PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

We have funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans that cover certain employees in North America, Europe, Asia and Brazil. The United States plans are frozen for the majority of participants. The formula for United States salaried employees covered under the qualified defined benefit plan was based on years of service and final average salary, while the formula for United States hourly employees covered under the defined benefit plans was based on specific dollar amounts for each year of service. There were multiple formulas for employees covered under the qualified and nonqualified defined benefit plans sponsored by Maytag, including a cash balance formula. In addition, we sponsor an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. This plan is nonqualified and provides certain key employees defined pension benefits that supplement those provided by the company’s other retirement plans.

A defined contribution plan is being provided to all United States employees subsequent to the pension plan freezes and is not classified within the net periodic benefit cost. The company provides annual match and automatic company contributions, in cash or company stock, of up to 7% of employees’ eligible pay. Our contributions during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $76 million, $71 million and $68 million, respectively.

We provide postretirement health care benefits for eligible retired employees in the United States, Canada and Brazil. For our United States plan, which comprises the majority of our obligation, eligible retirees include those who were full-time employees with 10 years of service who attained age 55 while in service with us and those union retirees who met the eligibility requirements of their collective bargaining agreements. In general, the postretirement health and welfare benefit plans include cost-sharing provisions that limit our exposure for recent and future retirees and are contributory, with participants’ contributions adjusted annually. The plans are unfunded. We reserve the right to modify these benefits in the future.

Defined Benefit - Pensions and Postretirement Benefit Plans

Obligations and Funded Status at End of Year



	United States Pension Benefits						Foreign Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
Millions of dollars	2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
Funded status
Fair value of plan assets	$	2,741		$	3,042		$	552		$	640		$	—		$	—
Benefit obligations	3,470			3,796			865			1,026			441			502
Funded status	$	(729	)	$	(754	)	$	(313	)	$	(386	)	$	(441	)	$	(502	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet
Noncurrent asset	$	—		$	—		$	5		$	8		$	—		$	—
Current liability	(10		)	(9		)	(12		)	(16		)	(51		)	(56		)
Noncurrent liability	(719		)	(745		)	(306		)	(378		)	(390		)	(446		)
Amount recognized	$	(729	)	$	(754	)	$	(313	)	$	(386	)	$	(441	)	$	(502	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax)
Net actuarial loss	$	1,404		$	1,368		$	99		$	118		$	20		$	53
Prior service (credit) cost	(11		)	(14		)	(3		)	—			(25		)	(120		)
Amount recognized	$	1,393		$	1,354		$	96		$	118		$	(5	)	$	(67	)

Change in Benefit Obligation



	United States Pension Benefits						Foreign Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
Millions of dollars	2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	3,796		$	3,546		$	1,026		$	439		$	502		$	509
Service cost	3			2			5			5			2			3
Interest cost	150			167			31			22			19			24
Plan participants’ contributions	—			—			1			1			7			7
Actuarial loss (gain)	(164		)	384			(11		)	59			(32		)	9
Benefits paid	(315		)	(303		)	(31		)	(24		)	(55		)	(60		)
Plan amendments	—			—			(3		)	(3		)	8			14
Acquisitions(1)	—			—			—			610			—			—
Transfer of benefits	—			—			—			—			—			—
Settlements / curtailment (gain)	—			—			(66		)	(15		)	—			—
Foreign currency exchange rates	—			—			(87		)	(68		)	(10		)	(4		)
Benefit obligation, end of year	$	3,470		$	3,796		$	865		$	1,026		$	441		$	502
Accumulated benefit obligation, end of year	$	3,459		$	3,786		$	806		$	964		N/A			N/A

⁽¹⁾ Pension obligation acquired through acquisition of Indesit.

During the second quarter 2011, we modified retiree medical benefits for certain retirees to be consistent with those benefits provided by the Whirlpool Corporation Group Benefit Plan. We accounted for these changes as a plan amendment in 2011, resulting in a reduction in the postretirement benefit obligation of $138 million of which $106 million of benefit has been recognized in net earnings since 2011, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. In response, a group of retirees initiated legal proceedings against Whirlpool asserting the above benefits are vested. We disagree with plaintiffs' assertion and intend to continue vigorously defending our position, including through any necessary appeal process. However, an unfavorable ruling in any particular reporting period could require us to immediately reverse the benefit we have recognized to that point, and remeasure the associated postretirement benefit obligation, the impact of which will depend on timing and the actuarial assumptions then in effect.

