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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

NOTE 7 – PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:

Pension Plans

The Corporation has a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its U.S. employees. Generally, benefits are based on years of service multiplied by either a fixed amount or a percentage of compensation. For its U.S. pension plan covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), the Corporation’s policy is to fund at least the minimum actuarially computed annual contribution required under ERISA. Although no minimum contributions were required for any of the three years, voluntary contributions of $5,000 and $7,000 were made in 2013 and 2011, respectively. Additionally, due to voluntary contributions and relief provided by Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (“MAP-21”), which reduces funding requirements for single-employer defined benefit plans, no minimum contributions are required for 2014; however, voluntary contributions may be made. Estimated benefit payments for subsequent years are $8,746 for 2014, $9,220 for 2015, $9,666 for 2016, $10,125 for 2017, $10,603 for 2018 and $59,563 for 2019 – 2023. The fair value of the plan’s assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 approximated $164,085 and $140,218, respectively, in comparison to accumulated benefit obligations of $167,723 and $180,737 for the same periods.

Employees of UES-UK participate in a contributory defined benefit pension plan that was curtailed effective December 31, 2004 and replaced with a defined contribution pension plan. The UES-UK plans are non-U.S. plans and therefore are not covered by ERISA. Instead, the Trustees and UES-UK have agreed to a recovery plan that estimates the amount of employer contributions, based on U.K. regulations, necessary to eliminate the funding deficit of the plan over an agreed period with such estimates subject to change based on the future investment performance of the plan’s assets. Employer contributions to the contributory defined benefit pension plan approximated $1,764, $1,786 and $1,693 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are expected to approximate $1,859 in 2014. The fair value of the plan’s assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 approximated $48,536 (£29,315) and $41,875 (£25,774), respectively, in comparison to accumulated benefit obligations of $60,830 (£36,740) and $59,210 (£36,443) for the same periods. Estimated benefit payments for subsequent years are $1,193 for 2014, $1,565 for 2015, $1,475 for 2016, $2,178 for 2017, $1,593 for 2018 and $13,598 for 2019 – 2023. Contributions to the defined contribution pension plan approximated $316, $311 and $415 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are expected to approximate $403 in 2014.

The Corporation also maintains a nonqualified defined benefit pension plan to provide supplemental retirement benefits for selected executives in addition to benefits provided under the Corporate-sponsored pension plans. The assets are held in a grantor tax trust known as a “Rabbi” trust; accordingly, the assets are subject to claims of the Corporation’s creditors, but otherwise must be used only for purposes of providing benefits under the plan. No contributions were made to the trust in 2011–2013 and none are expected in 2014. The fair market value of the trust at December 31, 2013 and 2012, which is included in other noncurrent assets, was $4,092 and $3,358, respectively. Changes in the fair market value of the trust are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). The plan is treated as a non-funded pension plan for financial reporting purposes. Accumulated benefit obligations approximated $2,794 and $2,082 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Estimated benefit payments for subsequent years, which would represent employer contributions, are approximately $52 for 2014, $72 for 2015, $90 for 2016, $112 for 2017, $330 for 2018 and $1,729 for 2019–2023.

Employees at one location participate in a multi-employer plan, I.A.M. National Pension Fund, in lieu of the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan. A multi-employer plan generally receives contributions from two or more unrelated employers pursuant to one or more collective-bargaining agreements. The assets contributed by one employer may be used to fund the benefits provided to employees of other employers in the plan because the plan assets, once contributed, are not restricted to individual employers. The latest report of summary plan information (for the 2012 plan year) provided by I.A.M. National Pension Fund indicates:

 

   

More than 1,750 employer locations contribute to the plan

   

In excess of 250,000 employees participate in the plan

   

Assets of nearly $9.3 billion and a funded status in excess of 100%.

