4. Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

Pension Plans

The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. and non-U.S. employees. The U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan has been closed to new participants since October 1998 and, as of February 2009, benefits accrued under this plan were frozen. As a result of the freeze, employees covered by the pension plan will receive, at retirement, benefits already accrued through February 2009, but no new benefits accrue after that date. Benefit accruals under the U.S. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") were similarly frozen. The U.S. pension plan accounts for 45 percent of consolidated pension plan assets, and 44 percent of consolidated pension plan obligations. The eligibility, benefit formulas, and contribution requirements for plans outside of the U.S. vary by location.

The December 31, 2015 and 2014 benefit obligations for the U.S. pension and postretirement plans were calculated using the RP-2014 with generational projection with scale BB-2D from 2006 mortality basis. For U.S. pension funding purposes, the Company uses the plan's IRS-basis current liability as its funding target, which is determined based on mandated assumptions. Weak investment returns and low interest rates could result in higher than expected contributions to pension plans in future years.

Other Postretirement Benefits

In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company provides various medical, dental, and life insurance benefits for certain retired United States employees. U.S. employees hired prior to 2005 may become eligible for these benefits if they reach normal retirement age while working for the Company. Benefits provided under this plan are subject to change. Retirees share in the cost of these benefits. Effective January 2005, any new employees who wish to be covered under this plan will be responsible for the full cost of such benefits. In September 2008, we changed the cost sharing arrangement under this program such that increases in health care costs are the responsibility of plan participants. In August 2013, we reduced the life insurance benefit for retirees and eliminated the benefit for active employees.

The Company also provides certain postretirement life insurance benefits to retired employees in Canada. As of December 31, 2015, the accrued postretirement liability was $59.1 million in the U.S. and $0.9 million in Canada. The Company accrues the cost of providing postretirement benefits during the active service period of the employees. The Company currently funds the plan as claims are paid.

Accounting guidance requires the recognition of the funded status of each defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plan. Each overfunded plan is recognized as an asset and each underfunded plan is recognized as a liability. Company pension plan data for U.S. and non-U.S. plans has been combined for both 2015 and 2014, except where indicated below.

The Company's pension and postretirement benefit costs and benefit obligations are based on actuarial valuations that are affected by many assumptions, the most significant of which are the assumed discount rate, expected rate of return on pension plan assets, and mortality. Each of the assumptions is reviewed and updated annually, as appropriate. The assumed rates of return for pension plan assets are determined for each major asset category based on historical rates of return for assets in that category and expectations of future rates of return based, in part, on simulated future capital market performance. The assumed discount rate is based on yields from a portfolio of currently available high-quality fixed-income investments with durations matching the expected future payments, based on the demographics of the plan participants and the plan provisions.

Gains and losses arise from changes in the assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations, and experience different from what had been assumed, including asset returns different than what had been expected. The Company amortizes gains and losses in excess of a “corridor” over the average future service of the plan's current participants. The corridor is defined as 10 percent of the greater of the plan's projected benefit obligation or market-related value of plan assets. The market-related value of plan assets is also used to determine the expected return on plan assets component of net periodic cost. The Company's market-related value for its U.S. plan is measured by first determining the absolute difference between the actual and the expected return on the plan assets. The absolute difference in excess of 5 percent of the expected return is added to the market-related value over two years; the remainder is added to the market-related value immediately.

To the extent the Company's unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs, including the amount recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income, are not reduced by future favorable plan experience, they will be recognized as a component of the net periodic cost in future years.

The following table sets forth the plan benefit obligations:

	As of December 31, 2015				As of December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Pension plans		Other postretirement benefits		Pension plans		Other postretirement benefits

Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$213,110		$64,987		$204,334		$61,108
Service cost	2,959		330		3,269		314
Interest cost	7,787		2,437		9,505		2,741
Plan participants' contributions	304		-		323		-
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(4,209	)	(2,855	)	30,943		5,926
Benefits paid	(6,530	)	(4,758	)	(6,205	)	(5,010)
Settlements and curtailments	(321	)	-		(17,936	)	-
Plan amendments and other	(37	)	-		-		-
Foreign currency changes	(13,207	)	(171	)	(11,123	)	(92)
Benefit obligation, end of year	$199,856		$59,970		$213,110		$64,987

Accumulated benefit obligation	$188,909		$-		$199,622		$-

Weighted average assumptions used to
determine benefit obligations, end of year:
Discount rate - U.S. plan	4.54	%	4.24	%	4.18	%	3.90%
Discount rate - non-U.S. plans	3.67	%	4.00	%	3.58	%	3.85%
Compensation increase - U.S. plan	-		-		-		-
Compensation increase - non-U.S. plans	3.24	%	3.00	%	3.23	%	3.00%

The following sets forth information about plan assets:

	As of December 31, 2015				As of December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Pension plans		Other postretirement benefits		Pension plans		Other postretirement benefits

