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Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
NOTE 15. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
3M has company-sponsored retirement plans covering substantially all U.S. employees and many employees outside the United States. In total, 3M has over 72 defined benefit plans in 27 countries. Pension benefits associated with these plans generally are based on each participant’s years of service, compensation, and age at retirement or termination. The primary U.S. defined-benefit pension plan was closed to new participants effective January 1, 2009. In December 2023, the Company committed to the future freeze of U.S. defined benefit pension benefits for non-union U.S. employees, effective December 31, 2028. The Company also provides certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for its U.S. employees who reach retirement age while employed by the Company and were employed by the Company prior to January 1, 2016. Most international employees and retirees are covered by government health care programs. The cost of company-provided postretirement health care plans for international employees is not material and is combined with U.S. amounts in the tables that follow.
The Company has made deposits for its defined benefit plans with independent trustees. Trust funds and deposits with insurance companies are maintained to provide pension benefits to plan participants and their beneficiaries. There are no plan assets in the non-qualified plan due to its nature. For its U.S. postretirement health care benefit plan, the Company has set aside amounts at least equal to annual benefit payments with an independent trustee.
The Company also sponsors employee savings plans under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. These plans are offered to substantially all regular U.S. employees. For eligible employees hired prior to January 1, 2009, employee 401(k) contributions of up to 5% of eligible compensation are matched in cash at rates of 45% or 60%, depending on the plan in which the employee participates. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2009, receive a cash match of 100% for employee 401(k) contributions of up to 5% of eligible compensation and receive an employer retirement income account cash contribution of 3% of the participant’s total eligible compensation. All contributions are invested in a number of investment funds pursuant to employees’ elections. Employer contributions to the U.S. defined contribution plans, including discontinued operations, were $172 million, $241 million and $241 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 3M subsidiaries in various international countries also participate in defined contribution plans. Employer contributions to the international defined contribution plans, including discontinued operations were $87 million, $108 million and $108 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following tables include a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets as well as a summary of the related amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31 of the respective years. 3M also has certain non-qualified unfunded pension and postretirement benefit plans, inclusive of plans related to supplement/excess benefits for employees impacted by particular relocations and other matters, that individually and in the aggregate are not significant and which are not included in the tables that follow. The obligations for these plans are included within other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and aggregated to less than $25 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
In connection with the completion of the April 1, 2024 separation of Solventum (see Note 2), approximately $2.7 billion of pension and postretirement benefit obligations and $2.4 billion of plan assets for certain pension and postretirement benefit plans, were transferred to Solventum, which is treated as a discontinued operation. These are reflected in the "Transfers to Solventum" row in the table below. In addition, as discussed later in this Note 15, in 2024 3M transferred a portion of its U.S. pension payment obligations and related plan assets to an insurance company. Those transfers are included as settlements and applicable portion in actuarial gain in the tables below.
