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Postretirement Plans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Retirement Benefits, Description [Abstract]  
Postretirement Plans Postretirement Plans
Many of our employees have earned benefits under defined benefit pension plans. Nonunion and the majority of union employees that had participated in defined benefit pension plans transitioned to a company-funded defined contribution retirement savings plan in 2016. Additional union employees transitioned to company-funded defined contribution retirement savings plans effective January 1, 2019.
We fund our major pension plans through trusts. Pension assets are placed in trust solely for the benefit of the plans’ participants and are structured to maintain liquidity that is sufficient to pay benefit obligations as well as to keep pace over the long-term with the growth of obligations for future benefit payments.
We also have other postretirement benefits (OPB) other than pensions which consist principally of health care coverage for eligible retirees and qualifying dependents, and to a lesser extent, life insurance to certain groups of retirees. Retiree health care is provided principally until age 65 for approximately three-fourths of those participants who are eligible for health care coverage. Certain employee groups, including employees covered by most United Auto Workers bargaining agreements, are provided lifetime health care coverage. The funded status of the plans is measured as the
difference between the plan assets at fair value and the projected benefit obligation (PBO). We have recognized the aggregate of all overfunded plans in Other assets and the aggregate of all underfunded plans in either Accrued retiree health care or Accrued pension plan liability, net. The portion of the amount by which the actuarial present value of benefits included in the PBO exceeds the fair value of plan assets, payable in the next 12 months, is reflected in Accrued liabilities.
The components of net periodic benefit (income)/cost were as follows:
PensionOther Postretirement Benefits
Years ended December 31,202120202019202120202019
Service cost$3 $3 $2 $87 $89 $77 
Interest cost1,988 2,455 2,925 97 130 196 
Expected return on plan assets(3,848)(3,756)(3,863)(7)(9)(8)
Amortization of prior service credits(80)(80)(79)(35)(38)(35)
Recognized net actuarial loss/(gain)1,219 1,032 643 (56)(63)(46)
Settlement/curtailment loss/(gain)193 (4)
Net periodic benefit (income)/cost($525)($337)($372)$86 $105 $184 
Net periodic benefit cost included in Loss from operations$3 $3 $313 $90 $91 $88 
Net periodic benefit (income)/cost included in Other income, net(528)(340)(374)(1)16 107 
Net periodic benefit (income)/cost included in Loss before income taxes
($525)($337)($61)$89 $107 $195 
In 2021, we recorded a $193 settlement charge in Other income, net and remeasured assets and benefit obligations related to three of the Company’s pension plans.
The following tables show changes in the benefit obligation, plan assets and funded status of both pensions and OPB for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Benefit obligation balances presented below reflect the PBO for our pension plans and accumulated postretirement benefit obligations (APBO) for our OPB plans.
PensionOther Postretirement Benefits
2021202020212020
Change in benefit obligation
Beginning balance$82,415 $77,645 $4,693 $5,080 
Service cost3 87 89 
Interest cost1,988 2,455 97 130 
Amendments(29)
Actuarial (gain)/loss(3,249)7,759 (401)(218)
Settlement/other(870)(68)55 
Gross benefits paid(4,653)(5,386)(411)(450)
Subsidies26 36 
Exchange rate adjustment1 1 
Ending balance$75,635 $82,415 $4,092 $4,693 
Change in plan assets
Beginning balance at fair value$68,696 $61,711 $160 $149 
Actual return on plan assets4,477 9,275 21 21 
Company contribution11 3,013 
Plan participants’ contributions6 
Settlement payments
(870)(68)
Benefits paid(4,502)(5,241)(15)(16)
Exchange rate adjustment1 
Ending balance at fair value$67,813 $68,696 $172 $160 
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position at December 31 consist of:
Other assets$1,426 $837 
Accrued liabilities(144)(148)($392)($396)
Accrued retiree health care(3,528)(4,137)
Accrued pension plan liability, net(9,104)(14,408)
Net amount recognized($7,822)($13,719)($3,920)($4,533)
Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31 were as follows:
PensionOther Postretirement Benefits
2021202020212020
Net actuarial loss/(gain)$19,031 $24,324 ($1,092)($735)
Prior service credits(1,306)(1,387)(76)(110)
Total recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss$17,725 $22,937 ($1,168)($845)
The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) for all pension plans was $74,199 and $80,694 at December 31, 2021 and 2020. Key information for our plans with ABO and PBO in excess of plan assets as of December 31 was as follows:
20212020
Accumulated benefit obligation$66,406 $74,337 
Fair value of plan assets58,593 61,502 
20212020
Projected benefit obligation$67,841 $76,057 
Fair value of plan assets58,593 61,502 
Assumptions
The following assumptions, which are the weighted average for all plans, are used to calculate the benefit obligation at December 31 of each year and the net periodic benefit cost for the subsequent year.