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$183,199		$-		$168,390		$-
Actual return on plan assets, net of expenses	730		-		29,638		-
Employer contributions	5,287		4,758		15,768		5,010
Plan participants' contributions	304		1,068		323		1,404
Benefits paid	(6,530	)	(5,826	)	(6,205	)	(6,414)
Settlements	(688	)	-		(16,945	)	-
Foreign currency changes	(10,915	)	-		(7,770	)	-
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$171,387		$-		$183,199		$-

The funded status of the plans was as follows:

	As of December 31, 2015					As of December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Pension plans		Other postretirement benefits			Pension plans		Other postretirement benefits

Fair value of plan assets	$171,387		$-			$183,199		$-
Benefit obligation	199,856		59,970			213,110		64,987
Funded status	($28,469	)	($59,970		)	($29,911	)	($64,987	)

Accrued benefit cost, end of year	($28,469	)	($59,970		)	($29,911	)	($64,987	)

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consist of the following:
Noncurrent asset	$10,423		$-			$10,097		$-
Current liability	(2,110	)	(4,660		)	(2,141	)	(4,750	)
Noncurrent liability	(36,782	)	(55,310		)	(37,867	)	(60,237	)
Net amount recognized	($28,469	)	($59,970		)	($29,911	)	($64,987	)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:
Net actuarial loss	$69,896		$37,997			$71,623		$44,195
Prior service cost/(credit)	608		(35,387		)	753		(39,875	)
Net amount recognized	$70,504			$2,610		$72,376		$4,320

The composition of the net pension plan funded status as of December 31, 2015 was as follows:

			Non-U.S.
(in thousands)	U.S. plan		plans		Total

Pension plans with pension assets	($2,890	)	$6,097		$3,207
Pension plans without pension assets	(7,905	)	(23,771	)	(31,676	)
Total	($10,795	)	($17,674	)	($28,469	)

The composition of the net periodic benefit plan cost for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, was as follows:

	Pension plans						Other postretirement benefits
(in thousands)	2015		2014		2013		2015		2014		2013

Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$2,959		$3,269		$3,662		$330		$314		$875
Interest cost	7,787		9,505		8,852		2,437		2,741		3,080
Expected return on assets	(8,630	)	(9,577)		(8,677)		-		-		-
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	48		53		35		(4,488	)	(4,488)		(3,940)
Amortization of transition obligation	-		-		70		-		-		-
Amortization of net actuarial loss	2,594		2,421		3,117		3,338		2,908		3,395
Settlement	103		8,331		502		-		-		-
Curtailment (gain)/loss	-		(942)		(1,143	)	-		-		-
Special/contractual termination of benefits	44		-		-		-		-		-
Net periodic benefit cost	$4,905		$13,060		$6,418		$1,617		$1,475		$3,410

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net cost:
Discount rate - U.S. plan	4.18	%	5.22	%	4.28	%	3.90	%	4.68	%	3.93%
Discount rate - non-U.S. plan	3.58	%	4.50	%	4.09	%	3.85	%	4.75	%	4.00%
Expected return on plan assets - U.S. plan	4.43	%	5.40	%	4.61	%	-		-		-
Expected return on plan assets - non-U.S. plans	5.52	%	5.65	%	5.53	%	-		-		-
Rate of compensation increase - U.S. plan	-		-		-		-		-		3.00%
Rate of compensation increase - non-U.S. plans	3.23	%	3.39	%	3.26	%	3.00	%	3.00	%	3.00%
Health care cost trend rate (U.S. and non-U.S. plans):
Initial rate	-		-		-		-		-		-
Ultimate rate	-		-		-		-		-		-
Years to ultimate	-		-		-		-		-		-

Pretax (gains)/losses in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income during 2015 were as follows:

			Other
	Pension		postretirement
(in thousands)	plan		benefits
Settlements/curtailments	($103	)	$-
Asset/liabilty loss/(gain)	3,555		(2,855)
Amortization of actuarial (loss)	(2,594	)	(3,338)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	(48	)	4,488
Amortization of transition (obligation)	-		-
Currency impact	(2,682	)	(5)
Gain in other comprehensive income	($1,872	)	($1,710)

Total cost/(benefit) recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$3,033		($93)

The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2016 are as follows:

		Total
	Total	postretirement
(in thousands)	pension	benefits
Actuarial loss	$2,293	$2,819
Prior service cost/(benefit)	37	(4,488	)
Total	$2,330	($1,669	)

Investment Strategy

Our investment strategy for pension assets differs for the various countries in which we have defined benefit pension plans. Some of our defined benefit plans do not require funded trusts and, in those arrangements, the Company funds the plans on a “pay as you go” basis. The largest of the funded defined benefit plans is the United States plan.