Qualified and Non-Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
United StatesInternational
(Millions)202420232024202320242023
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$13,498 $13,505 $5,571 $5,072 $1,897 $1,797 
Transfers to Solventum(1,850)— (615)— (243)— 
Service cost123 171 63 76 21 27 
Interest cost522 662 200 225 80 87 
Participant contributions— — 7 9 — — 
Foreign exchange rate changes— — (284)208 (16)10 
Plan amendments— — — (1)— — 
Actuarial (gain) loss(721)779 (198)298 (112)124 
Benefit payments(823)(1,504)(249)(258)(118)(142)
Settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other(2,387)(115)(59)(58)(6)(6)
Benefit obligation at end of year8,362 13,498 4,436 5,571 1,503 1,897 
Less: discontinued operations— (1,893)— (620)— (250)
Benefit obligation - continuing operations$8,362 $11,605 $4,436 $4,951 $1,503 $1,647 
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year$12,348 $12,648 $6,341 $5,891 $980 $1,017 
Transfers to Solventum(1,808)— (455)— (130)— 
Actual return on plan assets99 1,144 38 426 21 102 
Company contributions69 60 71 82 14 10 
Participant contributions— — 7 9 — — 
Foreign exchange rate changes— — (299)241 — (1)
Benefit payments(823)(1,504)(249)(258)(118)(142)
Settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other(2,387)— (57)(50)(6)(6)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year7,498 12,348 5,397 6,341 761 980 
Less: discontinued operations— (1,837)— (484)— (133)
Fair value of plan assets - continuing operations7,498 10,511 5,397 5,857 761 847 
Funded status at end of year - continuing operations$(864)$(1,094)$961 $906 $(742)$(800)
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, (Millions)Qualified and Non-qualified Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
United StatesInternational
202420232024202320242023
Continuing operations:
Non-current assets$— $— $1,243 $1,239 $— $— 
Accrued benefit cost
Current liabilities(50)(49)(13)(11)(12)(11)
Non-current liabilities(814)(1,045)(269)(322)(730)(789)
Ending balance - continuing operations$(864)$(1,094)$961 $906 $(742)$(800)
Ending balance - discontinued operations$— $(56)$— $(136)$— $(117)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, (Millions)Qualified and Non-qualified Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
United StatesInternational
202420232024202320242023
Net transition obligation (asset)$— $— $— $3 $— $— 
Net actuarial loss (gain)2,922 4,809 347 316 279 423 
Prior service cost (credit)— (17)7 9 (94)(135)
Ending balance$2,922 $4,792 $354 $328 $185 $288 
The pension accumulated benefit obligation represents the actuarial present value of benefits based on employee service and compensation as of the measurement date and does not include an assumption about future compensation levels. The following table summarizes the total accumulated benefit obligations, the accumulated benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets for defined benefit pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, and the projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for defined benefit pension plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31:
Qualified and Non-qualified Pension Plans
United StatesInternational
(Millions)2024202320242023
Accumulated benefit obligation$8,094 $13,073 $4,289 $5,275 
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Accumulated benefit obligation8,094 13,073 655 1,145 
Fair value of plan assets7,498 12,348 405 761 
Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation8,362 13,498 695 1,272 
Fair value of plan assets7,498 12,348 416 793 
Components of Net Periodic Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income:
The service cost component of defined benefit net periodic benefit cost is recorded in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses, and research, development and related expenses. As discussed in Note 7, the other components of net periodic benefit cost are reflected in other expense (income), net. Components of net periodic benefit cost and other supplemental information for the years ended December 31 follow:
Qualified and Non-qualified Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
United StatesInternational
(Millions)202420232022202420232022202420232022
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)
Operating expense
Service cost$123 $171 $256 $63 $76 $128 $21 $27 $42 
Non-operating expense
Interest cost522 662 417 200 225 125 80 87 52 
Expected return on plan assets(714)(974)(963)(322)(307)(271)(65)(77)(72)
Amortization of transition asset— — — 2 2 2 — — — 
Amortization of prior service benefit(15)(24)(24)1 2 — (22)(31)(31)
Amortization of net actuarial loss307 292 424 11 7 29 20 9 40 
Settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other821 (5)12 1 3 10 1 — 2 
Total non-operating expense (benefit)921 (49)(134)(107)(68)(105)14 (12)(9)