Less than 100 of the Corporation’s employees participate in the plan and contributions are based on a rate per hour. The Corporation’s contributions to the plan equaled $230, $241 and $246 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and represent less than five percent of total contributions to the plan by all contributing employers. Contributions are expected to approximate $261 in 2014.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The Corporation provides postretirement health care benefits principally to the bargaining groups of one subsidiary. The plan covers participants and their spouses and/or dependents who retire under the existing pension plan on other than a deferred vested basis and at the time of retirement have also rendered 15 or more years of continuous service irrespective of age. Other health care benefits are provided to retirees under plans no longer being offered by the Corporation. Retiree life insurance is provided to substantially all retirees. Postretirement benefits with respect to health care are subject to certain Medicare offsets. The Corporation also provides health care and life insurance benefits to former employees of certain discontinued operations. This obligation had been estimated and provided for at the time of disposal. The Corporation’s postretirement health care and life insurance plans are not funded or subject to any minimum regulatory funding requirements. Estimated benefit payments for subsequent years, which would represent employer contributions, are approximately $783 for 2014, $809 for 2015, $817 for 2016, $824 for 2017, $854 for 2018, and $5,251 for 2019 – 2023.

Reconciliations

The following provides a reconciliation of projected benefit obligations, plan assets, the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets for the Corporation’s defined benefit plans calculated using a measurement date as of the end of the respective years.

   

U.S. Pension

Benefits(a)

    Foreign Pension
Benefits
    Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
      2013        2012        2013        2012        2013        2012   

Change in projected benefit obligations:

           

Projected benefit obligations at January 1

  $     197,057      $     174,814      $     59,210      $     50,698      $     22,806      $     22,348   

Service cost

    4,424        3,943        0        0        943        804   

Interest cost

    8,070        8,514        2,551        2,506        926        919   

Plan amendments

    681        (42     0        0        0        0   

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

    0        0        1,154        2,434        0        0   

Actuarial (gain) loss

    (20,806     17,289        (823     5,239        (3,949     (623

Participant contributions

    0        0        0        0        423        428   

Benefits paid from plan assets

    (7,812     (7,425     (1,262     (1,667     0        0   

Benefits paid by the Corporation

    (8     (36     0        0        (1,020     (1,070

Projected benefit obligations at December 31

  $ 181,606      $ 197,057      $ 60,830      $ 59,210      $ 20,129      $ 22,806   

Change in plan assets:

           

Fair value of plan assets at January 1

  $ 140,218      $ 133,403      $ 41,875      $ 36,436      $ 0      $ 0   

Actual return on plan assets

    26,679        14,240        5,061        3,586        0        0   

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

    0        0        1,098        1,734        0        0   

Corporate contributions

    5,008        36        1,764        1,786        597        642   

Participant contributions

    0        0        0        0        423        428   

Gross benefits paid

    (7,820     (7,461     (1,262     (1,667     (1,020     (1,070

Fair value of plan assets at December 31

  $ 164,085      $ 140,218      $ 48,536      $ 41,875      $ 0      $ 0   

Funded status of the plans:

           

Fair value of plan assets

  $ 164,085      $ 140,218      $ 48,536      $ 41,875      $ 0      $ 0   

Less benefit obligations

    181,606        197,057        60,830        59,210        20,129        22,806   

Funded status at December 31

  $ (17,521   $ (56,839   $ (12,294   $ (17,335   $ (20,129   $ (22,806

(a)    Includes the nonqualified defined benefit pension plan.

 

       

     
    U.S. Pension
Benefits
    Foreign Pension
Benefits
    Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
      2013        2012        2013        2012        2013        2012   

Amounts recognized in the balance sheets:

           

Employee benefit obligations:

           

Accrued payrolls and employee benefits (current)

  $ (51   $ (25   $ 0      $ (152   $ (752   $ (738

Employee benefit obligations (noncurrent)

    (17,470     (56,814     (12,294     (17,183     (19,377     (22,068
    $ (17,521   $ (56,839   $ (12,294   $ (17,335   $ (20,129   $ (22,806

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax):

           

Net actuarial loss

  $     39,562      $     84,825      $     24,386      $     28,155      $     2,213      $     6,403   

Prior service cost

    2,154        2,113        0        0        142        227   

Total (pre-tax)

