Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans for eligible employees. The defined benefit pension plans provide benefits for participating employees based on years of service and average compensation for a specified period of time before retirement. Effective November 1, 2012, substantially all of our defined benefit pension plans were frozen and we began providing enhanced benefits under our defined contribution pension plans for certain employee groups. We use a December 31 measurement date for all of our defined benefit pension plans. We also provide certain retiree medical and other postretirement benefits, including health care and life insurance benefits, to retired employees. Effective November 1, 2012, we modified our retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans to eliminate the company subsidy for employees who retire on or after November 1, 2012. As a result of modifications to our retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans in 2012, we recognized a negative plan amendment of $1.9 billion, which was included as a component of prior service benefit in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) and was amortized over the future service life of the active plan participants for whom the benefit was eliminated. As of December 31, 2020, this prior service benefit was fully amortized.

Effective January 1, 2021, health coverage under our retiree medical benefit program that is currently provided to certain retirees age 65 and over who retired prior to November 1, 2012, transitioned from a self-insured plan to a fully-insured Medicare Advantage plan. Benefits coverage has not been reduced and cost shared has not changed as a result of this transition. Due to this transition, as of December 31, 2020, we recognized a negative plan amendment of $313 million to reduce our benefit obligation, which was included as a component of prior service cost in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of all retirees, or approximately 13.3 years.

Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations, fair value of plan assets and a statement of funded status as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

	Pension Benefits				Retiree Medical and  Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(In millions)
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	18,358	$	16,378	$	824	$	837
Service cost	2		2		8		3
Interest cost	615		703		30		33
Actuarial loss (1), (2)	1,613		1,965		46		20
Special termination benefits (3)	—		—		410		—
Plan amendments (4)	—		—		(195)		—
Settlements	(36)		(2)		—		—
Benefit payments	(740)		(689)		(77)		(74)
Other	—		1		—		5
Benefit obligation at end of period	$	19,812	$	18,358	$	1,046	$	824

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	12,897	$	10,053	$	204	$	225
Actual return on plan assets	1,427		2,305		13		41
Employer contributions (5)	9		1,230		30		12
Settlements	(36)		(2)		—		—
Benefit payments	(740)		(689)		(77)		(74)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	13,557	$	12,897	$	170	$	204
Funded status at end of period	$	(6,255)	$	(5,461)	$	(876)	$	(620)

(1)The 2020 and 2019 pension actuarial loss primarily relates to the change in our weighted average discount rate assumption and, additionally, in 2019, the change to our mortality assumption.

(2)The 2020 retiree medical and other postretirement benefits actuarial loss primarily relates to the change in our weighted average discount rate assumption.

The 2019 retiree medical and other postretirement benefits actuarial loss primarily relates to changes in our weighted average discount rate assumption and plan experience adjustments.

(3)During the third quarter of 2020, we remeasured our retiree medical and other postretirement benefits to account for enhanced healthcare benefits provided to eligible team members who opted in to voluntary early retirement programs offered as a result of reductions to our operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the third quarter of 2020, we recognized a $410 million special charge for these enhanced healthcare benefits and increased our postretirement benefits obligation by $410 million.

(4)Principally relates to the transition of our retiree medical benefit program from a self-insured plan to a fully-insured Medicare Advantage plan as discussed above.

(5)Pursuant to the CARES Act, minimum required contributions to be made in the calendar year 2020 can be deferred to January 1, 2021, with interest accruing from the original due date to the new payment date. During 2019, we contributed $1.2 billion to our defined benefit pension plans, including a $786 million minimum required contribution and supplemental contributions of $444 million.

Balance Sheet Position

	Pension Benefits				Retiree Medical and  Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(In millions)
As of December 31,
Current liability	$	7	$	5	$	55	$	24
Noncurrent liability	6,248		5,456		821		596
Total liabilities	$	6,255	$	5,461	$	876	$	620

Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	6,700	$	5,680	$	(358)	$	(426)
Prior service cost (benefit)	75		104		(181)		(120)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax	$	6,775	$	5,784	$	(539)	$	(546)

Plans with Projected Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets

	Pension Benefits
	2020		2019
	(In millions)
Projected benefit obligation	$	19,812	$	18,327
Fair value of plan assets	13,557		12,862

Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets

	Pension Benefits				Retiree Medical and  Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(In millions)
Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	$	19,799	$	18,315	$	—	$	—
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	—		—		1,046		824
Fair value of plan assets	13,557		12,862		170		204

