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Benefit Plans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Benefit Plans
Note 11. Benefit Plans

Pension Plans
Obligations and Funded Status:
The projected benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of our pension plans were:
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
 2022202120222021
 (in millions)
Projected benefit obligation at January 1$1,729 $1,887 $10,821 $11,658 
Service cost88 137 
Interest cost51 42 172 130 
Benefits paid(39)(31)(461)(533)
Settlements paid(71)(113)— — 
Actuarial (gains)/losses(482)(63)(2,844)(269)
Acquisitions— — 18 — 
Currency— — (957)(308)
Other— 41 
Projected benefit obligation at December 311,193 1,729 6,878 10,821 
Fair value of plan assets at January 11,826 1,959 11,021 10,972 
Actual return on plan assets(455)(2,388)548 
Contributions10 211 292 
Benefits paid(39)(31)(461)(533)
Settlements paid(71)(113)— — 
Currency— — (992)(258)
Other— — (2)— 
Fair value of plan assets at December 311,265 1,826 7,389 11,021 
Net pension assets at December 31$72 $97 $511 $200 
The accumulated benefit obligation, which represents benefits earned to the measurement date, for U.S. pension plans was $1.2 billion at December 31, 2022 and $1.7 billion at December 31, 2021. The accumulated benefit obligation for non-U.S. pension plans was $6.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and $10.7 billion at December 31, 2021.

The actuarial (gain) loss for all pension plans in 2022 and 2021 was primarily related to a change in the discount rate used to measure the benefit obligations of those plans.

The combined U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans resulted in a net pension asset of $583 million at December 31, 2022 and a net pension asset of $297 million at December 31, 2021. We recognized these amounts in our consolidated balance sheets as follows:
 As of December 31,
 20222021
 (in millions)
Prepaid pension assets$1,016 $1,009 
Other current liabilities(30)(31)
Accrued pension costs(403)(681)
$583 $297 

Certain of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans are underfunded with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets. For these plans, the projected benefit obligations, accumulated benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets were:
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
 As of December 31,As of December 31,
 2022202120222021
 (in millions)
Projected benefit obligation$31 $42 $531 $1,889 
Accumulated benefit obligation31 42 492 1,805 
Fair value of plan assets135 1,223 

We used the following weighted-average assumptions to determine our benefit obligations under the pension plans:
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
 As of December 31,As of December 31,
 2022202120222021
Discount rate5.55 %3.01 %4.51 %1.73 %
Expected rate of return on plan assets6.25 %4.50 %5.41 %3.44 %
Rate of compensation increase4.00 %4.00 %3.22 %2.83 %

Year-end discount rates for our U.S., Canadian, Eurozone and U.K. plans were developed from a model portfolio of high quality, fixed-income debt instruments with durations that match the expected future cash flows of the benefit obligations. Year-end discount rates for our remaining non-U.S. plans were developed from local bond indices that match local benefit obligations as closely as possible. Changes in our discount rates were primarily the result of changes in bond yields year-over-year. We determine our expected rate of return on plan assets from the plan assets’ historical long-term investment performance, current asset allocation and estimates of future long-term returns by asset class.

For the periods presented, we measure service and interest costs by applying the specific spot rates along a yield curve used to measure plan obligations to the plans’ liability cash flows. We believe this approach provides a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by aligning the timing of the plans’ liability cash flows to the corresponding spot rates on the yield curve.
Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost:
Net periodic pension cost consisted of the following:
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
 For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
 202220212020202220212020
 (in millions)
Service cost$$$$88 $137 $121 
Interest cost51 42 49 172 130 149 
Expected return on plan assets(79)(72)(77)(353)(419)(400)
Amortization:
Net loss/(gain)17 17 57 130 118 
Prior service cost/(benefit)(2)(6)(7)
Curtailment expense/(credit) (1)
— — — (17)— 
Settlement losses and other expenses14 19 18 
Net periodic pension cost$(2)$13 $14 $(28)$(42)$(15)
 
(1)During the third quarter of 2021, we terminated our Defined Benefit Pension Scheme in Nigeria. During the second quarter of 2021, we made a decision to freeze our Defined Benefit Pension Scheme in the United Kingdom. As a result, we recognized curtailment credits of ($17 million) in 2021 recorded within benefit plan non-service income. In connection with the United Kingdom plan freeze, we also incurred incentive payment charges and other expenses of $48 million in 2021 included in operating income.

