International Paper sponsors and maintains the Retirement Plan of International Paper Company (the “Pension Plan”), a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan that provides retirement benefits to substantially all U.S. salaried employees and hourly employees (receiving salaried benefits) hired prior to July 1, 2004, and substantially all other U.S. hourly and union employees who work at a participating business unit regardless of hire date. These employees generally are eligible to participate in the Pension Plan upon attaining 21 years of age and completing one year of eligibility service. U.S. salaried employees and hourly employees (receiving salaried benefits) hired after June 30, 2004 are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan, but receive a company contribution to their individual savings plan accounts (see Other U.S. Plans); however, salaried employees hired by Temple Inland prior to March 1, 2007 also participate in the Pension Plan. The Pension Plan provides defined pension benefits based on years of credited service and either final average earnings (salaried employees and hourly employees receiving salaried benefits), hourly job rates or specified benefit rates (hourly and union employees).

In connection with the Temple-Inland acquisition in February 2012, International Paper assumed administrative responsibility for the Temple-Inland Retirement Plan, a defined benefit plan which covers substantially all employees of Temple-Inland. The Temple-Inland Retirement Plan merged with the Retirement Plan of International Paper Company on December 31, 2014.

The Company also has three unfunded nonqualified defined benefit pension plans: a Pension Restoration Plan available to employees hired prior to July 1, 2004 that provides retirement benefits based on eligible compensation in excess of limits set by the Internal Revenue Service, and two supplemental retirement plans for senior managers (SERP), which is an alternative retirement plan for salaried employees who are senior vice presidents and above or who are designated by the chief executive officer as participants. These nonqualified plans are only funded to the extent of benefits paid, which totaled $38 million, $28 million and $95 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and which are expected to be $62 million in 2015.

The Company will freeze participation, including credited service and compensation, for salaried employees under the Pension Plan, the Pension Restoration Plan and the two SERP plans for all service on or after January 1, 2019. Credited service was previously frozen for the Temple Retirement Plans. This change will not affect benefits accrued through December 31, 2018. For service after this date, employees affected by the freeze will receive Retirement Savings Account contributions as described later in this Note 16.

Many non-U.S. employees are covered by various retirement benefit arrangements, some of which are considered to be defined benefit pension plans for accounting purposes.

OBLIGATIONS AND FUNDED STATUS

The following table shows the changes in the benefit obligation and plan assets for 2014 and 2013, and the plans’ funded status. The U.S. combined benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014 increased by $1.8 billion, due to the remeasurement in February to reflect the pension freeze, a decrease in the discount rate assumption used in computing the estimated benefit obligation and a change in our mortality assumptions. Our mortality assumption for the year ended December 31, 2014 reflects adoption of the newly issued Society of Actuaries longevity improvement scale, with Company specific adjustments. U.S. plan assets increased by $212 million, reflecting favorable investment results in addition to a $353 million required qualified pension contribution in 2014 offset by benefit payments.



	2014						2013
In millions	U.S. Plans			Non- U.S. Plans			U.S. Plans			Non- U.S. Plans
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, January 1	$	12,903		$	228		$	14,201		$	223
Service cost	145			5			188			4
Interest cost	600			13			576			11
Curtailments	—			(4		)	(14		)	—
Settlements	—			—			(5		)	(4		)
Actuarial loss (gain)	1,755			12			(1,309		)	—
Divestitures	(23		)	—			—			—
Other	—			12			—			3
Plan amendments	133			—			—			—
Special termination benefits	—			—			8			—
Benefits paid	(772		)	(13		)	(742		)	(8		)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate movements	—			(20		)	—			(1		)
Benefit obligation, December 31	$	14,741		$	233		$	12,903		$	228
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets	$	10,706		$	181		$	10,111		$	171
Actual return on plan assets	593			13			1,283			15
Company contributions	391			8			59			8
Benefits paid	(772		)	(13		)	(742		)	(8		)
Settlements	—			—			(5		)	(4		)
Other	—			6			—			—
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate movements	—			(15		)	—			(1		)
Fair value of plan assets, December 31	$	10,918		$	180		$	10,706		$	181
Funded status, December 31	$	(3,823	)	$	(53	)	$	(2,197	)	$	(47	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Non-current asset	$	—		$	8		$	—		$	9
Current liability	(62		)	(3		)	(46		)	(2		)
Non-current liability	(3,761		)	(58		)	(2,151		)	(54		)
	$	(3,823	)	$	(53	)	$	(2,197	)	$	(47	)



Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income under ASC 715 (pre-tax):
Prior service cost	$	209	$	—	$	107	$	—
Net actuarial loss	4,812		40		3,285		29
	$	5,021	$	40	$	3,392	$	29

The components of the $1.6 billion and $11 million increase related to U.S. plans and non-U.S. plans, respectively, in the amounts recognized in OCI during 2014 consisted of:



In millions	U.S. Plans			Non- U.S. Plans
Current year actuarial (gain) loss	$	1,924		$	13
Amortization of actuarial loss	(374		)	—
Current year prior service cost	133			—
Amortization of prior service cost	(30		)	—
Curtailments	(1		)	4
Restructuring Effects	(23		)	—
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate movements	—			(6		)
	$	1,629		$	11

The accumulated benefit obligation at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $14.6 billion and $12.6 billion, respectively, for our U.S. defined benefit plans and $208 million and $208 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014 and 2013 for our non-U.S. defined benefit plans.

The following table summarizes information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013:



	2014				2013
In millions	U.S. Plans		Non-U.S. Plans		U.S. Plans		Non-U.S. Plans
Projected benefit obligation	$	14,741	$	196	$	12,903	$	181
Accumulated benefit obligation	14,559		176		12,560		168
Fair value of plan assets	10,918		135		10,706		125

ASC 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits” provides for delayed recognition of actuarial gains and losses, including amounts arising from changes in the estimated projected plan benefit obligation due to changes in the assumed discount rate, differences between the actual and expected return on plan assets and other assumption changes. These net gains and losses are recognized prospectively over a period that approximates the average remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits under the plans to the extent that they are not offset by gains in subsequent years. The estimated net loss and prior service cost that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic pension cost for the U.S. plans during the next fiscal year are expected to be $475 million and $43 million, respectively.

NET PERIODIC PENSION EXPENSE

Service cost is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the plans’ benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the year. Interest cost represents the increase in the projected benefit obligation, which is a discounted amount, due to the passage of time. The expected return on plan assets reflects the computed amount of current-year earnings from the investment of plan assets using an estimated long-term rate of return.

Net periodic pension expense for qualified and nonqualified U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit plans comprised the following:



				2014						2013						2012
In millions	U.S. Plans			Non- U.S. Plans			U.S. Plans			Non- U.S. Plans			U.S. Plans			Non- U.S. Plans
Service cost	$	145		$	5		$	188		$	4		$	152		$	3
Interest cost	600			13			576			11			604			12
Expected return on plan assets	(762		)	(14		)	(738		)	(11		)	(753		)	(12		)
Actuarial loss / (gain)	374			—			485			1			307			—
Amortization of prior service cost	30			—			34			—			32			—
Curtailment gain	—			(4		)	—			—			—			—
Net periodic pension expense (a)	$	387		$	—		$	545		$	5		$	342		$	3

(a) Excludes $1 million in curtailments in 2014 related to the pension freeze remeasurement that were recorded in restructuring and other charges.

The decrease in 2014 pension expense reflects an increase in the discount rate from 4.10% in 2013 to 4.65% in 2014 and lower amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses.

ASSUMPTIONS

International Paper evaluates its actuarial assumptions annually as of December 31 (the measurement date) and considers changes in these long-term factors based upon market conditions and the requirements for employers’ accounting for pensions. These assumptions are used to calculate benefit obligations as of December 31 of the current year and pension expense to be recorded in the following year (i.e., the discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014 was also the discount rate used to determine net pension expense for the 2015 year).

Major actuarial assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost for our defined benefit plans are presented in the following table:



	2014					2013				2012
	U.S. Plans			Non- U.S. Plans		U.S. Plans		Non- U.S. Plans		U.S. Plans		Non- U.S. Plans
Actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31:
Discount rate	4.10	%		4.72	%	4.90	%	5.07	%	4.10	%	4.96	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.75	%		4.03	%	3.75	%	4.13	%	3.75	%	3.17	%
Actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost for years ended December 31:
Discount rate	4.65	%	(a)	5.07	%	4.10	%	4.96	%	5.10	%	5.98	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (b)	7.75	%		7.53	%	8.00	%	7.04	%	8.00	%	7.62	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.75	%		4.13	%	3.75	%	3.17	%	3.75	%	3.12	%

(a) Represents the weighted average rate for 2014 due to the remeasurement in the first quarter of 2014.


