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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We have presented the consolidated financial statements of BWX Technologies, Inc. ("BWXT") in U.S. dollars in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").
We use the equity method to account for investments in entities that we do not control, but over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence. We generally refer to these entities as "joint ventures." We have eliminated all intercompany transactions and accounts. We have reclassified certain amounts previously reported to conform to the presentation at December 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2020. On June 30, 2015, we completed the spin-off of our former Power Generation business (the "spin-off") into an independent, publicly traded company named Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. ("BWE"). We present the notes to our consolidated financial statements on the basis of continuing operations, unless otherwise stated.
Unless the context otherwise indicates, "we," "us" and "our" mean BWXT and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Reportable Segments
We operate in three reportable segments: Nuclear Operations Group, Nuclear Power Group and Nuclear Services Group. Our reportable segments are further described as follows:
•Our Nuclear Operations Group segment manufactures naval nuclear reactors for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program for use in submarines and aircraft carriers. Through this segment, we own and operate manufacturing facilities located in Lynchburg, Virginia; Barberton, Ohio; Mount Vernon, Indiana; Euclid, Ohio; and Erwin, Tennessee. The Lynchburg operations fabricate fuel-bearing precision components that range in weight from a few grams to hundreds of tons. In-house capabilities also include wet chemistry uranium processing, advanced heat treatment to optimize component material properties and a controlled, clean-room environment with the capacity to assemble railcar-size components. The Barberton and Mount Vernon locations specialize in the design and manufacture of heavy components inclusive of fabrication activities for submarine missile launch tubes. The Euclid facility fabricates electro-mechanical equipment and performs design, manufacturing, inspection, assembly and testing activities. Fuel for the naval nuclear reactors is provided by Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. ("NFS"), one of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Located in Erwin, NFS also downblends Cold War-era government stockpiles of high-enriched uranium.
•Our Nuclear Power Group segment fabricates commercial nuclear steam generators, nuclear fuel, fuel handling systems, pressure vessels, reactor components, heat exchangers, tooling delivery systems and other auxiliary equipment, including containers for the storage of spent nuclear fuel and other high-level waste and supplies nuclear-grade materials and precisely machined components for nuclear utility customers. BWXT has supplied the nuclear industry with more than 1,300 large, heavy components worldwide and is the only commercial heavy nuclear component manufacturer in North America. This segment also provides specialized engineering services that include structural component design, 3-D thermal-hydraulic engineering analysis, weld and robotic process development, electrical and controls engineering and metallurgy and materials engineering. In addition, this segment offers in-plant inspection, maintenance and modification services for nuclear steam generators, heat exchangers, reactors, fuel handling systems and balance of plant equipment, as well as specialized non-destructive examination and tooling/repair solutions. This segment is also a leading global manufacturer and supplier of critical medical radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for research, diagnostic and therapeutic uses.
•Our Nuclear Services Group segment provides various services to the U.S. Government including nuclear materials management and operation, environmental management and administrative and operating services for various U.S. Government-owned facilities. These services are provided to the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"), including the National Nuclear Security Administration ("NNSA"), the Office of Nuclear Energy, the Office of Science and the Office of Environmental Management, and NASA. Through this segment we deliver services and management solutions to nuclear and high-consequence operations. A significant portion of this segment's operations is conducted through joint ventures. This segment also develops technology for a variety of applications, including advanced nuclear power sources, and offers complete advanced nuclear fuel and reactor design and engineering, licensing and manufacturing services for new advanced nuclear reactors.
See Note 15 for financial information about our segments.
Divestiture of U.S.-Based Commercial Nuclear Services Business
On May 29, 2020, our subsidiary BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc. divested its U.S.-based commercial nuclear services business, a component of our Nuclear Services Group segment. In a cashless transaction, we exchanged net assets totaling $18.0 million, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment and certain warranty obligations, for a manufacturing facility and the associated land of approximately the same value. The acquired assets are reported as part of the Nuclear Services Group segment.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
On January 1, 2020, we adopted the update to the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Topic Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. This update requires entities to recognize expected credit losses immediately in the financial statements. We considered our customer base, credit loss history and expected loss rate in our evaluation of expected credit losses. The adoption of the provisions in this update did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On January 1, 2020, we adopted the update to the FASB Topic Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This update simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating the second step from the goodwill impairment test. Goodwill impairment is now determined by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The adoption of the provisions in this update did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In December 2019, the FASB issued an update to the FASB Topic Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This update simplifies various aspects related to the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, simplifies when companies recognize deferred taxes in an interim period and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistent application. We elected to early adopt this update effective January 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On January 1, 2020, we adopted the update to the FASB Topic Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General. This update modifies the annual disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans. This update requires disclosure changes to be presented on a retrospective basis. The adoption of the provisions in this update did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Use of Estimates
We use estimates and assumptions to prepare our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Some of our more significant estimates include estimates of costs to complete long-term contracts and the associated revenues, estimates of the fair value of acquired intangible and other assets, estimates we make in selecting assumptions related to the valuations of our pension and postretirement benefit plans, including the selection of our discount rates, mortality and expected rates of return on our pension plan assets and estimates we make in evaluating our asset retirement obligations. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts we report in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. Variances could result in a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations in future periods.
