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Retirement Plans
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Retirement Plans RETIREMENT PLANS
Defined Benefit Plans
The funded status of our defined benefit plans, which represents the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations, is recognized in our balance sheet with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses for the differences between actuarial assumptions and actual results, and unrecognized service costs, are recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost.
Our United Kingdom subsidiary has a defined benefit pension plan covering all eligible employees (the “UK Plan”); however, no individual joining the company after October 31, 2001 may participate in the UK Plan. On May 31, 2010, we curtailed the future accrual of benefits for active employees under this plan.
NOTE 15 - RETIREMENT PLANS - (Continued)
The change in benefit obligations and assets of the UK Plan for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following components (in thousands):
 20202019
Change in pension benefit obligation  
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$322,766 $281,776 
Interest cost6,401 7,961 
Actuarial loss50,863 32,866 
Benefits paid(10,029)(12,059)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes13,141 12,222 
Benefit obligation at end of year383,142 322,766 
Change in pension plan assets  
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year307,001 264,194 
Actual return on plan assets34,380 38,808 
Employer contributions4,665 4,428 
Benefits paid(10,029)(12,059)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes11,394 11,630 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year347,411 307,001 
Funded status at end of year$(35,731)$(15,765)
Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic pension cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):
 20202019
Unrecognized losses$125,020 $94,211 
The underfunded status of the UK Plan of $35.7 million and $15.8 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, is included in “Other long-term obligations” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. No plan assets are expected to be returned to us during the year ending December 31, 2021.
The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
 20202019
Discount rate1.4 %2.1 %
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:
 202020192018
Discount rate2.1 %2.9 %2.5 %
Annual rate of return on plan assets4.3 %4.9 %5.0 %
NOTE 15 - RETIREMENT PLANS - (Continued)
The annual rate of return on plan assets has been determined by modeling possible returns using the actuary’s portfolio return calculator and the fair value of plan assets. This models the long term expected returns of the various asset classes held in the portfolio and takes into account the additional benefits of holding a diversified portfolio. For measurement purposes of the liability, the annual rates of inflation of covered pension benefits assumed for 2020 and 2019 were 2.5% and 2.0%, respectively.
The components of net periodic pension cost (income) of the UK Plan for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
 202020192018
Interest cost$6,401 $7,961 $8,085 
Expected return on plan assets(12,023)(12,165)(13,797)
Amortization of unrecognized loss2,389 2,342 2,630 
Net periodic pension cost (income)$(3,233)$(1,862)$(3,082)
Actuarial gains and losses are amortized using a corridor approach whereby cumulative gains and losses in excess of the greater of 10% of the pension benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets are amortized over the average life expectancy of plan participants. The amortization period for 2020 was 24 years.
The reclassification adjustment, net of income taxes, for the UK Plan from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension cost was approximately $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and approximately $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The estimated unrecognized loss for the UK Plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension cost over the next year is approximately $2.9 million, net of income taxes.
UK Plan Assets
The investment policies and strategies for the assets of the UK Plan are established by its trustees (who are independent of the Company) to achieve a reasonable balance between risk, likely return, and administration expense, as well as to maintain funds at a level to meet minimum funding requirements. In order to ensure that an appropriate investment strategy is in place, an analysis of the UK Plan’s assets and liabilities is completed periodically. Target allocation percentages vary over time depending on the perceived risk and return potential of various asset classes and market conditions. The weighted average asset allocations and weighted average target allocations at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
 
Asset CategoryTarget
Asset
Allocation 		December 31,
2020		December 31,
2019
Debt65.0 %63.0 %70.6 %
Equity15.0 %12.7 %10.5 %
Cash10.0 %17.1 %10.5 %
Real estate10.0 %7.2 %8.4 %
Total100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %
Plan assets of our UK Plan are invested through third-party fund managers in various investments with underlying holdings which consist of: (a) debt securities, which include United Kingdom government debt and United States, United Kingdom, European and emerging market corporate debt, (b) equity securities, which include marketable equity and equity like instruments across developed global equity markets, and (c) real estate assets, which represent trusts which invest directly or indirectly in various properties throughout the United Kingdom.
Assets of the UK Plan are allocated within the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements, based on the nature of the investment. Level 1 assets represent cash. Level 2 assets consist of corporate debt funds, government bond funds, and equity funds whose underlying investments are valued using observable marketplace inputs. The fair value of the Level 2 assets are generally determined under a market approach using valuation models that incorporate observable inputs such as interest rates, bond yields, and quoted prices.
