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Employee Benefit Plans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
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 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 to reduce our benefit obligation, which was included as a component of prior service benefit in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) and will be amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of all retirees. As of December 31, 2022, $179 million of prior service benefit remains to be amortized over a remaining period of approximately 11 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, 2022 and 2021:
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 2022202120222021
 (In millions)
Benefit obligation at beginning of period$18,910 $19,812 $1,098 $1,046 
Service cost16 12 
Interest cost556 526 30 30 
Actuarial gain (1), (2)
(4,563)(609)(167)(57)
Special termination benefits (3)
— — — 139 
Other— (1)— 
Benefit payments(869)(822)(74)(72)
Benefit obligation at end of period$14,037 $18,910 $906 $1,098 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period$14,691 $13,557 $167 $170 
Actual return (loss) on plan assets(1,943)1,710 (18)21 
Employer contributions (4)
247 58 48 
Settlements— (1)— — 
Benefit payments(869)(822)(74)(72)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period$11,884 $14,691 $133 $167 
Funded status at end of period$(2,153)$(4,219)$(773)$(931)
(1)The 2022 and 2021 pension actuarial gain primarily relates to the change in our weighted average discount rate assumption.
(2)The 2022 and 2021 retiree medical and other postretirement benefits actuarial gain primarily relates to the change in our weighted average discount rate assumption and, in 2021, plan experience adjustments.
(3)During the first quarter of 2021, we remeasured our retiree medical and other postretirement benefits to account for enhanced healthcare benefits provided to eligible team members who opted into voluntary early retirement programs offered as a result of reductions to our operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, during 2021, we recognized a $139 million special charge for these enhanced healthcare benefits and increased our postretirement benefits obligation by $139 million.
(4)In January 2021, we made $241 million in contributions to our pension plans, including a contribution of $130 million for the 2020 calendar year that was permitted to be deferred to January 4, 2021 as provided under the CARES Act.
Balance Sheet Position
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 2022202120222021
 (In millions)
As of December 31,
Current liability$$$85 $90 
Noncurrent liability2,149 4,212 688 841 
Total liabilities$2,153 $4,219 $773 $931 
Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and 
Other Postretirement Benefits
2022202120222021
(In millions)
Net actuarial loss (gain)$3,613 $5,252 $(505)$(396)
Prior service cost (benefit)18 47 (148)(167)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax
$3,631 $5,299 $(653)$(563)
Plans with Projected Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets
 Pension Benefits
 20222021
 (In millions)
Projected benefit obligation$14,037 $18,910 
Fair value of plan assets11,884 14,691 
Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 2022202120222021
 (In millions)
Accumulated benefit obligation$14,030 $18,899 $— $— 
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
— — 906 1,098 
Fair value of plan assets11,884 14,691 133 167 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and
Other Postretirement Benefits
 202220212020202220212020
 (In millions)
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost$$$$16 $12 $
Interest cost556 526 615 30 30 30 
Expected return on assets(1,138)(1,084)(1,010)(12)(12)(11)
Special termination benefits— — — — 139 410 
Settlements— — 12 — — — 
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)28 28 30 (14)(13)(135)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)156 212 164 (30)(24)(24)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)$(395)$(314)$(187)$(10)$132 $278 
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, net on 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 BenefitsRetiree Medical and
Other Postretirement Benefits
 2022202120222021
Benefit obligations:
Weighted average discount rate5.6%3.0%5.7%2.8%
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and
Other Postretirement Benefits
 202220212020202220212020
Net periodic benefit cost (income):
Weighted average discount rate3.0%2.7%3.4%2.8%2.4%3.2%
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/AN/AN/A5.8%4.8%4.0%
(1)The weighted average health care cost trend rate at December 31, 2022 is assumed to decline gradually to 4.4% by 2029 and remain level thereafter.
As of December 31, 2022, 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 10 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 $69 million for 2023 including contributions to defined benefit plans for our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Our funding obligations will depend on the performance of our investments held in a 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):
202320242025202620272028-2032
Pension benefits$920 $949 $978 $1,003 $1,024 $5,264 
Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits102 100 98 97 95 428 
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-ClassAllowed 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%
Private Equity
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%
Public equity investments are intended to provide a real return over a full market cycle and, therefore, to contribute to the pension plan’s long-term objective. Public fixed income investments are intended to provide income to the plan and offer the potential for long term capital appreciation. Private investments, such as private equity and private income, are used to provide higher expected returns than public markets over the long-term by assuming reduced levels of liquidity and higher levels of risk. The pension plan’s master trust participates in securities lending programs to generate additional income by loaning plan assets to borrowers on a fully collateralized basis. The pension plan’s master trust will also engage in derivative instruments to equitize residual levels of cash as well as hedge the pension plan’s exposure to interest rates. Such programs are subject to market risk and counterparty 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 (NAV) 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. Mutual funds are valued once daily through a NAV calculation provided at the end of each trade day. Common/collective trusts are valued at NAV 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, 2022 and 2021, by asset category, were as follows (in millions) (1):
 December 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Equity (2)
$3,097 $— $— $3,097 $4,639 $$$4,645 
Fixed income (3)
227 2,917 — 3,144 183 3,994 — 4,177 
Other (4)
74 278 75 427 134 340 54 528 
Measured at NAV (5):
Common collective trusts (6)
— — — 1,694 — — — 2,514 
Private investments (7)
— — — 3,522 — — — 2,827 
Total plan assets$3,398 $3,195 $75 $11,884 $4,956 $4,336 $58 $14,691 
(1)See Note 7 for a description of the levels within the fair value hierarchy.