  $ 41,716      $ 86,938      $ 24,386      $ 28,155      $ 2,355      $ 6,630   

 

 

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2013 expected to be recognized in net periodic pension and other postretirement costs in 2014 include:

 

      U.S. Pension
Benefits
   Foreign Pension
Benefits
   Other Postretirement
Benefits

Net actuarial loss

   $    4,156    $    602    $      17

Prior service cost

           826              0            19
     $    4,982    $    602    $      36

Investment Policies and Strategies

The investment policies and strategies are determined and monitored by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors for the U.S. pension plan and by the Trustees (as appointed by UES-UK and the employees of UES-UK) for the foreign pension plan, each of whom employ their own investment managers to manage the plan’s assets in accordance with the policy guidelines. Pension assets are invested with the objective of maximizing long-term returns while minimizing material losses to meet future benefit obligations as they become due. Investments in equity securities are primarily in common stocks of publicly-traded U.S. and international companies across a broad spectrum of industry sectors. Investments in fixed-income securities are principally A-rated or better bonds with maturities of less than ten years, preferred stocks and convertible bonds. The Corporation believes there are no significant concentrations of risk associated with the Plans’ assets.

Attempts to minimize risk include allowing temporary changes to the allocation mix in response to market conditions, diversifying investments among asset categories (e.g., equity securities, fixed-income securities, alternative investments, cash and cash equivalents) and within these asset categories (e.g., economic sector, industry, geographic distribution, size) and consulting with independent financial and legal counsels to assure that the investments and their expected returns and risks are consistent with the goals of the Investment Committee or Trustees.

With respect to the U.S. pension plan, the following investments are prohibited unless otherwise approved by the Investment Committee: stock of the Corporation, futures and options except for hedging purposes, unregistered or restricted stock, warrants, margin trading, short-selling, real estate excluding public or real estate partnerships, and commodities including art, jewelry and gold. The foreign pension plan invests in specific funds. Any investments other than those specifically identified would be considered prohibited.

The following summarizes target asset allocations (within +/-5% considered acceptable) and major asset categories. Certain investments are classified differently for target asset allocation purposes and external reporting purposes.

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits   Foreign Pension Benefits
     

 

Target
Allocation

 

 

Percentage of Plan
Assets

 

 

Target
Allocation

 

 

Percentage of Plan
Assets

   Dec. 31, 2013   2013   2012   Dec. 31, 2013   2013   2012

Equity Securities

   65%   65%   66%   44%   46%   44%

Fixed-Income Securities

   15%   19%   18%   35%   31%   34%

Alternative Investments

   15%   15%   12%   21%   23%   22%

Other (primarily cash and cash equivalents)

   5%   1%   4%   0%   0%   0%

Fair Value Measurement of Plan Assets

Equity securities and mutual funds are actively traded on exchanges and price quotes for these investments are readily available. Similarly, corporate debt and preferred securities consist of fixed-income securities of U.S. and U.K. corporations and price quotes for these investments are readily available. Common collective trust and commingled funds are not traded publicly, but the underlying assets (such as stocks and bonds) held in these funds are traded on active markets and the prices for the underlying assets are readily observable. For securities not actively traded, the fair value may be based on third-party appraisals, discounted cash flow analysis, benchmark yields and inputs that are currently observable in markets for similar securities.

 

Investment Strategies

The significant investment strategies of the various funds are summarized below.

 

     
Fund    Investment Strategy    Primary Investment Objective

Temporary

Investment Funds

   Invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade money market instruments.    Achieve a high level of current income while maintaining stability of principal and liquidity.

Various Equity

Funds

   Each fund maintains a diversified holding in common stock of applicable companies (e.g. common stock of small capitalization companies if a small-cap fund, common stock of medium capitalization companies if a mid-cap fund, common stock of foreign corporations if an international fund, etc.).    Outperform the fund’s related index.
Pooled Funds    Invests primarily in common stocks and other equity securities of issuers organized or conducting business in countries other than the United States.    Exceed the return of the corresponding Morgan Stanley Index.