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)

	Pension Benefits						Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020		2019		2018		2020		2019		2018
	(In millions)
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	$	2	$	2	$	3	$	8	$	3	$	5
Interest cost	615		703		674		30		33		35
Expected return on assets	(1,010)		(815)		(905)		(11)		(15)		(24)
Special termination benefits	—		—		—		410		—		—
Settlements	12		—		—		—		—		—
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	30		28		28		(135)		(236)		(236)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	164		150		141		(24)		(31)		(21)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	(187)	$	68	$	(59)	$	278	$	(246)	$	(241)

The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost (income) is included in operating expenses, the cost for the special termination benefits is included in special items, net and the other components of net periodic benefit cost (income) are included in nonoperating other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations.

Assumptions

The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine our benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost (income) for the periods presented:

	Pension Benefits		Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020	2019	2020	2019
Benefit obligations:
Weighted average discount rate	2.7%	3.4%	2.4%	3.3%

	Pension Benefits			Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020	2019	2018	2020	2019	2018
Net periodic benefit cost (income):
Weighted average discount rate	3.4%	4.4%	3.8%	3.2%	4.3%	3.6%
Weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%
Weighted average health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (1)	N/A	N/A	N/A	4.0%	3.7%	3.9%

(1)The weighted average health care cost trend rate at December 31, 2020 is assumed to decline gradually to 3.4% by 2027 and remain level thereafter.

As of December 31, 2020, our estimate of the long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.0% based on the target asset allocation. Expected returns on long duration bonds are based on yields to maturity of the bonds held at year-end. Expected returns on other assets are based on a combination of long-term historical returns, actual returns on plan assets achieved over the last ten years, current and expected market conditions, and expected value to be generated through active management and securities lending programs.

Minimum Contributions

We are required to make minimum contributions to our defined benefit pension plans under the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and various other laws for U.S. based plans as well as underfunding rules specific to countries where we maintain defined benefit plans. Based on current

funding assumptions, we have minimum required contributions of $697 million for 2021 including contributions to defined benefit plans for our wholly-owned regional subsidiaries and $130 million of minimum contributions required for 2020 that were deferred pursuant to the CARES Act as discussed above. In January 2021, we made $241 million of required pension contributions, including the $130 million minimum contributions required for 2020. Our funding obligations will depend on the performance of our investments held in trust by the pension plans, interest rates for determining liabilities, the amount of and timing of any supplemental contributions and our actuarial experience.

Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be paid (approximately, in millions):

	2021		2022		2023		2024		2025		2026-2030
Pension benefits	$	790	$	830	$	872	$	914	$	952	$	5,150
Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits	102		93		89		86		82		356

Plan Assets

The objectives of our investment policies are to: maintain sufficient income and liquidity to pay retirement benefits; produce a long-term rate of return that meets or exceeds the assumed rate of return for plan assets; limit the volatility of asset performance and funded status; and diversify assets among asset classes and investment managers.

Based on these investment objectives, a long-term strategic asset allocation has been established. This strategic allocation seeks to balance the potential benefit of improving the funded position with the potential risk that the funded position would decline. The current strategic target asset allocation is as follows:

Asset Class/Sub-Class	Allowed Range
Equity	45% - 80%
Public:
U.S. Large	10% - 40%
U.S. Small/Mid	2% - 10%
International	10% - 25%
International Small/Mid	0% - 10%
Emerging Markets	2% - 15%
Alternative Investments	5% - 30%
Fixed Income	20% - 55%
Public:
U.S. Long Duration	15% - 45%
High Yield and Emerging Markets	0% - 10%
Private Income	0% - 15%
Other	0% - 5%
Cash Equivalents	0% - 20%

U.S. long duration bonds are used to partially hedge the assets from declines in interest rates. Public equity as well as high yield fixed income securities are used to provide diversification and are expected to generate higher returns over the long-term than U.S. long duration bonds. Alternative (private) investments are used to provide expected returns in excess of the public markets over the long-term. The pension plan’s master trust also participates in securities lending programs to generate additional income by loaning plan assets to borrowers on a fully collateralized basis. These programs are subject to market risk.

Investments in securities traded on recognized securities exchanges are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the year. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last bid price. Investments in limited partnerships are carried at estimated net asset value as determined by and reported by the general partners of the partnerships and represent the proportionate share of the estimated fair value of the underlying assets of the limited partnerships. Common/collective trusts are valued at net asset value based on the fair values of the underlying investments of the trusts as determined by the sponsor of the trusts. No changes in valuation techniques or inputs occurred during the year.

