on plan assets	(169.5)		(190.6)		(230.7)		—		—		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	—		0.1		0.6		—		—		(0.8)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(1.1)		(2.6)		59.4		1.6		0.5		0.7
Settlement and curtailment charges	0.1		123.4		38.6		—		—		—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	13.2	$	122.0	$	74.4	$	4.7	$	3.3	$	2.0

The service cost component is included in Cost of sales and Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. All other components are included in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Significant assumptions used in determining net periodic benefit cost were (in weighted averages):

	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	2024		2023		2022		2024		2023		2022
U.S. Plans
Discount rate	6.10	%	5.65	%	3.86	%	5.95	%	5.70	%	2.50	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.00	%	7.00	%	7.00	%	—		—		—
Compensation increase rate	3.60	%	3.30	%	3.40	%	—		—		—
Non-U.S. Plans
Discount rate	4.65	%	4.35	%	2.01	%	5.75	%	5.10	%	2.90	%
Expected return on plan assets	5.13	%	4.93	%	4.59	%	—		—		—
Compensation increase rate	3.24	%	3.03	%	3.00	%	—		—		—

Net Benefit Obligation

Benefit obligation, plan assets, funded status, and net liability information is summarized as follows (in millions):

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	2,750.8	$	3,165.6	$	46.4	$	44.2
Service cost	37.2		42.0		0.5		0.6
Interest cost	146.5		149.7		2.6		2.2
Actuarial losses	321.8		81.1		4.8		8.7
Plan participant contributions	1.7		1.8		4.2		4.2
Benefits paid	(213.2)		(151.1)		(13.0)		(13.3)
Settlements	(4.8)		(585.6)		—		—
Currency translation and other	37.6		47.3		(0.9)		(0.2)
Benefit obligation at end of year	3,077.6		2,750.8		44.6		46.4
Plan assets at beginning of year	2,457.4		2,903.9		—		—
Actual return on plan assets	463.8		209.7		—		—
Company contributions	27.3		26.6		8.8		9.1
Plan participant contributions	1.7		1.8		4.2		4.2
Benefits paid	(213.2)		(151.1)		(13.0)		(13.3)
Settlements	(4.8)		(585.6)		—		—
Currency translation and other	47.0		52.1		—		—
Plan assets at end of year	2,779.2		2,457.4		—		—
Funded status of plans	$	(298.4)	$	(293.4)	$	(44.6)	$	(46.4)

Net amount on balance sheet consists of
Other assets	$	183.7	$	150.4	$	—	$	—
Compensation and benefits	(18.4)		(16.8)		(6.5)		(7.1)
Retirement benefits	(463.7)		(427.0)		(38.1)		(39.3)
Net amount on balance sheet	$	(298.4)	$	(293.4)	$	(44.6)	$	(46.4)

The actuarial losses recorded within the benefit obligation in 2024 were primarily the result of a decrease in the discount rate for the U.S. Plans, which decreased from 6.10% in 2023 to 5.10% in 2024. The actuarial losses recorded in 2023 were primarily the result of significant lump sum payments made using a lower discount rate than our valuation rate. Approximately 70 percent of our 2024 global projected benefit obligation relates to our U.S. pension plan.

Amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, which have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in millions):

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Prior service (credit) cost	$	(153.2)	$	(153.2)	$	4.4	$	4.7
Net actuarial loss	570.8		548.9		9.0		6.7
Total	$	417.6	$	395.7	$	13.4	$	11.4

During 2024, we recognized settlement charges of $0.1 million ($0.0 million net of tax) and net actuarial losses of $0.5 million ($0.4 million net of tax) in pension and other postretirement net periodic benefit cost, which were included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2023.