December 31,202120202019
Discount rate:
Pension2.80 %2.50 %3.30 %
Other postretirement benefits2.50 %2.00 %3.00 %
Expected return on plan assets6.30 %6.50 %6.80 %
Rate of compensation increase4.30 %4.30 %4.30 %
Interest crediting rates for cash balance plans5.00 %5.00 %5.15 %
The discount rate for each plan is determined based on the plans’ expected future benefit payments using a yield curve developed from high quality bonds that are rated as Aa or better by at least half of the four rating agencies utilized as of the measurement date. The yield curve is fitted to yields developed from bonds at various maturity points. Bonds with the ten percent highest and the ten percent lowest yields are omitted. The present value of each plan’s benefits is calculated by applying the discount rates to projected benefit cash flows.
The pension fund’s expected return on plan assets assumption is derived from a review of actual historical returns achieved by the pension trust and anticipated future long-term performance of individual asset classes. While consideration is given to historical returns, the assumption represents a long-term, prospective return. The expected return on plan assets component of the net periodic benefit cost for the upcoming plan year is determined based on the expected return on plan assets assumption and the market-related value of plan assets (MRVA). Since our adoption of the accounting standard for pensions in 1987, we have determined the MRVA based on a five-year moving average of plan assets. As of December 31, 2021, the MRVA was approximately $4,773 less than the fair market value of assets.
Assumed health care cost trend rates were as follows:
December 31,202120202019
Health care cost trend rate assumed next year4.50 %4.50 %5.00 %
Ultimate trend rate4.50 %4.50 %4.50 %
Year that trend reached ultimate rate202120212021
Plan Assets
Investment Strategy The overall objective of our pension assets is to earn a rate of return over time to satisfy the benefit obligations of the pension plans and to maintain sufficient liquidity to pay benefits and address other cash requirements of the pension fund. Specific investment objectives for our long-term investment strategy include reducing the volatility of pension assets relative to pension liabilities, achieving a competitive total investment return, achieving diversification between and within asset classes and managing other risks. Investment objectives for each asset class are determined based on specific risks and investment opportunities identified.
We periodically update our long-term, strategic asset allocations. We use various analytics to determine the optimal asset mix and consider plan liability characteristics, liquidity characteristics, funding requirements, expected rates of return and the distribution of returns. A key element of our strategy is to de-risk the plan as the funded status of the plan increases. During 2021, as the funded status of the plans increased, certain assets were reallocated to fixed income. The changes in the asset allocation are reflected in the asset allocation table below. We identify investment benchmarks to evaluate performance for the asset classes in the strategic asset allocation that are market-based and investable where possible. Actual allocations to each asset class vary from target allocations due to periodic investment strategy changes, market value fluctuations, the length of time it takes to fully implement investment allocation positions, and the timing of benefit payments and contributions. Short-term investments and exchange-traded derivatives are used to rebalance the actual asset allocation to the target asset allocation. The asset allocation is monitored and rebalanced frequently. The actual and target allocations by asset class for the pension assets at December 31 were as follows:
Actual AllocationsTarget Allocations
Asset Class2021202020212020
Fixed income61 %49 %63 %49 %
Global equity16 30 20 29 
Private equity8 4 
Real estate and real assets8 7 
Hedge funds7 6 
Total100 %100 %100 %100 %
Fixed income securities are invested primarily in a diversified portfolio of long duration instruments as well as Emerging Market, Structured, High Yield and Private Debt. Global equity securities are invested in a diversified portfolio of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, across various industries and market capitalizations.
Private equity investment vehicles are primarily limited partnerships (LPs) that mainly invest in U.S. and non-U.S. leveraged buyout, venture capital, growth and special situation strategies. Real estate and real assets include global private investments that may be held through investments in a limited partnership (LP) or other fund structures and publicly traded investments (such as Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in the case of real estate). Real estate includes, but is not limited to, investments in office, retail, apartment and industrial properties. Real assets include, but are not limited to, investments in natural resources (such as energy, farmland and timber), commodities and infrastructure.
Hedge fund investments seek to capitalize on inefficiencies identified across and within different asset classes or markets. Hedge fund strategy types include, but are not limited to, directional, event driven, relative value and long-short.
