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RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015
General Discussion of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract] |
RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS | RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS The Company maintains a number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans to provide retirement benefits for employees. These plans are maintained and contributions are made in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), local statutory law or as determined by the Board of Directors. The plans generally provide benefits based upon years of service and compensation. Pension plans are funded except for a domestic non-qualified pension plan for certain key employees and certain foreign plans. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its plans. The Company does not have, and does not provide for, any postretirement or postemployment benefits other than pensions and certain non-U.S. statutory termination benefits. Defined Benefit Plans Contributions are made in amounts sufficient to fund current service costs on a current basis and to fund past service costs, if any, over various amortization periods. Obligations and Funded Status
|  | December 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
Change in benefit obligations |  |  |  |
Benefit obligations at beginning of year |  | $ | 1,045,471 |  |  | $ | 941,442 |
Service cost |  | 19,933 |  |  | 19,062 |
Interest cost |  | 36,002 |  |  | 42,485 |
Plan participants' contributions |  | 185 |  |  | 215 |
Plan amendments |  | — |  |  | 45 |
Acquisitions |  | 6,170 |  |  | — |
Actuarial (gain) loss |  | (42,640 | ) |  | 117,881 |
Benefits paid |  | (32,217 | ) |  | (60,582 | )
Settlements/curtailments |  | (463,943 | ) |  | (7,172 | )
Currency translation |  | (10,792 | ) |  | (7,905 | )
Benefit obligations at end of year |  | 558,169 |  |  | 1,045,471 |
Change in plan assets |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |  | 1,010,937 |  |  | 939,995 |
Actual return on plan assets |  | 9,298 |  |  | 108,060 |
Employer contributions |  | 50,468 |  |  | 27,550 |
Plan participants' contributions |  | 185 |  |  | 215 |
Acquisitions |  | 5,995 |  |  | — |
Benefits paid |  | (30,358 | ) |  | (59,196 | )
Settlement |  | (462,601 | ) |  | — |
Currency translation |  | (7,823 | ) |  | (5,687 | )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |  | 576,101 |  |  | 1,010,937 |
Funded status at end of year |  | 17,932 |  |  | (34,534 | )
Unrecognized actuarial net loss |  | 156,019 |  |  | 316,296 |
Unrecognized prior service cost |  | (1,304 | ) |  | (1,930 | )
Unrecognized transition assets, net |  | 41 |  |  | 45 |
Net amount recognized |  | $ | 172,688 |  |  | $ | 279,877 |
The actuarial gain arising during 2015 was primarily attributable to a higher discount rate. The actuarial loss during 2014 was primarily attributable to a lower discount rate. In August 2015, the Lincoln Electric Company, plan sponsor of the Lincoln Electric Retirement Annuity Program ("RAP") and subsidiary of the Company, entered into an agreement to purchase a group annuity contract from The Principal Financial Group ("Principal"). Under the agreement, Principal assumed the obligation to pay future pension benefits for specified U.S. retirees and surviving beneficiaries who retired on or before June 1, 2015 and are currently receiving payments from the RAP. The transaction will not change the amount of the monthly pension benefit received by affected retirees and surviving beneficiaries. The purchase was funded by existing plan assets and required no additional cash contribution. The Company recorded pension settlement charges of $142,738 for the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily related to the purchase of the group annuity contract. The after-tax amounts of unrecognized actuarial net loss, prior service costs and transition assets included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2015 were $101,288, $(1,548) and $36, respectively. The actuarial loss represents changes in the estimated obligation not yet recognized in the Consolidated Income Statement. The pre-tax amounts of unrecognized actuarial net loss, prior service credits and transition obligations expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during 2016 are $10,367, $(398) and $3, respectively. Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets
|  | December 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
Prepaid pensions |  | $ | 38,201 |  |  | $ | 1,240 |
Accrued pension liability, current |  | (5,026 | ) |  | (2,971 | )
Accrued pension liability, long-term |  | (15,243 | ) |  | (32,803 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, excluding tax effects |  | 154,756 |  |  | 314,411 |
Net amount recognized in the balance sheets |  | $ | 172,688 |  |  | $ | 279,877 |
Components of Pension Cost for Defined Benefit Plans
|  | Year Ended December 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Service cost |  | $ | 19,933 |  |  | $ | 19,062 |  |  | $ | 23,188 |
Interest cost |  | 36,002 |  |  | 42,485 |  |  | 37,225 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (54,638 | ) |  | (67,953 | ) |  | (61,244 | )
Amortization of prior service cost |  | (626 | ) |  | (616 | ) |  | (613 | )
Amortization of net loss |  | 19,406 |  |  | 17,644 |  |  | 30,929 |
Settlement/curtailment loss |  | 142,738 |  |  | 1,773 |  |  | 423 |
Pension cost for defined benefit plans |  | $ | 162,815 |  |  | $ | 12,395 |  |  | $ | 29,908 |