Change in Plan Assets



	United States Pension Benefits						Foreign Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
Millions of dollars	2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$	3,042		$	2,835		$	640		$	206		$	—		$	—
Actual return on plan assets	(62		)	381			16			33			—			—
Employer contribution	76			129			39			30			48			53
Plan participants’ contributions	—			—			1			1			7			7
Benefits paid	(315		)	(303		)	(31		)	(24		)	(55		)	(60		)
Acquisitions(1)	—			—			—			437			—			—
Other Adjustments	—			—			4			—			—			—
Settlements	—			—			(73		)	(10		)	—			—
Foreign currency exchange rates	—			—			(44		)	(33		)	—			—
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$	2,741		$	3,042		$	552		$	640		$	—		$	—

⁽¹⁾ Pension assets acquired through acquisition of Indesit.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost



	United States Pension Benefits									Foreign Pension Benefits									Other Postretirement Benefits
Millions of dollars	2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013
Service cost	$	3		$	2		$	2		$	5		$	5		$	6		$	2		$	3		$	4
Interest cost	150			167			162			31			22			17			19			24			18
Expected return on plan assets	(191		)	(193		)	(191		)	(33		)	(16		)	(10		)	—			—			—
Amortization:
Actuarial loss	53			43			62			5			5			6			—			—			1
Prior service cost (credit)	(3		)	(3		)	(3		)	—			1			1			(23		)	(36		)	(39		)
Curtailment gain	—			—			—			—			—			—			(63		)	—			—
Settlement loss	—			—			3			12			4			1			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	12		$	16		$	35		$	20		$	21		$	21		$	(65	)	$	(9	)	$	(16	)

During the first quarter of 2015, we recognized approximately $47 million from a curtailment gain due to the elimination of amounts credited to notional retiree health accounts for certain employees under age 50. The curtailment gain was recognized in our Consolidated Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income with $43 million recorded in cost of products sold and the remaining balance in selling, general and administrative, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.

During the third quarter of 2015, we recognized approximately $16 million from a curtailment gain due to the elimination of retiree medical eligibility for certain employees under age 50. The curtailment gain was recognized in our Consolidated Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income with $15 million recorded in cost of products sold and the remaining balance in selling, general and administrative, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss (Pre-Tax) in 2015



Millions of dollars	United States Pension Benefits			Foreign Pension Benefits			Other Postretirement Benefits
Current year actuarial loss	$	89		$	(2	)	$	(32	)
Actuarial (loss) recognized during the year	(53		)	(17		)	—
Current year prior service cost (credit)	—			(3		)	8
Prior service credit (cost) recognized during the year	3			—			86
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (pre-tax)	$	39		$	(22	)	$	62
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and other comprehensive loss (pre-tax)	$	51		$	(2	)	$	(3	)

Estimated Pre-Tax Amounts that will be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Net Periodic Pension Cost in 2016



Millions of dollars	United States Pension Benefits			Foreign Pension Benefits		Other Postretirement Benefits
Actuarial loss	$	46		$	4	$	—
Prior service (credit)	(3		)	—		(10		)
Total	$	43		$	4	$	(10	)

Assumptions

Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Determine Benefit Obligation at End of Year



	United States Pension Benefits				Foreign Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
Discount rate	4.45	%	4.05	%	3.40	%	3.32	%	4.51	%	4.27	%
Rate of compensation increase	4.50	%	4.50	%	3.06	%	3.23	%	N/A		N/A

Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Determine Net Periodic Cost



	United States Pension Benefits						Foreign Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	2015		2014		2013		2015		2014		2013		2015		2014		2013
Discount rate	4.05	%	4.95	%	4.05	%	3.32	%	3.89	%	3.93	%	4.74	%	5.25	%	4.03	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.00	%	7.25	%	7.50	%	5.63	%	5.44	%	5.40	%	N/A		N/A		N/A
Rate of compensation increase	4.50	%	4.50	%	4.50	%	3.23	%	3.35	%	3.51	%	N/A		N/A		N/A
Health care cost trend rate
Initial rate	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		7.00	%	7.00	%	7.00	%
Ultimate rate	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%
Year that ultimate rate will be reached	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		2019		2017		2017

Discount Rate

For our United States pension and postretirement benefit plans, the discount rate was selected using a hypothetical portfolio of high quality bonds outstanding at December 31 that would provide the necessary cash flows to match our projected benefit payments. For our foreign pension and postretirement benefit plans, the discount rate was selected using high quality bond yields for the respective country or region covered by the plan.

Expected Return on Plan Assets

In the United States, the expected rate of return on plan assets was determined by using the historical asset returns for publicly traded equity and fixed income securities tracked since 1926 and the historical returns for private equity. The historical equity returns were adjusted downward to reflect future expectations. The expected returns are weighted by the targeted asset allocations. The resulting weighted-average return was rounded to the nearest quarter of one percent.

For foreign pension plans, the expected rate of return on plan assets was primarily determined by observing historical returns in the local fixed income and equity markets and computing the weighted average returns with the weights being the asset allocation of each plan.