Benefit Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The fair value of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, by asset category, were as follows (in millions):

	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2020
Asset Category	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	40	$	—	$	—	$	40
Equity securities:
International markets (a), (b)	2,282		—		—		2,282
Large-cap companies (b)	2,085		—		—		2,085
Mid-cap companies (b)	428		—		—		428
Small-cap companies (b)	73		1		—		74
Mutual funds (c)	80		—		—		80
Fixed income:
Corporate debt (d)	—		3,026		—		3,026
Government securities (e)	—		1,010		—		1,010
U.S. municipal securities	—		30		—		30
Alternative instruments:
Private market partnerships (f)	—		—		15		15
Private market partnerships measured at net asset value (f), (g)	—		—		—		1,791
Common/collective trusts (h)	—		259		—		259
Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value (g), (h)	—		—		—		2,384
Insurance group annuity contracts	—		—		2		2
Dividend and interest receivable	49		—		—		49
Due from brokers for sale of securities – net	1		—		—		1
Other receivables – net	1		—		—		1
Total	$	5,039	$	4,326	$	17	$	13,557

(a)Holdings are diversified as follows: 11% Switzerland, 11% Ireland, 10% United Kingdom, 9% France, 8% Japan, 7% Germany, 6% Netherlands, 13% emerging markets and the remaining 25% with no concentration greater than 5% in any one country.

(b)There are no significant concentrations of holdings by company or industry.

(c)Investment includes mutual funds invested 39% in equity securities of large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap U.S. companies, 35% in U.S. treasuries and corporate bonds and 26% in equity securities of international companies.

(d)Includes approximately 77% investments in corporate debt with a S&P rating lower than A and 23% investments in corporate debt with a S&P rating A or higher. Holdings include 89% U.S. companies, 9% international companies and 2% emerging market companies.

(e)Includes approximately 89% investments in U.S. domestic government securities, 9% in emerging market government securities and 2% in international government securities. There are no significant foreign currency risks within this classification.

(f)Includes limited partnerships that invest primarily in domestic private equity and private income opportunities. The pension plan’s master trust does not have the right to redeem its limited partnership investment at its net asset value, but rather receives distributions as the underlying assets are liquidated. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be gradually liquidated over the next one to ten years. Additionally, the pension plan’s master trust has future funding commitments of approximately $1.6 billion over the next ten years.

(g)Certain investments that are measured using net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient for fair value have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

(h)Investment includes 34% in a common/collective trust investing in large market capitalization equity securities within the U.S., 30% in three common/collective trusts investing in emerging country equity securities, 21% in a common/collective trust investing in equity securities of companies located outside the U.S., 9% in a collective interest trust investing primarily in short-term securities, 5% in a common/collective trust investing in smaller market capitalization equity securities within the U.S. and 1% in Canadian segregated balanced value, income growth and diversified pooled funds. For some trusts, requests for withdrawals must meet specific requirements with advance notice of redemption preferred.

	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2019
Asset Category	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20	$	—	$	—	$	20
Equity securities:
International markets (a), (b)	2,769		—		—		2,769
Large-cap companies (b)	2,312		—		—		2,312
Mid-cap companies (b)	543		—		—		543
Small-cap companies (b)	97		—		—		97
Mutual funds (c)	68		—		—		68
Fixed income:
Corporate debt (d)	—		2,804		—		2,804
Government securities (e)	—		923		—		923
U.S. municipal securities	—		51		—		51
Mortgage backed securities	—		4		—		4
Alternative instruments:
Private market partnerships (f)	—		—		10		10
Private market partnerships measured at net asset value (f), (g)	—		—		—		1,464
Common/collective trusts (h)	—		358		—		358
Common/collective trusts and 103-12 Investment Trust measured at net asset value (g), (h)	—		—		—		1,423
Insurance group annuity contracts	—		—		2		2
Dividend and interest receivable	53		—		—		53
Due to brokers for sale of securities – net	(4)		—		—		(4)
Total	$	5,858	$	4,140	$	12	$	12,897

(a)Holdings are diversified as follows: 14% United Kingdom, 8% Switzerland, 8% Ireland, 7% Japan, 7% France, 6%

South Korea, 6% Canada, 18% emerging markets and the remaining 26% with no concentration greater than 5% in any one country.

