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PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] |
PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS | PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS We sponsor a number of defined benefit pension plans. The primary plan is The Hershey Retirement Plan for Salaried and Hourly Employees. This is a cash balance plan that provides pension benefits for most U.S. employees hired prior to January 1, 2007. We also sponsor two post-retirement benefit plans: health care and life insurance. The health care plan is contributory, with participants’ contributions adjusted annually. The life insurance plan is non-contributory. Obligations and Funded Status A summary of the changes in benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of these plans is as follows:
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits
December 31, |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2024 |  | 2023
Change in benefit obligation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year |  | $ | 822,035 |  |  | $ | 830,285 |  |  | $ | 100,311 |  |  | $ | 164,889 |
Service cost |  | 15,323 |  |  | 14,991 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 221 |
Interest cost |  | 38,675 |  |  | 41,205 |  |  | 4,852 |  |  | 7,171 |
Actuarial (gain) loss |  | (5,337) |  |  | 23,187 |  |  | 4,845 |  |  | 38,789 |
Curtailment |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (740) |
Settlement |  | (64,665) |  |  | (66,132) |  |  | — |  |  | (88,689) |
Currency translation and other |  | (5,008) |  |  | 2,466 |  |  | (2,143) |  |  | (324) |
Benefits paid |  | (22,341) |  |  | (23,967) |  |  | (12,033) |  |  | (21,006) |
Projected benefit obligation at end of year |  | 778,682 |  |  | 822,035 |  |  | 95,963 |  |  | 100,311 |
Change in plan assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |  | 836,843 |  |  | 848,432 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Actual return on plan assets |  | 30,626 |  |  | 70,096 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Employer contributions |  | 3,566 |  |  | 6,576 |  |  | 12,033 |  |  | 21,006 |
Settlement |  | (64,665) |  |  | (66,132) |  |  | — |  |  | (88,689) |
Annuity purchase |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 88,689 |
Currency translation and other |  | (4,052) |  |  | 1,838 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Benefits paid |  | (22,341) |  |  | (23,967) |  |  | (12,033) |  |  | (21,006) |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |  | 779,977 |  |  | 836,843 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Funded status at end of year |  | $ | 1,295 |  |  | $ | 14,808 |  |  | $ | (95,963) |  |  | $ | (100,311) |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other assets |  | $ | 41,298 |  |  | $ | 48,506 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Accrued liabilities |  | (6,166) |  |  | (4,749) |  |  | (8,957) |  |  | (9,593) |
Other long-term liabilities |  | (33,837) |  |  | (28,949) |  |  | (87,006) |  |  | (90,718) |
Total |  | $ | 1,295 |  |  | $ | 14,808 |  |  | $ | (95,963) |  |  | $ | (100,311) |
Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Actuarial net (loss) gain |  | $ | (117,030) |  |  | $ | (129,184) |  |  | $ | (10,903) |  |  | $ | (7,704) |
Net prior service credit |  | 4,631 |  |  | 8,561 |  |  | 1,205 |  |  | 527 |
Net amounts recognized in AOCI |  | $ | (112,399) |  |  | $ | (120,623) |  |  | $ | (9,698) |  |  | $ | (7,177) |
The projected benefit obligation during 2024 was impacted by actuarial gain of $5,337 which was mainly the result of the discount rate assumption increasing from 5.1% at December 31, 2023 to 5.5% at December 31, 2024. The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $753,886 as of December 31, 2024 and $789,257 as of December 31, 2023. Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were as follows:
December 31, |  | 2024 |  | 2023
Projected benefit obligation |  | $ | 46,812 |  |  | $ | 40,278 |
Accumulated benefit obligation |  | 41,853 |  |  | 33,812 |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 7,138 |  |  | 6,695 |
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were as follows:
December 31, |  | 2024 |  | 2023
Projected benefit obligation |  | $ | 49,539 |  |  | $ | 84,416 |
Accumulated benefit obligation |  | 42,897 |  |  | 71,046 |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 9,536 |  |  | 50,718 |
Net Periodic Benefit Cost The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits
For the years ended December 31, |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2022 |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2022
Amounts recognized in net periodic benefit cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost |  | $ | 15,323 |  |  | $ | 14,991 |  |  | $ | 17,500 |  |  | $ | 131 |  |  | $ | 221 |  |  | $ | 302 |
Interest cost |  | 38,675 |  |  | 41,205 |  |  | 30,491 |  |  | 4,852 |  |  | 7,171 |  |  | 4,603 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (51,193) |  |  | (48,978) |  |  | (47,637) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of prior service credit |  | (5,493) |  |  | (5,658) |  |  | (5,651) |  |  | (151) |  |  | (50) |  |  | — |
Amortization of net (gain) loss |  | 15,248 |  |  | 19,846 |  |  | 16,060 |  |  | 557 |  |  | (966) |  |  | (92) |
Curtailment credit |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (740) |  |  | — |
Settlement loss |  | 14,894 |  |  | 15,254 |  |  | 20,692 |  |  | — |  |  | 926 |  |  | — |
Total net periodic benefit cost |  | $ | 27,454 |  |  | $ | 36,660 |  |  | $ | 31,455 |  |  | $ | 5,389 |  |  | $ | 6,562 |  |  | $ | 4,813 |
