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Employee Benefits | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] |
Employee Benefits | EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Company has pension and/or other retirement benefit plans covering approximately one-fifth of active employees. In 2007, the Company amended its U.S. qualified and non-qualified pension plans under which accrual of future benefits was suspended for all participants that did not meet the rule of 70 (age plus years of service equal to at least 70 as of December 31, 2007). Pension benefits are generally based on years of service and compensation during the final years of employment. Plan assets consist primarily of equity securities and corporate and government fixed income securities. Substantially all pension benefit costs are funded as accrued; such funding is limited, where applicable, to amounts deductible for income tax purposes. Certain other retirement benefits are provided by general corporate assets. The Company sponsors a qualified defined contribution plan covering substantially all U.S. employees. Under this plan, the Company matches 100% of participants’ contributions up to 4% of compensation and 75% of participants’ contributions from over 4% to 8%. Employees that are still eligible to accrue benefits under the pension plans are limited to a 50% match of up to 6% of the participants’ compensation. In addition to pension benefits, certain health care and life insurance benefits are provided to qualifying U.S. employees upon retirement from IFF. Such coverage is provided through insurance plans with premiums based on benefits paid. The Company does not generally provide health care or life insurance coverage for retired employees of foreign subsidiaries; such benefits are provided in most foreign countries by government-sponsored plans, and the cost of these programs is not material. The Company offers a non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan ("DCP") for certain key employees and non-employee directors. Eligible employees and non-employee directors may elect to defer receipt of salary, incentive payments and Board of Directors’ fees into participant-directed investments which are generally invested by the Company in individual variable life insurance contracts it owns that are designed to informally fund savings plans of this nature. The cash surrender value of life insurance is based on the net asset values of the underlying funds available to plan participants. At December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects liabilities of $50.9 million and $43.6 million, respectively, related to the DCP in Other liabilities and $28.2 million and $22.2 million, respectively, included in Capital in excess of par value related to the portion of the DCP that will be paid out in IFF shares. The total cash surrender value of life insurance contracts the Company owns in relation to the DCP and post-retirement life insurance benefits amounted to $47.6 million and $43.2 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and are recorded in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The plan assets and benefit obligations of the defined benefit pension plans are measured at December 31 of each year.
| U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Components of net periodic benefit cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost for benefits earned(1) | $ | 1,378 |  |  | $ | 1,971 |  |  | $ | 2,175 |  |  | $ | 19,319 |  |  | $ | 18,738 |  |  | $ | 18,652 |
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation(2) | 21,954 |  |  | 19,393 |  |  | 20,075 |  |  | 17,775 |  |  | 17,704 |  |  | 17,116 |
Expected return on plan assets(2) | (27,927 | ) |  | (30,994 | ) |  | (35,577 | ) |  | (43,480 | ) |  | (50,546 | ) |  | (50,626 | )
Net amortization of deferrals(2) | 5,464 |  |  | 6,592 |  |  | 5,424 |  |  | 11,654 |  |  | 11,798 |  |  | 14,403 |
Settlements and curtailments(2) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 189 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,746 |
Net periodic benefit cost | 869 |  |  | (3,038 | ) |  | (7,903 | ) |  | 5,457 |  |  | (2,306 | ) |  | 2,291 |
Defined contribution and other retirement plans | 9,363 |  |  | 10,527 |  |  | 8,604 |  |  | 9,001 |  |  | 6,859 |  |  | 5,681 |
Total expense | $ | 10,232 |  |  | $ | 7,489 |  |  | $ | 701 |  |  | $ | 14,458 |  |  | $ | 4,553 |  |  | $ | 7,972 |
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial (gain) loss | $ | (3,140 | ) |  | $ | 21,050 |  |  |  |  | $ | 61,865 |  |  | $ | 11,937 |  |  |
Recognized actuarial loss | (5,421 | ) |  | (6,549 | ) |  |  |  | (12,479 | ) |  | (12,590 | ) |  |
Prior service cost | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | — |  |  | 2,776 |  |  |
Recognized prior service (cost) credit | (43 | ) |  | (43 | ) |  |  |  | 636 |  |  | 792 |  |  |
Currency translation adjustment | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 6,584 |  |  | (16,978 | ) |  |
Total (gain) loss recognized in OCI (before tax effects) | $ | (8,604 | ) |  | $ | 14,458 |  |  |  |  | $ | 56,606 |  |  | $ | (14,063 | ) |  |
_______________________
(1) | Included as a component of Operating Profit.