For the U.S. plans, we determine the expected return on plan assets component of net periodic benefit cost using a calculated market return value that recognizes the cost over a four-year period. For our non-U.S. plans, we utilize a similar approach with varying cost recognition periods for some plans, and with others, we determine the expected return on plan assets based on asset fair values as of the measurement date.

We used the following weighted-average assumptions to determine our net periodic pension cost:
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
 For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
 202220212020202220212020
Discount rate3.01 %2.73 %3.44 %1.74 %1.33 %1.74 %
Expected rate of return
on plan assets
4.50 %4.50 %5.00 %3.44 %3.90 %4.20 %
Rate of compensation increase4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %2.84 %3.16 %3.17 %
Plan Assets:
The fair value of pension plan assets was determined using the following fair value measurements:
 As of December 31, 2022
Asset CategoryTotal Fair
Value
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (in millions)
U.S. equity securities$$$— $— 
Non-U.S. equity securities— — 
Pooled funds - equity securities960 906 54 — 
Total equity securities964 910 54 — 
Government bonds2,495 48 2,447 — 
Pooled funds - fixed-income securities560 453 107 — 
Corporate bonds and other
   fixed-income securities
2,296 144 612 1,540 
Total fixed-income securities5,351 645 3,166 1,540 
Real estate221 152 — 69 
Private equity— — 
Cash— 
Other102 97 — 
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy$6,646 $1,807 $3,225 $1,614 
Investments measured at net asset value1,892 
Total investments at fair value$8,538 
 As of December 31, 2021
Asset CategoryTotal Fair
Value
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (in millions)
U.S. equity securities$$$— $— 
Non-U.S. equity securities— — 
Pooled funds - equity securities1,545 1,084 461 — 
Total equity securities1,552 1,091 461 — 
Government bonds3,777 56 3,721 — 
Pooled funds - fixed-income securities648 449 199 — 
Corporate bonds and other
   fixed-income securities
3,943 139 1,415 2,389 
Total fixed-income securities8,368 644 5,335 2,389 
Real estate251 179 — 72 
Private equity— — 
Cash— 
Other162 157 — 
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy$10,342 $2,075 $5,801 $2,466 
Investments measured at net asset value2,382 
Total investments at fair value$12,724 

We excluded plan assets of $117 million at December 31, 2022 and $124 million at December 31, 2021 from the above tables related to certain insurance contracts as they are reported at contract value, in accordance with authoritative guidance.
Fair value measurements
Level 1 – includes primarily U.S and non-U.S. equity securities and government bonds valued using quoted prices in active markets.
Level 2 – includes primarily pooled funds, including assets in real estate pooled funds, valued using net asset values of participation units held in common collective trusts, as reported by the managers of the trusts and as supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions. Level 2 plan assets also include corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities, valued using independent observable market inputs, such as matrix pricing, yield curves and indices.
Level 3 – includes investments valued using unobservable inputs that reflect the plans’ assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets, based on the best information available.
Fair value estimates for pooled funds are calculated by the investment advisor when reliable quotations or pricing services are not readily available for certain underlying securities. The estimated value is based on either cost or last sale price for most of the securities valued in this fashion.
Fair value estimates for private equity investments are calculated by the general partners using the market approach to estimate the fair value of private investments. The market approach utilizes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions, type of security, degree of liquidity, restrictions on the disposition, latest round of financing data, company financial statements, relevant valuation multiples and discounted cash flow analyses.
Fair value estimates for private debt placements are calculated using standardized valuation methods, including but not limited to income-based techniques such as discounted cash flow projections or market-based techniques utilizing public and private transaction multiples as comparables.
Fair value estimates for real estate investments are calculated by investment managers using the present value of future cash flows expected to be received from the investments, based on valuation methodologies such as appraisals, local market conditions, and current and projected operating performance.
Fair value estimates for fixed-income securities that are buy-in annuity policies are calculated on a replacement policy value basis by discounting the projected cash flows of the plan members using a discount rate based on risk-free rates and adjustments for estimated levels of insurer pricing.
Net asset value – primarily includes equity funds, fixed income funds, real estate funds, hedge funds and private equity investments for which net asset values are normally used.