United States plan:

During 2009, we changed our investment strategy for the United States pension plan by adopting a liability-driven investment strategy. Under this arrangement, the Company seeks to invest in assets that track closely to the discount rate that is used to measure the plan liabilities. Accordingly, the plan assets are primarily debt securities. The change in investment strategy is reflective of the Company's 2008 decision to freeze benefit accruals under the plan.

Non-United States plans:

For the countries in which the Company has funded pension trusts, the investment strategy is to achieve a competitive, total investment return, achieving diversification between and within asset classes and managing other risks. Investment objectives for each asset class are determined based on specific risks and investment opportunities identified. Actual allocations to each asset class vary from target allocations due to periodic investment strategy changes, market value fluctuations, the length of time it takes to fully implement investment allocation positions, and the timing of benefit payments and contributions.

Fair-Value Measurements

The following tables present plan assets as of December 31, 2015, and 2014, using the fair-value hierarchy, which has three levels based on the reliability of inputs used, as described in Note 15.

	Total fair		Quoted prices		Significant other		Significant
	value at		in active markets		observable inputs		unobservable inputs
(in thousands)	December 31, 2015		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Common stocks and equity funds		$35,113	$404		$34,709		$-
Debt securities		$125,502		-		125,502		-
Insurance contracts		$2,403		-		-		2,403
Limited partnerships		$5,676		-		-		5,676
Hedge funds		$192		-		-		192
Cash and short-term investments		$2,501		2,501		-		-
Total plan assets		$171,387	$2,905		$160,211		$8,271

	Total fair		Quoted prices		Significant other		Significant
	value at		in active markets		observable inputs		unobservable inputs
(in thousands)	December 31, 2014		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Common stocks and equity funds		$34,624		$803		$33,821		$-
Debt securities		136,984		-		136,984		-
Insurance contracts		2,133		-		-		2,133
Limited partnerships		6,522		-		-		6,522
Hedge funds		364		-		-		364
Cash and short-term investments		2,572		2,572		-		-
Total plan assets		183,199		$3,375		$170,805		$9,019

The following tables present a reconciliation of Level 3 assets held during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

(in thousands)	December 31, 2014		Net realized gains/(losses)		Net unrealized gains/(losses)			Net purchases, issuances and settlements			Net transfers (out of) Level 3		December 31, 2015
Insurance contracts		$2,133		$-		$35			$235			$-		$2,403
Limited partnerships		6,522		46		222			(1,114	)		-		5,676
Hedge funds		364		7		(17	)		(162	)		-		192
Total		$9,019		$53		$240			($1,041	)		$-		$8,271

(in thousands)	December 31, 2013		Net realized gains/(losses)		Net unrealized gains/(losses)		Net purchases, issuances and settlements			Net transfers (out of) Level 3		December 31, 2014
Insurance contracts		$2,875		$-		$49		$(791	)		$-		$2,133
Limited partnerships		7,034		44		613		(1,169	)		-		6,522
Hedge funds		392		-		3		(31	)		-		364
Total		$10,301		$44		$665		($1,991	)		$-		$9,019

The asset allocation for the Company's U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans for 2015 and 2014, and the target allocation for 2016, by asset category, are as follows:

	United States Plan									Non-U.S. Plans
	Target			Percentage of plan assets						Target			Percentage of plan assets
	Allocation			at plan measurement date						Allocation			at plan measurement date
Asset category	2016			2015			2014			2016			2015			2014

Equity securities		-			3	%		3	%		34	%		35	%		32	%
Debt securities		100	%		92	%		91	%		56	%		55	%		59	%
Real estate		-			5	%		5	%		5	%		4	%		4	%
Other (1)		-			0	%		1	%		5	%		6	%		5	%
		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

(1)	Other includes hedged equity and absolute return strategies, and private equity. The Company has procedures to closely monitor the performance of these investments and compares asset valuations to audited financial statements of the funds.

The targeted plan asset allocation is based on an analysis of the actuarial liabilities, a review of viable asset classes, and an analysis of the expected rate of return, risk, and other investment characteristics of various investment asset classes.

At the end of 2015 and 2014, the projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with projected benefit obligation and an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets were as follows:

	Plans with projected benefit obligation
	in excess of plan assets
(in thousands)		2015	2014
Projected benefit obligation		$120,312	$126,029
Accumulated benefit obligation		117,447	122,855
Fair value of plan assets		81,421	86,021


	Plans with accumulated benefit obligation
	in excess of plan assets
(in thousands)		2015	2014
Projected benefit obligation		$120,312	$126,029
Accumulated benefit obligation		117,447	122,855
Fair value of plan assets		81,421	86,021

Information about expected cash flows for the pension and other benefit obligations are as follows:

(in thousands)	Pension plans	Other postretirement benefits
Expected employer contributions and direct employer payments in the next fiscal year	$5,046	$4,660

Expected benefit payments
2016	$6,518	$4,660
2017	7,162	4,475
2018	7,873	4,296
2019	7,881	4,128
2020	8,349	4,006
2021-2025	49,954	19,049