Retirement Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Apr. 24, 2020

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Retirement Benefit Plans

Retirement Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors various retirement benefit plans, including defined benefit pension plans, post-retirement medical plans, defined contribution savings plans, and termination indemnity plans, covering substantially all U.S. employees and many employees outside the U.S. The expense related to these plans was $467 million, $539 million, and $552 million in fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

In the U.S., the Company maintains a qualified pension plan designed to provide guaranteed minimum retirement benefits to all eligible U.S. employees. Pension coverage for non-U.S. employees is provided, to the extent deemed appropriate, through separate plans. In addition to the benefits provided under the qualified pension plan, retirement benefits associated with wages in excess of the IRS allowable limits are provided to certain employees under a non-qualified plan. U.S. and Puerto Rico employees are also eligible to receive a medical benefit component, in addition to normal retirement benefits, through the Company’s post-retirement benefits.

At April 24, 2020 and April 26, 2019, the net underfunded status of the Company’s benefit plans was $1.4 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.

As of April 24, 2020, the Company announced the freezing of U.S. pension benefits beginning in 2027. Employees will continue to earn benefits as required by the plan until April 30, 2027, after which date benefits will no longer be earned and employees will earn benefits under a new defined contribution structure. The Company recognized curtailment benefits of $94 million in fiscal year 2020 as a result of this change.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans The change in benefit obligation and funded status of the Company’s U.S. and Non-U.S. pension benefits are as follows:

	U.S. Pension Benefits				Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
	Fiscal Year				Fiscal Year
(in millions)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year:	$	3,440	$	3,121	$	1,785	$	1,621
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	3,404	$	3,202	$	1,832	$	1,791
Service cost	106		109		59		59
Interest cost	126		129		28		30
Employee contributions	—		—		11		12
Plan curtailments and settlements	(94)		—		(2)		(5)
Actuarial loss	300		54		180		119
Benefits paid	(111)		(100)		(55)		(49)
Currency exchange rate changes and other	(8)		10		(29)		(125)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	3,723	$	3,404	$	2,024	$	1,832
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	2,728	$	2,661	$	1,409	$	1,404
Actual return on plan assets	(72)		64		2		62
Employer contributions	444		93		54		78
Employee contributions	—		—		11		12
Plan settlements	—		—		(2)		(3)
Benefits paid	(111)		(100)		(55)		(49)
Currency exchange rate changes and other	(7)		10		(15)		(95)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	2,982	$	2,728	$	1,404	$	1,409
Funded status at end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	$	2,982	$	2,728	$	1,404	$	1,409
Benefit obligations	3,723		3,404		2,024		1,832
Underfunded status of the plans	(741)		(676)		(620)		(423)
Recognized liability	$	(741)	$	(676)	$	(620)	$	(423)
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$	—	$	—	$	7	$	31
Current liabilities	(17)		(18)		(6)		(8)
Non-current liabilities	(724)		(658)		(621)		(446)
Recognized liability	$	(741)	$	(676)	$	(620)	$	(423)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost (benefit)	$	1	$	2	$	7	$	(7)
Net actuarial loss	1,662		1,216		663		452
Ending balance	$	1,663	$	1,218	$	670	$	445

In certain countries outside the U.S., fully funding pension plans is not a common practice, as funding provides no income tax benefit. Consequently, certain pension plans were partially funded at April 24, 2020 and April 26, 2019. U.S. and non-U.S. plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets consist of the following:

	Fiscal Year
(in millions)	2020		2019
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	5,105	$	4,683
Projected benefit obligation	5,252		4,822
Plan assets at fair value	4,074		3,829

Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets consist of the following:

	Fiscal Year
(in millions)	2020		2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	5,700	$	4,963
Plan assets at fair value	4,331		3,833

The net periodic benefit cost of the plans include the following components:

	U.S. Pension Benefits						Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
	Fiscal Year						Fiscal Year
(in millions)	2020		2019		2018		2020		2019		2018
Service cost	$	106	$	109	$	116	$	59	$	59	$	67
Interest cost	126		129		117		28		30		28
Expected return on plan assets	(225)		(215)		(205)		(58)		(57)		(53)
Amortization of prior service cost	1		1		1		(1)		(1)		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss	56		76		82		14		12		18
Settlement loss (gain)	—		—		16		—		(2)		—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	64	$	100	$	127	$	42	$	41	$	60

The other changes in plan assets and projected benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for fiscal year 2020 are as follows:

(in millions)	U.S. Pension Benefits		Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
Net actuarial gain	$	596	$	236
Prior service credit	(94)		—
Amortization of prior service cost	(1)		1
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(56)		(14)
Effect of exchange rates	—		(11)
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	445	$	212
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	509	$	254

The estimated net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost, before tax, in fiscal year 2021 for U.S. and non-U.S. pension benefits is expected to be $70 million and $23 million, respectively.

