The Company has certain non-contributory defined benefit pension plans for salaried and hourly employees in the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The Company uses a measurement date of October 31 for fair value purposes for its pension plans. The salaried employees plans’ benefits are based primarily on years of service and earnings. The hourly employees plans’ benefits are based primarily upon years of service, and certain benefit provisions are subject to collective bargaining. The Company contributes an amount that is not less than the minimum funding and not more than the maximum tax-deductible amount to these plans. Salaried employees in the United States who commence service on or after November 1, 2007 are not eligible to participate in the U.S. defined benefit pension plan, but are eligible to participate in a defined contribution retirement program. Salaried employees outside the U.S. also have various dates in which they are not eligible to participate in the defined benefit pension plans, but are eligible to participate in a defined contribution retirement program. The category “Other International” represents the noncontributory defined benefit pension plans in Canada and South Africa.

Pension plan contributions by the Company totaled $26.4 million during 2020, which consisted of $22.4 million of employer contributions and $4.0 million of benefits paid directly by the Company. Pension plan contributions, including benefits paid directly by the Company, totaled $26.5 million and $85.5 million during 2019 and 2018, respectively. Contributions, including benefits paid directly by the Company, during 2021 are expected to be approximately $28.7 million.


October 31, 2020	Consolidated	United States	Germany	United Kingdom	Netherlands	Other International
Active participants	2,226	2,127	36	—	63	—
Vested former employees and deferred members	3,385	2,788	82	366	105	44
Retirees and beneficiaries	6,526	5,138	267	662	405	54

October 31, 2019	Consolidated	United States	Germany	United Kingdom	Netherlands	Other International
Active participants	2,455	2,351	41	—	63	—
Vested former employees and deferred members	5,236	4,643	86	366	97	44
Retirees and beneficiaries	6,462	5,074	258	662	414	54

The discount rate is determined by developing a hypothetical portfolio of individual high-quality corporate bonds available at the measurement date, the coupon and principal payments of which would be sufficient to satisfy the plans’ expected future benefit payments as defined for the projected benefit obligation. The discount rate by country is equivalent to the average yield on that hypothetical portfolio of bonds and is a reflection of current market settlement rates on such high quality bonds, government treasuries, and annuity purchase rates. To determine the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, the Company considers current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets. In developing future return expectations for the defined benefit pension plans’ assets, the Company formulates views on the future economic environment, both in the U.S. and globally. The Company evaluates general market trends and historical relationships among a number of key variables that impact asset class returns, such as expected earnings growth, inflation, valuations, yields and spreads, using both internal and external sources. The Company takes into account expected volatility by asset class and diversification across classes to determine expected overall portfolio results given current and expected allocations. The Company uses published mortality tables for determining the expected lives of plan participants and believes that the tables selected are most-closely associated with the expected lives of plan participants as the tables are based on the country in which the participant is employed.

Based on the Company's analysis of future expectations of asset performance, past return results, and its current and expected asset allocations, the Company has assumed a 4.64% long-term expected return on those assets for cost recognition in 2020. For the defined benefit pension plans, the Company applies its expected rate of return to a market-related value of assets, which stabilizes variability in the amounts to which the Company applies that expected return.

During the year ended October 31, 2020, two United States defined benefit plans were combined and lump sum payments totaling $44.3 million were made to United States defined benefit plan participants who agreed to such payments, representing the current fair value of the participant’s respective pension benefit. The payments were made from plan assets, resulting in a

During the year ended October 31, 2018, in the United Kingdom, lump sum payments totaling $4.7 million were made from the defined benefit plan assets to certain participants who agreed to such payments representing the current fair value of the participant's respective pension benefit. These lump sum payments resulted in a non-cash pension settlement charge of $1.3 million for the year ended October 31, 2018.

