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Retirement Benefits | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2014
Retirement Benefits - General |
Retirement Benefits | Note 1 7. Retirement benefits Woodward provides various benefits to eligible members of the Company, including contributions to various defined contribution plans, pension benefits associated with defined benefit plans, postretirement medical benefits and postretirement life insurance benefits. Eligibility requirements and benefit levels vary depending on employee location. Defined contribution plans Most of the Company’s U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the U.S. defined contribution plan. The U.S. defined contribution plan allows employees to defer part of their annual income for income tax purposes into their personal 401(k) accounts. The Company makes contributions to eligible employee accounts, which are also deferred for employee personal income tax purposes. Certain foreign employees are also eligible to participate in foreign plans. Most of Woodward’s U.S. employees with at least two years of service receive an annual contribution of Woodward stock, equal to 5% of their eligible prior year wages, to their personal Woodward Retirement Savings Plan accounts. In the second quarter of fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, Woodward fulfilled the annual Woodward stock contribution using shares held in treasury stock by issuing 260 shares of common stock for a total value of $11,193 in fiscal year 2014, 250 shares of common stock for a total value of $9,780 in fiscal year 2013, and 209 shares of common stock for a total value of $9,335 in fiscal year 2012. The Woodward Retirement Savings Plan held 5,176 shares of Woodward stock as of September 30, 2014 and 5,681 shares as of September 30, 2013. The amount of expense associated with defined contribution plans was as follows:
|  |  | Year Ended September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Company costs |  | $ | 24,921 |  | $ | 20,012 |  | $ | 18,296
Defined benefit plans Woodward has defined benefit plans that provide pension benefits for certain retired employees in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, a defined benefit pension plan for certain employees in California was amended. The amendment froze the benefits of certain members and res ulted in a curtailment gain in the U.S. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, Woodward terminated it defined benefit pension plan in Switzerland due to workforce reductions related to the closure of Woodward’s Swiss facility in connection with the realignment of the renewable power business that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013. Woodward also provides other postretirement benefits to its employees including postretirement medical benefits and life insurance benefits. Postretirement medical benefits are provided to certain current and retired employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries in the United States and the United Kingdom. Life insurance benefits are provided to certain retirees in the United States under frozen plans, which are no longer available to current employees. A September 30 measurement date is utilized to value plan assets and obligations for all of Woodward’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. In connection with the acquisition of the Duarte Business (see Note 4, Business acquisitions), Woodward did not assume the Seller’s postretirement benefit obligations under the Duarte Business’ defined benefit pension plan as they existed at the time of closing of the transaction. Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Woodward established a new defined benefit pension plan for the Duarte Business employees who were beneficiaries of the Seller’s defined benefit pension plan (the “Duarte Pension Plan”). Subsequently, Woodward and the Duarte Union agreed that, effective as of the close of business on July 31, 2013, the Duarte Pension Plan was amended to cease all future benefit accruals to current participants in the plan. In addition, the Duarte Pension Plan was frozen to new entrants as of July 31, 2013. In addition to the Duarte Pension Plan, excluding the Woodward HRT Plan, the defined benefit plans in the United States were frozen in fiscal year 2007 and no additional employees may participate in the U.S. plans and no additional service costs will be incurred. Pension plans The actuarial assumptions used in measuring the net periodic benefit cost and plan obligations of retirement pension benefits were as follows:
