Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans

We have a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, as well as a supplemental executive retirement plan, that covered eligible employees through December 31, 2022. Effective January 1, 2023, these plans were frozen (no future benefits will be accrued for participants due to employment and no new participants will be added). Participants in these plans were fully vested in their benefits as of December 31, 2022. We also offer both medical and dental benefits for retired domestic employees and their eligible spouses and dependents under a postretirement benefit plan. The following tables 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3 provide the components of aggregate annual net periodic benefit cost for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 and changes in the benefit obligation and the funded status of the pension, supplemental executive retirement and other postretirement benefit plans as recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Components of net periodic benefit cost
Table	11.1
		Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans						Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2021		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2021
Company Service Cost		$	—	$	7,153	$	7,569	$	1,497	$	1,307	$	1,508
Interest Cost		13,787		12,461		11,276		1,633		694		648
Expected Return on Plan Assets		(13,517)		(18,064)		(20,657)		(8,235)		(10,502)		(8,863)
Amortization of:
Net Transition Obligation (Asset)		—		—		—		—		—		—
Prior Service Cost (Credit)		345		(163)		(239)		1,861		489		213
Net Actuarial Losses (Gains)		2,185		5,726		5,490		(150)		(3,103)		(1,697)
Cost of Settlements and Curtailments		9,749		13,801		6,012		—		—		—
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Benefit)		$	12,549	$	20,914	$	9,451	$	(3,394)	$	(11,115)	$	(8,191)

Development of funded status
Table	11.2
		Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans				Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2023		12/31/2022
Actuarial Value of Benefit Obligations
Measurement Date		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2023		12/31/2022
Accumulated Benefit Obligation		$	261,330	$	274,975	$	30,238	$	29,580
Funded Status/Asset (Liability) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Benefit Obligation		$	(261,330)	$	(274,975)	$	(30,238)	$	(29,580)
Plan Assets at Fair Value		235,612		250,674		134,371		111,154
Funded Status - Overfunded/Asset		N/A		N/A		$	104,133	$	81,574
Funded Status - Underfunded/Liability		(25,718)		(24,301)		N/A		N/A

Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss
Table	11.3
		Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans				Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2023		12/31/2022
Net Actuarial Losses (Gains)		$	79,309	$	89,711	$	(30,804)	$	(13,781)
Prior Service Cost (Credit)		2,900		3,245		11,041		13,249
Net Transition Obligation (Asset)		—		—		—		—
Total at Year End		$	82,209	$	92,956	$	(19,763)	$	(532)

The amortization of gains and losses resulting from differences in actual experience from expected experience or changes in assumptions including discount rates is included as a component of Net Periodic Benefit Cost/(Income) for the year. The gain or loss in excess of a 10% corridor is amortized by the average remaining life expectancy for the pension and supplemental executive retirement plans and by the average remaining service period of participating employees expected to receive benefits under the other postretirement benefits plan.

Table 11.4 shows the changes in the projected benefit obligation for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Change in projected benefit / accumulated benefit
Table	11.4
		Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans				Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2023		12/31/2022
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year		$	274,975	$	391,698	$	29,580	$	25,635
Company Service Cost		—		7,153		1,497		1,307
Interest Cost		13,787		12,461		1,633		694
Plan Participants' Contributions		—		—		311		463
Net Actuarial Losses (Gains)		16,995		(83,240)		1,294		(8,123)
Benefit Payments from Fund		(13,549)		(13,165)		(3,439)		(1,504)
Benefit and Settlement Payments Paid Directly by Company		(384)		(114)		—		—
Plan Amendments		—		3,247		(346)		11,278
Curtailments		—		(352)		—		—
Settlement Payments from Fund (1)		(30,494)		(42,713)		—		—
Other Adjustment		—		—		(292)		(170)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year		$	261,330	$	274,975	$	30,238	$	29,580

(1)Represents lump sum payments from our pension plan to eligible participants, who were former employees with vested benefits.

The change in the net actuarial losses (gains) on the benefit obligation from 2022 to 2023 is primarily due to changes in the discount rate used to calculate the benefit obligation. When the discount rate decreases, the impact on the benefit obligation is an increase, resulting in an actuarial loss. When the discount rate increases, the impact on the benefit obligation is a decrease, resulting in an actuarial gain. The discount rate decreased to 5.20% at December 31, 2023 from 5.60% at December 31, 2022, compared to an increase to 5.60% at December 31, 2022 from 3.05% at December 31, 2021. See Table 11.7 for the actuarial assumptions used to calculate the benefit obligations of our plans for 2023 and 2022.

