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Employee Benefit Plans | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2025
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] |
Employee Benefit Plans | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Pension and other postretirement plans The components of pension and other postretirement plans net periodic benefit costs (income) and the assumptions used in this determination are summarized below for the years ended September 30:
(In millions) |  | Pension benefits |  | Other postretirement benefits
| 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2023
Net periodic benefit costs (income) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest cost |  | $ | 69.9 |  |  | $ | 83.4 |  |  | $ | 81.8 |  |  | $ | 1.0 |  |  | $ | 1.2 |  |  | $ | 1.2 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (71.8) |  |  | (68.4) |  |  | (66.9) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of prior service costs (credits) |  | 0.1 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | (2.2) |  |  | (2.2) |  |  | (2.2) |
Actuarial loss (gain) |  | 26.2 |  |  | (5.1) |  |  | (35.0) |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | 2.7 |  |  | (6.6) |
Net periodic benefit costs (income) |  | $ | 24.4 |  |  | $ | 10.0 |  |  | $ | (20.0) |  |  | $ | (0.8) |  |  | $ | 1.7 |  |  | $ | (7.6) |
Weighted-average plan assumptions |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate for interest cost |  | 4.65 | % |  | 5.92 | % |  | 5.45 | % |  | 4.63 | % |  | 5.92 | % |  | 5.41 | %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets |  | 5.20 | % |  | 5.30 | % |  | 4.90 | % |  | N/A |  | N/A |  | N/A
Valvoline recognizes the change in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains and losses annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and whenever a plan is determined to qualify for remeasurement. These gains and losses are reported within Net pension and other postretirement plan expenses (income) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and included a loss of $26.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2025, a gain of $2.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2024, and a gain of $41.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2023. The fiscal 2025 loss was primarily attributed to lower-than-expected returns on plan assets, partially offset by an increase in discount rates. The fiscal 2024 gain was primarily attributed to lower discount rates, partially offset by higher-than-expected returns on plan assets. The fiscal 2023 gain was primarily attributed to an increase in discount rates, partially offset by lower-than-expected returns on plan assets. The following table summarizes the net periodic benefit costs (income) and the amortization of prior service credits recognized during the years ended September 30:
(In millions) |  | Pension benefits |  | Other postretirement benefits
| 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2023
Amortization of prior service credits (costs) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income |  | $ | (0.1) |  |  | $ | (0.1) |  |  | $ | (0.1) |  |  | $ | 2.2 |  |  | $ | 2.2 |  |  | $ | 2.2 |
Net periodic benefit costs (income) |  | 24.4 |  |  | 10.0 |  |  | (20.0) |  |  | (0.8) |  |  | 1.7 |  |  | (7.6) |
Total pre-tax amount recognized in Comprehensive income |  | $ | 24.3 |  |  | $ | 9.9 |  |  | $ | (20.1) |  |  | $ | 1.4 |  |  | $ | 3.9 |  |  | $ | (5.4) |
Obligations and funded status Changes in benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets, as well as key assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations, and the amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the Company’s pension and other postretirement plans are summarized below as of September 30:
(In millions) |  | Pension benefits |  | Other postretirement benefits
| 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2025 |  | 2024
Change in benefit obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligations as of October 1 |  | $ | 1,565.7 |  |  | $ | 1,478.1 |  |  | $ | 23.8 |  |  | $ | 22.3 |
Interest cost |  | 69.9 |  |  | 83.4 |  |  | 1.0 |  |  | 1.2 |
Benefits paid |  | (129.4) |  |  | (130.6) |  |  | (2.3) |  |  | (2.4) |
Actuarial (gain) loss |  | (11.9) |  |  | 140.0 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | 2.7 |
Transfers in |  | 1.2 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Settlements |  | (1.2) |  |  | (6.8) |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Benefit obligations as of September 30 |  | $ | 1,494.3 |  |  | $ | 1,565.7 |  |  | $ | 22.9 |  |  | $ | 23.8 |
Change in plan assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets as of October 1 |  | $ | 1,452.9 |  |  | $ | 1,361.0 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Actual return on plan assets |  | 33.7 |  |  | 213.5 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Employer contributions |  | 8.3 |  |  | 14.2 |  |  | 2.3 |  |  | 2.4 |
Benefits paid |  | (129.4) |  |  | (130.6) |  |  | (2.3) |  |  | (2.4) |
Settlements |  | (1.2) |  |  | (6.8) |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Transfers in |  | 1.2 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Fair value of plan assets as of September 30 |  | $ | 1,365.5 |  |  | $ | 1,452.9 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Unfunded status of the plans as of September 30 |  | $ | 128.8 |  |  | $ | 112.8 |  |  | $ | 22.9 |  |  | $ | 23.8 |
