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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
 12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans as well as postretirement plans providing retiree health care and retiree life insurance benefits. Below, we discuss our obligations related to these plans, the assets dedicated to meeting the obligations, and the amounts we recognized in our financial statements as a result of sponsoring these plans.
 
Obligations. We provide eligible employees with pension and other postretirement benefits based on factors such as years of service and compensation level during employment. The pension obligation shown below (“projected benefit obligation”) consists of: (a) benefits earned by employees to date based on current salary levels (“accumulated benefit obligation”); and (b) benefits to be received by employees as a result of expected future salary increases. (The obligation for medical and life insurance benefits is not affected by future salary increases.) The following table shows how the present value of our projected benefit obligations changed during each of the last two years. 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
Obligation at beginning of year
$
893

 
$
903

 
$
52

 
$
50

Service cost
24

 
24

 
1

 
1

Interest cost
29

 
34

 
1

 
2

Net actuarial loss (gain)
2

 
28

 
(1
)
 
—

Plan amendments
6

 
—

 
—

 
—

Retiree contributions
—

 
—

 
1

 
1

Benefits paid
(51
)
 
(81
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Obligation at end of year
$
903

 
$
908

 
$
50

 
$
50


Service cost represents the present value of the benefits attributed to service rendered by employees during the year. Interest cost is the increase in the present value of the obligation due to the passage of time. Net actuarial loss (gain) is the change in value of the obligation resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption. (We discuss actuarial assumptions used at the end of this note.) Plan amendments may also change the value of the obligation.
As shown in the previous table, the change in the value of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations also includes the effect of benefit payments and retiree contributions. Expected benefit payments (net of retiree contributions) over the next 10 years are as follows:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
2020
$
59

 
$
3

2021
58

 
3

2022
59

 
3

2023
60

 
3

2024
61

 
3

2025 – 2029
414

 
16


Assets. We invest in specific assets to fund our pension benefit obligations. Our investment goal is to earn a total return that, over time, will grow assets sufficiently to fund our plans’ liabilities, after providing appropriate levels of contributions and accepting prudent levels of investment risk. To achieve this goal, plan assets are invested primarily in funds or portfolios of funds managed by outside managers. Investment risk is managed by company policies that require diversification of asset classes, manager styles, and individual holdings. We measure and monitor investment risk through quarterly and annual performance reviews, and through periodic asset/liability studies.
Asset allocation is the most important method for achieving our investment goals and is based on our assessment of the plans’ long-term return objectives and the appropriate balances needed for liquidity, stability, and diversification. As of April 30, 2019, our target asset allocation is a mix of 40% public equity investments, 47% fixed income investments, and 13% alternative investments.
The following table shows the fair value of pension plan assets by category as of the end of the last two years. (Fair value levels are defined in Note 15.)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
April 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
89

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
89

Cash and temporary investments
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Limited partnership interest1
—

 
—

 
4

 
4

 
$
89

 
$
—

 
$
4

 
93

Investments measured at net asset value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled trust funds2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
226

Fixed income funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
362

Real estate funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
66

Short-term investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
5

Limited partnership interests3
 
 
 
 
 
 
27

Hedge funds4
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
780

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
79

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
79

Cash and temporary investments
29

 
—

 
—

 
29

Limited partnership interest1
—

 
—

 
3

 
3

 
$
108

 
$
—

 
$
3

 
111

Investments measured at net asset value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled trust funds2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
157

Fixed income funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
370

Real estate funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
66

Short-term investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
23

Limited partnership interests3
 
 
 
 
 
 
27

Hedge funds4
 
 
 
 
 
 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
754

 
 