(b)There are no significant concentrations of holdings by company or industry.

(c)Investment includes mutual funds invested 40% in equity securities of large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap U.S. companies, 33% in U.S. treasuries and corporate bonds and 27% in equity securities of international companies.

(d)Includes approximately 76% investments in corporate debt with a S&P rating lower than A and 24% investments in corporate debt with a S&P rating A or higher. Holdings include 86% U.S. companies, 11% international companies and 3% emerging market companies.

(e)Includes approximately 79% investments in U.S. domestic government securities, 13% in emerging market government securities and 8% in international government securities. There are no significant foreign currency risks within this classification.

(f)Includes limited partnerships that invest primarily in domestic private equity and private income opportunities. The pension plan’s master trust does not have the right to redeem its limited partnership investment at its net asset value, but rather receives distributions as the underlying assets are liquidated. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be gradually liquidated over the next one to ten years. Additionally, the pension plan’s master trust has future funding commitments of approximately $1.4 billion over the next ten years.

(g)Certain investments that are measured using net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient for fair value have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

(h)Investment includes 36% in a common/collective trust investing in securities of larger companies within the U.S., 29% in a common/collective trust investing in securities of smaller companies located outside the U.S., 16% in a collective interest trust investing primarily in short-term securities, 15% in an emerging market 103-12 Investment Trust with investments in emerging country equity securities and 4% in Canadian segregated balanced value, income growth and diversified pooled funds. For some trusts, requests for withdrawals must meet specific requirements with advance notice of redemption preferred.

Changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments during the year ended December 31, 2020, were as follows (in millions):

	Private Market Partnerships		Insurance Group Annuity Contracts
Beginning balance at December 31, 2019	$	10	$	2
Actual gain on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date	1		—
Purchases	4		—
Ending balance at December 31, 2020	$	15	$	2

Changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments during the year ended December 31, 2019, were as follows (in millions):

	Private Market Partnerships		Insurance Group Annuity Contracts
Beginning balance at December 31, 2018	$	7	$	2
Purchases	3		—
Ending balance at December 31, 2019	$	10	$	2

The fair value of our retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans assets by asset category, were as follows (in millions):

	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2020
Asset Category	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Money market fund	$	4	$	—	$	—	$	4
Mutual funds – AAL Class	—		166		—		166
Total	$	4	$	166	$	—	$	170

	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2019
Asset Category	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Money market fund	$	4	$	—	$	—	$	4
Mutual funds – AAL Class	—		200		—		200
Total	$	4	$	200	$	—	$	204

Investments in the retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans’ mutual funds are valued by quoted prices on the active market, which is fair value, and represents the net asset value of the shares of such funds as of the close of business at the end of the period. Net asset value is based on the fair market value of the funds’ underlying assets and liabilities at the date of determination. The AAL Class mutual funds are offered only to benefit plans of American, therefore, trading is restricted only to American, resulting in a fair value classification of Level 2. Investments included approximately 25% and 24% of investments in non-U.S. common stocks in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Defined Contribution and Multiemployer Plans

The costs associated with our defined contribution plans were $860 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and $846 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

We participate in the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) National Pension Fund, Employer Identification No. 51-6031295 and Plan No. 002 (the IAM Pension Fund). Our contributions to the IAM Pension Fund were $40 million, $32 million and $31 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The IAM Pension Fund reported $510 million in employers’ contributions for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is the most recent year for which such information is available. For 2019, our contributions represented more than 5% of total contributions to the IAM Pension Fund.

On March 29, 2019, the actuary for the IAM Pension Fund certified that the fund was in “endangered” status despite reporting a funded status of over 80%. Additionally, the IAM Pension Fund’s Board voluntarily elected to enter into “critical” status on April 17, 2019. Upon entry into critical status, the IAM Pension Fund was required by law to adopt a rehabilitation plan aimed at restoring the financial health of the pension plan and did so on April 17, 2019 (the Rehabilitation Plan). Under the Rehabilitation Plan, we were subject to an immaterial contribution surcharge, which ceased to apply June 14, 2019 upon our mandatory adoption of a contribution schedule under the Rehabilitation Plan. The contribution schedule requires 2.5% annual increases to our contribution rate. This contribution schedule will remain in effect through the earlier of December 31, 2031 or the date the IAM Pension Fund emerges from critical status.