Various Growth and

Value Funds

   Invests primarily in common stocks and other equity securities generally traded on a major U.S. exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market.    Exceed the return of the Russell 2500 Growth Index or Value Index, as applicable, over a market cycle.
Return Fund    Invests at least 65% of its assets in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities of varying maturities.    Outperform the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index.

Alternative

Investments –

Managed Funds

   Invests in equities and equity-like asset classes and strategies, (such as public equities, venture capital, private equity, real estate, natural resources and hedged strategies) and fixed-income securities.    Generate a minimum annual inflation adjusted return of 5% and outperform a traditional 70/30 equities/bond portfolio.

Alternative

Investments –

Hedge and Absolute

Return Funds

   Invests in a diversified portfolio of alternative investment styles and strategies.    Generate long-term capital appreciation while maintaining a low correlation with the traditional global financial markets.

 

Categories of Plan Assets

Asset categories based on the nature and risks of the U.S. Pension Benefit Plan’s assets as of December 31, 2013 are summarized below.

 

      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Inputs
(Level 1)
    

Significant Other
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Equity Securities:

           

U.S.

           

Capital goods

   $ 1,751       $ 0       $ 0       $ 1,751   

Chemicals

     2,203         0         0         2,203   

Commercial property

     1,747         0         0         1,747   

Commercial services

     1,052         0         0         1,052   

Common collective trust funds

     0         37,495         0         37,495   

Electronics

     1,371         0         0         1,371   

Engineering & construction

     1,096         0         0         1,096   

Food processing

     3,339         0         0         3,339   

Health care

     1,216         0         0         1,216   

Limited partnerships – public equity

     9,125         0         0         9,125   

Manufacturing

     2,653         0         0         2,653   

Oil & gas

     2,342         0         0         2,342   

Retail

     1,006         0         0         1,006   

Technology

     1,855         0         0         1,855   

Other (represents 10 business sectors)

     6,300         0         0         6,300   

International

           

Bank & financial services

     1,808         0         0         1,808   

Common collective trust funds

     0         7,024         0         7,024   

Engineering & construction

     1,187         0         0         1,187   

Oil & gas

     1,969         0         0         1,969   

Real estate

     1,440         0         0         1,440   

Technology

     1,366         0         0         1,366   

Other (represents 9 business sectors)

     3,756         0         0         3,756   

Total Equity Securities

     48,582         44,519         0         93,101   

Fixed-Income Securities:

           

Commingled funds

     0         17,159         0         17,159   

Preferred (represents 4 business sectors)

     5,851         0         0         5,851   

Other (represents 7 business sectors)

     0         3,849         0         3,849   

Total Fixed-Income Securities

     5,851         21,008         0         26,859   

Alternative Investments:

           

Managed funds (a)

     0         0         32,433         32,433   

Hedge and absolute return funds

     0         0         8,389         8,389   

Total Alternative Investments

     0         0         40,822         40,822   

Other (primarily cash and cash equivalents):

           

Mutual funds

     64         0         0         64   

Commingled funds

     0         1,065         0         1,065   

Other (b)

     2,174         0         0         2,174   

Total Other

     2,238         1,065         0         3,303   
     $ 56,671       $ 66,592       $ 40,822       $     164,085   

 

  (a) Includes approximately 43% in equity and equity-like asset securities, 50% in alternative investments (real assets, commodities and resources, absolute return funds) and 7% in fixed income securities and cash and cash equivalents.
  (b) Includes accrued receivables and pending broker settlements.

 

Asset categories based on the nature and risks of the U.S. Pension Benefit Plan’s assets as of December 31, 2012 are summarized below.

 

      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Inputs
(Level 1)
    

Significant Other
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Equity Securities:

           

U.S.