(In millions) |  | Pension benefits |  | Other postretirement benefits
| 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2025 |  | 2024
Amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets |  |  |  |  |  |
Noncurrent benefit assets (a) |  | $ | 44.9 |  |  | $ | 49.0 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Current benefit liabilities (b) |  | 7.0 |  |  | 7.1 |  |  | 2.5 |  |  | 2.7 |
Noncurrent benefit liabilities (c) |  | 166.7 |  |  | 154.7 |  |  | 20.4 |  |  | 21.1 |
Total benefit liabilities |  | 173.7 |  |  | 161.8 |  |  | 22.9 |  |  | 23.8 |
Net liabilities recognized |  | $ | 128.8 |  |  | $ | 112.8 |  |  | $ | 22.9 |  |  | $ | 23.8 |
Balance in Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Prior service cost (credit) |  | $ | 1.0 |  |  | $ | 1.1 |  |  | $ | (12.2) |  |  | $ | (14.4) |
Weighted-average plan assumptions |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  | 5.22 | % |  | 4.94 | % |  | 5.14 | % |  | 4.89 | %
Healthcare cost trend rate (d) |  | N/A |  | N/A |  | 6.9 | % |  | 7.2 | %
(a)Noncurrent benefit assets are recorded in Other noncurrent assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (b)Current benefit liabilities are recorded in Accrued expenses and other liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (c)Noncurrent benefit liabilities are recorded in Employee benefit obligations within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and also include $0.4 million as of September 30, 2025 and 2024 for liabilities associated with a long-term disability benefit plan sponsored by Valvoline. (d)The assumed pre-65 health care cost trend rate continues to be reduced to 4.0% in 2050 and thereafter. Accumulated benefit obligation The accumulated benefit obligation for all pension plans was $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion as of September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Pension plans with projected and accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets follows for the Company’s plans as of September 30:
(In millions) |  | 2025 |  | 2024
| Benefit obligation |  | Plan assets |  | Benefit obligation |  | Plan assets
Plans with projected and accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets |  | $ | 1,074.4 |  |  | $ | 900.6 |  |  | $ | 1,146.0 |  |  | $ | 984.1 |
Plan assets Pension plan asset investments and their level within the fair value hierarchy is summarized below as of:
(In millions) |  | September 30, 2025 |  |
| Total fair value |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Assets measured at NAV |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 24.9 |  |  | $ | 24.9 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |
U.S. government securities and futures |  | 85.0 |  |  | — |  |  | 85.0 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |
Other government securities |  | 41.3 |  |  | — |  |  | 41.3 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |
Corporate debt instruments |  | 1,002.3 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,002.3 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |
Private equity and hedge funds |  | 0.6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 0.6 |  |  |
Collective trust funds |  | 200.8 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 200.8 |  |  |
Other investments |  | 10.6 |  |  | — |  |  | 10.6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |
Total assets at fair value |  | $ | 1,365.5 |  |  | $ | 24.9 |  |  | $ | 1,139.2 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 201.4 |  |  |
(In millions) |  | September 30, 2024
| Total fair value |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Assets measured at NAV
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 25.4 |  |  | $ | 25.4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
U.S. government securities and futures |  | 49.6 |  |  | — |  |  | 49.6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other government securities |  | 42.1 |  |  | — |  |  | 42.1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Corporate debt instruments |  | 1,108.4 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,108.4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Private equity and hedge funds |  | 1.2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1.2 |
Collective trust funds |  | 216.0 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 216.0 |
Other investments |  | 10.2 |  |  | — |  |  | 10.2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total assets at fair value |  | $ | 1,452.9 |  |  | $ | 25.4 |  |  | $ | 1,210.3 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 217.2 |
