XML 43 R19.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.25.0.1
Benefit Plans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
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 benefits for retired domestic employees and their eligible spouses and dependents under a postretirement benefit plan. Participation in this plan is limited to eligible employees that participated in the defined benefit pension 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, 2024, 2023, and 2022 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, 2024 and 2023.
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Table
11.1
 Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement PlansOther Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202212/31/202412/31/202312/31/2022
Company Service Cost$ $— $7,153 $1,668 $1,497 $1,307 
Interest Cost12,988 13,787 12,461 1,501 1,633 694 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
(14,576)(13,517)(18,064)(9,974)(8,235)(10,502)
Amortization of:      
Net Transition Obligation (Asset)
 — —  — — 
Prior Service Cost (Credit)
345 345 (163)1,813 1,861 489 
Net Actuarial Losses (Gains)
2,091 2,185 5,726 (1,523)(150)(3,103)
Cost of Settlements and Curtailments198 9,749 13,801  — — 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Benefit)
$1,046 $12,549 $20,914 $(6,515)$(3,394)$(11,115)
Development of funded status
Table
11.2
 Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement PlansOther Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202412/31/2023
Actuarial Value of Benefit Obligations
Measurement Date12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202412/31/2023
Accumulated Benefit Obligation$242,253 $261,330 $23,383 $30,238 
Funded Status/Asset (Liability) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Benefit Obligation$(242,253)$(261,330)$(23,383)$(30,238)
Plan Assets at Fair Value240,216 235,612 156,604 134,371 
Funded Status - Overfunded/AssetN/AN/A$133,221 $104,133 
Funded Status - Underfunded/Liability(2,037)(25,718)N/AN/A
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss
Table
11.3
 Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement PlansOther Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202412/31/2023
Net Actuarial Losses (Gains)
$78,240 $79,309 $(45,384)$(30,804)
Prior Service Cost (Credit)
2,555 2,900 2,923 11,041 
Net Transition Obligation (Asset)
 —  — 
Total at Year End$80,795 $82,209 $(42,461)$(19,763)

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 (Benefit) 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, 2024 and 2023.
Change in projected benefit / accumulated benefit
Table
11.4
 Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement PlansOther Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202412/31/2023
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year$261,330 $274,975 $30,238 $29,580 
Company Service Cost — 1,668 1,497 
Interest Cost12,988 13,787 1,501 1,633 
Plan Participants' Contributions — 240 311 
Net Actuarial Losses (Gains)
(8,637)16,995 (379)1,294 
Benefit Payments from Fund(13,985)(13,549)(3,296)(3,439)
Benefit and Settlement Payments Paid Directly by Company
(313)(384) — 
Plan Amendments — (6,305)(346)
Settlement Payments from Fund (1)
(9,130)(30,494) — 
Other Adjustment — (284)(292)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year$242,253 $261,330 $23,383 $30,238 
(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 2023 to 2024 is primarily due to changes in the discount rate used to calculate the benefit obligation. When the discount rate increases, the impact on the benefit obligation is a decrease, resulting in an actuarial gain. When the discount rate decreases, the impact on the benefit obligation is an increase, resulting in an actuarial loss. The discount rate increased to 5.70% at December 31, 2024 from 5.20% at December 31, 2023, compared to a decrease to 5.20% at December 31, 2023 from 5.60% at December 31, 2022. See Table 11.7 for the actuarial assumptions used to calculate the benefit obligations of our plans for 2024 and 2023.

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, 2024 and 2023.
Change in plan assets
Table
11.5
 Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement PlansOther Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202412/31/2023
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year$235,612 $250,674 $134,371 $111,154 
Actual Return on Plan Assets
4,719 28,981 25,699 26,703 
Company Contributions23,313 384  — 
Plan Participants' Contributions — 240 311 
Benefit Payments from Fund(13,985)(13,549)(3,296)(3,439)
Benefit and Settlement Payments Paid Directly by Company
(313)(384) — 
Settlement Payments from Fund(9,130)(30,494) — 
Other Adjustment — (410)(358)
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year$240,216 $235,612 $156,604 $134,371 
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI")
Table
11.6
 Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement PlansOther Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202412/31/2023
AOCI in Prior Year$82,209 $92,956 $(19,763)$(532)
Increase (Decrease) in AOCI
    
