RETIREMENT PLANS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company maintains defined contribution plans to provide retirement benefits to eligible employees. Contributions to the plans, which are managed externally, are based on eligible compensation.

For eligible U.S. employees, the Company provides a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that enables employees to make contributions to the plan that are in excess of those permitted under the Company's 401(k) Plan. In addition, employees are permitted to make additional contributions from any bonus received and to benefit from discretionary employer contribution to the Plan.

During 2018, total pension expenses were $27 million (2017: $24 million and 2016: $23 million) for the above retirement benefits.