We sponsor several pension plans for our employees, including our principal plan (the “Retirement Plan”), which is a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all domestic non-union employees. Pension benefits are provided for certain domestic union employees through separate plans. Employees of our foreign subsidiaries receive pension coverage, to the extent deemed appropriate, through plans that are governed by local statutory requirements.

The Retirement Plan provides benefits that are based upon years of service and average compensation with accrued benefits vesting after five years. Benefits for union employees are generally based upon years of service, or a combination of years of service and average compensation. Our pension funding policy considers contributions in an amount on an annual basis that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes, using a different actuarial cost method and different assumptions from those used for financial reporting. For the fiscal year ending May 31, 2022, we are required to contribute approximately $1.0 million to the retirement plans in the United

States and approximately $5.0 million to our foreign plans. During the year, we will evaluate whether to make additional contributions. During fiscal 2021, we contributed $62.3 million to the pension plans in the United States which was in excess of the required contribution of $8,000, but serves to improve the funded status of the plans.

	U.S. Plans									Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)	2021			2020			2019			2021			2020			2019
Service cost	$	44,520		$	39,425		$	37,528		$	6,355		$	5,400		$	4,693
Interest cost		15,223			20,415			21,987			5,308			4,842			5,420
Expected return on plan assets		(33,115	)		(34,291	)		(33,867	)		(7,286	)		(7,118	)		(7,907	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		8			9			118			(150	)		(36	)		(30	)
Net actuarial losses recognized		30,005			18,516			13,087			2,377			2,029			1,229
Curtailment/settlement losses		-			-			-			356			86			89
Net Pension Cost	$	56,641		$	44,074		$	38,853		$	6,960		$	5,203		$	3,494

The changes in benefit obligations and plan assets, as well as the funded status of our pension plans at May 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows:

	U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)	2021			2020			2021			2020
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	762,739		$	660,277		$	210,278		$	205,967
Service cost		44,520			39,425			6,355			5,400
Interest cost		15,223			20,415			5,308			4,842
Benefits paid		(64,139	)		(41,186	)		(9,248	)		(6,269	)
Participant contributions		-			-			1,140			1,106
Plan amendments		-			-			-			(893	)
Plan combination		-			-			-			922
Plan settlements/curtailments		-			-			(2,342	)		(288	)
Actuarial losses/(gains)		63,730			83,808			(7,774	)		2,718
Premiums paid		-			-			(103	)		(99	)
Currency exchange rate changes		-			-			28,414			(3,128	)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	822,073		$	762,739		$	232,028		$	210,278
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	516,550		$	496,865		$	194,874		$	187,112
Actual return on plan assets		157,702			8,689			21,350			9,899
Employer contributions		62,264			52,182			7,119			6,331
Participant contributions		-			-			1,140			1,106
Benefits paid		(64,139	)		(41,186	)		(9,248	)		(6,269	)
Plan combination		-			-			-			182
Premiums paid		-			-			(103	)		(99	)
Plan settlements/curtailments		-			-			(2,327	)		(281	)
Currency exchange rate changes		-			-			27,048			(3,107	)
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	$	672,377		$	516,550		$	239,853		$	194,874
(Deficit)/Surplus of plan assets versus benefit obligations at end of year	$	(149,696	)	$	(246,189	)	$	7,825		$	(15,404	)
Net Amount Recognized	$	(149,696	)	$	(246,189	)	$	7,825		$	(15,404	)
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	702,315		$	662,197		$	217,012		$	197,167

The fair value of the assets held by our pension plans has increased at May 31, 2021 since our previous measurement date at May 31, 2020, due to our plan contributions and market returns. Total plan liabilities have increased due to increased benefit accruals and a decrease in the discount rate used to value the liability. We have decreased our recorded liability for the net underfunded status of our pension plans. Due to the level of Plan assets and expected returns, we expect pension expense in fiscal 2022 to be lower when compared to our fiscal 2021 expense level. Any future declines in the value of our pension plan assets or increases in our plan liabilities could require us to increase our recorded liability for the net underfunded status of our pension plans and could also require accelerated and higher cash contributions to our pension plans.