NOTE 15 - RETIREMENT PLANS - (Continued)
Investments valued using net asset value (“NAV”) as a practical expedient are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. These investments include: (a) funds which invest predominantly in senior secured debt instruments, targeting diversity across regions and sectors, as well as funds which invest in diversified credit vehicles that seek higher returns than traditional fixed income, primarily through investments in U.S. corporate debt, global credit, and structured debt, and (b) funds which aim to provide long-term income through investment in UK property assets. These investments are redeemable at NAV on a monthly or quarterly basis and have redemption notice periods of up to 90 days. In addition, certain of these investments are subject to a lockup period of up to 24 months.
The methods described above may produce fair values that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes the valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The following tables set forth the fair value of assets of the UK Plan as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
 Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2020
Asset Category    Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Corporate debt funds$— $65,486 $— $65,486 
Government bond funds— 57,133 — 57,133 
Equity funds— 44,132 — 44,132 
Cash59,246 — — 59,246 
Total plan assets in fair value hierarchy$59,246 $166,751 $— 225,997 
Plan assets measured using NAV as a practical expedient: (1)
Debt funds96,196 
Real estate funds25,218 
Total plan assets at fair value$347,411 

 Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2019
Asset Category    Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Corporate debt funds$— $64,314 $— $64,314 
Government bond funds— 49,164 — 49,164 
Equity funds— 32,356 — 32,356 
Cash32,240 — — 32,240 
Total plan assets in fair value hierarchy$32,240 $145,834 $— 178,074 
Plan assets measured using NAV as a practical expedient: (1)
Debt funds103,188 
Real estate funds25,739 
Total plan assets at fair value$307,001 
_________________
(1)Certain investments measured using NAV as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the total fair value of plan assets.
NOTE 15 - RETIREMENT PLANS - (Continued)
Cash Flows:
Contributions
Our United Kingdom subsidiary expects to contribute approximately $5.0 million to the UK Plan in 2021.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following estimated benefit payments are expected to be paid in the following years (in thousands):
 Pension
Benefit Payments
2021$11,036 
2022$11,356 
2023$11,684 
2024$12,021 
2025$12,370 
Succeeding five years$67,423 
The following table shows certain information for the UK Plan where the accumulated benefit obligation is in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
 20202019
Projected benefit obligation$383,142 $322,766 
Accumulated benefit obligation$383,142 $322,766 
Fair value of plan assets$347,411 $307,001 
We also sponsor three domestic retirement plans in which participation by new individuals is frozen. The benefit obligation associated with these plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $9.2 million. The estimated fair value of the plan assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $6.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively. The plan assets are considered Level 1 assets within the fair value hierarchy and are predominantly invested in cash, equities, and equity and bond funds. The liability balances as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are classified as “Other long-term obligations” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The measurement date for these plans is December 31 of each year. The major assumptions used in the actuarial valuations to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 included discount rates of 2.00% to 2.25% for 2020 and 3.00% to 4.00% for 2019. Also, included was an expected rate of return of 7.00% for both 2020 and 2019. The net periodic pension cost associated with the domestic plans was approximately $0.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. The reclassification adjustment, net of income taxes, from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension cost was approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, and approximately $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, and 2018. The estimated loss for these plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension cost over the next year is approximately $0.2 million, net of income taxes. The future estimated benefit payments expected to be paid from the plans for the next ten years is approximately $0.5 million per year.
Multiemployer Plans
We participate in approximately 200 multiemployer pension plans (“MEPPs”) that provide retirement benefits to certain union employees in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”). As one of many participating employers in an MEPP, we are potentially liable with the other participating employers for such plan's underfunding either through an increase in our required contributions or, in the case of our withdrawal from the plan, a payment based upon our proportionate share of the plan's unfunded benefits, in each case, as described below. Our contributions to a particular MEPP are established by the applicable CBAs; however, our required contributions may increase based on the funded status of an MEPP and legal requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”), which requires substantially underfunded MEPPs to implement a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) to improve their funded status. Factors that could impact the funded status of an MEPP include, without limitation, investment performance, changes in the participant demographics, decline in the number of contributing employers, changes in actuarial assumptions, and the utilization of extended amortization provisions.
NOTE 15 - RETIREMENT PLANS - (Continued)
An FIP or RP requires a particular MEPP to adopt measures to correct its underfunding status. These measures may include, but are not limited to: (a) an increase in our contribution rate as a signatory to the applicable CBA, (b) a reallocation of the contributions already being made by participating employers for various benefits to individuals participating in the MEPP, and/or (c) a reduction in the benefits to be paid to future and/or current retirees. In addition, the PPA requires that a 5% surcharge be levied on employer contributions for the first year commencing after the date the employer receives notice that the MEPP is in critical status and a 10% surcharge on each succeeding year until a CBA is in place with terms and conditions consistent with the RP.