The actuarial assumptions are as follows:

	U.S. Pension Benefits						Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
	Fiscal Year						Fiscal Year
	2020		2019		2018		2020		2019		2018
Critical assumptions – projected benefit obligation:
Discount rate	3.10% - 3.70%		3.90% - 4.20%		4.20% - 4.35%		0.30% - 13.30%		0.40% - 13.90%		0.70% - 11.00%
Rate of compensation increase	3.90	%	3.90	%	3.90	%	2.91	%	2.87	%	2.88	%
Critical assumptions – net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate – benefit obligation	3.90% - 4.30%		4.20% - 4.30%		4.00% - 4.30%		0.40% - 13.90%		0.50% - 11.00%		0.45% - 11.40%
Discount rate – service cost	3.70% - 4.00%		4.10% - 4.40%		3.70% - 4.45%		0.40% - 13.90%		0.50% - 11.00%		0.20% - 11.40%
Discount rate – interest cost	3.50% - 4.30%		4.00% - 4.10%		3.45% - 3.80%		0.40% - 13.90%		0.50% - 11.00%		0.45% - 11.40%
Expected return on plan assets	7.90	%	7.90	%	7.90	%	4.19	%	4.23	%	4.20	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.90	%	3.90	%	3.90	%	2.87	%	2.88	%	2.89	%

The Company utilizes a full yield curve approach methodology to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for the Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefits. The full yield curve approach applies specific spot rates along the yield curve to their underlying projected cash flows in estimation of the cost components. The current yield curves represent high quality, long-term fixed income instruments.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumptions are determined using a building block approach, considering historical averages and real returns of each asset class. In certain countries, where historical returns are not meaningful, consideration is given to local market expectations of long-term returns.

Retirement Benefit Plan Investment Strategy The Company sponsors trusts that hold the assets for U.S. pension plans and other U.S. post-retirement benefit plans, primarily retiree medical benefits. For investment purposes, the legacy Medtronic U.S. pension and other U.S. post-retirement benefit plans are managed in an identical way, as their objectives are similar.

The Company has a Qualified Plan Committee (the Plan Committee) that sets investment guidelines for U.S. pension plans and other U.S. post-retirement benefit plans with the assistance of external consultants. These guidelines are established based on market conditions, risk tolerance, funding requirements, and expected benefit payments. The Plan Committee also oversees the investment allocation process, selects the investment managers, and monitors asset performance. As pension liabilities are long-term in nature, the Company employs a long-term total return approach to maximize the long-term rate of return on plan assets for a prudent level of risk. An annual analysis on the risk versus the return of the investment portfolio is conducted to justify the expected long-term rate of return assumption.

The investment portfolios contain a diversified allocation of investment categories, including equities, fixed income securities, hedge funds, and private equity. Securities are also diversified in terms of domestic and international, short- and long-term, growth and value styles, large cap and small cap stocks, and active and passive management.

Outside the U.S., pension plan assets are typically managed by decentralized fiduciary committees. There is significant variation in policy asset allocation from country to country. Local regulations, funding rules, and financial and tax considerations are part of the funding and investment allocation process in each country. The weighted average target asset allocations at April 24, 2020 for the plans are 37% equity securities, 30% debt securities, and 33% other.

The plans did not hold any investments in the Company’s ordinary shares at April 24, 2020 or April 26, 2019.

The Company’s U.S. plans target asset allocations at April 24, 2020, compared to the U.S. plans actual asset allocations at April 24, 2020 and April 26, 2019 by asset category, are as follows:

U.S. Plans
	Target Allocation		Actual Allocation
	April 24, 2020		April 24, 2020		April 26, 2019
Asset Category:
Equity securities	49	%	39	%	50	%
Debt securities	32		27		34
Other	19		34		16
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%

Retirement Benefit Plan Asset Fair Values The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for retirement benefit plan assets measured at fair value:

Short-term investments: Valued at the closing price reported in the active markets in which the individual security is traded.