(2)Equity investments include domestic and international common stock, preferred stock, mutual funds and exchange traded funds invested in equity securities.
(3)Fixed income investments include corporate, government and U.S. municipal bonds, as well as mutual funds invested in fixed income securities.
(4)Other primarily includes a short-term investment fund, cash and cash equivalents, and net receivables and payables of the master trust for dividends, interest and amounts due to or from the sale and purchase of securities.
(5)Includes investments that were measured at NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient that have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
(6)Common collective trusts include commingled funds primarily invested in equity securities. For some trusts, requests for withdrawals must meet specific requirements with advance notice of redemption preferred.
(7)Private investments include 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 NAV, 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 10 years. As of December 31, 2022, the pension plan’s master trust has future funding commitments to these limited partnerships of approximately $1.5 billion over the next five years.
Changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, were as follows (in millions):
20222021
Balance at beginning of year$58 $17 
Actual gain on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date10 
Purchases29 32 
Sales(9)(1)
Transfers out(4)— 
Balance at end of year$75 $58 
Plan assets in the retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans’ are primarily Level 2 mutual funds valued by quoted prices on the active market, which is fair value, and represents the NAV of the shares of such funds as of the close of business at the end of the period. NAV is based on the fair market value of the funds’ underlying assets and liabilities at the date of determination.
Defined Contribution and Multiemployer Plans
The costs associated with our defined contribution plans were $949 million, $920 million and $860 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
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 $46 million, $43 million and $40 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The IAM Pension Fund reported $507 million in employers’ contributions for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is the most recent year for which such information is available. For 2021, 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.
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 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 to reduce its benefit obligation, which was included as a component of prior service benefit in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) and will be amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of all retirees. As of December 31, 2022, $179 million of prior service benefit remains to be amortized over a remaining period of approximately 11 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, 2022 and 2021:
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and
Other Postretirement Benefits
 2022202120222021
 (In millions)
Benefit obligation at beginning of period$18,791 $19,690 $1,098 $1,046 
Service cost16 12 
Interest cost552 523 30 30 
Actuarial gain (1), (2)
(4,534)(606)(167)(57)
Special termination benefits (3)
— — — 139 
Other— (1)— 
Benefit payments(864)(818)(74)(72)
Benefit obligation at end of period$13,948 $18,791 $906 $1,098 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period$14,605 $13,477 $167 $170 
Actual return (loss) on plan assets(1,924)1,700 (18)21 
Employer contributions (4)
247 58 48 
Settlements— (1)— — 
Benefit payments(864)(818)(74)(72)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period$11,821 $14,605 $133 $167 
Funded status at end of period$(2,127)$(4,186)$(773)$(931)
(1)The 2022 and 2021 pension actuarial gain primarily relates to the change in American’s weighted average discount rate assumption.
(2)The 2022 and 2021 retiree medical and other postretirement benefits actuarial gain primarily relates to the change in American’s weighted average discount rate assumption and, in 2021, plan experience adjustments.
(3)During the first quarter of 2021, American remeasured its retiree medical and other postretirement benefits to account for enhanced healthcare benefits provided to eligible team members who opted into voluntary early retirement programs offered as a result of reductions to its operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, during 2021, American recognized a $139 million special charge for these enhanced healthcare benefits and increased its postretirement benefits obligation by $139 million.
(4)In January 2021, American made $241 million in contributions to its pension plans, including a contribution of $130 million for the 2020 calendar year that was permitted to be deferred to January 4, 2021 as provided under the CARES Act.