| 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
United States: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 4.40 | % |  | 5.15 | % |  | 4.10 | %
Rate of compensation increase | 3.50 |  |  | 3.50 |  |  | 3.50 |
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 5.15 |  |  | 4.10 |  |  | 5.55 |
Rate of compensation increase | 3.50 |  |  | 3.50 |  |  | 4.00 |
Long-term rate of return on plan assets | 7.62 |  |  | 7.59 |  |  | 7.89 |
United Kingdom: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 4.10 | % |  | 4.50 | % |  | 4.60 | %
Rate of compensation increase | 3.50 |  |  | 3.50 |  |  | 3.90 |
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 4.50 |  |  | 4.60 |  |  | 5.10 |
Rate of compensation increase | 3.50 |  |  | 3.90 |  |  | 4.30 |
Long-term rate of return on plan assets | 5.50 |  |  | 5.50 |  |  | 6.00 |
Japan: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 1.10 | % |  | 1.25 | % |  | 1.50 | %
Rate of compensation increase | 2.00 |  |  | 2.00 |  |  | 2.00 |
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 1.25 |  |  | 1.50 |  |  | 1.50 |
Rate of compensation increase | 2.00 |  |  | 2.00 |  |  | 2.00 |
Long-term rate of return on plan assets | 3.00 |  |  | 2.80 |  |  | 2.80 |
Switzerland: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | n/a |  |  | 2.25 | % |  | 1.75 | %
Rate of compensation increase | n/a |  |  | 2.00 |  |  | 2.00 |
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 2.25 |  |  | 1.75 |  |  | 2.50 |
Rate of compensation increase | 2.00 |  |  | 2.00 |  |  | 2.00 |
Long-term rate of return on plan assets | 2.25 |  |  | 1.75 |  |  | 2.50 |
The discount rate assumption is intended to reflect the rate at which the retirement benefits could be effectively settled based upon the assumed timing of the benefit payments. In the United States, Woodward used a bond portfolio matching analysis based on recently traded, non-callable bonds rated AA or better that have at least $50 million outstanding. In the United Kingdom and Japan, Woodward used cash flow matching to develop a single rate equivalent for a theoretical portfolio of non-callable, AA-rated bonds for each jurisdiction. In Switzerland, Woodward used high quality swap rates plus a credit spread of 0.20% in fiscal year 2013 and 0.46% in fiscal year 2012, as high quality swaps are available in Switzerland at various durations and trade at higher volumes than bonds. Woodward’s assumed rate in Switzerland d id not differ significantly from this benchmark. Compensation increase assumptions are based upon historical experience and anticipated future management actions. In determining the long-term rate of return on plan assets, Woodward assumes that the historical long-term compound growth rates of equity and fixed-income securities will predict the future returns of similar investments in the plan portfolio. Investment management and other fees paid out of the plan assets are factored into the determination of asset return assumptions. Net periodic benefit costs consist of the following components reflected as expense in Woodward’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings:
|  | Year Ended September 30,
|  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | Total
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Service cost |  | $ | 3,516 |  | $ | 4,608 |  | $ | 3,530 |  | $ | 988 |  | $ | 1,052 |  | $ | 1,136 |  | $ | 4,504 |  | $ | 5,660 |  | $ | 4,666
Interest cost |  |  | 6,382 |  |  | 5,569 |  |  | 5,816 |  |  | 2,410 |  |  | 2,113 |  |  | 2,280 |  |  | 8,792 |  |  | 7,682 |  |  | 8,096
Expected return on plan assets |  |  | (9,813) |  |  | (8,183) |  |  | (7,008) |  |  | (3,070) |  |  | (2,610) |  |  | (2,584) |  |  | (12,883) |  |  | (10,793) |  |  | (9,592)
Amortization of: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (gains) losses |  |  | 330 |  |  | 1,374 |  |  | 524 |  |  | 655 |  |  | 465 |  |  | 665 |  |  | 985 |  |  | 1,839 |  |  | 1,189
Net prior service (benefit) cost |  |  | 97 |  |  | 75 |  |  | 75 |  |  | (4) |  |  | (8) |  |  | (9) |  |  | 93 |  |  | 67 |  |  | 66
Settlement costs |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 37 |  |  | 56 |  |  | - |  |  | 37 |  |  | 56
Curtailment (benefits) |  |  | (6,624) |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | (915) |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | (7,539) |  |  | - |  |  | -