Subsequent to October 31, 2020, an annuity contract for approximately $100.0 million was purchased with defined benefit plan assets and the pension obligation for certain retirees in the United States was irrevocably transferred from that plan to the annuity contract settling that obligation. The settlement generated an $8.4 million pension settlement charge attributable to losses currently recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, which will be recognized during the first quarter of 2021. In conjunction with the settlement, the United States defined benefit plan was remeasured, resulting in a decrease of the pension liability of $20.8 million. The settlement will decrease future costs for the United States defined benefit plan.


For the year ended October 31, 2020	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Service cost	$	12.8	$	11.5	$	0.4	$	0.5	$	0.3	$	0.1
Interest cost	25.9		22.4		0.2		2.7		0.3		0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(37.9)		(31.4)		—		(5.2)		(0.7)		(0.6)
Amortization of prior service (benefit) cost	(0.1)		(0.1)		—		0.1		(0.1)		—
Recognized net actuarial loss	13.2		10.2		1.8		1.1		—		0.1
Special Events
Settlement	0.3		(0.1)		—		0.4		—		—
Net periodic pension (benefit) cost	$	14.2	$	12.5	$	2.4	$	(0.4)	$	(0.2)	$	(0.1)
For the year ended October 31, 2019	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Service cost	$	14.1	$	12.7	$	0.3	$	0.5	$	0.5	$	0.1
Interest cost	31.0		25.4		0.5		3.9		0.9		0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(38.8)		(30.5)		—		(6.2)		(1.3)		(0.8)
Amortization of prior service (benefit) cost	(0.1)		(0.1)		—		0.1		(0.1)		—
Recognized net actuarial loss	7.1		5.0		0.9		1.2		—		—



Net periodic pension (benefit) cost	$	13.3	$	12.5	$	1.7	$	(0.5)	$	—	$	(0.4)
For the year ended October 31, 2018	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Service cost	$	12.3	$	10.8	$	0.4	$	0.5	$	0.5	$	0.1
Interest cost	18.9		13.2		0.5		4.0		0.9		0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(25.5)		(16.8)		—		(6.5)		(1.4)		(0.8)
Amortization of prior service (benefit) cost	(0.2)		(0.1)		—		—		(0.1)		—
Recognized net actuarial loss	11.0		8.1		1.1		1.7		—		0.1
Other Adjustments	2.8		—		—		2.8		—		—
Special Events
Settlement	1.3		—		—		1.3		—		—
Net periodic pension (benefit) cost	$	20.6	$	15.2	$	2.0	$	3.8	$	(0.1)	$	(0.3)

Benefit obligations are described in the following tables. Accumulated and projected benefit obligations ("ABO" and "PBO") represent the obligations of a pension plan for past service as of the measurement date. ABO is the present value of benefits earned to date with benefits computed based on current compensation levels. PBO is ABO increased to reflect expected future compensation.


For the year ended October 31, 2020	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,158.7	$	831.0	$	44.1	$	180.8	$	91.3	$	11.5
Service cost	12.8		11.5		0.4		0.5		0.3		0.1
Interest cost	25.9		22.4		0.2		2.7		0.3		0.3
Plan participant contributions	0.2		—		—		—		0.2		—
Expenses paid from assets	(3.4)		(2.6)		—		(0.9)		0.2		(0.1)
Actuarial loss (gain)	17.4		14.6		(3.5)		7.6		(1.6)		0.3
Foreign currency effect	8.6		—		2.3		1.7		5.0		(0.4)
Benefits paid	(109.9)		(94.9)		(1.4)		(7.8)		(4.8)		(1.0)



Benefit obligation at end of year	$	1,110.3	$	782.0	$	42.1	$	184.6	$	90.9	$	10.7
For the year ended October 31, 2019	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	662.4	$	351.9	$	38.1	$	176.3	$	85.4	$	10.7
Service cost	14.1		12.7		0.3		0.5		0.5		0.1
Interest cost	31.0		25.4		0.5		3.9		0.9		0.3
Plan participant contributions	0.2		—		—		—		0.2		—
Expenses paid from assets	(5.9)		(5.1)		—		(0.7)		—		(0.1)