Contracts and Revenue Recognition
We generally recognize contract revenues and related costs over time for individual performance obligations based on a cost-to-cost method in accordance with FASB Topic Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We recognize estimated contract revenue and resulting income based on the measurement of the extent of progress toward completion as a percentage of the total project. Certain costs may be excluded from the cost-to-cost method of measuring progress, such as significant costs for uninstalled materials, if such costs do not depict our performance in transferring control of goods or services to the customer. We review contract price and cost estimates periodically as the work progresses and reflect adjustments proportionate to the percentage-of-completion in income in the period when those estimates are revised. Certain of our contracts recognize revenue at a point in time, and revenue on these contracts is recognized when control transfers to the customer. The majority of our revenue that is recognized at a point in time is related to parts and certain medical radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals in our Nuclear Power Group segment. For all contracts, if a current estimate of total contract cost indicates a loss on a contract, the projected loss is recognized in full when determined.
Warranty Expense
We accrue estimated warranty expense, included in Cost of operations on our consolidated statements of income, to satisfy contractual warranty requirements when we recognize the associated revenue on the related contracts. In addition, we record specific provisions or reductions where we expect the actual warranty costs to significantly differ from the accrued estimates. Such changes could have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of Accrued warranty expense:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202020192018
 (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period$9,042 $10,344 $13,428 
Additions1,341 2,232 1,494 
Expirations and other changes (1)
(1,624)(2,728)(3,367)
Payments(1,026)(1,065)(663)
Translation and other (2)
(2,441)259 (548)
Balance at end of period$5,292 $9,042 $10,344 
(1)Includes discounts provided to customers in satisfaction of warranty obligations totaling $(1.2) million in each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
(2)Includes $(2.5) million related to the divestiture of the U.S.-based commercial nuclear services business during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Stock-Based Compensation
We expense stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB Topic Compensation – Stock Compensation. Under this topic, the fair value of equity-classified awards, such as restricted stock, performance shares and stock options, is determined on the date of grant and is not remeasured. The fair value of liability-classified awards, such as cash-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and performance units, is determined on the date of grant and is remeasured at the end of each reporting period through the date of settlement. Grant date fair values for restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units are determined using the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.
Under the provisions of this FASB topic, we recognize expense for all share-based awards granted on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally equivalent to the vesting term. This topic requires compensation expense to be recognized such that compensation expense is recorded only for those awards expected to vest. As a result, we periodically review the amount of actual forfeitures and record any adjustments deemed necessary each reporting period. We also recognize excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. These excess tax benefits result from tax deductions in excess of the cumulative compensation expense recognized for options exercised and other equity-classified awards.
Additionally, this FASB topic amended FASB Topic Statement of Cash Flows to require excess tax benefits to be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. In addition, cash flows related to employee taxes paid for withheld shares are classified as a financing activity.
See Note 9 for a further discussion of stock-based compensation.
Grant Accounting
We recognize amounts related to grants as a reduction of expense in the period in which the related costs for which the grants are intended to compensate are recognized and we are reasonably assured to receive payment.
On April 11, 2020, the Canadian Government enacted the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") under the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to prevent large layoffs and help employers offset a portion of their employee salaries and wages for a limited period. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized $20.4 million of subsidies under CEWS as an offset to operating expenses.
Research and Development
Our research and development activities are related to the development and improvement of new and existing products and equipment, as well as conceptual and engineering evaluation for translation into practical applications. We charge the costs of research and development unrelated to specific contracts as incurred. Contractual arrangements for customer-sponsored research and development can vary on a case-by-case basis and include contracts, cooperative agreements and grants.