Net periodic (benefit) cost |  | $ | (6,112) |  | $ | 3,443 |  | $ | 2,937 |  | $ | 64 |  | $ | 1,049 |  | $ | 1,544 |  | $ | (6,048) |  | $ | 4,492 |  | $ | 4,481
The curtailment gain in “United States” in the year ended September 30, 2014 pertained to a mendments made to one of Woodward’s plans that resulted in a freeze to the benefits of certain U.S. employees in California. The curtailment gain in “Other Countries” in the year ended September 30, 2014 pertained to workforce reductions related to the closure of Woodward’s Swiss facility in connection with the realignment of the renewable power business that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013. Settlement costs were expensed in fiscal years 2013 and 2012 as a result of normal attrition among participants in the Company's defined benefit plan in Switzerland. The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the projected benefit obligation and fair value of assets for the defined benefit pension plans:
|  | At or for the Year Ended September 30,
|  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | Total
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Changes in projected benefit obligation: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year |  | $ | 126,532 |  | $ | 137,639 |  | $ | 63,891 |  | $ | 60,837 |  | $ | 190,423 |  | $ | 198,476
Service cost |  |  | 3,516 |  |  | 4,608 |  |  | 988 |  |  | 1,052 |  |  | 4,504 |  |  | 5,660
Interest cost |  |  | 6,382 |  |  | 5,569 |  |  | 2,410 |  |  | 2,113 |  |  | 8,792 |  |  | 7,682
Net actuarial (gains) losses |  |  | 12,446 |  |  | (18,165) |  |  | 3,015 |  |  | 5,550 |  |  | 15,461 |  |  | (12,615)
Contribution by participants |  |  | - |  |  | 12 |  |  | 91 |  |  | 241 |  |  | 91 |  |  | 253
Benefits paid |  |  | (3,732) |  |  | (3,131) |  |  | (2,318) |  |  | (2,605) |  |  | (6,050) |  |  | (5,736)
Amounts paid by Company for Pension Protection Fund levy |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | (13) |  |  | (2) |  |  | (13) |  |  | (2)
Plan amendments |  |  | 3,355 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 3,355 |  |  | -
Settlements |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | (1,985) |  |  | (406) |  |  | (1,985) |  |  | (406)
Curtailments |  |  | (10,759) |  |  | - |  |  | (1,499) |  |  | (271) |  |  | (12,258) |  |  | (271)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | (1,045) |  |  | (2,618) |  |  | (1,045) |  |  | (2,618)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year |  | $ | 137,740 |  | $ | 126,532 |  | $ | 63,535 |  | $ | 63,891 |  | $ | 201,275 |  | $ | 190,423
Changes in fair value of plan assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |  | $ | 129,518 |  | $ | 105,966 |  | $ | 60,657 |  | $ | 55,537 |  | $ | 190,175 |  | $ | 161,503
Actual return on plan assets |  |  | 15,764 |  |  | 10,621 |  |  | 5,212 |  |  | 6,541 |  |  | 20,976 |  |  | 17,162
Contributions by the company |  |  | 540 |  |  | 16,050 |  |  | 2,422 |  |  | 3,187 |  |  | 2,962 |  |  | 19,237
Contributions by plan participants |  |  | - |  |  | 12 |  |  | 91 |  |  | 241 |  |  | 91 |  |  | 253
Benefits paid |  |  | (3,732) |  |  | (3,131) |  |  | (2,318) |  |  | (2,605) |  |  | (6,050) |  |  | (5,736)
Settlements |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | (1,985) |  |  | (406) |  |  | (1,985) |  |  | (406)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | (1,008) |  |  | (1,838) |  |  | (1,008) |  |  | (1,838)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |  | $ | 142,090 |  | $ | 129,518 |  | $ | 63,071 |  | $ | 60,657 |  | $ | 205,161 |  | $ | 190,175
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year |  | $ | 4,350 |  | $ | 2,986 |  | $ | (464) |  | $ | (3,234) |  | $ | 3,886 |  | $ | (248)
At September 30, 2014, t he Company’s defined benefit pension plans in the United Kingdom represented $52,710 of the total projected benefit obligat ion and in Japan represented $10,825 of the total projected benefit obligation. At September 30, 2014, the United Kingdom represented $52,260 of the total fair value of plan assets and Japan represented $10,811 of the total fair value of plan assets. The accumulated benefit obligations of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans in the United States was $137,423 and in Other Countries was $61,041 at September 30, 201 4, and in the United States was $116,061 and in Other Countries was $60,701 at September 30, 201 3.