Actuarial loss	131.0		105.5		7.4		6.0		11.0		1.1
Foreign currency effect	(1.8)		—		(0.9)		1.1		(1.9)		(0.1)
Benefits paid	(61.6)		(48.7)		(1.3)		(6.3)		(4.8)		(0.5)
Acquisitions	389.3		389.3		—		—		—		—
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	1,158.7	$	831.0	$	44.1	$	180.8	$	91.3	$	11.5


Actuarial value of benefit obligations
(in millions)	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
October 31, 2020
Projected benefit obligation	$	1,110.3	$	782.0	$	42.1	$	184.6	$	90.9	$	10.7
Accumulated benefit obligation	1,086.1		760.3		41.0		184.6		89.3		10.9
Plan assets	1,002.1		687.0		—		210.0		92.0		13.1
October 31, 2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	1,158.7	$	831.0	$	44.1	$	180.8	$	91.3	$	11.5
Accumulated benefit obligation	1,131.3		806.8		42.6		180.8		89.6		11.5
Plan assets	1,017.0		698.7		—		209.8		94.5		14.0
Plans with ABO in excess of Plan assets
October 31, 2020
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	812.2	$	760.3	$	41.0	$	—	$	—	$	10.9
Plan assets	697.2		687.2		—		—		—		10.0
October 31, 2019
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	860.9	$	806.8	$	42.6	$	—	$	—	$	11.5
Plan assets	709.7		698.9		—		—		—		10.8

The assets of all the Company's plans consist of U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities, government and corporate bonds, cash, insurance annuity mutual funds and not more than the allowable number of shares of the Company’s common stock. The assets of the plans in the aggregate include shares of the Company's common stock in the amount of 51,576 Class A shares and 30,930 Class B shares at October 31, 2020 and 175,320 Class A shares and 111,270 Class B shares at October 31, 2019.

The investment policy reflects the long-term nature of the plans’ funding obligations. The assets are invested to provide the opportunity for both income and growth of principal. This objective is pursued as a long-term goal designed to provide required benefits for participants without undue risk. It is expected that this objective can be achieved through a well-diversified asset portfolio. All equity investments are made within the guidelines of quality, marketability and diversification mandated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or other relevant statutes and laws. Investment managers are directed to maintain equity portfolios at a risk level approximately equivalent to that of the specific benchmark established for that portfolio.


For the year ended October 31, 2020	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	1,017.0	$	698.7	$	—	$	209.8	$	94.5	$	14.0
Actual return on plan assets	65.4		62.2		—		4.6		(2.1)		0.7
Expenses paid	(3.4)		(2.6)		—		(0.9)		0.2		(0.1)
Plan participant contributions	0.2		—		—		—		0.2		—
Foreign currency impact	6.4		—		—		1.9		5.0		(0.5)
Employer contributions	22.4		21.0		—		2.4		(1.0)		—
Benefits paid out of plan	(105.9)		(92.3)		—		(7.8)		(4.8)		(1.0)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	1,002.1	$	687.0	$	—	$	210.0	$	92.0	$	13.1
For the year ended October 31, 2019	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	594.8	$	311.9	$	—	$	178.7	$	90.6	$	13.6
Actual return on plan assets	140.1		93.4		—		35.2		10.7		0.8
Expenses paid	(5.9)		(5.1)		—		(0.7)		—		(0.1)
Plan participant contributions	0.2		—		—		—		0.2		—
Foreign currency impact	(0.7)		—		—		1.3		(2.1)		0.1
Employer contributions	22.7		21.0		—		1.6		—		0.1
Benefits paid out of plan	(57.8)		(46.1)		—		(6.3)		(4.9)		(0.5)
Acquisitions	323.6		323.6		—		—		—		—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	1,017.0	$	698.7	$	—	$	209.8	$	94.5	$	14.0



As of October 31, 2020 (in millions)	Fair Value Measurement
Asset Category	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	9.2	$	122.4	$	—	$	131.6
Common stock	9.3		—		—		9.3
Cash	14.8		—		—		14.8