The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans was $2,895.0 million and $2,584.6 million at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Information regarding our pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets (underfunded plans) are as follows (in millions):

	2024		2023
Projected benefit obligation	$	2,303.2	$	2,082.7
Fair value of plan assets	1,821.1		1,638.9

Information regarding our pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets (underfunded plans) are as follows (in millions):

	2024		2023
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	2,136.2	$	1,926.2
Fair value of plan assets	1,808.5		1,626.7

Significant assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations were (in weighted averages):

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
U.S. Plans
Discount rate	5.10	%	6.10	%	4.91	%	6.20	%
Compensation increase rate	3.60	%	3.60	%	—		—
Health care cost trend rate (1)	—		—		14.35	%	6.50	%
Non-U.S. Plans
Discount rate	3.87	%	4.65	%	4.45	%	5.75	%
Compensation increase rate	3.22	%	3.24	%	—		—
Health care cost trend rate (1)	—		—		4.50	%	4.50	%

(1) The health care cost trend rate reflects the estimated increase in gross medical claims costs. As a result of the plan amendment adopted effective October 1, 2002, our effective per person retiree medical cost increase is zero percent beginning in 2005 for the majority of our postretirement benefit plans. For our other plans, we assume the gross health care cost trend rate will increase to 14.35% in 2025 and decrease to 4.97% in 2026 for U.S. Plans and will not change in future periods for Non-U.S. Plans.

Estimated Future Payments

We expect to contribute $19.0 million related to our global pension plans and $6.7 million to our postretirement benefit plans in 2025.

The following benefit payments, which include employees’ expected future service, as applicable, are expected to be paid (in millions):

	Pension Benefits		Other Postretirement Benefits
2025	$	318.1	$	6.7
2026	224.2		6.3
2027	237.0		5.7
2028	232.0		5.2
2029	236.6		4.7
2030-2034	1,162.6		16.0

Plan Assets

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, we consider actual returns on plan assets over the long term, adjusted for forward-looking considerations, such as inflation, interest rates, equity performance, and the active management of the plan’s invested assets. We also considered our current and expected mix of plan assets in setting this assumption. This resulted in the selection of the weighted average long-term rate of return on assets assumption. Our global weighted average targeted and actual asset allocations at September 30, by asset category, are:

	Target	September 30,
Asset Category	Allocations	2024	2023
Equity securities	39%	48%	50%
Debt securities	50%	46%	43%
Other	11%	6%	7%

The investment objective for pension funds related to our defined benefit plans is to meet the plan’s benefit obligations, while maximizing the long-term growth of assets without undue risk. We strive to achieve this objective by investing plan assets within target allocation ranges and diversification within asset categories. Target allocation ranges are guidelines that are adjusted periodically based on ongoing monitoring by plan fiduciaries. Investment risk is controlled by rebalancing to target allocations on a periodic basis and ongoing monitoring of investment manager performance relative to the investment guidelines established for each manager.

As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, our pension plans do not directly own our common stock.

In certain countries where we operate, there are no legal requirements or financial incentives provided to companies to pre-fund pension obligations. In these instances, we typically make benefit payments directly from cash as they become due, rather than by creating a separate pension fund.

The valuation methodologies used for our pension plans’ investments measured at fair value are described as follows. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Preferred and common stock — Valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.

Mutual funds — Valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual funds are traded.

Preferred and corporate debt — Valued at either the yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings or valued under a discounted cash flow approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable such as credit and liquidity risks.

Government securities — Valued at the most recent closing price on the active market on which the individual securities are traded or, absent an active market, utilizing observable inputs such as closing prices in less frequently traded markets.

Common collective trusts — Valued at the net asset value (NAV) as determined by the custodian of the fund. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities then divided by the number of units outstanding.

Private equity and alternative equity — Valued at the estimated fair value, as determined by and subject to the judgment of, the respective fund manager based on the NAV of the investment units held at year end.

Real estate funds — Consists of the real estate funds, which provide an indirect investment into a diversified and multi-sector portfolio of property assets. Publicly-traded real estate funds are valued at the most recent closing price reported on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The remainder is valued at the estimated fair value, as determined by the respective fund manager, based on the NAV of the investment units held at year end, which is subject to judgment.

Insurance contracts — Valued at the aggregate amount of accumulated contribution and investment income, less amounts used to make benefit payments and administrative expenses, which approximates fair value.