Recognized during year - Prior Service (Cost) Credit
(345)(345)(1,813)(1,861)
Recognized during year - Net Actuarial (Losses) Gains
(2,290)(11,933)1,523 150 
Occurring during year - Prior Service Cost — (6,305)(346)
Occurring during year - Net Actuarial Losses (Gains)
1,221 1,531 (16,103)(17,174)
AOCI in Current Year$80,795 $82,209 $(42,461)$(19,763)
The projected benefit obligations, net periodic benefit costs and accumulated benefit obligation for the plans were determined using the following weighted average assumptions.
Actuarial assumptions
Table11.7
 Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement PlansOther Postretirement Benefits
 12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202412/31/2023
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine
Benefit Obligations at year end
1. Discount Rate5.70 %5.20 %5.65 %5.20 %
2. Rate of Compensation IncreaseN/AN/AN/AN/A
3. Cash balance interest crediting rate4.78 %4.03 %N/AN/A
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine    
Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Year    
1. Discount Rate
5.20 %5.50 %5.20 %5.60 %
2. Expected Long-term Return on Plan Assets6.00 %6.00 %7.50 %7.50 %
3. Rate of Compensation IncreaseN/AN/AN/AN/A
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates at year end    
1. Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next YearN/AN/AN/A6.75 %
2. Rate to Which the Cost Trend Rate is Assumed to Decline (Ultimate Trend Rate)N/AN/AN/A5.00 %
3. Year That the Rate Reaches the Ultimate Trend RateN/AN/AN/A2031

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
Table11.8
  Pension PlanOther Postretirement Benefits
 12/31/202412/31/202312/31/202412/31/2023
Equity Securities21 %21 %100 %100 %
Debt Securities79 %79 % %— %
Total100 %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, 2024 and 2023, 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, 2024
Table11.9a
(In thousands)
Level 1Level 2Total
Domestic mutual funds$3,479 $ $3,479 
U.S. government securities22,355  22,355 
Corporate debt securities
Corporate debt securities and other 135,739 135,739 
Non-government foreign debt securities 20,665 20,665 
Municipal bonds 11,607 11,607 
Pooled equity accounts 46,371 46,371 
Total Assets at fair value$25,834 $214,382 $240,216 
Pension plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2023
Table11.9b
(In thousands)
Level 1Level 2Total
Domestic mutual funds$2,836 $— $2,836 
U.S. government securities10,301 — 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 

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:
StrategyObjectiveInvestment types
Return seeking growthFunded ratio improvement over the long termGlobal quality growth
Global low volatility
Return seeking bridgeDownside protection in the event of a declining equity marketEnduring 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, 2024 and 2023. All are Level 1 assets.
Other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2024
Table11.10a
(In thousands)
Level 1
Domestic mutual funds
$130,586 
International mutual funds
26,018 
Total Assets at fair value$156,604 
Other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2023
Table11.10b
(In thousands)
Level 1
Domestic mutual funds
$109,575 
International mutual funds
24,796 
Total Assets at fair value$134,371 

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:
 MinimumMaximum
Equities (long only)70 %100 %
Real estate%15 %
Commodities%10 %
Fixed income/Cash%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, 2024 included 2% that was primarily invested in equity securities of emerging market countries and another 15% was invested in securities of companies primarily based in Europe and the Pacific Basin.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, we contributed $23.3 million to the pension and supplemental executive retirement plans. We do not expect to make a contribution to the pension plan in 2025 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 2024 and we do not expect to make a contribution in 2025.

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 PlansOther Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)12/31/202412/31/2024
Current + 121,5972,730
Current + 221,8942,547
Current + 322,3382,394
Current + 421,4432,411
Current + 520,9482,339
Current + 6 - 1094,95211,226

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 $8.2 million in 2024, $9.5 million in 2023, and $7.6 million in 2022.