Corporate bonds	—		250.3		—		250.3
Government bonds	—		34.2		—		34.2
Other assets	—		0.7		—		0.7
Total Assets in the Fair Value Hierarchy	$	33.3	$	407.6	$	—	$	440.9
Investments Measured at Net Asset Value
Mutual funds							0.5
Insurance contracts							132.9
Common stock funds							215.4
Corporate bond funds							203.1
Government bond funds							9.3
Investments at Fair Value	$	33.3	$	407.6	$	—	$	1,002.1

As of October 31, 2019 (in millions)	Fair Value Measurement
Asset Category	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	25.6	$	137.4	$	—	$	163.0
Common stock	27.6		—		—		27.6
Cash	6.5		—		—		6.5
Corporate bonds	—		134.8		—		134.8
Government bonds	—		39.8		—		39.8
Other assets	—		0.2		—		0.2
Total Assets in the Fair Value Hierarchy	$	59.7	$	312.2	$	—	$	371.9
Investments Measured at Net Asset Value
Mutual funds							358.5
Insurance contracts							130.2
Common stock funds							81.5
Corporate bond funds							70.8
Government bond funds							4.1
Investments at Fair Value	$	59.7	$	312.2	$	—	$	1,017.0


As of October 31, 2020	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	149.7	$	94.1	$	14.8	$	32.4	$	4.5	$	3.9
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)	0.9		(0.8)		—		3.2		(1.5)		—

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (gain) - Pre-tax	$	150.6	$	93.3	$	14.8	$	35.6	$	3.0	$	3.9
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Prepaid benefit cost	$	29.5	$	—	$	—	$	25.3	$	1.1	$	3.1
Accrued benefit liability	(137.7)		(94.7)		(42.1)		—		—		(0.9)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	150.6		93.3		14.8		35.6		3.0		3.9
Net amount recognized	$	42.4	$	(1.4)	$	(27.3)	$	60.9	$	4.1	$	6.1
As of October 31, 2019	Consolidated		United States		Germany		United Kingdom		Netherlands		Other International
(in millions)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	171.8	$	120.5	$	19.2	$	25.3	$	3.1	$	3.7
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)	0.8		(1.0)		—		3.3		(1.5)		—

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (gain) - Pre-tax	$	172.6	$	119.5	$	19.2	$	28.6	$	1.6	$	3.7
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Prepaid benefit cost	$	35.4	$	—	$	—	$	29.0	$	3.2	$	3.2
Accrued benefit liability	(177.0)		(132.2)		(44.1)		—		—		(0.7)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (gain)	172.6		119.5		19.2		28.6		1.6		3.7
Net amount recognized	$	31.0	$	(12.7)	$	(24.9)	$	57.6	$	4.8	$	6.2


(in millions)	October 31, 2020		October 31, 2019
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of year	$	172.6	$	150.4
Increase or (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive loss

Net prior service benefit amortized	0.1		0.1
Net loss amortized	(13.2)		(7.1)


Loss recognized due to settlement	(0.3)		—

Liability loss (gain)	17.4		131.0
Asset (gain) loss	(27.4)		(101.3)

Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(23.4)	$	22.7
Foreign currency impact	1.4		(0.5)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at year end	$	150.6	$	172.6

The Company has several voluntary 401(k) savings plans that cover eligible employees. For certain plans, the Company matches a percentage of each employee’s contribution up to a maximum percentage of base salary. The Company's contributions to the 401(k) plans were $25.2 million in 2020, $21.8 million in 2019 and $9.4 million in 2018.

The Company has certain post-retirement unfunded health and life insurance benefit plans in the United States and South Africa. The Company recognized income for its post-retirement benefit plans of $0.2 million, $1.1 million, and $1.1 million for the years ended 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The projected benefit obligation of the Company’s post-retirement benefit plans was $11.6 million and $12.2 million as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.