1 This limited partnership interest was initially valued at cost and has been adjusted to fair value as determined in good faith by management of the partnership using various factors, and does not meet the requirements for reporting at the net asset value (NAV). The valuation requires significant judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of the investment. This limited partnership has a term expiring in 2020, although this period may be extended.
2 Commingled trust fund valuations are based on the NAV of the funds as determined by the fund administrators and reviewed by us. NAV represents the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus liabilities and divided by the number of shares or units outstanding. Generally, for commingled trust funds other than real estate, redemptions are permitted daily with no notice period. The real estate fund is redeemable quarterly with 110 days’ notice.
3 These limited partnership interests were initially valued at cost and have been adjusted using NAV per audited financial statements. Investments are generally not eligible for immediate redemption and have original terms averaging 10 to 13 years, although those periods may be extended.
4 Hedge fund valuations are based primarily on the NAV of the funds as determined by fund administrators and reviewed by us. During our review, we determine whether it is necessary to adjust a valuation for inherent liquidity and redemption issues that may exist within a fund’s underlying assets or fund unit values.



The following table shows how the fair value of the Level 3 assets changed during each of the last two years. There were no transfers of assets between Level 3 and either of the other two levels.
 
Level 3
Balance as of April 30, 2017
$
4

Return on assets held at end of year
1

Sales and settlements
(1
)
Balance as of April 30, 2018
4

Sales and settlements
(1
)
Balance as of April 30, 2019
$
3


The following table shows how the total fair value of all pension plan assets changed during each of the last two years. (We do not have assets set aside for postretirement medical or life insurance benefits.) 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
Assets at beginning of year
$
623

 
$
780

 
$
—

 
$
—

Actual return on assets
53

 
34

 
—

 
—

Retiree contributions
—

 
—

 
1

 
1

Company contributions
155

 
21

 
3

 
3

Benefits paid
(51
)
 
(81
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Assets at end of year
$
780

 
$
754

 
$
—

 
$
—


We currently expect to contribute $21 to our pension plans and $4 to our postretirement medical and life insurance benefit plans during 2020.
Funded status. The funded status of a plan refers to the difference between its assets and its obligations. The following table shows the funded status of our plans.
 
Pension Benefits
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
April 30,
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
Assets
$
780

 
$
754

 
$
—

 
$
—

Obligations
(903
)
 
(908
)
 
(50
)
 
(50
)
Funded status
$
(123
)
 
$
(154
)
 
$
(50
)
 
$
(50
)


The funded status is recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows: 
 
 

Pension Benefits
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
April 30,
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
Other assets
 
$
26

 
$
2

 
$
—

 
$
—

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
(5
)
 
(6
)
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Accrued postretirement benefits
 
(144
)
 
(150
)
 
(47
)
 
(47
)
Net liability
 
$
(123
)
 
$
(154
)
 
$
(50
)
 
$
(50
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial gain (loss)
 
$
(291
)
 
$
(298
)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(10
)
Prior service credit (cost)
 
(9
)
 
(8
)
 
13

 
10

 
 
$
(300
)
 
$
(306
)
 
$
3

 
$
—


The following table compares our pension plans whose assets exceed their accumulated benefit obligations with those whose obligations exceed their assets. (As noted above, we have no assets set aside for postretirement medical or life insurance benefits.) 
 
Plan Assets
 
Accumulated
Benefit Obligation
 
Projected
Benefit Obligation
April 30,
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
Plans with assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligation
$
780

 
$
754

 
$
669

 
$
668

 
$
754

 
$
752

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of assets
—

 
—

 
123

 
136

 
149

 
156

Total
$
780

 
$
754

 
$
792

 
$
804

 
$
903

 
$
908


Pension cost. The following table shows the components of the pension cost recognized during each of the last three years. The amount for each year includes amortization of the prior service cost/credit and net actuarial loss/gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of the beginning of the year. 
 
Pension Benefits
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
Service cost
$
26

 
$
24

 
$
24

Interest cost
35

 
29

 
34

Expected return on assets
(41
)
 
(41
)
 
(47
)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service cost (credit)
1

 
1

 
1

Net actuarial loss (gain)
25

 
21

 
19

Settlement charge
1

 
—

 
15

Net cost
$
47

 
$
34

 
$
46


The prior service cost/credit, which represents the effect of plan amendments on benefit obligations, is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of the employees expected to receive the benefits. The net actuarial loss/gain results from experience different from that assumed or from a change in actuarial assumptions (including the difference between actual and expected return on plan assets), and is amortized over at least that same period. The estimated amount of prior service cost and net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into pension cost in 2020 is $1 and $19, respectively.
Other postretirement benefits cost. The following table shows the components of the postretirement medical and life insurance benefits cost that we recognized during each of the last three years. 
 