Profit Sharing Program

We accrue 5% of our pre-tax income excluding net special items for our profit sharing program. As a result of our pre-tax loss excluding net special items, there will not be a payout for 2020 under our profit sharing program.

American Airlines, Inc.

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

American sponsors defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans for eligible employees. The defined benefit pension plans provide benefits for participating employees based on years of service and average compensation for a specified period of time before retirement. Effective November 1, 2012, substantially all of American’s defined benefit pension plans were frozen and American began providing enhanced benefits under its defined contribution pension plans for certain employee groups. American uses a December 31 measurement date for all of its defined benefit pension plans. American also provides certain retiree medical and other postretirement benefits, including health care and life insurance benefits, to retired employees. Effective November 1, 2012, American modified its retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans to eliminate the company subsidy for employees who retire on or after November 1, 2012. As a result of modifications to its retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans in 2012, American recognized a negative plan amendment of $1.9 billion, which was included as a component of prior service benefit in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) and was amortized over the future service life of the active plan participants for whom the benefit was eliminated. As of December 31, 2020, this prior service benefit was fully amortized.

Effective January 1, 2021, health coverage under American’s retiree medical benefit program that is currently provided to certain retirees age 65 and over who retired prior to November 1, 2012, transitioned from a self-insured plan to a fully-insured Medicare Advantage plan. Benefits coverage has not been reduced and cost shared has not changed as a result of this transition. Due to this transition, as of December 31, 2020, American recognized a negative plan amendment of $313 million to reduce its benefit obligation, which was included as a component of prior service cost in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of all retirees, or approximately 13.3 years.

Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations, fair value of plan assets and a statement of funded status as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

	Pension Benefits				Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(In millions)
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	18,246	$	16,282	$	824	$	837
Service cost	2		2		8		3
Interest cost	611		699		30		33
Actuarial loss (1), (2)	1,603		1,951		46		20
Special termination benefits (3)	—		—		410		—
Plan amendments (4)	—		—		(195)		—
Settlements	(36)		(2)		—		—
Benefit payments	(736)		(686)		(77)		(74)
Other	—		—		—		5
Benefit obligation at end of period	$	19,690	$	18,246	$	1,046	$	824

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	12,829	$	10,001	$	204	$	225
Actual return on plan assets	1,414		2,292		13		41
Employer contributions (5)	6		1,224		30		12
Settlements	(36)		(2)		—		—
Benefit payments	(736)		(686)		(77)		(74)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	13,477	$	12,829	$	170	$	204
Funded status at end of period	$	(6,213)	$	(5,417)	$	(876)	$	(620)

(1)The 2020 and 2019 pension actuarial loss primarily relates to the change in American’s weighted average discount rate assumption and, additionally, in 2019, the change to American’s mortality assumption.

(2)The 2020 retiree medical and other postretirement benefits actuarial loss primarily relates to the change in American’s weighted average discount rate assumption.

The 2019 retiree medical and other postretirement benefits actuarial loss primarily relates to changes in American’s weighted average discount rate assumption and plan experience adjustments.

(3)During the third quarter of 2020, American remeasured its retiree medical and other postretirement benefits to account for enhanced healthcare benefits provided to eligible team members who opted in to voluntary early retirement programs offered as a result of reductions to its operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the third quarter of 2020, American recognized a $410 million special charge for these enhanced healthcare benefits and increased its postretirement benefits obligation by $410 million.

(4)Principally relates to the transition of American’s retiree medical benefit program from a self-insured plan to a fully-insured Medicare Advantage plan as discussed above.

(5)Pursuant to the CARES Act, minimum required contributions to be made in the calendar year 2020 can be deferred to January 1, 2021, with interest accruing from the original due date to the new payment date. During 2019, American contributed $1.2 billion to its defined benefit pension plans, including a $780 million minimum required contribution and supplemental contributions of $444 million.