(b)	Represents the expected rate of return for International Paper's qualified pension plan for 2014 and 2013. The weighted average rate for the Temple-Inland Retirement Plan was 7.00%, 6.16% and 5.70% for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on projected rates of return for current and planned asset classes in the plan’s investment portfolio. Projected rates of return are developed through an asset/liability study in which projected returns for each of the plan’s asset classes are determined after analyzing historical experience and future expectations of returns and volatility of the various asset classes.

Based on the target asset allocation for each asset class, the overall expected rate of return for the portfolio

is developed considering the effects of active portfolio management and expenses paid from plan assets. The discount rate assumption was determined from a universe of high quality corporate bonds. A settlement portfolio is selected and matched to the present value of the plan’s projected benefit payments. To calculate pension expense for 2015, the Company will use an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 7.75% for the Retirement Plan of International Paper,

a discount rate of 4.10% and an assumed rate of compensation increase of 3.75%. The Company estimates that it will record net pension expense of approximately $488 million for its U.S. defined benefit plans in 2015, with the increase from expense of $387 million in 2014 reflecting a decrease in the discount rate to 4.10% in 2015 from 4.65% in 2014, updated mortality assumptions, and higher amortization of unrecognized losses.

For non-U.S. pension plans, assumptions reflect economic assumptions applicable to each country.

The following illustrates the effect on pension expense for 2015 of a 25 basis point decrease in the above assumptions:



In millions	2015
Expense/(Income):
Discount rate	$	36
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	25
Rate of compensation increase	(1		)

PLAN ASSETS

International Paper’s Board of Directors has appointed a Fiduciary Review Committee that is responsible for fiduciary oversight of the U.S. Pension Plan, approving investment policy and reviewing the management and control of plan assets. Pension Plan assets are invested to maximize returns within prudent levels of risk.

The Pension Plan maintains a strategic asset allocation policy that designates target allocations by asset class. Investments are diversified across classes and within each class to minimize the risk of large losses. Derivatives, including swaps, forward and futures contracts, may be used as asset class substitutes or for hedging or other risk management purposes. Periodic reviews are made of investment policy objectives and investment manager performance. For non-U.S. plans, assets consist principally of common stock and fixed income securities.

International Paper’s U.S. pension allocations by type of fund at December 31, and target allocations were as follows:



Asset Class	2014		2013		Target Allocations
Equity accounts	47	%	49	%	43% - 54%
Fixed income accounts	33	%	32	%	25% - 35%
Real estate accounts	10	%	10	%	7% - 13%
Other	10	%	9	%	8% - 17%
Total	100	%	100	%

The 2014 and 2013 actual and target allocations shown represent a weighted average of International Paper and Temple-Inland plan assets.

The fair values of International Paper’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by asset class are shown below. Plan assets included an immaterial amount of International Paper common stock at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Hedge funds disclosed in the following table are allocated equally between equity and fixed income accounts for target allocation purposes.



Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2014
Asset Class	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
In millions
Equities – domestic	$	2,268	$	1,380	$	888	$	—
Equities – international	2,397		1,815		582		—
Corporate bonds	1,230		—		1,230		—
Government securities	1,282		—		1,282		—
Mortgage backed securities	172		—		172		—
Other fixed income	207		—		197		10
Commodities	170		—		170		—
Hedge funds	867		—		—		867
Private equity	519		—		—		519
Real estate	1,101		—		—		1,101
Derivatives	376		—		—		376
Cash and cash equivalents	329		329		—		—
Total Investments	$	10,918	$	3,524	$	4,521	$	2,873



Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2013
Asset Class	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
In millions
Equities – domestic	$	2,466	$	1,175		$	1,290	$	1
Equities – international	2,313		1,470			843		—
Corporate bonds	1,248		—			1,248		—
Government securities	1,097		—			1,097		—
Mortgage backed securities	143		—			143		—
Other fixed income	74		(1		)	65		10
Commodities	193		—			193		—
Hedge funds	831		—			—		831
Private equity	484		—			—		484
Real estate	1,038		—			—		1,038
Derivatives	313		—			—		313
Cash and cash equivalents	506		(10		)	516		—
Total Investments	$	10,706	$	2,634		$	5,395	$	2,677

Equity securities consist primarily of publicly traded U.S. companies and international companies. Publicly traded equities are valued at the closing prices reported in the active market in which the individual securities are traded.

Fixed income consists of government securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds and common collective funds. Government securities are valued by third-party pricing sources. Mortgage-backed security holdings consist primarily of agency-rated holdings. The fair value estimates for mortgage securities are calculated by third-party pricing sources chosen by the custodian’s price matrix. Corporate bonds are valued using either the yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings or using a discounted cash flows approach that utilizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable, such as credit and liquidity risks. Common collective funds are valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date.