The Company's defined benefit plans costs increased in 2015 primarily as a result of pension settlement charges related to the purchase of the group annuity contract. Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
|  | December 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
U.S. pension plans |  |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation |  | $ | 16,822 |  |  | $ | 34,066 |
Accumulated benefit obligation |  | 15,223 |  |  | 30,202 |
Fair value of plan assets |  | — |  |  | 11,638 |
Non-U.S. pension plans |  |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation |  | $ | 3,393 |  |  | $ | 5,573 |
Accumulated benefit obligation |  | 2,831 |  |  | 3,372 |
The total accumulated benefit obligation for all plans was $523,728 as of December 31, 2015 and $1,003,296 as of December 31, 2014. Contributions to Plans The Company expects to contribute $20,000 to the defined benefit plans in the United States in 2016. The actual amounts to be contributed in 2016 will be determined at the Company's discretion. Benefit Payments for Plans Benefits expected to be paid for the U.S. plans are as follows:
Estimated Payments |
2016 | $ | 31,461 |
2017 | 31,195 |
2018 | 25,629 |
2019 | 30,671 |
2020 | 27,385 |
2021 through 2025 | 164,307 |
Assumptions Weighted average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligation for the Company's significant defined benefit plans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
|  | December 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
Discount Rate |  | 4.5 | % |  | 4.1 | %
Rate of increase in compensation |  | 2.7 | % |  | 2.8 | %
Weighted average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit cost for the Company's significant defined benefit plans for each of the three years ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:
|  | December 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Discount rate |  | 4.0 | % |  | 4.7 | % |  | 3.8 | %
Rate of increase in compensation |  | 2.7 | % |  | 4.1 | % |  | 4.1 | %
Expected return on plan assets |  | 6.3 | % |  | 7.3 | % |  | 7.4 | %
To develop the discount rate assumption to be used for U.S. plans, the Company refers to the yield derived from matching projected pension payments with maturities of bonds rated AA or an equivalent quality. The expected long-term rate of return assumption is based on the weighted average expected return of the various asset classes in the plans' portfolio and the targeted allocation of plan assets. The asset class return is developed using historical asset return performance as well as current market conditions such as inflation, interest rates and equity market performance. The rate of compensation increase is determined by the Company based upon annual reviews. Pension Plans' Assets The primary objective of the pension plans' investment policy is to ensure sufficient assets are available to provide benefit obligations when such obligations mature. Investment management practices must comply with ERISA or any other applicable regulations and rulings. The overall investment strategy for the defined benefit pension plans' assets is to achieve a rate of return over a normal business cycle relative to an acceptable level of risk that is consistent with the long-term objectives of the portfolio. The target allocation for plan assets is 45% to 55% equity securities and 45% to 55% debt securities. The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plans' assets as of December 31, 2015:
|  | Pension Plans' Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015
|  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  | Total
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 5,740 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5,740 |
Equity securities (1) |  | 3,569 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 3,569 |
Fixed income securities (2) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government bonds |  | 11,603 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 11,603 |
Corporate debt and other obligations |  | — |  |  | 120,470 |  |  | — |  |  | 120,470 |
Common trusts and 103-12 investments (3) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | — |  |  | 5,841 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,841 |
Common trusts and 103-12 investments |  | — |  |  | 388,477 |  |  | — |  |  | 388,477 |
Private equity funds (4) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 40,401 |  |  | 40,401 |
Total assets at fair value |  | $ | 20,912 |  |  | $ | 514,788 |  |  | $ | 40,401 |  |  | $ | 576,101 |
The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plans' assets as of December 31, 2014:
|  | Pension Plans' Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2014
|  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  | Total
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 4,873 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4,873 |
Fixed income securities (2) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government bonds |  | 27,305 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 27,305 |
Corporate debt and other obligations |  | — |  |  | 212,326 |  |  | — |  |  | 212,326 |
Common trusts and 103-12 investments (3) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | — |  |  | 7,499 |  |  | — |  |  | 7,499 |
Common trusts and 103-12 investments |  | — |  |  | 720,919 |  |  | — |  |  | 720,919 |
Private equity funds (4) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 38,015 |  |  | 38,015 |