Cash and cash equivalents The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. Government securities Government securities are valued based on Level 2 inputs, which include yields available for comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. Corporate debt instruments Corporate debt instruments are valued based on Level 2 inputs that are observable in the market or may be derived principally from, or corroborated by, recently executed transactions, observable market data such as pricing for similar securities, cash flow models with yield curves, counterparty credit ratings, and credit spreads applied using the maturity and coupon interest rate terms of the debt instrument. Private equity and hedge funds Private equity and hedge funds primarily represent alternative investments not traded on an active market which are valued at the NAV per share determined by the manager of the fund based on the fair value of the underlying net assets owned by the fund divided by the number of shares or units outstanding. Collective trust funds Collective trust funds are comprised of a diversified portfolio of investments across various asset classes, including U.S. and international equities, fixed-income securities, commodities and currencies. The collective trust funds are valued using a NAV provided by the manager of each fund, which is based on the underlying net assets owned by the fund, divided by the number of shares outstanding. Other investments Other investments are primarily comprised of swaps that are valued using closing market swap curves and market derived inputs. The following summarizes investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share practical expedient as of September 30, 2025:
(In millions) |  | Fair Value at NAV |  | Unfunded commitments |  | Redemption frequency (if currently eligible) |  | Redemption notice period
Relative value hedge funds |  | $ | 0.1 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | None (a) |  | None (a)
Event driven hedge funds |  | 0.3 |  |  | — |  |  | None (a) |  | None (a)
Collective trust funds |  | 200.8 |  |  | — |  |  | Daily |  | Up to 3 days
Private equity |  | 0.2 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  | None (a) |  | None (a)
Totals |  | $ | 201.4 |  |  | $ | 1.6 |  |  |  |  |
(a)These hedge funds and private equity instruments are in the process of liquidation and the timing is unknown. Investments and strategy In developing an investment strategy for its defined benefit plans, Valvoline considered the following factors: the nature of the liabilities of the plans; the allocation of liabilities between active, deferred and retired plan participants; the funded status of the plans; the applicable investment horizon; the respective size of the plans; and historical and expected investment returns. Valvoline’s pension plan assets are managed by outside investment managers, which are monitored against investment benchmark returns and Valvoline's established investment strategy. Investment managers are selected based on an analysis of, among other things, their investment process, historical investment results, frequency of management turnover, cost structure, and assets under management. Assets are periodically reallocated between investment managers to optimize returns and maintain an appropriate asset mix and diversification of investments. The current target asset allocation for the plans is 90% fixed income securities and 10% equity-based securities. Fixed income securities are liability matching assets that primarily include long duration, high grade corporate debt obligations. Equity-based securities are return-seeking assets that include both traditional equities as well as a mix of non-traditional assets such as hedge and commingled funds and private equity. Investment managers may employ a limited use of futures or other derivatives to manage risk within the portfolio through efficient exposure to markets. Valvoline’s pension plans hold a variety of investments designed to diversify risk and achieve an adequate net investment return to provide for future benefit payments to its participants. The weighted-average asset allocations for Valvoline’s plans by asset category follow as of September 30:
|  | Target |  | 2025 |  | 2024
Plan assets allocation |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity securities |  | 3-10% |  | 7 | % |  | 7 | %
Debt securities |  | 80-100% |  | 92 | % |  | 92 | %
Other |  | 0-10% |  | 1 | % |  | 1 | %
Total |  |  |  | 100 | % |  | 100 | %
The basis for determining the expected long-term rate of return is a combination of future return assumptions for the various asset classes in Valvoline’s investment portfolio based on active management, historical analysis of previous returns, market indices, and a projection of inflation, net of plan expenses. Funding and benefit payments During fiscal 2026, Valvoline does not plan to contribute to its qualified pension plans and contributions to its non-qualified pension plans are not expected to be material. The following benefit payments, which reflect future service expectations, are projected to be paid in each of the next five fiscal years ended September 30 and the five fiscal years thereafter in aggregate:
(In millions) |  | Pension benefits |  | Other postretirement benefits
2026 |  | $ | 137.7 |  |  | $ | 2.5 |
2027 |  | 135.7 |  |  | 2.3 |
2028 |  | 132.3 |  |  | 2.2 |
2029 |  | 130.7 |  |  | 2.1 |
2030 |  | 126.6 |  |  | 2.0 |
2028 - 2032 |  | 582.9 |  |  | 8.8 |
Total |  | $ | 1,245.9 |  |  | $ | 19.9 |
Other plans Defined contribution and other defined benefit plans Valvoline sponsors certain defined contribution savings plans that provide matching contributions. Expense associated with these plans was $15.2 million in fiscal 2025, $14.1 million in fiscal 2024 and $12.5 million in fiscal 2023.

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