Balance Sheet Position
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and
Other Postretirement Benefits
 2022202120222021
 (In millions)
As of December 31,
Current liability$$$85 $90 
Noncurrent liability2,123 4,179 688 841 
Total liabilities$2,127 $4,186 $773 $931 
Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and 
Other Postretirement Benefits
2022202120222021
(In millions)
Net actuarial loss (gain)$3,609 $5,241 $(505)$(396)
Prior service cost (benefit)18 46 (148)(167)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax
$3,627 $5,287 $(653)$(563)
Plans with Projected Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets
 Pension Benefits
 20222021
 (In millions)
Projected benefit obligation$13,948 $18,791 
Fair value of plan assets11,821 14,605 
Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and
Other Postretirement Benefits
 2022202120222021
 (In millions)
Accumulated benefit obligation$13,941 $18,782 $— $— 
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
— — 906 1,098 
Fair value of plan assets11,821 14,605 133 167 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and
  Other Postretirement Benefits  
 202220212020202220212020
 (In millions)
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost$$$$16 $12 $
Interest cost552 523 611 30 30 30 
Expected return on assets(1,133)(1,078)(1,005)(12)(12)(11)
Special termination benefits— — — — 139 410 
Settlements— — 12 — — — 
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)28 28 29 (14)(13)(135)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)156 211 164 (30)(24)(24)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)$(394)$(313)$(187)$(10)$132 $278 
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, net on 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 BenefitsRetiree Medical and
Other Postretirement Benefits
 2022202120222021
Benefit obligations:
Weighted average discount rate5.6%3.0%5.7%2.8%
 Pension BenefitsRetiree Medical and
Other Postretirement Benefits
 202220212020202220212020
Net periodic benefit cost (income):
Weighted average discount rate3.0%2.7%3.4%2.8%2.4%3.2%
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/AN/AN/A5.8%4.8%4.0%
(1)The weighted average health care cost trend rate at December 31, 2022 is assumed to decline gradually to 4.4% by 2029 and remain level thereafter.
As of December 31, 2022, 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 10 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 $67 million for 2023. American’s funding obligations will depend on the performance of American’s investments held in a 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):
202320242025202620272028-2032
Pension benefits$915 $944 $973 $997 $1,018 $5,233 
Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits102 100 98 97 95 428 
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-ClassAllowed 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%
Private Equity
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%
Public equity investments are intended to provide a real return over a full market cycle and, therefore, to contribute to the pension plan’s long-term objective. Public fixed income investments are intended to provide income to the plan and offer the potential for long term capital appreciation. Private investments, such as private equity and private income, are used to provide higher expected returns than public markets over the long-term by assuming reduced levels of liquidity and higher levels of risk. The pension plan’s master trust participates in securities lending programs to generate additional income by loaning plan assets to borrowers on a fully collateralized basis. The pension plan’s master trust will also engage in derivative instruments to equitize residual levels of cash as well as hedge the pension plan’s exposure to interest rates. Such programs are subject to market risk and counterparty 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 (NAV) 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. Mutual funds are valued once daily through a NAV calculation provided at the end of each trade day. Common/collective trusts are valued at NAV 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, 2022 and 2021, by asset category, were as follows (in millions) (1):
December 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Equity (2)
$3,055 $— $— $3,055 $4,583 $$$4,589 
Fixed income (3)
206 2,917 — 3,123 153 3,994 — 4,147 
Other (4)
74 278 75 427 134 340 54 528 
Measured at NAV (5):
Common collective trusts (6)
— — — 1,694 — — — 2,514 
Private investments (7)
— — — 3,522 — — — 2,827 
Total plan assets$3,335 $3,195 $75 $11,821 $4,870 $4,336 $58 $14,605 
(1)See Note 6 for a description of the levels within the fair value hierarchy.
(2)Equity investments include domestic and international common stock, preferred stock and exchange traded funds invested in equity securities.
(3)Fixed income investments include corporate, government and U.S. municipal bonds, as well as mutual funds invested in fixed income securities.
(4)Other primarily includes a short-term investment fund, cash and cash equivalents, and net receivables and payables of the master trust for dividends, interest and amounts due to or from the sale and purchase of securities.
(5)Includes investments that were measured at NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient that have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
(6)Common collective trusts include commingled funds primarily invested in equity securities. For some trusts, requests for withdrawals must meet specific requirements with advance notice of redemption preferred.
(7)Private investments include 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 NAV, 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 10 years. As of December 31, 2022, the pension plan’s master trust has future funding commitments to these limited partnerships of approximately $1.5 billion over the next five years.
Changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, were as follows (in millions):
20222021
Balance at beginning of year$58 $17 
Actual gain on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date10 
Purchases29 32 
Sales(9)(1)
Transfers out(4)— 
Balance at end of year$75 $58 
Plan assets in the retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans’ are primarily Level 2 mutual funds valued by quoted prices on the active market, which is fair value, and represents the NAV of the shares of such funds as of the close of business at the end of the period. NAV is based on the fair market value of the funds’ underlying assets and liabilities at the date of determination.
Defined Contribution and Multiemployer Plans
The costs associated with American’s defined contribution plans were $916 million, $893 million and $835 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, 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 $46 million, $43 million and $40 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The IAM Pension Fund reported $507 million in employers’ contributions for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is the most recent year for which such information is available. For 2021, 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.