Other — Consists of other fixed income investments and common collective trusts with a mix of equity and fixed income underlying assets. Other fixed income investments are valued at the most recent closing price reported in the markets in which the individual securities are traded, which may be infrequently.

Refer to Note 1 for further information regarding levels in the fair value hierarchy.

In accordance with ASC Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents our pension plans’ investments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2024 (in millions):

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
U.S. Plans
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1.4	$	—	$	—	$	1.4
Equity securities
Preferred and common stock	403.2		—		—		403.2
Common collective trusts	—		524.4		—		524.4
Fixed income securities
Preferred and corporate debt	—		430.6		—		430.6
Government securities	283.4		31.4		—		314.8
Common collective trusts	—		116.0		—		116.0
Total U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy	$	688.0	$	1,102.4	$	—	1,790.4
U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV
Private equity and alternative equity							10.0
Total U.S. Plans investments							1,800.4
Non-U.S. Plans
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6.3	$	—	$	—	6.3
Equity securities
Preferred and common stock	192.2		—		—		192.2
Common collective trusts	—		218.3		—		218.3
Fixed income securities
Preferred and corporate debt	—		79.6		—		79.6
Government securities	0.4		—		—		0.4
Common collective trusts	—		333.0		—		333.0
Other types of investments
Real estate funds	—		54.1		—		54.1
Insurance contracts	—		—		71.8		71.8
Other	—		—		2.1		2.1
Total Non-U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy	$	198.9	$	685.0	$	73.9	957.8
Non-U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV
Real estate funds							21.0
Total Non-U.S. Plans investments							978.8
Total investments measured at fair value							$	2,779.2

The following table presents our pension plans’ investments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2023 (in millions):

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
U.S. Plans
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3.2	$	—	$	—	$	3.2
Equity securities
Mutual funds	40.5		—		—		40.5
Preferred and common stock	381.8		—		—		381.8
Common collective trusts	—		447.4		—		447.4
Fixed income securities
Preferred and corporate debt	—		387.2		—		387.2
Government securities	212.3		30.2		—		242.5
Common collective trusts	—		104.5		—		104.5
Total U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy	$	637.8	$	969.3	$	—	1,607.1
U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV
Private equity and alternative equity							11.7
Total U.S. Plans investments							1,618.8
Non-U.S. Plans
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7.0	$	—	$	—	7.0
Equity securities
Preferred and common stock	154.7		—		—		154.7
Common collective trusts	—		209.7		—		209.7
Fixed income securities
Preferred and corporate debt	—		30.3		—		30.3
Government securities	0.8		—		—		0.8
Common collective trusts	—		294.5		—		294.5
Other types of investments
Real estate funds	—		55.3		—		55.3
Insurance contracts	—		—		65.2		65.2
Other	—		—		2.4		2.4
Total Non-U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy	$	162.5	$	589.8	$	67.6	819.9
Non-U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV
Real estate funds							18.7
Total Non-U.S. Plans investments							838.6
Total investments measured at fair value							$	2,457.4

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in fair market value of our pension plans’ Level 3 assets for the year ended September 30, 2024 (in millions):

	Balance October 1, 2023		Realized Gains (Losses)		Unrealized Gains (Losses)		Purchases, Sales, Issuances, and Settlements, Net		Balance September 30, 2024
Non-U.S. Plans
Insurance contracts	$	65.2	$	—	$	8.4	$	(1.8)	$	71.8
Other	2.4		—		—		(0.3)		2.1
	$	67.6	$	—	$	8.4	$	(2.1)	$	73.9

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in fair market value of our pension plans’ Level 3 assets for the year ended September 30, 2023 (in millions):

	Balance October 1, 2022		Realized Gains (Losses)		Unrealized Gains (Losses)		Purchases, Sales, Issuances, and Settlements, Net		Balance September 30, 2023
Non-U.S. Plans
Insurance contracts	$	54.9	$	—	$	9.6	$	0.7	$	65.2
Other	3.8		—		—		(1.4)		2.4
	$	58.7	$	—	$	9.6	$	(0.7)	$	67.6