Commodities consist of commodity-linked notes and commodity-linked derivatives. Commodities are valued at closing prices determined by calculation agents for outstanding transactions.

Hedge funds are investment structures for managing private, loosely-regulated investment pools that can pursue a diverse array of investment strategies with a wide range of different securities and derivative instruments. These investments are made through funds-of-funds (commingled, multi-manager fund structures) and through direct investments in individual hedge funds. Hedge funds are primarily valued by each fund’s third-party administrator based upon the valuation of the underlying securities and instruments and primarily by applying a market or income valuation methodology as appropriate depending on the specific type of security or instrument held. Funds-of-funds are valued based upon the net asset values of the underlying investments in hedge funds.

Private equity consists of interests in partnerships that invest in U.S. and non-U.S. debt and equity securities. Partnership interests are valued using the most recent general partner statement of fair value, updated for any subsequent partnership interest cash flows.

Real estate includes commercial properties, land and timberland, and generally includes, but is not limited to, retail, office, industrial, multifamily and hotel properties. Real estate fund values are primarily reported by the fund manager and are based on valuation of the

underlying investments which include inputs such as cost, discounted cash flows, independent appraisals and market based comparable data.

Derivative investments such as futures, forward contracts, options, and swaps are used to help manage risks. Derivatives are generally employed as asset class substitutes (such as when employed within a portable alpha strategy), for managing asset/liability mismatches, or bona fide hedging or other appropriate risk management purposes. Derivative instruments are generally valued by the investment managers or in certain instances by third-party pricing sources.

The fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at December 31, 2014 were as follows:

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)



In millions	Equities- Domestic			Other Fixed Income		Hedge Funds			Private Equity			Real Estate			Derivatives			Total
Beginning balance at December 31, 2013	$	1		$	10	$	831		$	484		$	1,038		$	313		$	2,677
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date	(1		)	—		37			17			88			18			159
Relating to assets sold during the period	1			—		4			(1		)	14			76			94
Purchases, sales and settlements	(1		)	—		(5		)	(13		)	(7		)	(260		)	(286		)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (a)	—			—		—			32			(32		)	229			229
Ending balance at December 31, 2014	$	—		$	10	$	867		$	519		$	1,101		$	376		$	2,873

(a) Includes the transfer of a $32 million investment historically shown as Real Estate now categorized as Private Equity.

FUNDING AND CASH FLOWS

The Company’s funding policy for the Pension Plan is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet legal funding requirements, plus any additional amounts that the Company may determine to be appropriate considering the funded status of the plans, tax deductibility, cash flow generated by the Company, and other factors. The Company continually reassesses the amount and timing of any discretionary contributions. Contributions to the qualified plan totaling $353 million, $31 million and $44 million were made by the Company in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Generally, International Paper’s non-U.S. pension plans are funded using the projected benefit as a target, except in certain countries where funding of benefit plans is not required.

At December 31, 2014, projected future pension benefit payments, excluding any termination benefits, were as follows:



In millions
2015	$	802
2016	769
2017	781
2018	795
2019	811
2020 – 2024	4,279

OTHER U.S. PLANS

International Paper sponsors the International Paper Company Salaried Savings Plan and the International Paper Company Hourly Savings Plan, both of which are tax-qualified defined contribution 401(k) savings plans. Substantially all U.S. salaried and certain hourly employees are eligible to participate and may make elective deferrals to such plans to save for retirement. International Paper makes matching contributions to participant accounts on a specified percentage of employee deferrals as determined by the provisions of each plan. For eligible employees hired after June 30, 2004, the Company makes Retirement Savings Account contributions equal to a percentage of an eligible employee’s pay.

In connection with the Temple-Inland acquisition, International Paper acquired two savings plans which were merged into the International Paper savings plans on December 31, 2012.

The Company also sponsors the International Paper Company Deferred Compensation Savings Plan, which is an unfunded nonqualified defined contribution plan. This plan permits eligible employees to continue to make deferrals and receive company matching contributions when their contributions to the International Paper Salaried Savings Plan are stopped due to limitations under U.S. tax law. Participant deferrals and company matching contributions are not invested in a separate trust, but are paid directly from International Paper’s general assets at the time benefits become due and payable.

Company matching contributions to the plans totaled approximately $112 million, $120 million and $122 million for the plan years ending in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.