We could also be obligated to make payments to MEPPs if we either cease to have an obligation to contribute to the MEPP or significantly reduce our contributions to the MEPP because we reduce our number of employees who are covered by the relevant MEPP for various reasons, including, but not limited to, layoffs or closure of a subsidiary assuming the MEPP has unfunded vested benefits. The amount of such payments (known as a complete or partial withdrawal liability) would equal our proportionate share of the MEPPs’ unfunded vested benefits. We believe that certain of the MEPPs in which we participate may have unfunded vested benefits. Due to uncertainty regarding future factors that could trigger withdrawal liability, as well as the absence of specific information regarding the MEPP’s current financial situation, we are unable to determine (a) the amount and timing of a future withdrawal liability, if any, and (b) whether our participation in these MEPPs could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We did not record any withdrawal liability for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
The following table lists all domestic MEPPs to which our contributions exceeded $2.0 million in 2020. Additionally, this table also lists all domestic MEPPs to which we contributed in 2020 in excess of $0.5 million for MEPPs in the critical status, “red zone,” and $1.0 million for MEPPs in the endangered status, “orange or yellow zones,” as defined by the PPA (in thousands):
Pension FundEIN/Pension Plan Number
PPA Zone Status (1)
FIP/RP
Status
Contributions 
Contributions greater than 5% of total plan contributions (2)
Expiration
date or range of expiration dates of CBA(s)
20202019202020192018
National Automatic Sprinkler Industry Pension Fund52-6054620001RedRedImplemented$17,504 $15,924 $14,888 NoMarch 2021 to
June 2023
Plumbers & Pipefitters National Pension Fund52-6152779001YellowYellowImplemented14,095 13,821 11,868 NoFebruary 2021 to
August 2026
Sheet Metal Workers National Pension Fund52-6112463001YellowYellowImplemented11,621 11,713 10,895 NoApril 2021 to
June 2024
National Electrical Benefit Fund53-0181657001GreenGreenNA11,573 16,901 10,700 NoFebruary 2021 to
September 2024
Pension, Hospitalization & Benefit Plan of the Electrical Industry-Pension Trust Account13-6123601001GreenGreenNA11,264 10,075 10,469 NoJanuary 2021 to April 2022
Electrical Workers Local No. 26 Pension Trust Fund52-6117919001GreenGreenNA7,086 8,434 5,485 YesMay 2021 to October 2023
Sheet Metal Workers Pension Plan of Northern California51-6115939001RedRedImplemented6,605 6,233 5,488 NoJune 2021 to June 2026
Central Pension Fund of the IUOE & Participating Employers36-6052390001GreenGreenNA6,115 6,253 6,384 NoFebruary 2021 to
December 2023
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Trust Fund95-6392774001YellowYellowImplemented5,719 6,277 5,754 NoMay 2021 to
November 2023
Plumbers Pipefitters & Mechanical Equipment Service Local Union 392 Pension Plan31-0655223001RedRedImplemented5,667 6,412 6,047 YesJune 2022
San Diego Electrical Pension Plan95-6101801001GreenGreenNA4,383 3,843 3,008 YesMay 2021 to May 2022
 
NOTE 15 - RETIREMENT PLANS - (Continued)
Pension FundEIN/Pension Plan Number
PPA Zone Status (1)
FIP/RP
Status		Contributions
Contributions greater than 5% of total plan contributions (2)
Expiration
date or range of expiration dates of CBA(s)
20202019202020192018
Pipefitters Union Local 537 Pension Fund51-6030859001GreenGreenNA4,275 4,754 6,038 YesFebruary 2021 to September 2021
Arizona Pipe Trades Pension Trust Fund86-6025734001GreenGreenNA4,142 6,071 2,640 YesJune 2021
Southern California Pipe Trades Retirement Fund51-6108443001GreenGreenNA4,043 3,274 3,095 NoJune 2021 to June 2026
Edison Pension Plan93-6061681001GreenGreenNA3,864 5,361 3,140 YesDecember 2021
Heating, Piping & Refrigeration Pension Fund52-1058013001GreenGreenNA3,349 4,185 2,619 NoJuly 2022
Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund84-6100393001GreenGreenNA3,242 3,590 3,486 YesFebruary 2021 to May 2023
U.A. Local 393 Pension Trust Fund Defined Benefit94-6359772002GreenGreenNA3,168 3,858 4,298 YesJune 2021 to July 2021
Electrical Contractors Association of the City of Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Pension Plan 251-6030753002GreenGreenNA3,004 3,204 4,308 NoJune 2021
U.A. Local 38 Defined Benefit Pension Plan94-1285319001GreenGreenNA2,874 2,030 1,551 NoJune 2021 to June 2023
Sheet Metal Workers Pension Plan of Southern California, Arizona & Nevada95-6052257001YellowYellowImplemented2,706 2,423 1,934 NoJune 2021 to June 2026
Northern California Pipe Trades Pension Plan94-3190386001GreenGreenNA2,463 3,077 3,104 NoJune 2021
U.A. Plumbers Local 24 Pension Fund22-6042823001GreenGreenNA2,460 2,460 3,461 YesApril 2021