Tables 11.5 and 11.6 shows the changes in the fair value of the net assets available for plan benefits and changes in other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Change in plan assets
Table	11.5
		Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans				Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2023		12/31/2022
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year		$	250,674	$	391,555	$	111,154	$	140,839
Actual Return on Plan Assets		28,981		(91,303)		26,703		(28,088)
Company Contributions		384		6,414		—		—
Plan Participants' Contributions		—		—		311		463
Benefit Payments from Fund		(13,549)		(13,165)		(3,439)		(1,504)
Benefit and Settlement Payments Paid Directly by Company		(384)		(114)		—		—
Settlement Payments from Fund		(30,494)		(42,713)		—		—
Other Adjustment		—		—		(358)		(556)
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year		$	235,612	$	250,674	$	134,371	$	111,154
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI")
Table	11.6
		Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans				Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2023		12/31/2022
AOCI in Prior Year		$	92,956	$	83,298	$	(532)	$	(44,891)
Increase (Decrease) in AOCI
Recognized during year - Prior Service (Cost) Credit		(345)		745		(1,861)		(489)
Recognized during year - Net Actuarial (Losses) Gains		(11,933)		(20,109)		150		3,103
Occurring during year - Prior Service Cost		—		3,247		(346)		11,277
Occurring during year - Net Actuarial Losses (Gains)		1,531		25,775		(17,174)		30,468
AOCI in Current Year		$	82,209	$	92,956	$	(19,763)	$	(532)

The projected benefit obligations, net periodic benefit costs and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for the plans were determined using the following weighted average assumptions.

Actuarial assumptions
Table	11.7
		Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans				Other Postretirement Benefits
		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2023		12/31/2022
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine
Benefit Obligations at year end
1. Discount Rate		5.20	%	5.60	%	5.20	%	5.60	%
2. Rate of Compensation Increase		N/A		3.00	%	N/A		N/A
3. Cash balance interest crediting rate		4.03	%	3.97	%	N/A		N/A
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine
Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Year
1. Discount Rate		5.50	%	3.70	%	5.60	%	2.85	%
2. Expected Long-term Return on Plan Assets		6.00	%	5.25	%	7.50	%	7.50	%
3. Rate of Compensation Increase		N/A		3.00	%	N/A		N/A
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates at year end
1. Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Year		N/A		N/A		6.75	%	7.00	%
2. Rate to Which the Cost Trend Rate is Assumed to Decline (Ultimate Trend Rate)		N/A		N/A		5.00	%	5.00	%
3. Year That the Rate Reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate		N/A		N/A		2031		2031

In selecting a discount rate, we performed a hypothetical cash flow bond matching exercise, matching our expected pension plan and postretirement medical plan cash flows, respectively, against a selected portfolio of high quality corporate bonds. The modeling was

performed using a bond portfolio of noncallable bonds with at least $50 million outstanding. The average yield of these hypothetical bond portfolios was used as the benchmark for determining the discount rate. In selecting the expected long-term rate of return on assets, we considered the average rate of earnings expected on the classes of funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits of these plans. This included considering the trusts' targeted asset allocation for the year and the expected returns likely to be earned over the next 20 years.

The year-end asset allocations of the plans are shown in table 11.8 below.

Plan assets
Table	11.8
		Pension Plan				Other Postretirement Benefits
		12/31/2023		12/31/2022		12/31/2023		12/31/2022
Equity Securities		21	%	20	%	100	%	100	%
Debt Securities		79	%	80	%	—	%	—	%
Total		100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%

Fair value is disclosed using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value as described in Note 6 - "Fair Value Measurements" and Note 3 - "Significant Accounting Policies".

The following describes the valuation methodologies used for pension plan and other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value.

•Domestic and International Mutual Funds: Securities are priced at the net asset value ("NAV"), which is the closing price published by the mutual fund on the reporting date. These financial assets are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

•U.S. Government Securities: See Note 6 - "Fair Value Measurements" for a discussion of the valuation methodologies for U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Corporations and Agencies.

•Corporate Debt Securities: See Note 6 - "Fair Value Measurements" for a discussion of the valuation methodologies for Corporate Debt.

•Non-Government Foreign Debt Securities: These financial assets are represented by corporate debt securities issued by entities domiciled outside of the United States. See Note 6 - "Fair Value Measurements" for a discussion of the valuation methodologies for Corporate Debt.

•Municipal Bonds: See Note 6 - "Fair Value Measurements" for a discussion of the valuation methodologies for Obligations of U.S. States & Political Subdivisions.

•Pooled Equity Accounts: Pooled Equity Account assets are represented by the units held by the plan. The redemption value is determined based on the NAV of the underlying units. The NAV is derived from the aggregate fair value of the underlying investments less any liabilities as of the reporting date. These financial assets are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The pension plan assets and related accrued investment income at fair value, by hierarchy level, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, are shown in tables 11.9a and 11.9b below. There were no securities valued using Level 3 inputs.