(2) | Included as a component of Other Income (Expense), net.
| Postretirement Benefits
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Components of net periodic benefit cost |  |  |  |  |
Service cost for benefits earned | $ | 568 |  |  | $ | 755 |  |  | $ | 718 |
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 2,265 |  |  | 2,460 |  |  | 2,710 |
Net amortization and deferrals | (4,919 | ) |  | (5,497 | ) |  | (4,913 | )
Total credit | $ | (2,086 | ) |  | $ | (2,282 | ) |  | $ | (1,485 | )
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss | $ | 3,941 |  |  | $ | (6,677 | ) |  |
Recognized actuarial loss | (1,132 | ) |  | (1,506 | ) |  |
Prior service credit | — |  |  | (14,862 | ) |  |
Recognized prior service credit | 6,051 |  |  | 7,003 |  |  |
Total recognized in OCI (before tax effects) | $ | 8,860 |  |  | $ | (16,042 | ) |  |
The amounts expected to be recognized in net periodic cost in 2020 are:
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans |  | Postretirement Benefits
Actuarial loss recognition | $ | 7,388 |  |  | $ | 15,851 |  |  | $ | 1,367 |
Prior service cost (credit) recognition | 43 |  |  | (345 | ) |  | (5,964 | )
The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense at December 31 of each year are:
| U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans
2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Discount rate | 4.31 | % |  | 3.69 | % |  | 4.19 | % |  | 2.22 | % |  | 2.15 | % |  | 2.14 | %
Expected return on plan assets | 5.60 | % |  | 6.20 | % |  | 7.30 | % |  | 4.87 | % |  | 5.19 | % |  | 5.95 | %
Rate of compensation increase | 3.25 | % |  | 3.25 | % |  | 3.25 | % |  | 1.93 | % |  | 1.98 | % |  | 1.97 | %
Changes in the postretirement benefit obligation and plan assets, as applicable, are detailed in the following table:
| U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans |  | Postretirement Benefits
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 562,043 |  |  | $ | 602,783 |  |  | $ | 957,935 |  |  | $ | 973,061 |  |  | $ | 59,625 |  |  | $ | 82,714 |
Service cost for benefits earned | 1,378 |  |  | 1,971 |  |  | 19,319 |  |  | 18,738 |  |  | 568 |  |  | 755 |
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 21,954 |  |  | 19,393 |  |  | 17,775 |  |  | 17,704 |  |  | 2,265 |  |  | 2,460 |
Actuarial (gain) loss | 68,839 |  |  | (33,284 | ) |  | 119,891 |  |  | (29,433 | ) |  | 3,941 |  |  | (6,677 | )
Plan amendments | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,776 |  |  | — |  |  | (14,862 | )
Adjustments for expense/tax contained in service cost | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,333 | ) |  | (1,290 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Plan participants’ contributions | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,803 |  |  | 2,047 |  |  | 437 |  |  | 435 |
Benefits paid | (33,560 | ) |  | (32,093 | ) |  | (28,977 | ) |  | (33,862 | ) |  | (2,662 | ) |  | (5,200 | )
Curtailments / settlements | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3,455 | ) |  | (2,751 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Translation adjustments | — |  |  | — |  |  | 13,935 |  |  | (49,027 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Acquisitions/Transferred Liabilities | — |  |  | 3,273 |  |  | — |  |  | 48,356 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,191 |  |  | 11,616 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 620,654 |  |  | $ | 562,043 |  |  | $ | 1,099,084 |  |  | $ | 957,935 |  |  | $ | 64,174 |  |  | $ | 59,625 |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $ | 532,381 |  |  | $ | 581,917 |  |  | $ | 896,782 |  |  | $ | 929,810 |  |  |  |  |
Actual return on plan assets | 99,904 |  |  | (23,339 | ) |  | 100,163 |  |  | 6,699 |  |  |  |  |
Employer contributions | 3,683 |  |  | 3,524 |  |  | 20,031 |  |  | 18,238 |  |  |  |  |
Participants’ contributions | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,803 |  |  | 2,047 |  |  |  |  |
Benefits paid | (33,560 | ) |  | (32,093 | ) |  | (28,977 | ) |  | (33,862 | ) |  |  |  |
Settlements | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3,455 | ) |  | (1,564 | ) |  |  |  |
Translation adjustments | — |  |  | — |  |  | 16,982 |  |  | (47,247 | ) |  |  |  |
Acquisitions/Transferred Assets | — |  |  | 2,372 |  |  | — |  |  | 21,672 |  |  |  |  |
Other | — |  |  | — |  |  | 954 |  |  | 989 |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $ | 602,408 |  |  | $ | 532,381 |  |  | $ | 1,005,283 |  |  | $ | 896,782 |  |  |  |  |
Funded status at end of year | $ | (18,246 | ) |  | $ | (29,662 | ) |  | $ | (93,801 | ) |  | $ | (61,153 | ) |  |  |  |
The amounts recognized in the balance sheet are detailed in the following table:
| U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Other assets | $ | 35,239 |  |  | $ | 20,949 |  |  | $ | 50,418 |  |  | $ | 54,434 |
Other current liabilities | (4,193 | ) |  | (4,092 | ) |  | (1,179 | ) |  | (882 | )
Retirement liabilities | (49,292 | ) |  | (46,519 | ) |  | (143,040 | ) |  | (114,705 | )