|  | Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets |  | Plans with accumulated benefit obligation less than plan assets
|  | At September 30, |  | At September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Projected benefit obligation |  | $ | (25,955) |  | $ | (38,473) |  | $ | (175,320) |  | $ | (151,950)
Accumulated benefit obligation |  |  | (25,955) |  |  | (36,739) |  |  | (172,509) |  |  | (140,023)
Fair value of plan assets |  |  | 24,671 |  |  | 34,717 |  |  | 180,490 |  |  | 155,458
The following tables provide the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position and accumulated comprehensive income for the defined benefit pension plans:
|  | At or for the Year Ended September 30,
|  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | Total
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position consist of: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other non-current assets |  | $ | 5,634 |  | $ | 4,154 |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | 5,634 |  | $ | 4,154
Other non-current liabilities |  |  | (1,284) |  |  | (1,168) |  |  | (464) |  |  | (3,234) |  |  | (1,748) |  |  | (4,402)
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year |  | $ | 4,350 |  | $ | 2,986 |  | $ | (464) |  | $ | (3,234) |  | $ | 3,886 |  | $ | (248)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost |  | $ | 4,624 |  | $ | 1,367 |  | $ | - |  | $ | (4) |  | $ | 4,624 |  | $ | 1,363
Unrecognized net (gains) losses |  |  | 9,867 |  |  | 7,841 |  |  | 11,902 |  |  | 12,371 |  |  | 21,769 |  |  | 20,212
Total amounts recognized |  |  | 14,491 |  |  | 9,208 |  |  | 11,902 |  |  | 12,367 |  |  | 26,393 |  |  | 21,575
Deferred taxes |  |  | (5,527) |  |  | (3,499) |  |  | (4,131) |  |  | (4,203) |  |  | (9,658) |  |  | (7,702)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income |  | $ | 8,964 |  | $ | 5,709 |  | $ | 7,771 |  | $ | 8,164 |  | $ | 16,735 |  | $ | 13,873
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows:
|  | Year Ended September 30,
|  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | Total
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Net (gain) loss |  | $ | (4,269) |  | $ | (20,604) |  | $ | (622) |  | $ | 1,349 |  | $ | (4,891) |  | $ | (19,255)
Prior service cost |  |  | 3,355 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 3,355 |  | $ | -
Loss (gain) due to settlement or curtailment arising during the period |  |  | 6,624 |  |  | - |  |  | 915 |  |  | (36) |  |  | 7,539 |  |  | (36)
Amortization of: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net gains (losses) |  |  | (330) |  |  | (1,374) |  |  | (655) |  |  | (464) |  |  | (985) |  |  | (1,838)
Prior service benefit (cost) |  |  | (97) |  |  | (75) |  |  | 4 |  |  | 7 |  |  | (93) |  |  | (68)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | (107) |  |  | (673) |  |  | (107) |  |  | (673)
Total recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) |  | $ | 5,283 |  | $ | (22,053) |  | $ | (465) |  | $ | 183 |  | $ | 4,818 |  | $ | (21,870)
The amounts expected to be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and reported as a component of net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 201 5 are as follows:
|  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | Total
Prior service (benefit) cost |  | $ | 383 |  | $ | - |  | $ | 383
Net actuarial (gains) losses |  |  | 396 |  |  | 466 |  |  | 862
Pension benefit payments are made from the assets of the pension plans. Using foreign exchange rates as of September 30, 201 4 and expected future service assumptions, it is anticipated that the future benefit payments will be as follows:
Year Ending September 30, |  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | Total
2015 |  | $ | 4,760 |  | $ | 2,353 |  | $ | 7,113
2016 |  |  | 5,291 |  |  | 2,363 |  |  | 7,654
2017 |  |  | 5,897 |  |  | 2,554 |  |  | 8,451
2018 |  |  | 6,520 |  |  | 2,574 |  |  | 9,094
2019 |  |  | 7,154 |  |  | 3,036 |  |  | 10,190
2020 – 2024 |  |  | 43,682 |  |  | 14,756 |  |  | 58,438
Woodward expects its pension plan contributions in fiscal year 201 5 will be $21 in the United States, $1,507 in the United Kingdom, and $1,045 in Japan. Pension plan assets The overall investment objective of the pension plan assets is to earn a rate of return over time which, when combined with Company contributions, satisfies the benefit obligations of the pension plans and maintains sufficient liquidity to pay benefits. As the timing and nature of the plan obligations varies for each Company sponsored pension plan, investment strategies have been individually designed for each pension plan with a common focus on maintaining diversified investment portfolios that provide for long-term growth while minimizing the risk to principal associated with short-term market behavior. The strategy for each of the plans balances the requirements to generate returns, using investments expected to produce higher returns, such as equity securities, with the need to control risk within the pension