Medical and Life Insurance Benefits
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
Service cost
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
1

Interest cost
2

 
1

 
2

Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service cost (credit)
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Net actuarial loss (gain)
1

 
1

 
1

Net cost
$
1

 
$
—

 
$
1


The estimated amount of prior service credit and net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into postretirement medical and life insurance benefits cost in 2020 is $3 and $1, respectively.
Other comprehensive income (loss). Prior service cost/credit and net actuarial loss/gain are recognized in other comprehensive income or loss (OCI) during the period in which they arise. These amounts are later amortized from accumulated OCI into pension and other postretirement benefit cost over future periods as described above. The following table shows the pre-tax effect of these amounts on OCI during each of the last three years.
 
Pension Benefits
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
Prior service credit (cost)
$
(1
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
—

 
$
4

 
$
—

 
$
—

Net actuarial gain (loss)
24

 
10

 
(41
)
 
—

 
1

 
—

Amortization reclassified to earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service cost (credit)
1

 
1

 
1

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Net actuarial loss (gain)
26

 
21

 
34

 
1

 
1

 
1

Net amount recognized in OCI
$
50

 
$
26

 
$
(6
)
 
$
2

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)

Assumptions and sensitivity. We use various assumptions to determine the obligations and cost related to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The weighted-average assumptions used in computing benefit plan obligations as of the end of the last two years were as follows:
 

Pension Benefits
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
Discount rate
4.23
%
 
4.04
%
 
4.20
%
 
3.98
%
Rate of salary increase
4.00
%
 
4.00
%
 
n/a

 
n/a


 
The weighted-average assumptions used in computing benefit plan cost during each of the last three years were as follows: 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
Discount rate for service cost
4.02
%
 
4.29
%
 
4.30
%
 
3.96
%
 
4.39
%
 
4.34
%
Discount rate for interest cost
4.02
%
 
3.40
%
 
3.93
%
 
3.96
%
 
3.35
%
 
3.90
%
Rate of salary increase
4.00
%
 
4.00
%
 
4.00
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

Expected return on plan assets
7.00
%
 
6.75
%
 
6.50
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a


The assumed discount rates are determined using a yield curve based on the interest rates of high-quality debt securities with maturities corresponding to the expected timing of our benefit payments. Beginning in fiscal 2018, we changed the method used to estimate the service cost and interest cost for these benefit plans. The new estimation approach discounts the individual expected cash flows underlying the service cost and interest cost using the applicable spot rates derived from the yield curve used to discount the cash flows used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. Previously, we estimated these service and interest cost components using a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. We believe the new approach provides a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and the corresponding spot yield curve rates.
The assumed rate of salary increase reflects the expected average annual increase in salaries as a result of inflation, merit increases, and promotions over the service period of the plan participants.
The expected return on plan assets represents the long-term rate of return that we assume will be earned over the life of the pension assets. The assumption reflects expected capital market returns for each asset class, which are based on historical returns, adjusted for the expected effects of diversification and active management (net of fees).
The assumed health care cost trend rates as of the end of the last two years were as follows: 
 
Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits
 
2018
 
2019
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
7.70
%
 
7.30
%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
2025

 
2025


A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would not have significantly changed the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of April 30, 2019, or the aggregate service and interest costs for 2019.
Savings plans. We also sponsor various defined contribution benefit plans that together cover substantially all U.S. employees. Employees can make voluntary contributions in accordance with their respective plans, which include a 401(k) tax deferral option. We match a percentage of each employee’s contributions in accordance with plan terms. We expensed $11, $12, and $12 for matching contributions during 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively.
International plans. The information presented above for defined benefit plans and defined contribution benefit plans reflects amounts for U.S. plans only. Information about similar international plans is not presented due to immateriality.