Total net periodic benefit cost (benefit)$1,044 $122 $122 $(44)$8 $23 $35 $15 $33 
Service cost - continuing operations116 139 209 58 60 107 20 23 35 
Service cost - discontinued operations7 32 47 5 16 21 1 4 7 
Total service cost$123 $171 $256 $63 $76 $128 $21 $27 $42 
Total non-operating expense (benefit) - continuing operations921 (32)(111)(107)(67)(114)14 (10)(7)
Total non-operating expense (benefit) - discontinued operations— (17)(23)— (1)9 — (2)(2)
Total non-operating expense (benefit)$921 $(49)$(134)$(107)$(68)$(105)$14 $(12)$(9)
Total net periodic benefit cost (benefit) - continuing operations1,037 107 98 (49)(7)(7)34 13 28 
Total net periodic benefit cost (benefit) - discontinued operations7 15 24 5 15 30 1 2 5 
Total net periodic benefit cost (benefit)$1,044 $122 $122 $(44)$8 $23 $35 $15 $33 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss
Amortization of transition asset$— $— $— $(2)$(2)$(2)$— $— $— 
Prior service cost (benefit)— — — — (1)8 — — — 
Amortization of prior service benefit15 24 24 (1)(2)— 22 31 31 
Net actuarial (gain) loss(105)495 61 85 166 (689)(69)100 (166)
Amortization of net actuarial loss(307)(292)(424)(11)(7)(29)(20)(9)(40)
Foreign currency— — — (36)3 (82)2 — 2 
Settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other(821)5 (12)(1)— (4)(1)— (2)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss$(1,218)$232 $(351)$34 $157 $(798)$(66)$122 $(175)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost (benefit) and other comprehensive (income) loss$(174)$354 $(229)$(10)$165 $(775)$(31)$137 $(142)
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations as of December 31:
Qualified and Non-qualified Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
United StatesInternational
202420232022202420232022202420232022
Discount rate5.64 %4.98 %5.18 %4.44 %3.99 %4.39 %5.68 %5.06 %5.25 %
Compensation rate increase3.77 3.77 3.37 2.88 2.88 2.86 N/AN/AN/A
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Cost for Years Ended December 31:
Qualified and Non-qualified Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
United StatesInternational
202420232022202420232022202420232022
Discount rate - service cost5.35 %5.26 %3.10 %3.77 %4.06 %1.64 %5.30 %5.39 %3.11 %
Discount rate - interest cost5.21 5.11 2.38 4.06 4.39 1.62 5.23 5.25 2.59 
Expected return on assets7.63 7.50 6.00 5.31 4.61 3.86 7.85 7.58 5.77 
Compensation rate increase3.77 3.37 3.21 2.89 2.86 2.86 N/AN/AN/A
The Company provides a savings account-based postretirement health care benefit to eligible retirees in the U.S. The contributions provided by the Company to the health savings accounts increase 3 percent per year for employees who retired prior to January 1, 2016 and increase 1.5% for employees who retire on or after January 1, 2016. Therefore, the Company no longer has material exposure to health care cost inflation.
The Company determines the discount rate and related assumption used to measure plan liabilities as of the applicable measurement date for the pension and postretirement benefit plans. The annual measurement date is December 31, but certain events may require a remeasurement as of a particular date. The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the associated liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. The Company sets its rate to reflect the yield of a portfolio of high quality, fixed-income debt instruments that would produce cash flows sufficient in timing and amount to settle projected future benefits. Using this methodology, the Company determined a discount rate of 5.64% for the U.S. pension plans and 5.68% for the postretirement benefit plans as of December 31, 2024, which is an increase of 66 percentage points and an increase 0.62 percentage points, respectively, from the rates used as of December 31, 2023. An increase in the discount rate decreases the Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO). The increase in the discount rates during 2024 resulted in an approximate $0.7 billion decrease in benefit obligation for the U.S. pension and postretirement plans in relation to those plans' December 31, 2023 remeasurement. As discussed further below, during 2024 certain events required remeasurements of particular plans.
The Company measures service cost and interest cost separately using the spot yield curve approach applied to each corresponding obligation. Service costs are determined based on duration-specific spot rates applied to the service cost cash flows. The interest cost calculation is determined by applying duration-specific spot rates to the year-by-year projected benefit payments. The spot yield curve approach does not affect the measurement of the total benefit obligations as the change in service and interest costs offset in the actuarial gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income.
