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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 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
September 30,		Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2025202420252024
($ in millions)U.S.InternationalU.S.InternationalU.S.InternationalU.S.International
Service cost$100 $57 $100 $60 $279 $171 $273 $182 
Interest cost143 78 134 74 425 225 403 220 
Expected return on plan assets(210)(159)(206)(139)(630)(454)(621)(416)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit
— (4)— (3)— (12)— (10)
Net loss amortization
16 3 12 1 42 8 30 4 
Termination benefits— — 1 — 1 — 5 — 
Curtailments9 (16)— — 8 (16)— — 
 $58 $(41)$41 $(7)$125 $(78)$90 $(20)
The Company provides medical benefits, principally to its eligible U.S. retirees and similar benefits to their dependents, through its other postretirement benefit plans. The net credit of such plans consisted of the following components: 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,		Nine Months Ended
September 30,
($ in millions)2025202420252024
Service cost$9 $7 $29 $23 
Interest cost15 14 46 42 
Expected return on plan assets(13)(20)(39)(60)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit(10)(11)(30)(32)
Net gain amortization(12)(14)(33)(38)
 $(11)$(24)$(27)$(65)
In connection with restructuring actions (see Note 4), termination charges were recorded on pension plans related to expanded eligibility for certain employees exiting Merck. Also, in connection with these restructuring activities, curtailments were recorded on certain pension plans.
The components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than the service cost component are included in Other (income) expense, net (see Note 11), 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.