Estimated Impact of One Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate

A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on our health care plan:



Millions of dollars	One Percentage Point Increase		One Percentage Point Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest cost	$	—	$	—
Effect on postretirement benefit obligations	3		(2		)

Cash Flows

Funding Policy

Our funding policy is to contribute to our United States pension plans amounts sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirement as defined by employee benefit and tax laws, plus additional amounts which we may determine to be appropriate. In certain countries other than the United States, the funding of pension plans is not common practice. Contributions to our United States pension plans may be made in the form of cash or company stock. We pay for retiree medical benefits as they are incurred.

Expected Employer Contributions to Funded Plans



Millions of dollars	United States Pension Benefits⁽¹⁾		Foreign Pension Benefits
2016	$	—	$	17

Expected Benefit Payments



Millions of dollars	United States Pension Benefits		Foreign Pension Benefits		Other Postretirement Benefits
2016	$	289	$	35	$	52
2017	269		35		52
2018	268		37		44
2019	264		39		42
2020	257		38		37
2021-2025	1,198		200		147

Plan Assets

Our overall investment strategy is to achieve an appropriate mix of investments for long-term growth and for near-term benefit payments with a wide diversification of asset types, fund strategies, and investment fund managers. The target allocation for plan assets is generally 41% equity and 59% fixed income, with exceptions for foreign pension plans. For our U.S. plan, the target allocation for equity securities is approximately 51% allocated to United States large-cap, 27% to international equity, 14% to United States mid and small-cap companies and 8% in venture capital. The target allocation for fixed income is allocated with 75% to corporate bonds and 25% to United States treasury and other government securities. The fixed income securities duration is intended to match that of our United States pension liabilities.

Plan assets are reported at fair value based on an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tiered fair value hierarchy is established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable, either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. We manage the process and approve the results of a third party pricing service to value the majority of our securities and to determine the appropriate level in the fair value hierarchy.

The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, by asset category were as follows:



	December 31,
	Quoted prices (Level 1)				Other significant observable inputs (Level 2)				Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)				Total
Millions of dollars	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
Cash and cash equivalents	$	26	$	29	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	26	$	29
Government and government agency securities^(a)
U.S. securities	—		—		494		579		—		—		494		579
International securities	—		—		212		253		—		—		212		253
Corporate bonds and notes ^(a)
U.S. companies	—		—		909		1,000		—		—		909		1,000
International companies	—		—		160		321		—		—		160		321
Equity securities ^(b)
U.S. companies	13		12		—		—		—		—		13		12
International companies	472		427		—		—		—		—		472		427
Mutual funds ^(c)	59		67		—		—		—		—		59		67
Common and collective funds ^(d)
U.S. equity securities	—		—		648		651		—		—		648		651
International equity securities	—		—		65		66		—		—		65		66
Short-term investment fund	—		—		55		63		—		—		55		63
Limited partnerships ^(e)
U.S. private equity investments	—		—		—		—		120		140		120		140
Diversified fund of funds	—		—		—		—		21		32		21		32
Emerging growth	—		—		—		—		15		23		15		23
Real estate ^(f)	—		—		10		10		—		—		10		10
All other investments	—		—		14		9		—		—		14		9
	$	570	$	535	$	2,567	$	2,952	$	156	$	195	$	3,293	$	3,682


(a)	Valued using pricing vendors who use proprietary models to estimate the price a dealer would pay to buy a security using significant observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves, and credit risk.


(b)	Valued using the closing stock price on a national securities exchange, which reflects the last reported sales price on the last business day of the year.


(c)	Valued using the net asset value (NAV) of the fund, which is based on the fair value of underlying securities. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of equity securities issued by non-U.S. companies.


(d)	Valued using the NAV of the fund, which is based on the fair value of underlying securities.


(e)	Valued at estimated fair value based on the proportionate share of the limited partnership's fair value, as determined by the general partner.


(f)	Valued using the NAV of the fund, which is based on the fair value of underlying assets.

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)



Millions of dollars	Limited Partnerships
Balance, December 31, 2014	$	195
Realized gains (net)	34
Unrealized gains (net)	(20		)
Purchases	5
Settlements	(58		)
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	156

Additional Information

The projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:



	United States Pension Benefits				Foreign Pension Benefits
Millions of dollars	2015		2014		2015		2014
Projected benefit obligation	$	3,470	$	3,796	$	776	$	872
Fair value of plan assets	2,741		3,042		469		487

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:



	United States Pension Benefits				Foreign Pension Benefits
Millions of dollars	2015		2014		2015		2014
Projected benefit obligation	$	3,470	$	3,796	$	730	$	872
Accumulated benefit obligation	3,459		3,786		690		825
Fair value of plan assets	2,741		3,042		424		487