Research and development activities totaled $40.8 million, $66.9 million and $63.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. This includes amounts paid for by our customers of $26.6 million, $49.2 million and $48.2 million, in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Capitalization of Interest Cost
We capitalize interest in accordance with FASB Topic Interest. We incurred total interest of $40.8 million, $41.4 million and $31.5 million in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, of which we capitalized $9.8 million, $6.1 million and $3.7 million in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for federal, foreign, state and local income taxes is calculated on pre-tax income based on current tax law and includes the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from those used previously in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We assess deferred taxes and the adequacy of the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. In the ordinary course of business, there is inherent uncertainty in quantifying our income tax positions. We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. We record interest and penalties (net of any applicable tax benefit) related to income taxes as a component of Provision for Income Taxes on our consolidated statements of income.
We would be subject to withholding taxes if we were to distribute earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries, and unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities, including withholding taxes, would be payable upon distribution of these earnings. We consider the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries to be permanently reinvested.
Earnings Per Share
We have computed earnings per common share on the basis of the weighted-average number of common shares, and, where dilutive, common share equivalents, outstanding during the indicated periods. We issue a number of forms of stock-based compensation periodically, including incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units, subject to satisfaction of specific performance goals. We include the shares applicable to these plans in our computation of diluted earnings per share when related performance criteria have been met.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Our cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when we purchase them.
We record cash and cash equivalents as restricted when we are unable to freely use such cash and cash equivalents for our general operating purposes. At December 31, 2020, we had restricted cash and cash equivalents totaling $5.7 million, $2.6 million of which was held for future decommissioning of facilities (which is included in Other Assets on our consolidated balance sheets) and $3.1 million of which was held to meet reinsurance reserve requirements of our captive insurer.
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheets to the totals presented on our consolidated statements of cash flows:
December 31,
20202019
 (In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$42,610 $86,540 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents3,070 3,056 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in Other Assets2,618 2,804 
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents as presented on our consolidated statements of cash flows
$48,298 $92,400 
Investments
Our investment portfolio consists primarily of U.S. Government and agency securities, corporate bonds and equities and mutual funds. Our debt securities are carried at fair value and are either classified as trading, with unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings, or as available-for-sale, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income. Our equity securities are carried at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings. We classify investments available for current operations in the consolidated balance sheets as current assets, while we classify investments held for long-term purposes as non-current assets. We adjust the amortized cost of debt securities for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, and such adjustments are included in Interest income. We include realized gains and losses on our investments in Other – net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. We include interest on securities in Interest income.
Inventories
We carry our inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value using either the weighted average or first-in, first-out methods. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, Other current assets included inventories totaling $15.0 million and $17.1 million, respectively, consisting entirely of raw materials and supplies.
Property, Plant and Equipment
We carry our property, plant and equipment at depreciated cost, less any impairment provisions. We depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line method over estimated economic useful lives of eight to 40 years for buildings and three to 14 years for machinery and equipment. Our depreciation expense was $50.3 million, $51.0 million and $48.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We expense the costs of maintenance, repairs and renewals that do not materially prolong the useful life of an asset as we incur them.
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and is set forth below:
 December 31,
 20202019
 (In thousands)
Land$9,585 $8,919 
Buildings267,808 221,462 
Machinery and equipment827,785 775,997 
Property under construction420,374 265,715 
1,525,552 1,272,093 
Less: Accumulated depreciation709,081 691,852 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net$816,471 $580,241 
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of our acquired businesses over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We perform testing of goodwill for impairment annually. We may elect to perform a qualitative test when we believe that there is sufficient excess fair value over carrying value based on our most recent quantitative assessment, adjusted for relevant events and circumstances that could affect fair value during the current year. If we conclude based on this assessment that it is more
likely than not that the reporting unit is not impaired, we do not perform a quantitative impairment test. In all other circumstances, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no impairment charge is recorded. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to goodwill in the amount by which carrying value exceeds fair value.
The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill:
Nuclear
Operations Group		Nuclear
Power
Group		Nuclear
Services
Group		Total
 (In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2018$110,939 $118,143 $45,000 $274,082 
Translation and other (1)
— 1,420 — 1,420 
Balance at December 31, 2019$110,939 $119,563 $45,000 $275,502 
Acquisition of Laker Energy Products (Note 2)— 5,753 — 5,753 
Translation— 2,453 — 2,453 
Balance at December 31, 2020$110,939 $127,769 $45,000 $283,708 
(1)Includes an adjustment of $(3.2) million, net of tax, to correct the business combination accounting for our 2016 acquisition.