plans using less volatile investment assets, such as debt securities. A strategy of more equity-oriented allocation is adopted for those plans which have a longer-term investment plan based on the timing of the associated benefit obligations. A pension oversight committee is assigned by t he Company to each pension plan. Among other responsibilities, each committee is responsible for all asset class allocation decisions. Asset class allocations, which are reviewed by the respective pension committee on at least an annual basis, are designed to meet or exceed certain market benchmarks which align with each plan’s investment objectives. In evaluating the asset allocation choices, consideration is given to the proper long-term level of risk for each plan, particularly with respect to the long-term nature of each plan’s liabilities, the impact of asset allocation on investment results and the corresponding impact on the volatility and magnitude of plan contributions and expense and the impact certain actuarial techniques may have on the plans’ recognition of investment experience. From time to time, the plans may move outside the prescribed asset class allocation in order to meet significant liabilities with respect to one or more individuals approaching retirement. Risks associated with the plan assets include interest rate fluctuation risk, market fluctuation risk, risk of default by debt issuers and liquidity risk. To manage these risks, the assets are managed by established, professional investment firms and performance is evaluated regularly by the Company’s pension oversight committee against specific benchmarks and each plan’s investment objectives. Liability management and asset class diversification are central to the Company’s risk management approach and overall investment strategy. The assets of the U.S. plans are invested in actively managed mutual funds. The assets of the plan in Japan and the plan in the United Kingdom are invested in actively managed pooled investment funds. Each individual mutual fund or pooled investment fund has been selected based on the investment strategy of the related plan, which mirrors a specific asset class within the associated target allocation. The assets of the plan in Switzerland were insured through an in surance contract that guaranteed a federally mandated annual rate of return. Pension plan assets at September 30, 201 4 and 201 3 do not include any direct investment in Woodward’s common stock. The asset allocations are monitored and rebalanced regularly by investment managers assigned to the individual pension plans. The actual allocations of pension plan assets and target allocation ranges by asset class, are as follows:
|  | At September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013
|  | Percentage of Plan Assets |  | Target Allocation Ranges |  | Percentage of Plan Assets |  | Target Allocation Ranges
United States: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset Class |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity Securities |  | 60.0% |  | 40.7% | - | 80.7% |  | 61.7% |  | 40.7% | - | 80.7%
Debt Securities |  | 39.8% |  | 29.3% | - | 49.3% |  | 38.1% |  | 29.3% | - | 49.3%
Other |  | 0.2% |  | 0.0% |  | 0.2% |  | 0.0%
|  | 100.0% |  |  |  |  |  | 100.0% |  |  |  |
United Kingdom: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset Class |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity Securities |  | 48.2% |  | 40.0% | - | 70.0% |  | 48.4% |  | 40.0% | - | 70.0%
Debt Securities |  | 51.7% |  | 35.0% | - | 65.0% |  | 51.5% |  | 35.0% | - | 65.0%
Other |  | 0.1% |  | 0.0% |  | 0.1% |  | 0.0%
|  | 100.0% |  |  |  |  |  | 100.0% |  |  |  |
Japan: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset Class |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity Securities |  | 40.7% |  | 36.0% | - | 44.0% |  | 41.3% |  | 36.0% | - | 44.0%
Debt Securities |  | 58.4% |  | 55.0% | - | 63.0% |  | 57.8% |  | 55.0% | - | 63.0%
Other |  | 0.9% |  | 0.0% | - | 2.0% |  | 0.9% |  | 0.0% | - | 2.0%
|  | 100.0% |  |  |  |  |  | 100.0% |  |  |  |
Switzerland: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset Class |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity Securities |  | n/a |  | n/a |  | 0.0% |  | 0.0%
Debt Securities |  | n/a |  | n/a |  | 0.0% |  | 0.0%
Other |  | n/a |  | n/a |  | 100.0% |  | 100.0%
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.0% |  |  |  |
Actual allocations to each asset class can vary from target allocations due to periodic market value fluctuations, investment strategy changes, and the timing of benefit payments and contributions. The following table presents Woodward’s pension plan assets using the fair value hierarchy established by U.S. GAAP as of September 30, 201 4.
|  | At September 30, 2014
|  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  |  |
|  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | Total
Asset Category: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 316 |  | $ | 168 |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | 484