Net amount recognized | $ | (18,246 | ) |  | $ | (29,662 | ) |  | $ | (93,801 | ) |  | $ | (61,153 | )
The amounts recognized in AOCI are detailed in the following table:
| U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans |  | Postretirement Benefits
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Net actuarial loss | $ | 142,828 |  |  | $ | 151,389 |  |  | $ | 376,991 |  |  | $ | 321,144 |  |  | $ | 15,436 |  |  | $ | 12,627 |
Prior service cost (credit) | 108 |  |  | 151 |  |  | (3,087 | ) |  | (3,926 | ) |  | (27,138 | ) |  | (33,189 | )
Total AOCI (before tax effects) | $ | 142,936 |  |  | $ | 151,540 |  |  | $ | 373,904 |  |  | $ | 317,218 |  |  | $ | (11,702 | ) |  | $ | (20,562 | )
| U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Accumulated Benefit Obligation — end of year | $ | 618,486 |  |  | $ | 559,775 |  |  | $ | 1,062,515 |  |  | $ | 923,586 |
Information for Pension Plans with an ABO in excess of Plan Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation | $ | 55,714 |  |  | $ | 52,714 |  |  | $ | 656,574 |  |  | $ | 582,466 |
Accumulated benefit obligation | 55,671 |  |  | 52,690 |  |  | 620,087 |  |  | 548,116 |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,229 |  |  | 2,103 |  |  | 512,356 |  |  | 466,878 |
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine obligations at December 31 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 3.26 | % |  | 4.31 | % |  | 1.50 | % |  | 2.22 | %
Rate of compensation increase | 3.25 | % |  | 3.25 | % |  | 2.48 | % |  | 1.91 | %
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans |  | Postretirement Benefits
Estimated Future Benefit Payments |  |  |  |  |
2020 | $ | 37,152 |  |  | $ | 27,460 |  |  | $ | 3,808 |
2021 | 37,908 |  |  | 27,607 |  |  | 3,845 |
2022 | 38,411 |  |  | 28,169 |  |  | 3,805 |
2023 | 38,796 |  |  | 28,993 |  |  | 3,797 |
2024 | 38,831 |  |  | 30,142 |  |  | 3,891 |
2025 - 2029 | 189,425 |  |  | 169,438 |  |  | 19,442 |
Contributions |  |  |  |  |
Required Company Contributions in Following Year (2020) | $ | 4,387 |  |  | $ | 20,944 |  |  | $ | 3,808 |
The Company considers a number of factors in determining and selecting assumptions for the overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The Company considers the historical long-term return experience of its assets, the current and expected allocation of its plan assets and expected long-term rates of return. The Company derives these expected long-term rates of return with the assistance of its investment advisors. The Company bases its expected allocation of plan assets on a diversified portfolio consisting of domestic and international equity securities, fixed income, real estate and alternative asset classes. The asset allocation is monitored on an ongoing basis. The Company considers a variety of factors in determining and selecting its assumptions for the discount rate at December 31. For the U.S. plans, the discount rate was based on the internal rate of return for a portfolio of high quality bonds rated Aa or higher by either Moody’s or Standard & Poor's with maturities that are consistent with the projected future benefit payment obligations of the plan. For the Non-U.S. Plans, the discount rates were determined by region and are based on high quality long-term corporate bonds. Consideration has been given to the duration of the liabilities in each plan when selecting the bonds to be used in determining the discount rate. The rate of compensation increase for all plans and the medical cost trend rate for the applicable U.S. plans are based on plan experience. The percentage of assets in the Company's pension plans, by type, is as follows:
| U.S. Plans |  | Non-U.S. Plans
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Cash and cash equivalents | 1 | % |  | 1 | % |  | 1 | % |  | 3 | %
Equities | 13 | % |  | 25 | % |  | 14 | % |  | 12 | %
Fixed income | 86 | % |  | 74 | % |  | 37 | % |  | 36 | %
Property | — | % |  | — | % |  | 8 | % |  | 8 | %
Alternative and other investments | — | % |  | — | % |  | 40 | % |  | 41 | %
With respect to the U.S. plans, the expected return on plan assets was determined based on an asset allocation model using the current target allocation, real rates of return by asset class and an anticipated inflation rate. The target investment allocation is 20% equity securities and 80% fixed income securities. The expected annual rate of return for the non-U.S. plans employs a similar set of criteria adapted for local investments, inflation rates and in certain cases specific government requirements. The target asset allocation, for the non-U.S. plans, consists of approximately: 35% in fixed income securities; 35% in alternative investments; 15% in equity securities; and 15% in real estate. The following tables present the Company's plan assets for the U.S. and non-U.S. plans using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The plans’ assets were accounted for at fair value and are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. For more information on a description of the fair value hierarchy, see Note 17.
