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Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits (OPEB) Plans
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Compensation and Retirement Benefits Disclosures [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits (OPEB) Plans PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (OPEB) PLANS
Vistra is the plan sponsor of the Vistra Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan), which provides benefits to eligible employees of its subsidiaries. Oncor is a participant in the Retirement Plan. Effective January 1, 2018, Vistra entered into a contractual arrangement with Oncor whereby the costs associated with providing OPEB coverage for certain retirees (Split Participants) whose employment included service with both the regulated businesses of Oncor (or its predecessors) and the non-regulated businesses of Vistra (or its predecessors) are split between Oncor and Vistra. As Vistra accounts for its interests in the Retirement Plan as a multiple employer plan, only Vistra's share of the plan assets and obligations are reported in the pension benefit information presented below. The Retirement Plan is a qualified defined benefit pension plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), and is subject to the provisions of ERISA. The Retirement Plan provides benefits to participants under one of two formulas: (i) a Cash Balance Formula under which participants earn monthly contribution credits based on their compensation and a combination of their age and years of service, plus monthly interest credits or (ii) a Traditional Retirement Plan Formula based on years of service and the average earnings of the three years of highest earnings. Under the Cash Balance Formula, future increases in earnings will not apply to prior service costs. It is our policy to fund the Retirement Plan assets only to the extent required under existing federal regulations. Since 2012, the Retirement Plan has been closed to new participants and the only participants who remain in the Retirement Plan are employees who were active prior to 2012, including retired collective bargaining unit employees. Accordingly, ongoing expenses associated with the Retirement plan are immaterial, including expenses associated with pensions plans acquired from Dynegy and Energy Harbor.

Vistra and our participating subsidiaries offer other postretirement employee benefits (OPEB) in the form of certain health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees and their eligible dependents. The retiree contributions required for such coverage vary based on a formula depending on the retiree's age and years of service.

Pension and OPEB Costs

The following table summarizes the total benefit costs of our pension and OPEB plans for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. The individual components of benefit costs, including service cost, interest cost, expected return on assets and the net amortization of unrecognized amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income were immaterial.
Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Pension costs$9 $9 $2 
OPEB costs5 5 4 
Total benefit costs recognized as expense$14 $14 $6 
Market-Related Value of Assets Held in Pension Benefit Trusts

We use the calculated value method to determine the market-related value of the assets held in the trust for purposes of calculating pension costs. We include all gains or losses in the market-related value of assets over a rolling four-year period. Each year, 25% of such gains and losses for the current year and for each of the preceding three years is included in the market-related value. Each year, the market-related value of assets is increased for contributions to the plan and investment income and is decreased for benefit payments and expenses for that year.

Detailed Information Regarding Pension Plans and OPEB Benefits

The following information is based on a December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 measurement dates:
Retirement PlanOPEB Plans
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
202420232022202420232022
Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at Period End:
Discount rate5.63 %4.97 %5.16 %5.62 %4.98 %5.18 %
Expected rate of compensation increase (Vistra Plan)3.50 %3.64 %3.79 %
Expected rate of compensation increase (Dynegy Plan)4.46 %
Interest crediting rate for cash balance plans3.75 %3.50 %3.00 %

Retirement PlanOPEB Plans
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2024202320242023
(in millions, except percentages)
Change in Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period$425 $449 $108 $110 
Acquisitions23 — — — 
Service cost2 3 1 1 
Interest cost21 21 5 5 
Participant contributions— — 3 3 
Plan amendments— 1 — — 
Actuarial (gain) loss(24)10 (7)1 
Benefits paid(38)(59)(11)(12)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year$409 $425 $99 $108 
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year$408 $422 $— $— 
Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of assets at beginning of period$285 $320 $12 $29 
Acquisitions18 — — — 
Employer contributions19 — 8 9 
Participant contributions— — 2 3 
Actual gain on assets1 24 1 2 
Transfers— — (2)(19)
Benefits paid(38)(59)(11)(12)
Fair value of assets at end of year$285 $285 $10 $12 
Funded Status:
Projected benefit obligation$(409)$(425)$(99)$(108)
Fair value of assets285 285 10 12 
Funded status at end of year$(124)$(140)$(89)$(96)
Retirement PlanOPEB Plans
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2024202320242023
Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Consist of:
Investments$1 $— $2 $3 
Other current liabilities— — (8)(9)
Other noncurrent liabilities(125)(140)(83)(90)
Net liability recognized$(124)$(140)$(89)$(96)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Consist of:
Net actuarial (gain) loss$(5)$4 $(22)$(15)
Prior services cost— 3 1 1 
Net actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost$(5)$7 $(21)$(14)

Fair Value Measurement of Pension and OPEB Plan Assets

Retirement Plan

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, all of the Retirement Plan assets were measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) except as noted and consisted of the following:
December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Asset Category:
Cash commingled trusts$6 $4 
Equity securities:
Global equities86 82 
Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds (a)79 82 
Government bonds42 54 
Other (b)28 18 
Real estate27 28 
Hedge funds17 17 
Total assets measured at net asset value$285 $285 
___________
(a)Substantially all corporate bonds are rated investment grade by a major ratings agency such as Moody's.
(b)Consists primarily of high-yield bonds, emerging market debt, bank loans, securitized bonds and private investment grade fixed income.