Mutual funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. corporate bond fund |  |  | 56,559 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 56,559
U.S. equity large cap fund |  |  | 49,220 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 49,220
International equity large cap growth fund |  |  | 35,995 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 35,995
Pooled funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Japanese equity securities |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 2,330 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 2,330
International equity securities |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 2,067 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 2,067
Japanese fixed income securities |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,676 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,676
International fixed income securities |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 1,638 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 1,638
Global target return equity/bond fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 12,327 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 12,327
Index linked U.K. equity fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 6,240 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 6,240
Index linked international equity fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 6,593 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 6,593
Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 16,897 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 16,897
Index linked U.K. government securities fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,566 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,566
Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 5,569 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 5,569
Total assets |  | $ | 142,090 |  | $ | 168 |  | $ | - |  | $ | 62,903 |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | 205,161
|  | At September 30, 2013
|  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  |  |
|  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | United States |  | Other Countries |  | Total
Asset Category: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 273 |  | $ | 149 |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | 422
Mutual funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. corporate bond fund |  |  | 49,328 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 49,328
U.S. equity large cap fund |  |  | 44,140 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 44,140
International equity large cap growth fund |  |  | 35,777 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 35,777
Pooled funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Japanese equity securities |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 2,269 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 2,269
International equity securities |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 1,989 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 1,989
Japanese fixed income securities |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,414 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,414
International fixed income securities |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 1,535 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 1,535
Global target return equity/bond fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 11,324 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 11,324
Index linked U.K. equity fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 6,060 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 6,060
Index linked international equity fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 6,047 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 6,047
Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 15,810 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 15,810
Index linked U.K. government securities fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,176 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,176
Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,908 |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 4,908
Insurance backed assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance backed assets |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 1,976 |  |  | 1,976
Total assets |  | $ | 129,518 |  | $ | 149 |  | $ | - |  | $ | 58,532 |  | $ | - |  | $ | 1,976 |  | $ | 190,175
Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents held by the Company's pension plans are held on deposit with creditworthy financial institutions. The fair value of the cash and cash equivalents are based on the quoted market price of the respective currency in which the cash is maintained. Pension assets invested in mutual funds: The assets of the Company’s U.S. pension plans are invested in various mutual funds which invest in both equity and debt securities. The fair value of the mutual funds is determined based on the quoted market price of each fund. Pension assets invested in pooled funds: The assets of the Company’s Japan and United Kingdom pension plans are invested in pooled investment funds, which include both equity and debt securities. The assets of the United Kingdom pension plan are invested in index-linked pooled funds which aim to replicate the movements of an underlying market index to which the fund is linked. Fair value of the pooled funds is based on the net asset value of shares held by the plan as reported by the fund sponsors. All pooled funds held by plans outside of the United States are considered to be invested in international equity and debt securities. Although the underlying securities may be largely domestic to the plan holding the investment assets, the underlying assets are considered international from the perspective of the Company. Pension assets invested in insurance backed assets: A reputable Swiss insurer insured the assets of the Company’s Swiss pension plan. The insurance contract guaranteed a federally mandated annual rate of return. The value of the plan assets was effectively the value of the insurance contract. The performance of the underlying assets held by the insurance company had no direct impact on the surrender value of the insurance contract. The insurance backed assets were not traded and therefore had no active market. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 assets in fiscal year s 201 4 or 2013. Other postretirement benefit plans Woodward provides other postretirement benefits to its employees including postretirement medical benefits and life insurance benefits. Postretirement medical benefits are provided to certain current and retired employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries in the United States and the United Kingdom. Benefits include the option to elect company provided medical insurance coverage to age 65 and a Medicare supplemental plan after age 65. Life insurance benefits are provided to certain retirees in the United States under frozen plans which are no longer available to current employees. A September 30 measurement date is utilized to value plan assets and obligations for Woodward’s other postretirement benefit plans. The postretirement medical benefit plans, other than the plan assumed in an acquisition in fiscal year 2009, were frozen in fiscal year 2006 and no additional employees may participate in the plans. Generally, employees who had attained age 55 and had rendered 10 or more years of service before the plans were frozen were eligible for these postretirement medical benefits. Certain participating retirees are required to contribute to the plans in order to maintain coverage. The plans provide postretirement medical benefits for approximately 900 retired employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries and may provide future benefits to approximately 45 active employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries, upon retirement, if the employees elect to participate. A ll the postretirement medical plans are fully insured for retirees who have attained age 65. The actuarial assumptions used in measuring the net periodic benefit cost and plan obligations of postretirement benefits were as follows:
| 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Weighted-average discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at September 30 | 4.40 | % |  | 5.14 | % |  | 4.11 | %
Weighted-average discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended September 30 | 5.14 |  |  | 4.11 |  |  | 5.54 |
The discount rate assumption is intended to reflect the rate at which the postretirement benefits could be effectively settled based upon the assumed timing of the benefit payments. In the United States, Woodward used a bond portfolio matching analysis based on recently traded, non-callable bonds rated AA or better that have at least $50 million outstanding. In the United Kingdom Woodward used cash flow matching to develop a single rate equivalent for a theoretical portfolio of non-callable, AA-rated bonds. Assumed healthcare cost trend rates at September 30, were as follows:
|  |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year |  |  |  | 7.00 | % |  | 7.00 | %
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(the ultimate trend rate) |  |  |  | 5.00 | % |  | 5.00 | %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate |  |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2022 |
Healthcare costs have generally trended upward in recent years, sometimes by amounts greater than 5%. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for postretirement medical plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
|  | 1% increase |  | 1% decrease
Effect on projected fiscal year 2015 service and interest cost |  | $ | 121 |  | $ | (106)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at September 30, 2014 |  |  | 2,658 |  |  | (2,336)