           

Capital goods

   $ 1,269       $ 0       $ 0       $ 1,269   

Chemicals

     1,864         0         0         1,864   

Commercial property

     1,919         0         0         1,919   

Commercial services

     1,192         0         0         1,192   

Common collective trust funds

     0         30,451         0         30,451   

Electronics

     1,208         0         0         1,208   

Engineering & construction

     794         0         0         794   

Food processing

     3,549         0         0         3,549   

Health care

     830         0         0         830   

Limited partnerships – public equity

     7,251         0         0         7,251   

Manufacturing

     1,868         0         0         1,868   

Oil & gas

     3,322         0         0         3,322   

Retail

     870         0         0         870   

Technology

     879         0         0         879   

Other (represents 11 business sectors)

     5,196         0         0         5,196   

International

           

Bank & financial services

     1,255         0         0         1,255   

Common collective trust funds

     0         5,916         0         5,916   

Energy

     763         0         0         763   

Real estate

     1,929         0         0         1,929   

Technology

     1,004         0         0         1,004   

Other (represents 10 business sectors)

     3,751         0         0         3,751   

Total Equity Securities

     40,713         36,367         0         77,080   

Fixed-Income Securities:

           

Commingled funds

     0         14,482         0         14,482   

Preferred (represents 3 business sectors)

     5,755         0         0         5,755   

Other (represents 1 business sector)

     684         0         0         684   

Total Fixed-Income Securities

     6,439         14,482         0         20,921   

Alternative Investments:

           

Managed funds (a)

     0         0         30,064         30,064   

Hedge and absolute return funds

     0         0         6,490         6,490   

Total Alternative Investments

     0         0         36,554         36,554   

Other (primarily cash and cash equivalents):

           

Mutual funds

     2,944         0         0         2,944   

Commingled funds

     0         696         0         696   

Other (b)

     2,023         0         0         2,023   

Total Other

     4,967         696         0         5,663   
     $ 52,119       $ 51,545       $ 36,554       $     140,218   

 

  (a) Includes approximately 57% in equity and equity-like asset securities, 32% in alternative investments (real assets, commodities and resources, absolute return funds), 10% in fixed income securities and 1% in cash and cash equivalents.
  (b) Includes accrued receivables and pending broker settlements.

 

Asset categories based on the nature and risks of the Foreign Pension Benefit Plan’s assets as of December 31, 2013 are summarized below.

 

      Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for
Identical Inputs
(Level 1)
    

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Equity Securities:

           

Commingled Funds (U.K.)

   $ 4,043       $ 0       $ 0       $ 4,043   

Commingled Funds (International)

     18,086         0         0         18,086   

Total Equity Securities

     22,129         0         0         22,129   

Fixed-Income Securities:

           

Commingled Funds (U.K.)

     15,211         0         0         15,211   

Alternative Investments:

                                   

Hedge and Absolute Return Funds

     0         0         11,041         11,041   

Cash and cash equivalents

     155         0         0         155   
     $ 37,495       $ 0       $ 11,041       $ 48,536   

Asset categories based on the nature and risks of the Foreign Pension Benefit Plan’s assets as of December 31, 2012 are summarized below.

 

      Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for
Identical Inputs
(Level 1)
    

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Equity Securities:

           

Commingled Funds (U.K.)

   $ 3,277       $ 0       $ 0       $ 3,277   

Commingled Funds (International)

     15,140         0         0         15,140   

Total Equity Securities

     18,417         0         0         18,417   

Fixed-Income Securities:

           

Commingled Funds (U.K.)

     14,341         0         0         14,341   

Alternative Investments:

                                   

Hedge and Absolute Return Funds

     0         0         9,031         9,031   

Cash and cash equivalents

     86         0         0         86   
     $ 32,844       $ 0       $ 9,031       $ 41,875   

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 plan assets for U.S. and foreign pension plans for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

      Alternative Investments  
      U.S. Pension Benefits      Foreign Pension Benefits  

Fair value as of January 1, 2013

   $    6,490     $     30,064       $     9,031   

Acquisitions

       2,225                 0         1,100   

Withdrawals

   (1,320)      (2,070)         0   

Realized gain

          563           451         0   

Change in net unrealized gain

          431         3,988         644   

Other, primarily impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates

               0                   0         266   

Fair value as of December 31, 2013

   $    8,389     $     32,433       $     11,041   

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 plan assets for U.S. and foreign pension plans for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