Changes in our Level 3 plan assets, which are recorded in other comprehensive earnings/(losses), included:
Asset CategoryJanuary 1,
2022
Balance
Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains/
(Losses)
Net Purchases,
Issuances and
Settlements
Net Transfers
Into/(Out of)
Level 3
Currency
Impact
December 31,
2022
Balance
 (in millions)
Corporate bond and other
   fixed-income securities
$2,387 $(450)$(148)$— $(249)$1,540 
Real estate74 (1)— (6)70 
Private equity and other— — — (1)
Total Level 3 investments$2,466 $(447)$(149)$— $(256)$1,614 
Asset CategoryJanuary 1,
2021
Balance
Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains/
(Losses)
Net Purchases,
Issuances and
Settlements
Net Transfers
Into/(Out of)
Level 3
Currency
Impact
December 31,
2021
Balance
 (in millions)
Corporate bond and other
   fixed-income securities
$1,791 $(178)$784 $— $(10)$2,387 
Real estate70 — (4)74 
Private equity and other— — — 
Total Level 3 investments$1,865 $(170)$785 $— $(14)$2,466 

The decrease in level 3 pension plan investments during 2022 was related to rising bond yields, benefits paid and currency impact. The increase in Level 3 pension plan investments during 2021 was primarily due to purchases of corporate bond, annuity contracts and other fixed income securities.
The percentage of fair value of pension plan assets was:
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
 As of December 31,As of December 31,
Asset Category2022202120222021
Equity securities15%15%16%17%
Fixed-income securities85%85%63%62%
Real estate3%3%
Buy-in annuity policies17%17%
Cash1%1%
Total100%100%100%100%

For our U.S. plans, our investment strategy is to reduce our funded status risk in part through appropriate asset allocation within our plan assets. We attempt to maintain our target asset allocation by rebalancing between asset classes as we make monthly benefit payments. The strategy involves using indexed U.S. equity and international equity securities and actively managed U.S. investment grade fixed-income securities (which constitute 95% or more of fixed-income securities) with smaller allocations to high yield fixed-income securities.

For our non-U.S. plans, the investment strategy is subject to local regulations and the asset/liability profiles of the plans in each individual country. In aggregate, the asset allocation targets of our non-U.S. plans are broadly characterized as a mix of approximately 15% equity securities, 61% fixed-income securities, 20% buy-in annuity policies and 4% real estate.

Employer Contributions:
In 2022, we contributed $4 million to our U.S. pension plans and $190 million to our non-U.S. pension plans. In addition, employees contributed $21 million to our non-U.S. plans. We make contributions to our pension plans in accordance with local funding arrangements and statutory minimum funding requirements. Discretionary contributions are made to the extent that they are tax deductible and do not generate an excise tax liability. In 2023, we estimate that our pension contributions will be $6 million to our U.S. plans and $119 million to our non-U.S. plans based on current tax laws. Our actual contributions may be different due to many factors, including changes in tax and other benefit laws, significant differences between expected and actual pension asset performance or interest rates.

Future Benefit Payments:
The estimated future benefit payments from our pension plans at December 31, 2022 were (in millions):
 202320242025202620272028-2032
U.S. Plans$147$89$92$91$90$442
Non-U.S. Plans4043954014144192,157

Multiemployer Pension Plans:
In accordance with obligations we have under collective bargaining agreements, we made contributions to multiemployer pension plans for continuing participation and these amounts were not material. Our contributions are based on our contribution rates under our collective bargaining agreements, the number of our eligible employees and fund surcharges.

On July 11, 2019, we received an undiscounted withdrawal liability assessment from the Fund totaling $526 million requiring pro-rata monthly payments over 20 years. We began making monthly payments during the third quarter of 2019. Within selling, general and administrative expenses, we recorded a $35 million ($26 million net of tax) adjustment related to the discounted withdrawal liability. Within interest and other expense, net, we recorded accreted interest of $11 million in 2022, $11 million in 2021 and $11 million in 2020. As of December 31, 2022, the remaining discounted withdrawal liability was $344 million, with $15 million recorded in other current liabilities and $329 million recorded in long-term other liabilities.
Other Costs:
We sponsor and contribute to employee defined contribution plans. These plans cover eligible salaried, non-union and union employees. Our contributions and costs are determined by the matching of employee contributions, as defined by the plans. Amounts charged to expense in continuing operations for defined contribution plans totaled $66 million in 2022, $73 million in 2021 and $83 million in 2020.