Change in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI, pre-tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Actuarial net (gain) loss |  | $ | (15,513) |  |  | $ | (32,720) |  |  | $ | 22,609 |  |  | $ | 4,609 |  |  | $ | 38,698 |  |  | $ | (26,212) |
Prior service cost (credit) |  | 5,436 |  |  | 5,670 |  |  | 5,601 |  |  | (963) |  |  | (736) |  |  | — |
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss, pre-tax |  | $ | (10,077) |  |  | $ | (27,050) |  |  | $ | 28,210 |  |  | $ | 3,646 |  |  | $ | 37,962 |  |  | $ | (26,212) |
Net amounts recognized in periodic benefit cost and AOCI |  | $ | 17,377 |  |  | $ | 9,610 |  |  | $ | 59,665 |  |  | $ | 9,035 |  |  | $ | 44,524 |  |  | $ | (21,399) |
The non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans is reflected within other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income (see Note 17). Assumptions The weighted-average assumptions used in computing the year end benefit obligations were as follows:
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits
December 31, |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2024 |  | 2023
Discount rate |  | 5.5 | % |  | 5.1 | % |  | 5.7 | % |  | 5.2 | %
Rate of increase in compensation levels |  | 3.6 | % |  | 3.6 | % |  | 4.0 | % |  | 4.0 | %
Interest crediting rate |  | 4.6 | % |  | 4.8 | % |  | N/A |  | N/A
The weighted-average assumptions used in computing net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits
For the years ended December 31, |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2022 |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2022
Discount rate |  | 5.1 | % |  | 5.5 | % |  | 2.7 | % |  | 5.2 | % |  | 5.5 | % |  | 2.9 | %
Expected long-term return on plan assets |  | 6.6 | % |  | 6.2 | % |  | 4.9 | % |  | N/A |  | N/A |  | N/A
Rate of compensation increase |  | 3.6 | % |  | 3.4 | % |  | 3.5 | % |  | N/A |  | N/A |  | N/A
The Company’s discount rate assumption is determined by developing a yield curve based on high quality corporate bonds with maturities matching the plans’ expected benefit payment streams. The plans’ expected cash flows are then discounted by the resulting year-by-year spot rates. We base the asset return assumption on current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on the plan asset categories. We utilize a full yield curve approach in the estimation of service and interest costs by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. This approach provides a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between the projected cash flows to the corresponding spot rates along the yield curve. This approach does not affect the measurement of our pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities, but generally results in lower benefit expense in periods when the yield curve is upward sloping. For purposes of measuring our post-retirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2024, we assumed a 6.9% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits for 2025, grading down to 4.9% by 2033. For purposes of measuring our post-retirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2023, we assumed a 6.4% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits for 2024, grading down to 5.0% by 2030. The valuations and assumptions reflect adoption of the Society of Actuaries updated Pri-2012 mortality tables with MP-2021 generational projection scales, which we adopted as of December 31, 2021. The Society of Actuaries did not update the Pri-2012 mortality tables in 2023 or 2024. Plan Assets We broadly diversify our pension plan assets across public equity, fixed income, diversified credit strategies and diversified alternative strategies asset classes. Our target asset allocation for our major domestic pension plans as of December 31, 2024 was as follows:
Asset Class |  | Target Asset Allocation
Cash |  | 1%
Equity securities |  | 27%
Fixed income securities |  | 48%
Alternative investments, including real estate, listed infrastructure and other |  | 24%
As of December 31, 2024, actual allocations were consistent with the targets and within our allowable ranges. We expect the level of volatility in pension plan asset returns to be in line with the overall volatility of the markets within each asset class. The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy (as defined in Note 6), pension plan assets at their fair values as of December 31, 2024:
|  | Quoted prices in active markets of identical assets (Level 1) |  | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) |  | Investments Using NAV as a Practical Expedient (1) |  | Total
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 981 |  |  | $ | 32,404 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 598 |  |  | $ | 33,983 |
Equity securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
International all-cap |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 483 |  |  | 483 |
Global all-cap (a) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 204,421 |  |  | 204,421 |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government/agency |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 156,146 |  |  | 156,146 |
Corporate bonds (b) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 59,602 |  |  | 59,602 |
International government/corporate bonds (c) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 27,303 |  |  | 27,303 |
Diversified credit (d) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 120,259 |  |  | 120,259 |
Alternative investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Global diversified assets (e) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 63,497 |  |  | 63,497 |
Real assets fund (f) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 114,283 |  |  | 114,283 |
Total pension plan assets |  | $ | 981 |  |  | $ | 32,404 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 746,592 |  |  | $ | 779,977 |