| U.S. Plans for the Year Ended
| December 31, 2019
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
Cash Equivalents | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4,431 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4,431 |
Fixed Income Securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Government & Government Agency Bonds | — |  |  | 19,427 |  |  | — |  |  | 19,427 |
Corporate Bonds | — |  |  | 112,137 |  |  | — |  |  | 112,137 |
Municipal Bonds | — |  |  | 8,460 |  |  | — |  |  | 8,460 |
Assets measured at net asset value(1) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 456,606 |
Total | $ | — |  |  | $ | 144,455 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 601,061 |
Receivables |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,347 |
Total |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 602,408 |
| U.S. Plans for the Year Ended
| December 31, 2018
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
Cash Equivalents | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,490 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,490 |
Fixed Income Securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Government & Government Agency Bonds | — |  |  | 17,827 |  |  | — |  |  | 17,827 |
Corporate Bonds | — |  |  | 96,566 |  |  | — |  |  | 96,566 |
Municipal Bonds | — |  |  | 8,138 |  |  | — |  |  | 8,138 |
Assets measured at net asset value(1) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 404,895 |
Total | $ | — |  |  | $ | 126,021 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 530,916 |
Receivables |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,465 |
Total |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 532,381 |
_______________________
(1) | Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the table above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The total amount measured at net asset value includes approximately $80.4 million and $133.1 million in pooled equity funds and $376.0 million and $271.8 million in fixed income mutual funds for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
| Non-U.S. Plans for the Year Ended
| December 31, 2019
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
Cash | $ | 5,921 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5,921 |
Equity Securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Large Cap | 58,926 |  |  | 25,616 |  |  | — |  |  | 84,542 |
Non-U.S. Large Cap | 24,720 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 24,720 |
Non-U.S. Mid Cap | 956 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 956 |
Non-U.S. Small Cap | 738 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 738 |
Emerging Markets | 27,374 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 27,374 |
Fixed Income Securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Treasuries/Government Bonds | 108 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 108 |
U.S. Corporate Bonds | — |  |  | 32,013 |  |  | — |  |  | 32,013 |
Non-U.S. Treasuries/Government Bonds | 117,890 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 117,890 |
Non-U.S. Corporate Bonds | 33,320 |  |  | 150,034 |  |  | — |  |  | 183,354 |
Non-U.S. Asset-Backed Securities | — |  |  | 33,654 |  |  | — |  |  | 33,654 |
Non-U.S. Other Fixed Income | 2,553 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,553 |
Alternative Types of Investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance Contracts | — |  |  | 152,025 |  |  | 266 |  |  | 152,291 |
Derivative Financial Instruments | — |  |  | 65,016 |  |  | — |  |  | 65,016 |
Absolute Return Funds | 3,431 |  |  | 154,463 |  |  | — |  |  | 157,894 |
Other | — |  |  | 2,330 |  |  | 30,183 |  |  | 32,513 |
Real Estate |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-U.S. Real Estate | — |  |  | — |  |  | 83,746 |  |  | 83,746 |
Total | $ | 275,937 |  |  | $ | 615,151 |  |  | $ | 114,195 |  |  | $ | 1,005,283 |
| Non-U.S. Plans for the Year Ended
| December 31, 2018
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
Cash | $ | 25,386 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 25,386 |
Equity Securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Large Cap | 35,929 |  |  | 11,340 |  |  | — |  |  | 47,269 |
Non-U.S. Large Cap | 30,841 |  |  | 8,381 |  |  | — |  |  | 39,222 |
Non-U.S. Mid Cap | 905 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 905 |
Non-U.S. Small Cap | 628 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 628 |
Emerging Markets | 22,608 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 22,608 |