Investment managers are retained for explicit investment roles specified by contractual investment guidelines. Certain investment managers are authorized to use derivatives, such as equity or bond futures, swaps, options and currency futures or forwards. Derivatives are used to achieve the desired market exposure of a security or an index, transfer value-added performance between asset classes, achieve the desired currency exposure, adjust portfolio duration or rebalance the total portfolio to the target asset allocation.
As a percentage of total pension assets, derivative net notional amounts were 33.4% and 8.3% for fixed income, including to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities and treasury forwards, and (5.4%) and 0.4% for global equity and commodities at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
In November 2020, the Company contributed $3,000 of our common stock to the pension fund. An independent fiduciary was retained to manage and liquidate the stock over time at its discretion. Plan assets included $1,883 and $3,298 of our common stock as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Risk Management In managing the pension assets, we review and manage risk associated with funded status risk, interest rate risk, market risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk and operational risk. Liability matching and asset class diversification are central to our risk management approach and are integral to the overall investment strategy. Further, asset classes are constructed to achieve diversification by investment strategy, by investment manager, by industry or sector and by holding. Investment manager guidelines for publicly traded assets are specified and are monitored regularly through the custodian. Credit parameters for counterparties have been established for managers permitted to trade over-the-counter derivatives. Valuation is governed through several types of procedures, including reviews of manager valuation policies, custodian valuation processes, pricing vendor practices, pricing reconciliation and periodic, security-specific valuation testing.
Fair Value Measurements The following table presents our plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant unobservable inputs.
December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Fixed income securities:
Corporate$20,573 $20,520 $53 $20,841 $20,801 $40 
U.S. government and agencies
11,285 11,285 5,170 5,168 
Mortgage backed and asset backed
777 675 102 786 666 120 
Municipal1,064 1,035 29 1,176 1,104 72 
Sovereign1,135 1,126 9 1,040 1,038 
Other 3 $3 19 $18 
Derivatives:
Assets62 62 
Liabilities(48)(48)(17)(17)
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments
448 448 1,081 1,081 
Equity securities:
U.S. common and preferred stock
4,463 4,463 5,013 5,013 
Non-U.S. common and preferred stock
3,345 3,340 5 5,577 5,575 
Boeing company stock1,883 1,883 3,298 3,298 
Derivatives:
Assets1 1 10 10 
Liabilities(1)(1)(9)(9)
Private equity
Real estate and real assets:
Real estate413 413 351 351 
Real assets784 749 35 786 723 61 
Derivatives:
Assets8 8 
Liabilities(2)(2)(2)(2)
Total$46,193 $10,851 $35,144 $198 $45,132 $14,978 $29,914 $240 
Fixed income common/collective/pooled funds$1,712 $2,345 
Fixed income other747 604 
Equity common/collective/ pooled funds4,561 6,947 
Private equity5,100 4,013 
Real estate and real assets3,952 3,359 
Hedge funds4,717 5,745 
Total investments measured at NAV as a practical expedient$20,789 $23,013 
Cash$520 $267 
Receivables454 992 
Payables(143)(708)   
Total$67,813 $68,696 
Fixed income securities are primarily valued upon a market approach, using matrix pricing and considering a security’s relationship to other securities for which quoted prices in an active market may be available, or an income approach, converting future cash flows to a single present value amount.
Inputs used in developing fair value estimates include reported trades, broker quotes, benchmark yields and base spreads.
Common/collective/pooled funds are typically common or collective trusts valued at their net asset values (NAVs) that are calculated by the investment manager or sponsor of the fund and have daily or monthly liquidity. Derivatives included in the table above are over-the-counter and are primarily valued using an income approach with inputs that include benchmark yields, swap curves, cash flow analysis, rating agency data and interdealer broker rates. Exchange-traded derivative positions are reported in accordance with changes in daily variation margin which is settled daily and therefore reflected in the payables and receivables portion of the table.
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments (which are used to pay benefits) are held in a separate account which consists of a commingled fund (with daily liquidity) and separately held short-term securities and cash equivalents. All of the investments in this cash vehicle are valued daily using a market approach with inputs that include quoted market prices for similar instruments. In the event a market price is not available for instruments with an original maturity of one year or less, amortized cost is used as a proxy for fair value. Common and preferred stock equity securities are primarily valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices of identical instruments.
Private equity and private debt NAV valuations are based on the valuation of the underlying investments, which include inputs such as cost, operating results, discounted future cash flows and market based comparable data. For those investments reported on a one-quarter lagged basis (primarily LPs) we use NAVs, adjusted for subsequent cash flows and significant events.