U.S. government securities: Certain U.S. government securities are valued at the closing price reported in the active markets in which the individual security is traded. Other U.S. government securities are valued based on inputs other than quoted prices that are observable.

Corporate debt securities: Valued based on inputs other than quoted prices that are observable.

Equity commingled trusts: Comprised of investments in equity securities held in pooled investment vehicles. The valuations of equity commingled trusts are based on the respective net asset values which are determined by the fund daily at market close. The net asset values are calculated based on the valuation of the underlying assets which are determined using observable inputs. The net asset values are not publicly reported, and funds are valued at the net asset value practical expedient.

Fixed income commingled trusts: Comprised of investments in fixed income securities held in pooled investment vehicles. The valuations of fixed income commingled trusts are based on the respective net asset values which are determined by the fund daily at market close. The net asset values are calculated based on the valuation of the underlying assets which are determined using observable inputs. The net asset values are not publicly reported, and funds are valued at the net asset value practical expedient.

Partnership units: Valued based on the year-end net asset values of the underlying partnerships. The net asset values of the partnerships are based on the fair values of the underlying investments of the partnerships. Quoted market prices are used to value the underlying investments of the partnerships, where the partnerships consist of the investment pools which invest primarily in common stocks. Partnership units include partnerships, private equity investments, and real asset investments. Partnerships primarily include long/short equity and absolute return strategies. These investments may be redeemed monthly with notice periods ranging from 45 to 95 days. At April 24, 2020, there are no funds in the process of liquidation. Private equity investments consist of common stock and debt instruments of private companies. For private equity funds, the sum of the unfunded commitments at April 24, 2020 is $194 million, and the estimated liquidation period of these funds is expected to be one to 15 years. Real asset investments consist of commodities, derivatives, Real Estate Investment Trusts, and illiquid real estate holdings. These investments have redemption and liquidation periods ranging from 30 days to 10 years. At April 24, 2020, there are no real estate investments in the process of liquidation. Valuation procedures are utilized to arrive at fair value if a quoted market price is not available for a partnership investment.

Registered investment companies: Valued at net asset values which are not publicly reported. The net asset values are calculated based on the valuation of the underlying assets. The underlying assets are valued at the quoted market prices of shares held by the plan at year-end in the active market on which the individual securities are traded.

Insurance contracts: Comprised of investments in collective (group) insurance contracts, consisting of individual insurance policies. The policyholder is the employer and each member is the owner/beneficiary of their individual insurance policy. These policies are a part of the insurance company’s general portfolio and participate in the insurer’s profit-sharing policy on an excess yield basis.

The methods described above may produce fair values that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during fiscal years 2020 or 2019.

The following tables provide information by level for the retirement benefit plan assets that are measured at fair value, as defined by U.S. GAAP. In accordance with authoritative guidance adopted in fiscal year 2017, certain investments for which the fair value is measured using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient are not presented within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented for these investments are intended to permit reconciliation to the total fair value of plan assets at April 24, 2020 and April 26, 2019.

U.S. Pension Benefits

	Fair Value at		Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as						Investments Measured at Net Asset Value
(in millions)	April 24, 2020		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Short-term investments	$	548	$	548	$	—	$	—	$	—
Equity commingled trusts	1,204		—		—		—		1,204
Fixed income commingled trusts	605		—		—		—		605
Partnership units	625		—		—		625		—
	$	2,982	$	548	$	—	$	625	$	1,809

	Fair Value at		Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as						Investments Measured at Net Asset Value
(in millions)	April 26, 2019		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Short-term investments	$	61	$	61	$	—	$	—	$	—
U.S. government securities	228		228		—		—		—
Corporate debt securities	144		—		144		—		—
Equity commingled trusts	1,365		—		—		—		1,365
Fixed income commingled trusts	301		—		—		—		301
Partnership units	629		—		—		629		—
	$	2,728	$	289	$	144	$	629	$	1,666

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of U.S. pension benefit assets measured at fair value that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

(in millions)	Partnership Units
April 26, 2019	$	629
Total unrealized gains	(45)
Purchases and sales, net	41
April 24, 2020	$	625

(in millions)	Partnership Units
April 27, 2018	$	537
Total realized losses	(1)
Total unrealized gains	52
Purchases and sales, net	41
April 26, 2019	$	629