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:

The following table summarizes the relationship between our plans' benefit obligations and assets:

	U.S. Plans
	2021				2020
(In thousands)	Benefit Obligation		Plan Assets		Benefit Obligation		Plan Assets
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	$	822,073	$	672,377	$	762,739	$	516,550
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets		702,315		672,377		662,197		516,550
Plans with assets in excess of projected benefit obligations		-		-		-		-
Plans with assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligations		-		-		-		-

	Non-U.S. Plans
	2021				2020
(In thousands)	Benefit Obligation		Plan Assets		Benefit Obligation		Plan Assets
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	$	45,294	$	30,421	$	163,589	$	134,791
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets		43,522		30,421		150,478		134,598
Plans with assets in excess of projected benefit obligations		186,734		209,432		46,689		60,083
Plans with assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligations		173,490		209,432		46,689		60,276

The following table presents the pretax net actuarial loss and prior service (costs) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) not affecting retained earnings:

The following table includes the changes recognized in other comprehensive income:

		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)		2021			2020			2021			2020
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
	Prior service cost	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	(893	)
	Net loss (gain) arising during the year		(60,857	)		109,409			(21,838	)		(70	)
	Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI		-			-			6,465			(922	)
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:
	Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service (cost) benefit		(8	)		(9	)		150			36
	Amortization or settlement recognition of net (loss)		(30,005	)		(18,516	)		(2,748	)		(2,115	)
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$	(90,870	)	$	90,884		$	(17,971	)	$	(3,964	)

In measuring the projected benefit obligation and net periodic pension cost for our plans, we utilize actuarial valuations. These valuations include specific information pertaining to individual plan participants, such as salary, age and years of service, along with certain assumptions. The most significant assumptions applied include discount rates, expected return on plan assets and rate of compensation increases. We evaluate these assumptions, at a minimum, on an annual basis, and make required changes, as applicable. In developing our expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, we consider the current and expected target asset allocations of the pension portfolio, as well as historical returns and future expectations for returns on various categories of plan assets. Expected return on assets is determined by using the weighted-average return on asset classes based on expected return for the target asset allocations of the principal asset categories held by each plan. In determining expected return, we consider both historical performance and an estimate of future long-term rates of return. Actual experience is used to develop the assumption for compensation increases.

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine our year-end benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost under the plans:

	U.S. Plans									Non-U.S. Plans
Net Periodic Pension Cost	2021			2020			2019			2021			2020			2019
Discount rate		2.78	%		3.65	%		4.12	%		2.49	%		2.61	%		3.09	%
Expected return on plan assets		7.00	%		7.40	%		7.40	%		3.30	%		3.91	%		4.30	%
Rate of compensation increase		3.19	%		3.80	%		3.80	%		2.86	%		2.86	%		2.85	%

The following tables illustrate the weighted-average actual and target allocation of plan assets:

	U.S. Plans
	Target Allocation			Actual Asset Allocation
(Dollars in millions)	as of May 31, 2021			2021		2020
Equity securities		55	%	$	387.1	$	261.0
Fixed income securities		25	%		112.0		106.4
Multi-class		20	%		150.8		118.2
Cash (1)					22.3		30.8
Other					0.2		0.2
Total assets		100	%	$	672.4	$	516.6

	Non-U.S. Plans
	Target Allocation			Actual Asset Allocation
(Dollars in millions)	as of May 31, 2021			2021		2020
Equity securities		37	%	$	103.4	$	79.3
Fixed income securities		47	%		108.2		88.2
Cash					0.1		0.1
Property and other		16	%		28.2		27.3
Total assets		100	%	$	239.9	$	194.9

The following tables present our pension plan assets as categorized using the fair value hierarchy at May 31, 2021 and 2020:

U.S. Plans
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Value at May 31, 2021
U.S. Treasury and other government	$	-	$	20,752	$	-	$	20,752
State and municipal bonds		-		767		-		767
Foreign bonds		-		1,068		-		1,068
Mortgage-backed securities		-		17,628		-		17,628
Corporate bonds		-		42,370		-		42,370
Stocks - large cap		40,332		-		-		40,332
Mutual funds - equity		-		346,790		-		346,790
Mutual funds - multi-class		-		150,838		-		150,838
Mutual funds - fixed		-		29,440		-		29,440
Cash and cash equivalents		22,224		-		-		22,224
Limited partnerships		-		-		168		168
Total	$	62,556	$	609,653	$	168	$	672,377

Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Value at May 31, 2021
Pooled equities	$	-	$	101,975	$	-	$	101,975
Pooled fixed income		-		107,457		-		107,457
Foreign bonds		-		717		-		717
Insurance contracts		-		-		28,230		28,230
Mutual funds		-		1,397		-		1,397
Cash and cash equivalents		77		-		-		77
Total	$	77	$	211,546	$	28,230	$	239,853

U.S. Plans
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Value at May 31, 2020
U.S. Treasury and other government	$	-	$	12,973	$	-	$	12,973
State and municipal bonds		-		508		-		508
Foreign bonds		-		715		-		715
Mortgage-backed securities		-		23,824		-		23,824
Corporate bonds		-		34,317		-		34,317
Stocks - large cap		19,589		-		-		19,589
Mutual funds - equity		-		241,426		-		241,426
Mutual funds - multi-class		-		118,205		-		118,205
Mutual funds - fixed		-		33,993		-		33,993
Cash and cash equivalents		30,830		-		-		30,830
Limited partnerships		-		-		170		170
Total	$	50,419	$	465,961	$	170	$	516,550

Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Value at May 31, 2020
Pooled equities	$	-	$	78,472	$	-	$	78,472
Pooled fixed income		-		87,610		-		87,610
Foreign bonds		-		603		-		603
Insurance contracts		-		-		27,267		27,267
Mutual funds		-		855		-		855
Cash and cash equivalents		67		-		-		67
Total	$	67	$	167,540	$	27,267	$	194,874

The following table includes the activity that occurred during the years ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 for our Level 3 assets:

			Actual Return on Plan Assets For:
	Balance at		Assets Still Held			Assets Sold		Purchases, Sales and		Balance at
(In thousands)	Beginning of Period		at Reporting Date			During Year		Settlements, net ⁽¹⁾		End of Period
Year ended May 31, 2021	$	27,437		455			-		506	$	28,398
Year ended May 31, 2020		28,015		(691	)		-		113		27,437

The primary objective for the investments of the Retirement Plan is to provide for long-term growth of capital without undue exposure to risk. This objective is accomplished by utilizing a strategy of equities, fixed-income securities and cash equivalents in a mix that is conducive to participation in a rising market, while allowing for adequate protection in a falling market. Our Investment Committee oversees the investment allocation process, which includes the selection and evaluation of investment managers, the determination of investment objectives and risk guidelines, and the monitoring of actual investment performance. In order to manage investment risk properly, Plan policy prohibits short selling, securities lending, financial futures, options and other specialized investments, except for certain alternative investments specifically approved by the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee reviews, on a quarterly basis, reports of actual Plan investment performance provided by independent third parties, in addition to its review of the Plan investment policy on an annual basis. The investment objectives are similar for our plans outside of the United States, subject to local regulations.

The goals of the investment strategy for pension assets include: the total return of the funds shall, over an extended period of time, surpass an index composed of the MSCI World Stock Index (equity), the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index (fixed income), and 30-day Treasury Bills (cash), weighted appropriately to match the asset allocation of the plans. The equity portion of the funds shall surpass the MSCI World Stock Index over a full market cycle, while the fixed-income portion shall surpass Barclays Aggregate Bond Index over a full market cycle. The purpose of the core fixed-income fund is to increase return in the form of cash flow, provide a hedge against inflation and to reduce the volatility of the fund overall. Therefore, the primary objective of the core fixed-income portion is to match the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index. The purpose of including opportunistic fixed-income assets such as, but not limited to, global and high-yield securities in the portfolio is to enhance the overall risk-return characteristics of the Fund.

We expect to pay the following estimated pension benefit payments in the next five years (in millions): $71.6 in 2022, $71.2 in 2023, $75.1 in 2024, $75.9 in 2025 and $77.1 in 2026. In the five years thereafter (2027-2031), we expect to pay $375.8 million.

In addition to the defined benefit pension plans discussed above, we also sponsor employee savings plans under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, which cover most of our employees in the United States. We record expense for defined contribution plans for any employer-matching contributions made in conjunction with services rendered by employees. The majority of our plans provide for matching contributions made in conjunction with services rendered by employees. Matching contributions are invested in the same manner that the participants invest their own contributions. Matching contributions charged to income were $21.7 million, $21.1 million and $19.4 million for the years ending May 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.