Net periodic benefit costs consist of the following components reflected as expense in Woodward’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings:
|  | Year Ended September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Service cost |  | $ | 47 |  | $ | 71 |  | $ | 70
Interest cost |  |  | 1,432 |  |  | 1,244 |  |  | 1,798
Amortization of: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (gains) losses |  |  | (200) |  |  | (68) |  |  | 91
Net prior service (benefit) cost |  |  | (158) |  |  | (158) |  |  | (550)
Net periodic (benefit) cost |  | $ | 1,121 |  | $ | 1,089 |  | $ | 1,409
The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and fair value of assets for the postretirement benefits for the fiscal years ended September 30:
|  | Year Ended September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013
Changes in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation: |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year |  | $ | 28,996 |  | $ | 37,550
Service cost |  |  | 47 |  |  | 71
Interest cost |  |  | 1,432 |  |  | 1,244
Premiums paid by plan participants |  |  | 1,843 |  |  | 1,837
Net actuarial (gains) losses |  |  | 1,145 |  |  | (7,501)
Benefits paid |  |  | (4,243) |  |  | (4,206)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes |  |  | 5 |  |  | 1
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of year |  | $ | 29,225 |  | $ | 28,996
Changes in fair value of plan assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |  | $ | - |  | $ | -
Contributions by the company |  |  | 2,400 |  |  | 2,369
Premiums paid by plan participants |  |  | 1,843 |  |  | 1,837
Benefits paid |  |  | (4,243) |  |  | (4,206)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |  | $ | - |  | $ | -
Funded status at end of year |  | $ | (29,225) |  | $ | (28,996)
The Company’s postretirement medical plan in the United Kingdom represents $438 of the total benefit obligation at September 30, 2014. The Company paid $10 in medical benefits to participants of the United Kingdom postretirement medical plan in fiscal year 2014. The following tables provide the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position and accumulated comprehensive loss (income) for the postretirement plans:
|  | Year Ended September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position consist of: |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued liabilities |  | $ | (2,262) |  | $ | (2,231)
Other non-current liabilities |  |  | (26,963) |  |  | (26,765)
Funded status at end of year |  | $ | (29,225) |  | $ | (28,996)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) consist of: |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost |  | $ | (635) |  | $ | (794)
Unrecognized net (gains) losses |  |  | (3,031) |  |  | (4,379)
Total amounts recognized |  |  | (3,666) |  |  | (5,173)
Deferred taxes |  |  | 1,388 |  |  | 1,970
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) |  | $ | (2,278) |  | $ | (3,203)
Woodward pays plan benefits from its general funds; therefore, there are no segregated plan assets as of September 30, 2014 or September 30, 2013. The accumulated benefit obligations of the Company’s postretirement plans were $29,225 at September 30, 2014 and $28,996 at September 30, 2013. Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows:
|  | Year Ended September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013
Net (gain) loss |  | $ | 1,145 |  | $ | (7,501)
Amortization of: |  |  |  |  |  |
Net gains (losses) |  |  | 200 |  |  | 68
Prior service benefit (cost) |  |  | 159 |  |  | 158
Foreign currency exchange rate changes |  |  | 3 |  |  | -
Total recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) |  | $ | 1,507 |  | $ | (7,275)
Using foreign currency exchange rates as of September 30, 201 4 and expected future service, it is anticipated that the future Company contributions to pay benefits, excluding participate contributions, will be as follows:
Year Ending September 30, |  |  |
2015 |  | $ | 3,778
2016 |  |  | 3,802
2017 |  |  | 3,760
2018 |  |  | 3,715
2019 |  |  | 3,686
2020 – 2024 |  |  | 17,264
Multiemployer defined benefit plans Woodward operates two multiemployer defined benefit plans for certain employees in the Netherlands and Japan. The amounts of contributions associated with the multiemployer plans were as follows:
|  |  | Year Ended September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Company contributions |  | $ | 728 |  | $ | 797 |  | $ | 792
The plan in the Netherlands is a quasi-mandatory plan that covers all of Woodward’s employees in the Netherlands and is part of the Dutch national pension system. The Company may elect to withdraw from its multiemployer plan in Japan, although it has no plans to do so. If the Company elects to withdraw from the Japanese plan, it would incur a one-time contribution cost of between $500 and $1,500. Changes in Japanese regulations could trigger reorganization of or abolishment of the Japanese multiemployer plan, which could impact future funding levels.

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