EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	17. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Eligible U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the Cboe Options SMART Plan (“SMART Plan”). The SMART Plan is a defined contribution plan, which is qualified under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). In addition, eligible employees may participate in the Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan. Each plan is a defined contribution plan that is non-qualified under the Internal Revenue Code. The Deferred Compensation Plan assets, held in a trust, are subject to the claims of general creditors of the Company and totaled $36.7 million at December 31, 2023. Although the value of the plan is recorded in financial investments on the consolidated balance sheets, there is an equal and offsetting liability in other non-current liabilities. The investment results of the Deferred Compensation Plan has no impact on net income as the investment results are recorded in equal amounts to both other income (expense), net and compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income. The Company contributed $15.0 million, $14.4 million, and $11.8 million to the defined contribution plans for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Eligible employees outside of the U.S., which includes employees of Cboe Europe, Cboe NL, Cboe Clear Europe, BIDS, Cboe Asia Pacific, and Cboe Canada Inc. are eligible to participate in various employee-selected stakeholder contribution plans or plans covered by local jurisdictions or by applicable laws. The Company’s contribution amounted to $4.3 million, $3.0 million, and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. This expense is included in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statements of income. Effective January 1, 2023, Directors may contribute a percentage of their cash and equity compensation to cash and equity deferred compensation plans that are maintained by the Company and defer income taxes thereon.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

17. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Eligible U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the Cboe Options SMART Plan (“SMART Plan”). The SMART Plan is a defined contribution plan, which is qualified under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). In addition, eligible employees may participate in the Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan. Each plan is a defined contribution plan that is non-qualified under the Internal Revenue Code. The Deferred Compensation Plan assets, held in a trust, are subject to the claims of general creditors of the Company and totaled $36.7 million at December 31, 2023. Although the value of the plan is recorded in financial investments on the consolidated balance sheets, there is an equal and offsetting liability in other non-current liabilities. The investment results of the Deferred Compensation Plan has no impact on net income as the investment results are recorded in equal amounts to both other income (expense), net and compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income. The Company contributed $15.0 million, $14.4 million, and $11.8 million to the defined contribution plans for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Eligible employees outside of the U.S., which includes employees of Cboe Europe, Cboe NL, Cboe Clear Europe, BIDS, Cboe Asia Pacific, and Cboe Canada Inc. are eligible to participate in various employee-selected stakeholder contribution plans or plans covered by local jurisdictions or by applicable laws. The Company’s contribution amounted to $4.3 million, $3.0 million, and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. This expense is included in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statements of income.

Effective January 1, 2023, Directors may contribute a percentage of their cash and equity compensation to cash and equity deferred compensation plans that are maintained by the Company and defer income taxes thereon.