OPEB Plans

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Vistra OPEB plan assets measured at fair value totaled $10 million and $12 million, respectively. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, assets consisted of $7 million and $9 million, respectively, of comingled funds valued at net asset value and $3 million and $3 million, respectively, of municipal bond and cash equivalent mutual funds classified as Level 1.
Pension Plans with Projected Benefit Obligations (PBO) and Accumulated Benefit Obligations (ABO) in Excess of Plan Assets

The following table provides information regarding pension plans with PBO and ABO in excess of the fair value of plan assets.
December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Pension Plans with PBO and ABO in Excess of Plan Assets:
Projected benefit obligations$409 $425 
Accumulated benefit obligation$408 $422 
Plan assets$285 $285 

Retirement Plan Investment Strategy and Asset Allocations

Our investment objective for the Retirement Plan is to invest in a suitable mix of assets to meet the future benefit obligations at an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the volatility of contributions. Fixed income securities held primarily consist of corporate bonds from a diversified range of companies, U.S. Treasuries and agency securities, and money market instruments. Equity securities are held to enhance returns by participating in a wide range of investment opportunities. International equity securities are used to further diversify the equity portfolio and may include investments in both developed and emerging markets. Real estate, hedge funds, and credit strategies (primarily high yield bonds and emerging market debt) provide additional portfolio diversification and return potential.

The target asset allocation ranges of pension plan investments by asset category are as follows:
Retirement Plan
Target Allocation Ranges
Asset Category:Vistra PlanDynegy Plan
Energy Harbor Plan
Fixed income securities50 %-70%40 %-50%45 %-55%
Global equity securities20 %-28%28 %-38%30 %-38%
Real estate6 %-10%7 %-15%5 %-10%
Credit strategies2 %-6%4 %-8%4 %-8%
Hedge funds2 %-6%4 %-8%1 %-5%

Retirement Plan Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Assets Assumption

The Retirement Plan strategic asset allocation is determined in conjunction with the plan's advisors and utilizes a comprehensive Asset-Liability modeling approach to evaluate potential long-term outcomes of various investment strategies. The study incorporates long-term rate of return assumptions for each asset class based on historical and future expected asset class returns, current market conditions, rate of inflation, current prospects for economic growth, and taking into account the diversification benefits of investing in multiple asset classes and potential benefits of employing active investment management.
Retirement Plan
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return
Asset Class:Vistra PlanDynegy Plan
Energy Harbor Plan
Fixed income securities5.9 %5.5 %4.6 %
Global equity securities7.2 %7.2 %7.2 %
Real estate5.8 %5.8 %5.8 %
Credit strategies7.4 %7.4 %7.4 %
Hedge funds7.3 %7.3 %7.3 %
Weighted average6.3 %6.3 %5.8 %
Benefit Plan Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates

The following tables provide information regarding the assumed health care cost trend rates.
December 31,
20242023
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates-Not Medicare Eligible:
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year7.00 %7.00 %
Rate to which the cost trend is expected to decline (the ultimate trend rate)4.50 %4.50 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate20342033
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates-Medicare Eligible:
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (Vistra Plan)15.70 %12.90 %
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (Split-Participant Plan)13.80 %12.30 %
Rate to which the cost trend is expected to decline (the ultimate trend rate)4.50 %4.50 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate20342033

Significant Concentrations of Risk

The plans' investments are exposed to risks such as interest rate, capital market and credit risks. We seek to optimize return on investment consistent with levels of liquidity and investment risk which are prudent and reasonable, given prevailing capital market conditions and other factors specific to us. While we recognize the importance of return, investments will be diversified in order to minimize the risk of large losses unless, under the circumstances, it is clearly prudent not to do so. There are also various restrictions and guidelines in place including limitations on types of investments allowed and portfolio weightings for certain investment securities to assist in the mitigation of the risk of large losses.

Assumed Discount Rate

We selected the assumed discount rates using the Aon AA Above Median yield curve, which is based on corporate bond yields and at December 31, 2024 consisted of 490 corporate bonds with an average rating of AA using Moody's, S&P and Fitch ratings.

Contributions

Contributions to the Retirement Plan for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 totaled $19 million, zero, and zero, respectively, and contributions in 2025 are expected to total $25 million. OPEB plan funding for each of the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 totaled $8 million, $9 million, and $9 million, respectively, and funding in 2025 is expected to total $8 million.

Future Benefit Payments

Estimated future benefit payments to beneficiaries are as follows:
202520262027202820292030-2034
(in millions)
Pension benefits$33 $34 $43 $32 $32 $151 
OPEB$9 $9 $9 $8 $8 $36 
Qualified Savings Plans

Our employees may participate in a qualified savings plan (the Thrift Plan). This plan is a participant-directed defined contribution plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code and is subject to the provisions of ERISA. Under the terms of the Thrift Plan, employees who do not earn more than the IRS threshold compensation limit used to determine highly compensated employees may contribute, through pre-tax salary deferrals and/or after-tax payroll deductions, the lesser of 75% of their regular salary or wages or the maximum amount permitted under applicable law. Employees who earn more than such threshold may contribute from 1% to 20% of their regular salary or wages. Employer matching contributions are also made in an amount equal to 100% (75% for employees covered under the traditional formula in the Retirement Plan) of the first 6% of employee contributions. Employer matching contributions are made in cash and may be allocated by participants to any of the plan's investment options.

Aggregate employer contributions to the qualified savings plans totaled $46 million, $33 million, and $33 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.