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, pension plan assets at their fair values as of December 31, 2023:
|  | Quoted prices in active markets of identical assets (Level 1) |  | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) |  | Investments Using NAV as a Practical Expedient (1) |  |  |  | Total
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 909 |  |  | $ | 42,202 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 600 |  |  |  |  | $ | 43,711 |
Equity securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
International all-cap |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 395 |  |  |  |  | 395 |
Global all-cap (a) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 209,245 |  |  |  |  | 209,245 |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government/agency |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 186,095 |  |  |  |  | 186,095 |
Corporate bonds (b) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 60,293 |  |  |  |  | 60,293 |
International government/corporate bonds (c) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 29,254 |  |  |  |  | 29,254 |
Diversified credit (d) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 123,081 |  |  |  |  | 123,081 |
Alternative investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Global diversified assets (e) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 68,856 |  |  |  |  | 68,856 |
Real assets fund (f) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 115,913 |  |  |  |  | 115,913 |
Total pension plan assets |  | $ | 909 |  |  | $ | 42,202 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 793,732 |  |  |  |  | $ | 836,843 |
(1)Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy but are included to reconcile to the amounts presented in our Obligations and Funded Status table.
(a) | This category comprises equity funds that primarily track the MSCI World Index or MSCI All Country World Index.
(b) | This category comprises fixed income funds primarily invested in investment grade and high yield bonds.
(c) | This category comprises fixed income funds primarily invested in Canadian and other international bonds.
(d) | This category comprises fixed income funds primarily invested in high yield bonds, loans, securitized debt and emerging market debt.
(e) | This category comprises diversified funds invested across alternative asset classes.
(f) | This category comprises funds primarily invested in publicly traded real estate securities, publicly listed infrastructure securities and real estate debt.
The fair value of the Level 1 assets was based on quoted prices in active markets for the identical assets. The fair value of the Level 2 assets was determined by management based on an assessment of valuations provided by asset management entities and was calculated by aggregating market prices for all underlying securities. Investment objectives for our domestic plan assets are: •To ensure high correlation between the value of plan assets and liabilities; •To maintain careful control of the risk level within each asset class; and •To focus on a long-term return objective. We believe that there are no significant concentrations of risk within our plan assets as of December 31, 2024. We comply with the rules and regulations promulgated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and we prohibit investments and investment strategies not allowed by ERISA. We do not permit direct purchases of our Company’s securities or the use of derivatives for the purpose of speculation. We invest the assets of non-domestic plans in compliance with laws and regulations applicable to those plans. Cash Flows and Plan Termination Our policy is to fund domestic pension liabilities in accordance with the limits imposed by the ERISA, federal income tax laws and the funding requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. We fund non-domestic pension liabilities in accordance with laws and regulations applicable to those plans. We made total contributions to the pension plans of $3,566 during 2024. In 2023, we made total contributions of $6,576 to the pension plans. For 2025, minimum funding requirements for our pension plans are approximately $1,936. Total benefit payments expected to be paid to plan participants, including pension benefits funded from the plans and other benefits funded from Company assets, are as follows:
| Expected Benefit Payments
| 2025 |  | 2026 |  | 2027 |  | 2028 |  | 2029 |  | 2030-2034
Pension Benefits | $ | 119,232 |  |  | $ | 80,359 |  |  | $ | 103,062 |  |  | $ | 72,257 |  |  | $ | 70,008 |  |  | $ | 291,879 |
Other Benefits | 8,957 |  |  | 8,372 |  |  | 7,918 |  |  | 7,569 |  |  | 7,303 |  |  | 32,483 |
Annuitization of Other Post Employment Benefits On August 21, 2023, the Hershey Employee Benefits Committee approved the purchase of an irrevocable group annuity contract with an insurance company for eligible retirees of The Hershey Company Retiree Medical and Life Insurance Plan to cover their medical benefits. On August 31, 2023, we paid $88,689 for the irrevocable group annuity contract. As a result of this transaction, we remeasured the projected benefit obligation and recognized a $926 non-cash pre-tax settlement charge during the quarter ended October 1, 2023. Savings Plans The Company sponsors several defined contribution plans to provide retirement benefits to employees. Contributions to The Hershey Company 401(k) Plan and similar plans for non-domestic employees are based on a portion of eligible pay up to a defined maximum. All matching contributions were made in cash. Expense associated with the defined contribution plans was $74,094 in 2024, $67,763 in 2023 and $61,477 in 2022.

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