Total assets at fair value |  | $ | 32,178 |  |  | $ | 940,744 |  |  | $ | 38,015 |  |  | $ | 1,010,937 |
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) | Equity securities are primarily comprised of corporate stock and mutual funds directly held by the plans. Equity securities are valued using the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
(2) | Fixed income securities are primarily comprised of governmental and corporate bonds directly held by the plans. Governmental and corporate bonds are valued using both market observable inputs for similar assets that are traded on an active market and the closing price on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
(3) | Common trusts and 103-12 investments (collectively "Trusts") are comprised of a number of investment funds that invest in a diverse portfolio of assets including equity securities, corporate and governmental bonds, equity and credit indexes, and money markets. Trusts are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as determined by their custodian. NAV represents the accumulation of the unadjusted quoted close prices on the reporting date for the underlying investments divided by the total shares outstanding at the reporting dates.
(4) | Private equity funds consist of four funds seeking capital appreciation by investing in private equity investment partnerships and venture capital companies. Funds are comprised of unrestricted and restricted publicly traded securities and privately held securities. Unrestricted securities are valued at the closing market price on the reporting date. Restricted securities may be valued at a discount from such closing public market price, depending on facts and circumstances. Privately held securities are valued at fair value as determined by the fund directors and general partners.
The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 pension plans' assets for the year ended December 31, 2015:
|  | Private Equity Funds
Balance at the beginning of year |  | $ | 38,015 |
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements |  | (2,253 | )
Realized and unrealized gains |  | 4,639 |
Balance at the end of year |  | $ | 40,401 |
The amount of total gains during the period attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to Level 3 net assets still held at the reporting date |  | $ | 1,111 |
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan The Company maintains a domestic unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP") under which non-qualified supplemental pension benefits are paid to certain employees in addition to amounts received under the Company's qualified retirement plan which is subject to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") limitations on covered compensation. The annual cost of this program has been included in the determination of total net pension costs shown above and was $1,703, $3,012 and $2,329 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The projected benefit obligation associated with this plan is also included in the pension disclosure shown above and was $14,643, $17,953 and $22,877 at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Defined Contribution Plans Substantially all U.S. employees are covered under defined contribution plans. The Lincoln Electric Employee Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan which represents a majority of defined contribution plan expense, allows employees to invest 1% or more of eligible compensation, limited to maximum amounts as determined by the IRS. For most participants the plan provides for Company matching contributions of 35% of the first 6% of employee compensation contributed to the plan. During the third quarter 2015, the Company suspended the 401(k) match provision as part of the Company's actions to reduce costs in light of existing market conditions. The plan also includes a feature in which all participants hired after November 1, 1997 receive an annual Company contribution of 2% of their base pay. The plan allowed employees hired before November 1, 1997, at their election, to receive this contribution in exchange for forfeiting certain benefits under the pension plan. In 2006, the plan was amended to include a feature in which all participants receive an annual Company contribution ranging from 4% to 10% of base pay based on years of service. The annual costs recognized for defined contribution plans were $10,082, $11,088 and $10,812 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Multi-Employer Plans The Company participates in multi-employer plans for several of its operations in Europe. Costs for these plans are recognized as contributions are funded. The Company's risk of participating in these plans is limited to the annual premium as determined by the plan. The annual costs of these programs were $830, $1,068 and $1,048 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Other Benefits The Cleveland, Ohio, area operations have a Guaranteed Continuous Employment Plan covering substantially all employees which, in general, provides that the Company will provide work for at least 75% of every standard work week (presently 40 hours). This plan does not guarantee employment when the Company's ability to continue normal operations is seriously restricted by events beyond the control of the Company. The Company has reserved the right to terminate this plan effective at the end of a calendar year by giving notice of such termination not less than six months prior to the end of such year.

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