Balance Sheet Position

	Pension Benefits				Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(In millions)
As of December 31,
Current liability	$	7	$	5	$	55	$	24
Noncurrent liability	6,206		5,412		821		596
Total liabilities	$	6,213	$	5,417	$	876	$	620

Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	6,679	$	5,662	$	(358)	$	(426)
Prior service cost (benefit)	75		102		(181)		(120)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax	$	6,754	$	5,764	$	(539)	$	(546)

Plans with Projected Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets

	Pension Benefits
	2020		2019
	(In millions)
Projected benefit obligation	$	19,690	$	18,215
Fair value of plan assets	13,477		12,794

Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets

	Pension Benefits				Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(In millions)
Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	$	19,678	$	18,204	$	—	$	—
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	—		—		1,046		824
Fair value of plan assets	13,477		12,794		170		204

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)

	Pension Benefits						Retiree Medical and   Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020		2019		2018		2020		2019		2018
	(In millions)
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	$	2	$	2	$	2	$	8	$	3	$	5
Interest cost	611		699		670		30		33		35
Expected return on assets	(1,005)		(811)		(901)		(11)		(15)		(24)
Special termination benefits	—		—		—		410		—		—
Settlements	12		—		—		—		—		—
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	29		28		28		(135)		(236)		(236)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	164		150		140		(24)		(31)		(21)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	(187)	$	68	$	(61)	$	278	$	(246)	$	(241)

The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost (income) is included in operating expenses, the cost for the special termination benefits is included in special items, net and the other components of net periodic benefit cost (income) are included in nonoperating other income (expense), net in American’s consolidated statements of operations.

Assumptions

The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine American’s benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost (income) for the periods presented:

	Pension Benefits		Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020	2019	2020	2019
Benefit obligations:
Weighted average discount rate	2.7%	3.4%	2.4%	3.3%

	Pension Benefits			Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
	2020	2019	2018	2020	2019	2018
Net periodic benefit cost (income):
Weighted average discount rate	3.4%	4.4%	3.8%	3.2%	4.3%	3.6%
Weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%
Weighted average health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (1)	N/A	N/A	N/A	4.0%	3.7%	3.9%

(1)The weighted average health care cost trend rate at December 31, 2020 is assumed to decline gradually to 3.4% by 2027 and remain level thereafter.

As of December 31, 2020, American’s estimate of the long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.0% based on the target asset allocation. Expected returns on long duration bonds are based on yields to maturity of the bonds held at year-end. Expected returns on other assets are based on a combination of long-term historical returns, actual returns on plan assets achieved over the last ten years, current and expected market conditions, and expected value to be generated through active management and securities lending programs.

Minimum Contributions

American is required to make minimum contributions to its defined benefit pension plans under the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and various other laws for U.S. based plans as well as underfunding rules specific to countries where American maintains defined benefit plans. Based on current funding assumptions, American has minimum required contributions of $694 million for 2021 including $130 million of minimum contributions required for 2020 that were deferred pursuant to the CARES Act as discussed above. In January 2021, American made $241 million of required pension contributions, including the $130 million minimum contributions required for 2020. American’s funding obligations will depend on the performance of American’s investments held in trust by the pension plans, interest rates for determining liabilities, the amount of and timing of any supplemental contributions and American’s actuarial experience.

Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be paid (approximately, in millions):

	2021		2022		2023		2024		2025		2026-2030
Pension benefits	$	786	$	825	$	868	$	909	$	947	$	5,120
Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits	102		93		89		86		82		356

Plan Assets

The objectives of American’s investment policies are to: maintain sufficient income and liquidity to pay retirement benefits; produce a long-term rate of return that meets or exceeds the assumed rate of return for plan assets; limit the volatility of asset performance and funded status; and diversify assets among asset classes and investment managers.

Based on these investment objectives, a long-term strategic asset allocation has been established. This strategic allocation seeks to balance the potential benefit of improving the funded position with the potential risk that the funded position would decline. The current strategic target asset allocation is as follows:

Asset Class/Sub-Class	Allowed Range
Equity	45% - 80%
Public:
U.S. Large	10% - 40%
U.S. Small/Mid	2% - 10%
International	10% - 25%
International Small/Mid	0% - 10%
Emerging Markets	2% - 15%
Alternative Investments	5% - 30%
Fixed Income	20% - 55%
Public:
U.S. Long Duration	15% - 45%
High Yield and Emerging Markets	0% - 10%
Private Income	0% - 15%
Other	0% - 5%
Cash Equivalents	0% - 20%

U.S. long duration bonds are used to partially hedge the assets from declines in interest rates. Public equity as well as high yield fixed income securities are used to provide diversification and are expected to generate higher returns over the long-term than U.S. long duration bonds. Alternative (private) investments are used to provide expected returns in excess of the public markets over the long-term. The pension plan’s master trust also participates in securities lending programs to generate additional income by loaning plan assets to borrowers on a fully collateralized basis. These programs are subject to market risk.

