Employee Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plan—PGE sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, which has been closed to new employees since January 1, 2012. No changes were made to the benefits provided to existing participants when the plan was closed to new employees.

The assets of the pension plan are held in a trust and are comprised of equity and debt instruments, all of which are recorded at fair value. Pension plan calculations include several assumptions that are reviewed annually and updated as appropriate.

PGE contributed $62 million to the pension plan in 2019 and $9 million in 2018. PGE does not expect to contribute to the pension plan in 2020.

Other Postretirement Benefits—PGE offers non-contributory postretirement health and life insurance plans, and provides health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) to its employees (collectively, “Other Postretirement Benefits” in the following tables). PGE’s obligation pursuant to the postretirement health plan is limited by establishing a maximum benefit per employee with any additional cost the responsibility of the employee. In the third quarter of 2019, PGE announced an amendment to its HRAs and defined dollar medical benefit for non-

represented employees, resulting in a $2 million curtailment gain, which has been recorded in Miscellaneous income (expense), net on the consolidated statement of income.

The assets of these plans are held in voluntary employees’ beneficiary association trusts and are comprised of money market funds, equity securities, common and collective trust funds, partnerships/joint ventures, and registered investment companies, all of which are recorded at fair value. Postretirement health and life insurance benefit plan calculations include several assumptions that are reviewed annually by PGE and updated as appropriate, with measurement dates of December 31.

Non-Qualified Benefit Plan—The NQBP in the following tables include obligations for a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and a directors pension plan, both of which were closed to new participants in 1997. The NQBP also includes pension make-up benefits for employees that participate in the unfunded Management Deferred Compensation Plan (MDCP). Investments in the NQBP trust, consisting of trust-owned life insurance policies and marketable securities, provide funding for the future requirements of these plans. The assets of such trust are included in the accompanying tables for informational purposes only and are not considered segregated and restricted under current accounting standards. The investments in marketable securities, consisting of money market, bonds, and equity mutual funds, are classified as equity or trading debt securities and recorded at fair value. The measurement date for the NQBP is December 31. For further information regarding these trust investments, see Note 5, Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

Other NQBP—In addition to the NQBP discussed above, PGE provides certain employees and outside directors with deferred compensation plans, whereby participants may defer a portion of their earned compensation. PGE holds investments in a NQBP trust that are intended to be a funding source for these plans.

Trust assets and plan liabilities related to the NQBP included in PGE’s consolidated balance sheets are as follows as of December 31 (in millions):



	2019						2018
	NQBP		Other NQBP		Total		NQBP		Other NQBP		Total
Non-qualified benefit plan trust	$	17	$	21	$	38	$	16	$	20	$	36
Non-qualified benefit plan liabilities *	24		79		103		22		81		103


*	For the NQBP, excludes the current portion of $2 million in 2019 and 2018, which are classified in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Investment Policy and Asset Allocation—The Board of Directors of PGE appoints an Investment Committee, which is comprised of certain members of management from the Company, and establishes the Company’s asset allocation. The Investment Committee is then responsible for the implementation of the asset allocation and oversight of the benefit plan investments. The Company’s investment strategy for its pension and other postretirement plans is to balance risk and return through a diversified portfolio of equity securities, fixed income securities, and other alternative investments. Asset classes are regularly rebalanced to ensure asset allocations remain within prescribed parameters.

The asset allocations for the plans, and the target allocation, are as follows:



	As of December 31,
	2019				2018
	Actual		Target *		Actual		Target *
Defined Benefit Pension Plan:
Equity securities	64	%	65	%	65	%	67	%
Debt securities	36		35		35		33
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans:
Equity securities	61	%	59	%	58	%	59	%
Debt securities	39		41		42		41
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%
Non-Qualified Benefits Plans:
Equity securities	17	%	12	%	16	%	13	%
Debt securities	7		12		10		13
Insurance contracts	76		76		74		74
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%

The target for the Defined Benefit Pension Plan represents the mid-point of the investment target range. Due to the nature of the investment vehicles in both the Other Postretirement Benefit Plans and the NQBP, these targets are the weighted average of the mid-point of the respective investment target ranges approved by the Investment Committee. Due to the method used to calculate the weighted average targets for the Other Postretirement Benefit Plans and NQBP, reported percentages are affected by the fair market values of the investments within the pools.

The Company’s overall investment strategy is to meet the goals and objectives of the individual plans through a wide diversification of asset types, fund strategies, and fund managers.