Fixed Income Securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Treasuries/Government Bonds | 131 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 131 |
U.S. Corporate Bonds | — |  |  | 29,682 |  |  | — |  |  | 29,682 |
Non-U.S. Treasuries/Government Bonds | 137,267 |  |  | 5,494 |  |  | — |  |  | 142,761 |
Non-U.S. Corporate Bonds | 30,893 |  |  | 85,841 |  |  | — |  |  | 116,734 |
Non-U.S. Asset-Backed Securities | — |  |  | 32,587 |  |  | — |  |  | 32,587 |
Non-U.S. Other Fixed Income | 2,324 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,324 |
Alternative Types of Investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance Contracts | — |  |  | 152,947 |  |  | 254 |  |  | 153,201 |
Derivative Financial Instruments | — |  |  | 54,512 |  |  | — |  |  | 54,512 |
Absolute Return Funds | 3,584 |  |  | 128,111 |  |  | — |  |  | 131,695 |
Other | — |  |  | 2,374 |  |  | 25,913 |  |  | 28,287 |
Real Estate |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-U.S. Real Estate | — |  |  | — |  |  | 68,850 |  |  | 68,850 |
Total | $ | 290,496 |  |  | $ | 511,269 |  |  | $ | 95,017 |  |  | $ | 896,782 |
Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in registered money market funds which are valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices of identical instruments. Other cash and cash equivalents are valued daily by the fund using a market approach with inputs that include quoted market prices for similar instruments. Equity securities are primarily valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices of identical instruments. Pooled funds are typically common or collective trusts valued at their net asset values (NAVs). Fixed income securities are primarily valued using a market approach with inputs that include broker quotes and benchmark yields. Derivative instruments are valued by the custodian using closing market swap curves and market derived inputs. Real estate values are primarily based on valuation of the underlying investments, which include inputs such as cost, discounted future cash flows, independent appraisals and market comparable data. Hedge funds are valued based on valuation of the underlying securities and instruments within the funds. Quoted market prices are used when available and NAVs are used for unquoted securities within the funds. Absolute return funds are actively managed funds mainly invested in debt and equity securities and are valued at their NAVs. The following table presents a reconciliation of Level 3 non-U.S. plan assets held during the year ended December 31, 2019:
| Non-U.S. Plans
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | Real Estate |  | Hedge Funds |  | Total
Ending balance as of December 31, 2018 | $ | 69,104 |  |  | $ | 25,913 |  |  | $ | 95,017 |
Actual return on plan assets | 15,033 |  |  | 5,811 |  |  | 20,844 |
Purchases, sales and settlements | (124 | ) |  | (1,542 | ) |  | (1,666 | )
Ending balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | 84,013 |  |  | $ | 30,182 |  |  | $ | 114,195 |
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the postretirement benefit expense and obligation for the years ended December 31:
| Expense |  | Liability
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Discount rate | 4.30 | % |  | 3.70 | % |  | 3.30 | % |  | 4.30 | %
Current medical cost trend rate | 7.50 | % |  | 7.75 | % |  | 7.25 | % |  | 7.50 | %
Ultimate medical cost trend rate | 4.75 | % |  | 4.75 | % |  | 4.75 | % |  | 4.75 | %
Medical cost trend rate decreases to ultimate rate in year | 2030 |  |  | 2030 |  |  | 2030 |  |  | 2030 |
The following table presents the sensitivity of disclosures to changes in selected assumptions for the year ended December 31, 2019:
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) | U.S. Pension Plans |  | Non-U.S. Pension Plans |  | Postretirement Benefit Plan
25 Basis Point Decrease in Discount Rate |  |  |  |  |
Change in PBO | 14,613 |  |  | 55,415 |  |  | N/A |
Change in ABO | 14,534 |  |  | 55,374 |  |  | 1,944 |
Change in pension expense | (102 | ) |  | 2,687 |  |  | 40 |
25 Basis Point Decrease in Long-Term Rate of Return |  |  |  |  |
Change in pension expense | 1,248 |  |  | 1,935 |  |  | N/A |
The Company contributed $20.0 million to its non-U.S. pension plans in 2019. No contributions were made to the Company's qualified U.S. pension plans in 2019. The Company made $3.7 million in benefit payments with respect to its non-qualified U.S. pension plan. In addition, $2.7 million of payments were made with respect to the Company's other postretirement plans.

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