Postretirement Benefit Plans
Obligations:
Our postretirement health care plans are not funded. The changes in and the amount of the accrued benefit obligation were:
 As of December 31,
 20222021
 (in millions)
Accrued benefit obligation at January 1$317 $361 
Service cost
Interest cost
Benefits paid(15)(15)
Plan amendments
— (1)
Currency(5)(1)
Actuarial losses/(gains)(75)(39)
Accrued benefit obligation at December 31$233 $317 

The current portion of our accrued postretirement benefit obligation of $16 million at December 31, 2022 and $16 million at December 31, 2021 was included in other current liabilities.

The actuarial (gain) for all postretirement plans in 2021 and 2022 was driven by gains related to assumption changes partially offset by losses related to a change in the discount rate used to measure the benefit obligations of those plans.

We used the following weighted-average assumptions to determine our postretirement benefit obligations:
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
 As of December 31,As of December 31,
 2022202120222021
Discount rate5.53 %2.96 %6.07 %3.81 %
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year7.00 %5.50 %5.98 %5.72 %
Ultimate trend rate5.00 %5.00 %4.70 %4.47 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate2031202420402040

Year-end discount rates for our U.S., Canadian and U.K. plans were developed from a model portfolio of high quality, fixed-income debt instruments with durations that match the expected future cash flows of the benefit obligations. Year-end discount rates for our remaining non-U.S. plans were developed from local bond indices that match local benefit obligations as closely as possible. Changes in our discount rates were primarily the result of changes in bond yields year-over-year. Our expected health care cost trend rate is based on historical costs.

For the periods presented, we measure service and interest costs for other postretirement benefits by applying the specific spot rates along a yield curve used to measure plan obligations to the plans’ liability cash flows. We believe this approach provides a good measurement of service and interest costs by aligning the timing of the plans’ liability cash flows to the corresponding spot rates on the yield curve.
Components of Net Periodic Postretirement Health Care Costs:
Net periodic postretirement health care costs consisted of the following:
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 202220212020
 (in millions)
Service cost$$$
Interest cost12 
Amortization:
Net loss/(gain)
Prior service credit— — (30)
Net periodic postretirement health care costs/(benefit)$12 $14 $(6)

We used the following weighted-average assumptions to determine our net periodic postretirement health care cost:
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
 For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
 202220212020202220212020
Discount rate2.96%2.68%3.41%3.81%3.35%3.86%
Health care cost trend rate5.50%5.75%6.00%5.72%5.66%5.42%

Future Benefit Payments:
Our estimated future benefit payments for our postretirement health care plans at December 31, 2022 were (in millions):
 202320242025202620272028-2032
U.S. Plans$11$12$11$11$11$49
Non-U.S. Plans4555528

Other Costs:
We made contributions to multiemployer medical plans totaling $17 million in 2022, $19 million in 2021 and $20 million in 2020. These plans provide medical benefits to active employees and retirees under certain collective bargaining agreements.

Postemployment Benefit Plans
Obligations:
Our postemployment plans are not funded. The changes in and the amount of the accrued benefit obligation at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were:
 As of December 31,
 20222021
 (in millions)
Accrued benefit obligation at January 1$56 $65 
Service cost
Interest cost
Benefits paid(14)(12)
Actuarial losses/(gains)(1)(6)
Accrued benefit obligation at December 31$47 $56 
The accrued benefit obligation was determined using a weighted-average discount rate of 6.3% in 2022 and 4.3% in 2021, an assumed weighted-average ultimate annual turnover rate of 0.4% in 2022 and 2021, assumed compensation cost increases of 4.0% in 2022 and 2021 and assumed benefits as defined in the respective plans.

Postemployment costs arising from actions that offer employees benefits in excess of those specified in the respective plans are charged to expense when incurred.

Components of Net Periodic Postemployment Costs:
Net periodic postemployment costs consisted of the following:
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 202220212020
 (in millions)
Service cost$$$
Interest cost
Amortization of net gains(6)(4)(2)
Net periodic postemployment costs$— $$

As of December 31, 2022, the estimated net gain for the postemployment benefit plans that we expect to amortize from accumulated other comprehensive earnings/(losses) into net periodic postemployment costs during 2023 is approximately $3 million.