For the primary U.S. qualified pension plan, the Company’s assumption for the expected return on plan assets was 7.63% in 2024. Projected returns are based primarily on broad, publicly traded equity and fixed-income indices and forward-looking estimates of active portfolio and investment management. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s 2025 expected long-term rate of return on U.S. plan assets is 8.00%. The expected return assumption is based on the strategic asset allocation of the plan, long term capital market return expectations and expected performance from active investment management. The 2024 expected long-term rate of return is based on an initial asset allocation assumption of 11% global equities, 13% private equities, 63% fixed-income securities, and 13% absolute return investments independent of traditional performance benchmarks, along with positive returns from active investment management. The actual net rate of return on plan assets in 2024, 2023 and 2022 was 2.3%, 10.4% and -17.4%, respectively. The average annual actual return on the plan assets over the past 10 and 25 years has been 4.6% and 6.3%, respectively. Return on assets assumptions for international pension and other post-retirement benefit plans are calculated on a plan-by-plan basis using plan asset allocations and expected long-term rate of return assumptions.
The Society of Actuaries did not release an update to the Scale MP-2021 in 2023 or 2024. For the December 31, 2023 annual valuation, the Company updated the plans' mortality assumption to use the Pri-2012 Mortality Table with White Collar Adjustment. The December 31, 2023 update resulted in an approximate $450 million increase to the U.S. pension PBO and U.S. accumulated postretirement benefit obligations.
In 2024, primarily in the second quarter, 3M recorded a non-cash pension settlement charge of approximately $808 million reflected in other expense (income), net as a result of transferring approximately $2.5 billion of its U.S. pension payment obligations and related plan assets to an insurance company. The pension risk transfer required remeasurement of the plan prior to the calculation of the settlement charge. The net impact of the pension risk transfer and the second quarter 2024 remeasurement was a decrease of approximately $220 million in the non-current liability for pensions (and corresponding decrease in accumulated comprehensive loss, before deferred taxes). Assumptions used for this remeasurement included discount rates determined using June 30, 2024 market conditions and calculated using the same methodology as discussed above. Using this methodology, the Company determined a discount rate of 5.43% for the U.S. pension plan as of June 30, 2024. The Company also reduced the expected return on assets assumption determined using June 30, 2024 market conditions and calculated using the same methodology as used at the annual measurement as of December 31, 2023. All other assumptions were consistent with the December 31, 2023 disclosures. This remeasurement impacted net periodic benefit cost for the remainder of 2024.
As of March 31, 2024, 3M transferred eligible U.S. Solventum employees and retirees to new U.S. defined benefit pension and postretirement plans with the same benefits of their current plans. The transfer required remeasurement of the plans prior to the calculation of this split. The net impact of the remeasurement was a decrease of approximately $70 million in the non-current liability for pension and postretirement benefits (and corresponding decrease in accumulated comprehensive loss, before deferred taxes). Assumptions used for this remeasurement included discount rates determined using March 31, 2024 market conditions and calculated using the same methodology as discussed above. All other assumptions were consistent with the December 31, 2023 disclosures. Using this methodology, the Company determined a discount rate of 5.22% for the U.S. pension plans and 5.19% for the U.S. postretirement benefit plans as of March 31, 2024, which are increases of 0.24 percentage points and 0.25 percentage points, respectively, from the rates used as of December 31, 2023. This remeasurement did not impact consolidated income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, but impacted net periodic benefit cost for the remainder of 2024. As of March 31, 2024, there were several small international pension plans remeasured for purposes of transferring Solventum employees to new pension plans, the impact of which was not material.
During 2024, the Company contributed $140 million to its U.S. and international pension plans and $14 million to its postretirement plans. During 2023, the Company contributed $142 million to its U.S. and international pension plans and $10 million to its postretirement plans. In 2025, the Company expects to contribute an amount in the range of $100 million to $200 million of cash to its U.S. and international retirement plans. The Company does not have a required minimum cash pension contribution obligation for its U.S. plans in 2025. Future contributions will depend on market conditions, interest rates and other factors.
Future Pension and Postretirement Benefit Payments: The following table provides the estimated pension and postretirement benefit payments that are payable from the plans to participants.