NECA-IBEW Pension Trust Fund51-6029903001GreenGreenNA2,369 2,528 2,650 YesMay 2021 to December 2021
Northern California Electrical Workers Pension Plan94-6062674001GreenGreenNA2,263 965 1,075 NoMay 2021 to May 2022
Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Local 219 Pension Fund34-6682376001RedRedImplemented1,680 1,937 2,197 YesMay 2023
Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust48-6168020001YellowRedImplemented1,574 1,681 1,446 NoSeptember 2021 to
September 2023
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union No. 502 & 633 Pension Fund61-6078145001YellowYellowImplemented1,271 1,596 1,167 NoMay 2021 to July 2022
I.B.E.W. Local 701 Pension Fund36-6455509001YellowYellowImplemented1,197 915 588 NoMay 2021 to December 2021
Steamfitters Local Union No. 420 Pension Plan23-2004424001RedRedImplemented553 641 706 NoMay 2023
Other Multiemployer Pension Plans    51,953 55,042 49,740  Various
Total Contributions    $204,082 $215,478 $190,229   
 _________________
(1)    The zone status represents the most recent available information for the respective MEPP, which may be 2019 or earlier for the 2020 year and 2018 or earlier for the 2019 year. In general, plans with a “green” zone status have a funding ratio of at least 80%, plans with an “orange” or “yellow” zone status have a funding ratio of between 65% and less than 80%, and plans with a “red” zone status are less than 65% funded.
(2)    This information was obtained from the respective plan’s Form 5500 (“Forms”) for the most current available filing. These dates may not correspond with our fiscal year contributions. The percentages of contributions are based upon disclosures contained in the plans’ Forms. Those Forms, among other things, disclose the names of individual participating employers whose annual contributions account for more than 5% of the aggregate annual amount contributed by all participating employers for a plan year. Accordingly, if the annual contribution of two or more of our subsidiaries each accounted for less than 5% of such contributions, but in the aggregate accounted for in excess of 5% of such contributions, that greater percentage is not available and accordingly is not disclosed.
NOTE 15 - RETIREMENT PLANS - (Continued)
The nature and diversity of our operations may result in volatility in the amount of our contributions to a particular MEPP for any given period. That is because, in any given market, a change in the mix, volume of, or size of our projects could result in a change in our direct labor force and a corresponding change in our contributions to the MEPP(s) dictated by the applicable CBA. Additionally, the amount of contributions to a particular MEPP could also be affected by the terms of the CBA, which could require at a particular time, an increase in the contribution rate and/or surcharges. Acquisitions made by us since 2018 have resulted in incremental contributions to various MEPPs of approximately $5.3 million.
Additionally, we contribute to certain multiemployer plans that provide post retirement benefits such as health and welfare benefits and/or defined contribution/annuity plans, among others. Our contributions to these plans were approximately $156.1 million, $153.5 million, and $135.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Acquisitions made by use since 2018 have resulted in incremental contributions to other post retirement benefit plans of approximately $15.6 million. The amount of contributions to these plans is also subject for the most part to the factors discussed above in conjunction with the MEPPs.
Defined Contribution Plans    
We have defined contribution retirement and savings plans that cover eligible employees in the United States. Contributions to these plans are based on a percentage of the employee’s base compensation. The expenses recognized for employer contributions to these plans were approximately $32.4 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and approximately $29.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. At our discretion and subject to applicable plan documents, we may make additional supplemental matching contributions to one of our defined contribution retirement and savings plans. The expenses recognized related to additional supplemental matching contributions for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were approximately $9.1 million, $6.8 million, and $6.1 million, respectively.
Our United Kingdom subsidiary also has defined contribution retirement plans. The expense recognized related to employer matching contributions for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was approximately $7.4 million, $6.1 million, and $4.9 million, respectively.