Investments in securities traded on recognized securities exchanges are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the year. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last bid price. Investments in limited partnerships are carried at estimated net asset value as determined by and reported by the general partners of the partnerships and represent the proportionate share of the estimated fair value of the underlying assets of the limited partnerships. Common/collective trusts are valued at net asset value based on the fair values of the underlying investments of the trusts as determined by the sponsor of the trusts. No changes in valuation techniques or inputs occurred during the year.

Benefit Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The fair value of American’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, by asset category, were as follows (in millions):

	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2020
Asset Category	Quoted Prices in Active Markets  for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	40	$	—	$	—	$	40
Equity securities:
International markets (a), (b)	2,282		—		—		2,282
Large-cap companies (b)	2,085		—		—		2,085
Mid-cap companies (b)	428		—		—		428
Small-cap companies (b)	73		1		—		74
Fixed income:
Corporate debt (c)	—		3,026		—		3,026
Government securities (d)	—		1,010		—		1,010
U.S. municipal securities	—		30		—		30
Alternative instruments:
Private market partnerships (e)	—		—		15		15
Private market partnerships measured at net asset value (e), (f)	—		—		—		1,791
Common/collective trusts (g)	—		259		—		259
Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value (f), (g)	—		—		—		2,384
Insurance group annuity contracts	—		—		2		2
Dividend and interest receivable	49		—		—		49
Due from brokers for sale of securities – net	1		—		—		1
Other receivables – net	1		—		—		1
Total	$	4,959	$	4,326	$	17	$	13,477

(a)Holdings are diversified as follows: 11% Switzerland, 11% Ireland, 10% United Kingdom, 9% France, 8% Japan, 7% Germany, 6% Netherlands, 13% emerging markets and the remaining 25% with no concentration greater than 5% in any one country.

(b)There are no significant concentrations of holdings by company or industry.

(c)Includes approximately 77% investments in corporate debt with a S&P rating lower than A and 23% investments in corporate debt with a S&P rating A or higher. Holdings include 89% U.S. companies, 9% international companies and 2% emerging market companies.

(d)Includes approximately 89% investments in U.S. domestic government securities, 9% in emerging market government securities and 2% in international government securities. There are no significant foreign currency risks within this classification.

(e)Includes limited partnerships that invest primarily in domestic private equity and private income opportunities. The pension plan’s master trust does not have the right to redeem its limited partnership investment at its net asset value, but rather receives distributions as the underlying assets are liquidated. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be gradually liquidated over the next one to ten years. Additionally, the pension plan’s master trust has future funding commitments of approximately $1.6 billion over the next ten years.

(f)Certain investments that are measured using net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient for fair value have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

(g)Investment includes 34% in a common/collective trust investing in large market capitalization equity securities within the U.S., 30% in three common/collective trusts investing in emerging country equity securities, 21% in a common/collective trust investing in equity securities of companies located outside the U.S., 9% in a collective interest trust investing primarily in short-term securities, 5% in a common/collective trust investing in smaller market capitalization equity securities within the U.S. and 1% in Canadian segregated balanced value, income growth and diversified pooled funds. For some trusts, requests for withdrawals must meet specific requirements with advance notice of redemption preferred.

	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2019
Asset Category	Quoted Prices in Active Markets  for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20	$	—	$	—	$	20
Equity securities:
International markets (a), (b)	2,769		—		—		2,769
Large-cap companies (b)	2,312		—		—		2,312
Mid-cap companies (b)	543		—		—		543
Small-cap companies (b)	97		—		—		97
Fixed income:
Corporate debt (c)	—		2,804		—		2,804
Government securities (d)	—		923		—		923
U.S. municipal securities	—		51		—		51
Mortgage backed securities	—		4		—		4
Alternative instruments:
Private market partnerships (e)	—		—		10		10
Private market partnerships measured at net asset value (e), (f)	—		—		—		1,464
Common/collective trusts (g)	—		358		—		358
Common/collective trusts and 103-12 Investment Trust measured at net asset value (f), (g)	—		—		—		1,423
Insurance group annuity contracts	—		—		2		2
Dividend and interest receivable	53		—		—		53
Due to brokers for sale of securities – net	(4)		—		—		(4)
Total	$	5,790	$	4,140	$	12	$	12,829

(a)Holdings are diversified as follows: 14% United Kingdom, 8% Switzerland, 8% Ireland, 7% Japan, 7% France, 6% South Korea, 6% Canada, 18% emerging markets and the remaining 26% with no concentration greater than 5% in any one country.