      Alternative Investments  
      U.S. Pension Benefits      Foreign Pension Benefits  

Fair value as of January 1, 2012

   $     5,940       $     29,280       $ 3,324   

Acquisitions

                 0                     0         5,191   

Withdrawals

             0         (1,919)         (87

Change in net unrealized gain

           550             2,703         333   

Other, primarily impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates

                 0                     0         270   

Fair value as of December 31, 2012

   $     6,490       $     30,064       $     9,031   

 

 

Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs

The actual return on the fair value of plan assets is included in determining the funded status of the plans. In determining net periodic pension costs, the expected long-term rate of return on the market-related value of plan assets is used. Differences between the actual return on plan assets and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets are classified as part of unrecognized actuarial gains or losses and are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheet. When these gains or losses exceed 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets, they are amortized to net periodic pension and other postretirement costs over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits under the plans. When the gains or losses are less than 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets, they are included in net periodic pension and other postretirement costs indirectly as a result of lower/higher interest costs arising from a decrease/increase in the projected benefit obligation.

Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the following components for the year ended December 31:

 

     U.S. Pension
Benefits
    Foreign Pension
Benefits
    Other Postretirement Benefits  
      2013     2012     2011     2013     2012     2011     2013      2012      2011  

Service cost

   $     4,424      $     3,943      $     3,115      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 943       $ 804       $ 643   

Interest cost

     8,070        8,514        8,867            2,551            2,506            2,589        926         919         1,020   

Expected return on plan assets

     (9,368     (9,556     (9,658     (2,485     (2,101     (2,311     0         0         0   

Amortization of prior service cost

     640        668        656        0        0        0        85         85         86   

Amortization of actuarial loss

     7,146        6,087        4,236        687        598        496        241         71         256   

Net cost

   $ 10,912      $ 9,656      $ 7,216      $ 753      $ 1,003      $ 774      $     2,195       $     1,879       $     2,005   

Assumptions

Assumptions are reviewed on an annual basis. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is an estimate of average rates of earnings expected to be earned on funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. Since these benefits will be paid over many years, the expected long-term rate of return is reflective of current investment returns and investment returns over a longer period. Consideration is also given to target and actual asset allocations, inflation and real risk-free return. The discount rates used in determining future pension obligations and other postretirement benefits for each of the plans are based on rates of return on high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension and other postretirement benefits. High-quality fixed-income investments are defined as those investments which have received one of the two highest ratings given by a recognized rating agency with maturities of 10+ years.

The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations as of December 31:

 

     U.S. Pension
Benefits
   Foreign Pension
Benefits
         Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
      2013     2012           2013     2012           2013     2012  

Discount rate

     5.00     4.25        4.50     4.50        5.00     4.25

Weighted-average rate of increases in compensation

     4.00     4.00          n/a        n/a             n/a        n/a   

 

 

In addition, the assumed health care cost trend rate at December 31, 2013 for other postretirement benefits is 6.50% for 2014 gradually decreasing to 4.75% in 2018. In selecting rates for current and long-term health care assumptions, the Corporation considers known health care cost increases, the design of the benefit programs, the demographics of its active and retiree populations and expectations of inflation rates in the future. A one percentage point increase or decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would change the postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2013 and the annual benefit expense for 2013 by approximately $2,800 and $350, respectively.

The following assumptions were used to determine net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for the year ended December 31:

     U.S. Pension
Benefits
  Foreign Pension
Benefits
    Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
      2013     2012     2011   2013     2012     2011     2013     2012     2011  

Discount rate

     4.25     5.00   5.75%     4.50     4.90     5.40     4.25     5.00     5.75

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

     8.00     8.00   8.00%     6.09     5.61     6.39     n/a        n/a        n/a   

Weighted-average rate of increases in compensation

     4.00     4.00   4.00%     n/a        n/a        n/a        n/a        n/a        n/a