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
We use the equity method of accounting for affiliates in which we are able to exert significant influence. Currently, all of our material investments in affiliates that are not consolidated are recorded using the equity method. Affiliates in which we are unable to exert significant influence are carried at fair value.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recognized at fair value when acquired. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized to Costs and Expenses using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives and tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and are subject to annual impairment testing. We may elect to perform a qualitative assessment when testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment to determine whether events or circumstances affecting significant inputs related to the most recent quantitative evaluation have occurred, indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. Otherwise, we test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by quantitatively determining the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, we recognize impairment for the amount of the difference.
Our Intangible Assets were as follows:
 December 31,
 202020192018
 (In thousands)
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross cost:
Technical support agreement$68,785 $67,423 $64,749 
Customer relationships39,954 39,555 38,771 
Unpatented technology37,529 36,785 35,327 
Favorable operating leases— — 35,161 
CNSC class 1B nuclear facility license26,528 26,002 24,971 
Acquired backlog7,487 — 8,079 
Patented technology780 765 734 
All other858 2,200 2,200 
Total$181,921 $172,730 $209,992 
Accumulated amortization:
Technical support agreement$(7,227)$(4,153)$(1,173)
Customer relationships(15,996)(13,841)(11,767)
Unpatented technology(4,584)(2,805)(1,194)
Favorable operating leases— — (1,295)
CNSC class 1B nuclear facility license(3,573)(2,635)(1,698)
Acquired backlog(1,248)— (6,581)
Patented technology(286)(212)(136)
All other(86)(1,522)(1,302)
Total$(33,000)$(25,168)$(25,146)
Net amortized intangible assets$148,921 $147,562 $184,846 
Unamortized intangible assets:
NRC category 1 license$43,830 $43,830 $43,830 
The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of Intangible Assets:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202020192018
 (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period$191,392 $228,676 $110,405 
Acquisitions (Note 2)8,180 — 139,257 
Amortization expense(8,824)(9,128)(11,490)
Reclassification of right-of-use assets— (33,866)— 
Translation and other (1)
2,003 5,710 (9,496)
Balance at end of period$192,751 $191,392 $228,676 
(1)Includes $(0.6) million related to the divestiture of the U.S.-based commercial nuclear services business during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Amount
2021$9,130 
2022$9,130 
2023$9,130 
2024$9,130 
2025$9,130 
Leases
We lease certain manufacturing facilities, office space and equipment under operating leases with terms of one to 20 years. Certain of the leases include options to renew for periods of one to 10 years. We include lease options in our determination of the right-of-use asset and lease liability if it is reasonably certain that we will exercise one or more of the options. Leases with initial terms of 12 months or less are excluded from our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Our right-of-use assets are included in Other Assets on our consolidated balance sheet. Our current lease liabilities are included in Accrued liabilities – other, and our noncurrent lease liabilities are included in Other Liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. We use discount rates based on our incremental borrowing rate as most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate that can be readily determined.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized lease expense of $7.7 million, which included $1.5 million related to the amortization of favorable lease agreements, and paid cash of $6.2 million for our operating leases. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized lease expense of $8.1 million and $6.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2020, our weighted-average remaining lease term was 5.6 years, and for the purpose of measuring the present value of our lease liabilities, the weighted-average discount rate was 4.64%. The maturities of our lease liabilities at December 31, 2020 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
2021$3,348 
20221,926 
20231,182 
2024697 
2025507 
Thereafter2,828 
Total lease payments$10,488 
Less: Interest(1,722)
Present value of lease liabilities (1)
$8,766 
(1)Includes current lease liabilities of $3.3 million.
At December 31, 2020, our right-of-use assets totaled $41.3 million. The difference between the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities was primarily the result of our adoption of the update to the FASB Topic Leases on January 1, 2019, which resulted in reclassifications from Intangible Assets of favorable leases related to recent acquisitions.