(b)There are no significant concentrations of holdings by company or industry.

(c)Includes approximately 76% investments in corporate debt with a S&P rating lower than A and 24% investments in corporate debt with a S&P rating A or higher. Holdings include 86% U.S. companies, 11% international companies and 3% emerging market companies.

(d)Includes approximately 79% investments in U.S. domestic government securities, 13% in emerging market government securities and 8% in international government securities. There are no significant foreign currency risks within this classification.

(e)Includes limited partnerships that invest primarily in domestic private equity and private income opportunities. The pension plan’s master trust does not have the right to redeem its limited partnership investment at its net asset value, but rather receives distributions as the underlying assets are liquidated. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be gradually liquidated over the next one to ten years. Additionally, the pension plan’s master trust has future funding commitments of approximately $1.4 billion over the next ten years.

(f)Certain investments that are measured using net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient for fair value have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

(g)Investment includes 36% in a common/collective trust investing in securities of larger companies within the U.S., 29% in a common/collective trust investing in securities of smaller companies located outside the U.S., 16% in a collective interest trust investing primarily in short-term securities, 15% in an emerging market 103-12 Investment Trust with investments in emerging country equity securities and 4% in Canadian segregated balanced value, income growth and diversified pooled funds. For some trusts, requests for withdrawals must meet specific requirements with advance notice of redemption preferred.

Changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments during the year ended December 31, 2020, were as follows (in millions):

	Private Market Partnerships		Insurance Group Annuity Contracts
Beginning balance at December 31, 2019	$	10	$	2
Actual gain on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date	1		—
Purchases	4		—
Ending balance at December 31, 2020	$	15	$	2

Changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments during the year ended December 31, 2019, were as follows (in millions):

	Private Market Partnerships		Insurance Group Annuity Contracts
Beginning balance at December 31, 2018	$	7	$	2
Purchases	3		—
Ending balance at December 31, 2019	$	10	$	2

The fair value of American’s retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans assets by asset category, were as follows (in millions):

	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2020
Asset Category	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Money market fund	$	4	$	—	$	—	$	4
Mutual funds – AAL Class	—		166		—		166
Total	$	4	$	166	$	—	$	170

	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2019
Asset Category	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Money market fund	$	4	$	—	$	—	$	4
Mutual funds – AAL Class	—		200		—		200
Total	$	4	$	200	$	—	$	204

Investments in the retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans’ mutual funds are valued by quoted prices on the active market, which is fair value, and represents the net asset value of the shares of such funds as of the close of business at the end of the period. Net asset value is based on the fair market value of the funds’ underlying assets and liabilities at the date of determination. The AAL Class mutual funds are offered only to benefit plans of American, therefore, trading is restricted only to American, resulting in a fair value classification of Level 2. Investments included approximately 25% and 24% of investments in non-U.S. common stocks in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Defined Contribution and Multiemployer Plans

The costs associated with American’s defined contribution plans were $835 million, $836 million and $825 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

American participates in the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) National Pension Fund, Employer Identification No. 51-6031295 and Plan No. 002 (the IAM Pension Fund). American’s contributions to the IAM Pension Fund were $40 million, $32 million and $31 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The IAM Pension Fund reported $510 million in employers’ contributions for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is the most recent year for which such information is available. For 2019, American’s contributions represented more than 5% of total contributions to the IAM Pension Fund.

On March 29, 2019, the actuary for the IAM Pension Fund certified that the fund was in “endangered” status despite reporting a funded status of over 80%. Additionally, the IAM Pension Fund’s Board voluntarily elected to enter into “critical” status on April 17, 2019. Upon entry into critical status, the IAM Pension Fund was required by law to adopt a rehabilitation plan aimed at restoring the financial health of the pension plan and did so on April 17, 2019 (the Rehabilitation Plan). Under the Rehabilitation Plan, American was subject to an immaterial contribution surcharge, which ceased to apply June 14, 2019 upon American’s mandatory adoption of a contribution schedule under the Rehabilitation Plan. The contribution schedule requires 2.5% annual increases to its contribution rate. This contribution schedule will remain in effect through the earlier of December 31, 2031 or the date the IAM Pension Fund emerges from critical status.

Profit Sharing Program

American accrues 5% of its pre-tax income excluding net special items for its profit sharing program. As a result of American’s pre-tax loss excluding net special items, there will not be a payout for 2020 under its profit sharing program.