The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets and other postretirement benefit plan assets by asset category are as follows (in millions):



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Other *		Total
As of December 31, 2019:
Defined Benefit Pension Plan assets:
Equity securities—Domestic	$	49	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	49
Investments measured at NAV:
Money market funds	—		—		—		5		5
Collective trust funds	—		—		—		632		632
Private equity funds	—		—		—		9		9
	$	49	$	—	$	—	$	646	$	695
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans assets:
Money market funds	$	4	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4
Equity securities:
Domestic	—		3		—		—		3
International	9		—		—		—		9
Debt securities—Domestic	—		5		—		—		5
Investments measured at NAV:
Money market funds	—		—		—		5		5
Collective trust funds	—		—		—		8		8
	$	13	$	8	$	—	$	13	$	34
As of December 31, 2018:
Defined Benefit Pension Plan assets:
Equity securities—Domestic	$	67	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	67
Investments measured at NAV:
Money market funds	—		—		—		5		5
Collective trust funds	—		—		—		463		463
Private equity funds	—		—		—		11		11
	$	67	$	—	$	—	$	479	$	546
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans assets:
Money market funds	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	3
Equity securities:
Domestic	—		3		—		—		3
International	8		—		—		—		8
Debt securities—Domestic government	—		5		—		—		5
Investments measured at NAV:
Money market funds	—		—		—		4		4
Collective trust funds	—		—		—		7		7
	$	11	$	8	$	—	$	11	$	30


*	Assets are measured at NAV as a practical expedient and not subject to hierarchy level classification disclosure. These assets are listed in the totals of the fair value hierarchy to permit the reconciliation to amounts presented in the financial statements.

An overview of the identification of Level 1, 2, and 3 financial instruments is provided in Note 5, Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The following discussion provides information regarding the methods used in valuation of the various asset class investments held in the pension and other postretirement benefit plan trusts.

Money market funds—PGE invests in money market funds that seek to maintain a stable NAV. These funds invest in high-quality, short-term, diversified money market instruments, short-term treasury bills, federal agency securities, or certificates of deposit. Some of the money market funds held in the trusts are classified as Level 1 instruments as pricing inputs are based on unadjusted prices in an active market. The remaining money market funds are valued at NAV as a practical expedient and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Equity securities—Equity mutual fund and common stock securities are classified as Level 1 securities as pricing inputs are based on unadjusted prices in an active market. Principal markets for equity prices include published exchanges such as NASDAQ and NYSE. Mutual fund assets included in separately managed accounts are classified as Level 2 securities due to pricing inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Debt Securities—Debt security investment funds are classified as Level 2 securities as pricing for underlying securities are determined by evaluating pricing data, such as broker quotes for similar securities, adjusted for observable differences. Significant inputs used in valuation models generally include benchmark yield and issuer spreads. The external credit rating, coupon rate, and maturity of each security are considered in the valuation, if applicable.

Collective trust funds—Domestic and international mutual fund assets and debt security assets, including municipal debt and corporate credit securities, mortgage-backed securities, and asset back securities assets, are included in commingled trusts or separately managed accounts. The Company believes the redemption value of the collective trust funds are likely to be the fair value, which is represent by the net asset value as a practical expedient. The funds are valued at NAV as a practical expedient and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Private equity funds—PGE invests in a combination of primary and secondary fund-of-funds, which hold ownership positions in privately held companies across the major domestic and international private equity sectors, including but not limited to, partnerships, joint ventures, venture capital, buyout, and special situations. Private equity investments are valued at NAV as a practical expedient and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

The following tables provide certain information with respect to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan, other postretirement benefits, and NQBP as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Information related to the Other NQBP is not included in the following tables (dollars in millions):



	Defined Benefit Pension Plan						Other Postretirement Benefits						Non-Qualified Benefit Plans
	2019			2018			2019			2018			2019			2018
Benefit obligation:
As of January 1	$	811		$	869		$	72		$	78		$	24		$	27
Service cost	16			19			2			2			—			—
Interest cost	34			32			3			3			1			1
Participants’ contributions	—			—			2			2			—			—
Actuarial loss (gain)	88			(67		)	8			(7		)	3			(1		)
Benefit payments	(42		)	(39		)	(6		)	(6		)	(2		)	(3		)
Administrative expenses	(2		)	(3		)	—			—			—			—
Plan amendment	—			—			(9		)	—			—			—
Curtailment gain	—			—			(1		)	—			—			—
As of December 31	$	905		$	811		$	71		$	72		$	26		$	24
Fair value of plan assets:
As of January 1	$	546		$	629		$	30		$	33		$	16		$	17
Actual return on plan assets	131			(50		)	5			(2		)	1			(1		)
Company contributions	62			9			3			3			2			3
Participants’ contributions	—			—			2			2			—			—
Benefit payments	(42		)	(39		)	(6		)	(6		)	(2		)	(3		)
Administrative expenses	(2		)	(3		)	—			—			—			—
As of December 31	$	695		$	546		$	34		$	30		$	17		$	16
Unfunded position as of December 31	$	(210	)	$	(265	)	$	(37	)	$	(42	)	$	(9	)	$	(8	)
Accumulated benefit plan obligation as of December 31	$	813		$	734		N/A			N/A			$	26		$	24
Classification in consolidated balance sheet:
Noncurrent asset	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	17		$	16
Current liability	—			—			—			—			(2		)	(2		)
Noncurrent liability	(210		)	(265		)	(37		)	(42		)	(24		)	(22		)
Net liability	$	(210	)	$	(265	)	$	(37	)	$	(42	)	$	(9	)	$	(8	)
Amounts included in comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	(3	)	$	25		$	5		$	(4	)	$	3		$	(1	)
Net prior service credit	—			—			(9		)	—			—			—
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(10		)	(17		)	—			—			(1		)	(1		)
	$	(13	)	$	8		$	(4	)	$	(4	)	$	2		$	(2	)
Amounts included in AOCL:*
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	213		$	226		$	1		$	(4	)	$	13		$	11
Prior service cost	—			—			(9		)	—			—			—
	$	213		$	226		$	(8	)	$	(4	)	$	13		$	11