Deferred Debt Issuance Costs
We have included deferred debt issuance costs in the consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of our debt liability. We amortize deferred debt issuance costs as interest expense over the life of the related debt. The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of these assets:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202020192018
 (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period$8,006 $9,583 $4,202 
Additions6,803 — 9,443 
Interest expense (1)
(2,540)(1,577)(4,062)
Balance at end of period$12,269 $8,006 $9,583 
(1)Includes the recognition of prior deferred debt issuance costs associated with former credit facilities of $(0.7) million and $(2.4) million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2018, respectively.
Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefits
We sponsor various defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans covering certain employees of our U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries. We utilize actuarial valuations to calculate the cost and benefit obligations of our pension and postretirement benefits. The actuarial valuations utilize significant assumptions in the determination of our benefit cost and obligations, including assumptions regarding discount rates, expected returns on plan assets, mortality and health care cost trends. We determine our discount rate based on a yield curve comprised of rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of our pension and postretirement
benefit plan obligations. The expected rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on capital market assumptions of the long-term expected returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio. The expected rate of return on plan assets is determined to be the weighted-average of the nominal returns based on the weightings of the classes within the total asset portfolio. Expected health care cost trends represent expected annual rates of change in the cost of health care benefits and are estimated based on analysis of health care cost inflation.
The components of benefit cost related to service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets and prior service cost amortization are recorded on a quarterly basis based on actuarial assumptions. In the fourth quarter of each year, or as interim remeasurements are required, we immediately recognize net actuarial gains and losses in earnings as a component of net periodic benefit cost. Recognized net actuarial gains and losses consist primarily of our reported actuarial gains and losses and the difference between the actual return on plan assets and the expected return on plan assets.
We recognize the funded status of each plan as either an asset or a liability in the consolidated balance sheets. The funded status is the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the present value of its benefit obligation, determined on a plan-by-plan basis. Our pension plan assets can include assets that are difficult to value. See Note 7 for detailed information regarding our plan assets.
Asset Retirement Obligations and Environmental Cleanup Costs
We accrue for future decommissioning of our nuclear facilities that will permit the release of these facilities to unrestricted use at the end of each facility's service life, which is a requirement of our licenses from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ("CNSC"). In accordance with the FASB Topic Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, we record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When we initially record such a liability, we capitalize a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. When we acquire a business that has an asset retirement obligation, the asset retirement obligation is recognized at fair value without a corresponding increase to the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of a liability, we will settle the obligation for its recorded amount or incur a gain or loss. This topic applies to environmental liabilities associated with assets that we currently operate and are obligated to remove from service. For environmental liabilities associated with assets that we no longer operate, we have accrued amounts based on the estimated costs of cleanup activities for which we are responsible, net of any cost-sharing arrangements. We adjust the estimated costs as further information develops or circumstances change. Given the long-lived nature of these facilities, we are required to estimate retirement costs that will be incurred in the future, which may extend up to 40 years at the time the asset retirement obligation is established. Due to the significance of the remaining useful life of these facilities, the timing of retirement and future costs for material components of the asset retirement obligations, such as labor and waste disposal fees, could differ from our estimates. An exception to this accounting treatment relates to the work we perform for two facilities for which the U.S. Government is obligated to pay substantially all of the decommissioning costs.
Substantially all of our asset retirement obligations relate to the remediation of our nuclear analytical laboratory and the NFS facility in our Nuclear Operations Group segment as well as certain facilities in our Nuclear Power Group segment. The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of these liabilities:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202020192018
 (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period$77,288 $90,822 $78,036 
Costs incurred(1,608)(10,380)(1,011)
Additions/adjustments(3,284)(5,030)8,000 
Acquisitions— — 2,062 
Accretion5,343 5,379 5,523 
Translation and other (1)
371 (3,503)(1,788)
Balance at end of period (2)
$78,110 $77,288 $90,822 
(1)Includes an adjustment of $(4.3) million to correct the business combination accounting for our 2016 acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2019.
