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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering eligible employees in the U.S. and in certain of its international subsidiaries. The net periodic benefit cost (credit) of such plans consisted of the following components: 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20252024
($ in millions)U.S.InternationalU.S.International
Service cost$89 $54 $86 $61 
Interest cost141 71 134 74 
Expected return on plan assets(210)(143)(207)(139)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit
— (4)— (3)
Net loss amortization
13 3 10 1 
Termination benefits— — 3 — 
 $33 $(19)$26 $(6)
The Company provides medical benefits, principally to its eligible U.S. retirees and similar benefits to their dependents, through its other postretirement benefit plans. The net credit of such plans consisted of the following components: 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
($ in millions)20252024
Service cost$10 $8 
Interest cost16 14 
Expected return on plan assets(14)(20)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit(10)(11)
Net gain amortization(10)(12)
 $(8)$(21)
In connection with restructuring actions (see Note 4), termination charges were recorded on pension plans related to expanded eligibility for certain employees exiting Merck.
The components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than the service cost component are included in Other (income) expense, net (see Note 10), with the exception of certain amounts for termination benefits which are recorded in Restructuring costs if the event giving rise to the termination benefits related to restructuring actions.