Qualified and Non-qualified Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
(Millions)United StatesInternational
2025 Benefit Payments$709 $253 $132 
2026 Benefit Payments703 257 133 
2027 Benefit Payments703 266 135 
2028 Benefit Payments702 278 136 
2029 Benefit Payments695 287 138 
Next five years3,283 1,443 621 
Plan Asset Management: 3M’s investment strategy for its pension and postretirement plans is to manage the funds on a going-concern basis. The primary goal of the trust funds is to meet the obligations as required. The secondary goal is to earn the highest rate of return possible, without jeopardizing its primary goal, and without subjecting the Company to an undue amount of contribution risk. Fund returns are used to help finance present and future obligations to the extent possible within actuarially determined funding limits and tax-determined asset limits, thus reducing the potential need for additional contributions from 3M. The investment strategy has used long duration cash bonds and derivative instruments to offset a significant portion of the interest rate sensitivity of U.S. pension liabilities.
Normally, 3M does not buy or sell any of its own securities as a direct investment for its pension and other postretirement benefit funds. However, due to external investment management of the funds, the plans may indirectly buy, sell or hold 3M securities. The aggregate amount of 3M securities are not considered to be material relative to the aggregate fund percentages.
The discussion that follows references the fair value measurements of certain assets in terms of levels 1, 2 and 3. See Note 15 for descriptions of these levels. While the Company believes the valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.
U.S. Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets: In order to achieve the investment objectives in the U.S. pension plans and U.S. postretirement benefit plans, the investment policies include a target strategic asset allocation. The investment policies allow some tolerance around the target in recognition that market fluctuations and illiquidity of some investments may cause the allocation to a specific asset class to vary from the target allocation, potentially for long periods of time. Acceptable ranges have been designed to allow for deviation from strategic targets and to allow for the opportunity for tactical over- and under-weights. The portfolios will normally be rebalanced when the quarter-end asset allocation deviates from acceptable ranges. The allocation is reviewed regularly by the named fiduciary of the plans. Approximately 91% of the postretirement benefit plan assets are in a 401(h) account. The 401(h) account assets are in the same trust as the primary U.S. pension plan and invested with the same investment objectives as the primary U.S. pension plan.
The fair values of the assets held by the U.S. pension and postretirement benefit plans by asset class are as follows:
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered asInvestments Measured at Net Asset Value*Fair Value at December 31,
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Asset Class (Millions)2024202320242023202420232024202320242023
U.S. Pension Plans
Equities$1,318 $1,246 $— $— $— $— $— $174 $1,318 $1,420 
Fixed income1,227 1,153 2,774 6,428 — — — 16 4,001 7,597 
Private equity— — — — 13 — 1,179 1,622 1,192 1,622 
Absolute return— 1 7 83 — — 899 1,314 906 1,398 
Cash and cash equivalents38 7 14 — — — 276 741 328 748 
Total$2,583 $2,407 $2,795 $6,511 $13 $— $2,354 $3,867 $7,745 $12,785 
Other items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets(247)(437)
Fair value of plan assets$7,498 $12,348 
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Equities$122 $118 $— $— $— $— $— $11 $122 $129 
Fixed income129 92 305 503 — — — 1 434 596 
Private equity— — — — 1 — 110 108 111 108 
Absolute return— — 4 5 — — 80 87 84 92 
Cash and cash equivalents7 35 1 — — — 26 49 34 84 
Total$258 $245 $310 $508 $1 $— $216 $256 $785 $1,009 
Other items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets(24)(29)
Fair value of plan assets$761 $980 
* In accordance with ASC 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities then divided by the number of units outstanding and is determined by the investment manager or custodian of the fund. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the fair value of plan assets.
Publicly traded equities are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual securities are traded.
Fixed income includes U.S. government and government agencies, corporate bonds and notes, asset backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, private placements and derivative investments. U.S. government and government agency bonds and notes are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual security is traded. Corporate bonds and notes, asset backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are valued at either the yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings or valued under a discounted cash flow approach that utilizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable such as credit and liquidity risks. Private placements are valued by the custodian using recognized pricing services and sources. Derivative instruments such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps are valued by the custodian using closing market swap curves and market derived inputs. Futures are valued at the closing price reported in active market in which the derivative is traded.