Real estate and real asset NAVs are based on the valuation of the underlying investments, which include inputs such as cost, discounted future cash flows, independent appraisals and market based comparable data. For those investments reported on a one-quarter lagged basis (primarily LPs), NAVs are adjusted for subsequent cash flows and significant events. Publicly traded REITs and infrastructure stocks are valued using a market approach based on quoted market prices of identical instruments. Exchange-traded commodities futures positions are reported in accordance with changes in daily variation margin which is settled daily and therefore reflected in the payables and receivables portion of the table.
Hedge fund NAVs are generally based on the valuation of the underlying investments. This is primarily done by applying a market or income valuation methodology depending on the specific type of security or instrument held.
Investments in private equity, private debt, real estate, real assets and hedge funds are primarily calculated and reported by the General Partner, fund manager or third party administrator. Additionally, some investments in fixed income and equity are made via commingled vehicles and are valued in a similar fashion. Pension assets invested in commingled and limited partnership structures rely on the NAV of these investments as the practical expedient for the valuations.
The following tables present a reconciliation of Level 3 assets held during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Transfers into and out of Level 3 are reported at the beginning-of-year values.
January 1
2021 Balance
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses)Net Purchases, Issuances and SettlementsNet Transfers Into/(Out of) Level 3December 31
2021 Balance
Fixed income securities:
Corporate
$40 ($1)$5 $9 $53 
 U.S. government and
    agencies
2 (2)
Mortgage backed and
   asset backed
120 (17)(1)102 
Municipal72 7 (50)29 
Sovereign2 (8)15 9 
Equity securities:
Non-U.S. common and
   preferred stock
2 2 (3)4 5 
Real assets2 (2)
Total$240 ($7)$5 ($40)$198 
January 1
2020 Balance
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses)Net Purchases, Issuances and SettlementsNet Transfers Into/(Out of) Level 3December 31
2020 Balance
Fixed income securities:
  Corporate
$5 $1 $18 $16 $40 
U.S. government and agencies
Mortgage backed and asset backed
461 (1)(93)(247)120 
Municipal67 72 
Sovereign(1)
Equity securities:
Non-U.S. common and preferred stock
Real assets(2)
Total$472 $2 ($71)($163)$240 
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the changes in unrealized gains/(losses) for Level 3 assets still held at December 31, 2021 were ($1) for mortgage backed and asset backed fixed income securities and ($8) for sovereign. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the changes in unrealized gains/(losses) for Level 3 assets still held at December 31, 2020 were $2 for corporate, $1 for mortgage backed and asset backed fixed income securities, $3 for municipal bonds and ($1) for sovereign.
OPB Plan Assets The majority of OPB plan assets are invested in a balanced index fund which is comprised of approximately 60% equities and 40% debt securities. The index fund is valued using a
market approach based on the quoted market price of an identical instrument (Level 1). The expected rate of return on these assets does not have a material effect on the net periodic benefit cost.
Cash Flows
Contributions Required pension contributions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), as well as rules governing funding of our non-US pension plans, are not expected to be significant in 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2020, we contributed $3,000 in common stock to the pension fund. We do not expect to make discretionary contributions to our pension plans in 2022.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments The table below reflects the total pension benefits expected to be paid from the plans or from our assets, including both our share of the benefit cost and the participants’ share of the cost, which is funded by participant contributions. OPB payments reflect our portion only.
Year(s)202220232024202520262027-2031
Pensions$4,839 $4,723 $4,657 $4,578 $4,481 $20,713 
Other postretirement benefits:
Gross benefits paid450 425 404 380 356 1,385 
Subsidies
(29)(29)(29)(27)(27)(124)
Net other postretirement benefits$421 $396 $375 $353 $329 $1,261 
Termination Provisions
Certain of the pension plans provide that, in the event there is a change in control of the Company which is not approved by the Board of Directors and the plans are terminated within five years thereafter, the assets in the plan first will be used to provide the level of retirement benefits required by ERISA, and then any surplus will be used to fund a trust to continue present and future payments under the postretirement medical and life insurance benefits in our group insurance benefit programs.
Should we terminate certain pension plans under conditions in which the plan’s assets exceed that plan’s obligations, the U.S. government will be entitled to a fair allocation of any of the plan’s assets based on plan contributions that were reimbursed under U.S. government contracts.
Defined Contribution Plans
We provide certain defined contribution plans to all eligible employees. The principal plans are the Company-sponsored 401(k) plans. The expense for these defined contribution plans was $1,268, $1,351 and $1,533 in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.