(2)Includes current asset retirement obligations of $2.8 million, $5.7 million and $13.8 million at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Self-Insurance
We have a wholly owned insurance subsidiary that provides employer's liability, general and automotive liability and primary workers' compensation insurance and, from time to time, builder's risk insurance (within certain limits) to our companies. We may also, in the future, have this insurance subsidiary accept other risks that we cannot or do not wish to transfer to outside insurance companies. Included in Other Liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets are reserves for self-insurance totaling $5.0 million and $5.2 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Loss Contingencies
We accrue liabilities for loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable. We provide disclosure when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded provision or if such probable loss is not reasonably estimable. Due to the nature of our business, we are, from time to time, involved in investigations, litigation, disputes or claims related to our business activities, as discussed in Note 10. Our losses are typically resolved over long periods of time and are often difficult to assess and estimate due to, among other reasons, the possibility of multiple actions by third parties; the attribution of damages, if any, among multiple defendants; plaintiffs, in most cases involving personal injury claims, do not specify the amount of damages claimed; the discovery process may take multiple years to complete; during the litigation process, it is common to have multiple complex unresolved procedural and substantive issues; the potential availability of insurance and indemnity coverages; the wide-ranging outcomes reached in similar cases, including the variety of damages awarded; the likelihood of settlements for de minimus amounts prior to trial; the likelihood of success at trial; and the likelihood of success on appeal. Consequently, it is possible future earnings could be affected by changes in our assessments of the probability that a loss has been incurred in a material pending litigation against us and/or changes in our estimates related to such matters.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income included in Stockholders' Equity are as follows:
 December 31,
 20202019
 (In thousands)
Currency translation adjustments$24,454 $8,769 
Net unrealized (loss) gain on derivative financial instruments(496)64 
Unrecognized prior service cost on benefit obligations(15,902)(16,614)
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments142 333 
Accumulated other comprehensive income$8,198 $(7,448)
The amounts reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income by component and the affected consolidated statements of income line items are as follows:
 Year Ended December 31, 
 202020192018 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Component Recognized
(In thousands)Line Item Presented
Realized (loss) gain on derivative financial instruments
$(35)$(132)$(242)
Revenues
695 (1,066)407 
Cost of operations
660 (1,198)165 
Total before tax
(173)310 (47)
Provision for Income Taxes
$487 $(888)$118 
Net Income
Amortization of prior service cost on benefit obligations
$(3,177)$(2,592)$(1,910)
Other – net
645 562 410 
Provision for Income Taxes
$(2,532)$(2,030)$(1,500)
Net Income
Realized gains on investments
$— $— $3 
Other – net
— — (1)
Provision for Income Taxes
$— $— $2 
Net Income
Total reclassification for the period
$(2,045)$(2,918)$(1,380)
Foreign Currency Translation
We translate assets and liabilities of our foreign operations into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, and we translate income statement items at average exchange rates for the periods presented. We record adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income. We report foreign currency transaction gains and losses in income. We have included in Other – net transaction gains (losses) of $(0.6) million, $1.0 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Our operations give rise to exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange ("FX") rates. We use derivative financial instruments, primarily FX forward contracts, to reduce the impact of changes in FX rates on our operating results. We use these instruments to hedge our exposure associated with revenues or costs on our long-term contracts and other transactions that are denominated in currencies other than our operating entities' functional currencies. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
We enter into derivative financial instruments primarily as hedges of certain firm purchase and sale commitments and loans between domestic and foreign subsidiaries denominated in foreign currencies. We record these contracts at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. Based on the hedge designation at inception of the contract, the related gains and losses on these contracts are deferred in stockholders' equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The gain or loss on a derivative instrument not designated as a hedging instrument is immediately recognized in earnings. Gains and losses on derivative financial instruments that require immediate recognition are included as a component of Other – net on our consolidated statements of income and are recorded in the statements of cash flows based on the nature and use of the instruments.
We have designated the majority of our FX forward contracts that qualify for hedge accounting as cash flow hedges. The hedged risk is the risk of changes in functional-currency-equivalent cash flows attributable to changes in FX spot rates of forecasted transactions primarily related to long-term contracts. We exclude from our assessment of effectiveness the portion of the fair value of the FX forward contracts attributable to the difference between FX spot rates and FX forward rates. At December 31, 2020, we had deferred approximately $(0.5) million of net losses on these derivative financial instruments. Assuming market conditions continue, we expect to recognize the majority of this amount in the next twelve months. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $8.7 million, $(1.0) million and $(4.7) million, respectively, of (gains) losses associated with FX forward contracts not designated as hedges.
At December 31, 2020, our derivative financial instruments consisted of FX forward contracts with a total notional value of $245.3 million with maturities extending to March 2023. These instruments consist primarily of FX forward contracts to purchase or sell Canadian dollars and Euros. We are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. We attempt to mitigate this risk by using major financial institutions with high credit ratings. Our counterparties to derivative financial instruments have the benefit of the same collateral arrangements and covenants as described under our credit facility.