The private equity portfolio primarily consists of partnership interests valued at NAV as described above.
Absolute return consists primarily of partnership interests in hedge funds, hedge fund of funds or other private fund vehicles. The hedge funds are valued at NAV as described above. The private fund vehicles consist primarily of corporate debt instruments that are valued at either the yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings or valued under a discounted cash flow approach that utilizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable such as credit and liquidity risk ratings.
Other items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets include, interest receivables, amounts due for securities sold, amounts payable for securities purchased and interest payable.
The level 3 activity attributable to U.S. pension and postretirement plans assets was insignificant for the periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
International Pension Plans Assets: Outside the U.S., pension plan assets are typically managed by decentralized fiduciary committees. The disclosure below of asset categories is presented in aggregate for over 26 defined benefit plans in 18 countries; however, there is significant variation in asset allocation policy from country to country. Local regulations, local funding rules, and local financial and tax considerations are part of the funding and investment allocation process in each country. The Company provides standard funding and investment guidance to all international plans with more focused guidance to the larger plans.
Each plan has its own strategic asset allocation. The asset allocations are reviewed periodically and rebalanced when necessary.
The fair values of the assets held by the international pension plans by asset class are as follows:
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered asInvestments Measured at Net Asset Value*Fair Value at December 31,
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Asset Class (Millions)2024202320242023202420232024202320242023
Equities$231 $226 $437 $513 $1 $1 $2 $45 $671 $785 
Fixed income150 148 3,248 3,501 2 2 1 719 3,401 4,370 
Private equity— — 21 58 1 2 736 361 758 421 
Absolute return5 10 44 1 503 583 112 189 664 783 
Cash and cash equivalents99 106 58 76 — — — 1 157 183 
Total$485 $490 $3,808 $4,149 $507 $588 $851 $1,315 $5,651 $6,542 
Other items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets(254)(201)
Fair value of plan assets$5,397 $6,341 
*In accordance with ASC 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities then divided by the number of units outstanding and is determined by the investment manager or custodian of the fund. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the fair value of plan assets.
Equities consist primarily of mandates in public equity securities managed to various public equity indices. Publicly traded equities are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual securities are traded.
Fixed Income investments include domestic and foreign government, and corporate debt securities. The debt securities are valued at the closing price reported if traded on an active market or at yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings or valued under a discounted cash flow approach that utilizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable such as credit and liquidity risks.
Private equity funds consist of partnership interests in a variety of funds which are valued at NAV as described above. Real estate consists of property funds and REITS (Real Estate Investment Trusts). REITS are valued at NAV with published prices provided by the custodians.
Absolute return consists primarily of private partnership interests in hedge funds, insurance contracts and derivative instruments. Partnerships and hedge funds are valued at NAV as described above. Insurance consists of insurance contracts, which are valued using cash surrender values which is the amount the plan would receive if the contract was cashed out at year end. Derivative instruments consist of various swaps and bond futures that are used to help manage risks and are valued by the custodian using closing market swap curves and market derived input
Other items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets include the net of interest receivables, amounts due for securities sold, amounts payable for securities purchased and interest payable. At December 31, 2024 the net payable includes a payable of $88 million to the Canadian Solventum pension.
The balances of and changes in the fair values of the international pension plans’ level 3 assets consist primarily of insurance contracts under the absolute return asset class. In 2024 the aggregate of net purchases and net unrealized gains and losses decreased this balance by $43 million and the change in currency exchange rates decreased this balance by $37 million for a net decrease of $80 million. In 2023 the aggregate net purchases and net unrealized gains increased this balance by $138 million and the change in currency exchange rates increased the balance by $6 million for a net increase to this balance of $144 million.