Pension plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2023
Table	11.9a
(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Total
Domestic mutual funds		$	2,836	$	—	$	2,836
U.S. government securities		10,301		—		10,301
Corporate debt securities
Corporate debt securities and other		—		145,908		145,908
Non-government foreign debt securities		—		21,843		21,843
Municipal bonds		—		9,220		9,220
Pooled equity accounts		—		45,504		45,504
Total Assets at fair value		$	13,137	$	222,475	$	235,612

Pension plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2022
Table	11.9b
(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Total
Domestic mutual funds		$	67	$	—	$	67
U.S. government securities		13,328		—		13,328
Corporate debt Securities
Corporate debt securities and other		—		146,854		146,854
Non-government foreign debt securities		—		20,793		20,793
Municipal bonds		—		18,336		18,336
Pooled equity accounts		—		51,296		51,296
Total Assets at fair value		$	13,395	$	237,279	$	250,674

The pension plan has implemented a strategy to reduce risk through the use of a targeted funded ratio. The liability driven component is key to the asset allocation. The liability driven component seeks to align the duration of the fixed income asset allocation with the expected duration of the plan liabilities or benefit payments. Overall asset allocation is dynamic and specifies target allocation weights and ranges based on the funded status.

An improvement in funded status results in the de-risking of the portfolio, allocating more funds to fixed income and less to equity. A decline in funded status would result in a higher allocation to equity. The maximum equity allocation is 40%.

The equity investments use combinations of mutual funds, ETFs, and pooled equity account structures focused on the following strategies:

Strategy	Objective	Investment types
Return seeking growth	Funded ratio improvement over the long term	●	Global quality growth
		●	Global low volatility
Return seeking bridge	Downside protection in the event of a declining equity market	●	Enduring asset
		●	Durable company

The fixed income objective is to preserve capital and to provide monthly cash flows for the payment of plan liabilities. Fixed income investments can include government, government agency, corporate, mortgage-backed, asset-backed, and municipal securities, and other classes of bonds. The duration of the fixed income portfolio has an objective of being within one year of the duration of the accumulated benefit obligation. The fixed income investments have an objective of a weighted average credit of A3/A-/A- by Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch, respectively.

Tables 11.10a and 11.10b set forth the other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. All are Level 1 assets.

Other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2023
Table	11.10a
(In thousands)		Level 1
Domestic mutual funds		$	109,575
International mutual funds		24,796
Total Assets at fair value		$	134,371

Other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2022
Table	11.10b
(In thousands)		Level 1
Domestic mutual funds		$	89,584
International mutual funds		21,570
Total Assets at fair value		$	111,154

Our postretirement plan portfolio is designed to achieve the following objectives over each market cycle and for at least 5 years:

è Total return should exceed growth in the Consumer Price Index by 5.75% annually

è Achieve competitive investment results

The primary focus in developing asset allocation ranges for the portfolio is the assessment of the portfolio's investment objectives and the level of risk that is acceptable to obtain those objectives. To achieve these objectives the minimum and maximum allocation ranges for fixed income securities and equity securities are:

	Minimum		Maximum
Equities (long only)	70	%	100	%
Real estate	0	%	15	%
Commodities	0	%	10	%
Fixed income/Cash	0	%	10	%

Given the long term nature of this portfolio and the lack of any immediate need for significant cash flow, it is anticipated that the equity investments will consist of growth stocks and will typically be at the higher end of the allocation ranges above.

Investment in international mutual funds is limited to a maximum of 30% of the equity range. The allocation as of December 31, 2023 included 2% that was primarily invested in equity securities of emerging market countries and another 16% was invested in securities of companies primarily based in Europe and the Pacific Basin.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we contributed $0.4 million to the pension and supplemental executive retirement plans to fund distributions from the supplemental executive retirement plan. We expect to make a contribution to the pension plan in 2024 of $25.0 million and distributions from the supplemental executive retirement plan will be funded as incurred. We did not make a contribution to the other postretirement benefits plan in 2023 and we do not expect to make a contribution in 2024.

Expected future benefit payments from the plans are shown in Table 11.11 below.

Expected future benefit payments
Table	11.11
		Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans	Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)		12/31/2023	12/31/2023
Current + 1		23,110	2,761
Current + 2		22,771	2,849
Current + 3		23,116	2,715
Current + 4		23,226	2,630
Current + 5		22,236	2,825
Current + 6 - 10		100,929	15,326

PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K)

We have a profit sharing and 401(k) savings plan for employees. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, we may make a contribution to the plan of up to 5% of each participant's eligible compensation. We provide a matching 401(k) savings contribution for employees of 200% up to the first 2% contributed and 100% of the next 2% contributed. We recognized expenses related to these plans of $9.5 million in 2023, $7.6 million in 2022, and $8.0 million in 2021.