Non-U.S. Pension Benefits

	Fair Value at		Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as						Investments Measured at Net Asset Value
(in millions)	April 24, 2020		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Registered investment companies	$	1,361	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,361
Insurance contracts	43		—		—		43		—
	$	1,404	$	—	$	—	$	43	$	1,361

	Fair Value at		Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as						Investments Measured at Net Asset Value
(in millions)	April 26, 2019		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Registered investment companies	$	1,368	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,368
Insurance contracts	41		—		—		41		—
	$	1,409	$	—	$	—	$	41	$	1,368

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of non-U.S. pension benefit assets measured at fair value that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

(in millions)	Insurance Contracts
April 26, 2019	$	41
Total unrealized gains	2
Purchases and sales, net	1
Currency exchange rate changes	(1)
April 24, 2020	$	43

(in millions)	Insurance Contracts
April 27, 2018	$	42
Total unrealized gains	1
Purchases and sales, net	1
Currency exchange rate changes	(3)
April 26, 2019	$	41

Retirement Benefit Plan Funding It is the Company’s policy to fund retirement costs within the limits of allowable tax deductions. During fiscal year 2020, the Company made discretionary contributions of approximately $444 million to the U.S. pension plan. Internationally, the Company contributed approximately $54 million for pension benefits during fiscal year 2020. The Company anticipates that it will make contributions of $17 million and $63 million to its U.S. pension benefit plans and non-U.S. pension benefit plans, respectively, in fiscal year 2021. Based on the guidelines under the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the various guidelines which govern the plans outside the U.S., the majority of anticipated fiscal year 2021 contributions will be discretionary. The Company believes that pension assets, returns on invested pension assets, and Company contributions will be able to meet its pension and other post-retirement obligations in the future.

Retiree benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are anticipated to be paid as follows:

(in millions)	Gross Payments
Fiscal Year	U.S. Pension Benefits		Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
2021	$	122	$	51
2022	132		50
2023	143		56
2024	153		56
2025	165		60
2026 – 2030	999		340
Total	$	1,714	$	613

Post-retirement Benefit Plans The net periodic benefit cost associated with the Company’s post-retirement benefit plans was income of $15 million, $17 million, and $9 million in fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The Company’s projected benefit obligation for all post-retirement benefit plans was $339 million and $323 million at April 24, 2020 and April 26, 2019, respectively. The Company’s fair value of plan assets for all post-retirement benefit plans was $296 million and $297 million at April 24, 2020 and April 26, 2019, respectively. The post-retirement benefit plan assets at both April 24, 2020 and April 26, 2019 primarily comprised of equity commingled trusts, consistent with the U.S. retirement benefit plan assets outlined in the fair value leveling tables above.

Defined Contribution Savings Plans The Company has defined contribution savings plans that cover substantially all U.S. employees and certain non-U.S. employees. The general purpose of these plans is to provide additional financial security during retirement by providing employees with an incentive to make regular savings. Company contributions to the plans are based on employee contributions and Company performance. Expense recognized under these plans was $376 million, $415 million, and $374 million in fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Effective May 1, 2005, the Company froze participation in the original defined benefit pension plan in the U.S. and implemented two new plans: an additional defined benefit pension plan, the Personal Pension Account (PPA), and a new defined contribution plan, the Personal Investment Account (PIA). Employees in the U.S. hired on or after May 1, 2005 but before January 1, 2016 had the option to participate in either the PPA or the PIA. Participants in the PPA receive an annual allocation of their salary and bonus on which they will receive an annual guaranteed rate of return, which is based on the ten-year Treasury bond rate. Participants in the PIA also receive an annual allocation of their salary and bonus; however, they are allowed to determine how to invest their funds among identified fund alternatives. The cost associated with the PPA is included in U.S. Pension Benefits in the tables presented earlier. The defined contribution cost associated with the PIA was approximately $52 million, $54 million, and $56 million in fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Effective January 1, 2016, the Company froze participation in the existing defined benefit (PPA) and contribution (PIA) pension plans in the U.S. and implemented a new form of benefit under the existing defined contribution plan for legacy Covidien employees and employees in the U.S. hired on or after January 1, 2016. Participants in the Medtronic Core Contribution (MCC) also receive an annual allocation of their salary and bonus and are allowed to determine how to invest their funds among identified fund alternatives. The defined contribution cost associated with the MCC was approximately $66 million, $58 million, and $49 million and in fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.