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Other Noncurrent Liabilities
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Other Noncurrent Liabilities  
Other Noncurrent Liabilities

9.     Other Noncurrent Liabilities

        The company has deferred compensation and retirement arrangements for certain key executives which generally provide for payments upon retirement, death or termination of employment. The deferrals can earn either market-based fixed or variable rates of return, at the option of the participants. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, $372 million and $428 million, respectively, of obligations related to these plans were included in noncurrent liabilities. To fund these obligations, the company has established non-qualified trusts, which are classified as noncurrent assets. These trusts primarily hold company-owned life insurance policies, reported at cash surrender value, and marketable equity securities, reported at fair value. These trusts were valued at $361 million and $405 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Periodic changes in value of these trust investments, most of which are unrealized, are recognized in earnings, and serve to mitigate changes to obligations included in noncurrent liabilities which are also reflected in earnings.

        The company maintains appropriate levels of insurance for business risks, including workers compensation and general liability. Insurance coverages contain various retention amounts for which the company provides accruals based on the aggregate of the liability for reported claims and an actuarially determined estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported. Other noncurrent liabilities included $26 million and $27 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, relating to these liabilities. For certain professional liability risks the company's retention amount under its claims-made insurance policies does not include an accrual for claims incurred but not reported because there is insufficient claims history or other reliable basis to support an estimated liability. The company believes that retained professional liability amounts are manageable risks and are not expected to have a material adverse impact on results of operations or financial position.