* Amounts included in AOCL related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement benefits are transferred to Regulatory assets due to the future recoverability from retail customers. Accordingly, as of the balance sheet date, such amounts are included in Regulatory assets.

Net periodic benefit cost consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions):



	Defined Benefit Pension Plan									Other Postretirement Benefits									Non-Qualified Benefit Plans
	2019			2018			2017			2019			2018			2017			2019		2018		2017
Service cost	$	16		$	19		$	17		$	2		$	2		$	2		$	—	$	—	$	—
Interest cost on benefit obligation	34			32			33			3			3			3			1		1		1
Expected return on plan assets	(40		)	(42		)	(42		)	(2		)	(1		)	(2		)	—		—		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss	10			17			13			—			—			—			1		1		1
Curtailment gain	—			—			—			(2		)	—			—			—		—		—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	20		$	26		$	21		$	1		$	4		$	3		$	2	$	2	$	2

The portion of non-service costs attributable to expense related to the pension and other postretirement benefit plans, is classified as Miscellaneous income (expense), net within Other income on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. PGE estimates that $17 million will be amortized from AOCL into net periodic benefit cost in 2020, consisting of a net actuarial loss of $17 million for pension benefits, a net actuarial gain and prior service credit of $1 million for other postretirement benefits and a net actuarial loss of $1 million for non-qualified benefits. Amounts related to the pension and other postretirement benefits are offset with the amortization of the corresponding regulatory asset.

The following assumptions were used in determining benefit obligations and net period benefit costs:



	Defined Benefit Pension Plan				Other Postretirement Benefits						Non-Qualified Benefit Plans
	2019		2018		2019			2018			2019		2018
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	3.43	%	4.25	%	3.19	%	-	4.10	%	-	3.43	%	4.25	%
					3.47	%		4.26	%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase	3.65	%	3.65	%	4.58	%		4.58	%		N/A		N/A

Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate	4.25	%	3.65	%	3.11	%	-	3.42	%	-	3.43	%	3.65	%
					4.26	%		3.70	%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase	3.65	%	3.65	%	4.58	%		4.58	%		N/A		N/A
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.00	%	7.00	%	5.88	%		6.20	%		N/A		N/A

As of December 31, 2019, there are no liabilities with sensitivity to health care cost trend rates.

Changes in actuarial assumptions can also have a material effect on net periodic pension expense. A 0.25% reduction in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, or reduction in the discount rate, would have the effect of increasing the 2019 net periodic pension expense by approximately $2 million.

The following table summarizes the benefits expected to be paid to participants in each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter (in millions):



	Payments Due
	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024		2025 - 2029
Defined benefit pension plan	$	44	$	44	$	45	$	46	$	46	$	239
Other postretirement benefits	5		5		5		5		6		20
Non-qualified benefit plans	2		2		2		2		2		11
Total	$	51	$	51	$	52	$	53	$	54	$	270

All of the plans develop expected long-term rates of return for the major asset classes using long-term historical returns, with adjustments based on current levels and forecasts of inflation, interest rates, and economic growth. Also included are incremental rates of return provided by investment managers whose returns are expected to be greater than the markets in which they invest.

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

PGE sponsors a 401(k) Plan that covers substantially all employees. For eligible employees who are covered by PGE’s defined benefit pension plan, the Company matches employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to 6% of the employee’s base pay. For eligible employees who are not covered by PGE’s defined benefit pension plan, the Company contributes 5% of the employee’s base salary, whether or not the employee contributes to the 401(k) Plan, and also matches employee contributions up to 5% of the employee’s base pay.

For the majority of bargaining employees who are subject to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 125 agreements the Company contributes an additional 1% of the employee’s base salary, whether or not the employee contributes to the 401(k) Plan.

All contributions are invested in accordance with employees’ elections, limited to investment options available under the 401(k) Plan. PGE made contributions to employee accounts of $25 million in 2019, $23 million in 2018, and $21 million in 2017.