XML 39 R25.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.25.3
Employee Benefit Plans
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Employee Benefit Plans

Note L. Employee Benefit Plans

The information below provides detail concerning the Company’s benefit obligations under the defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans it sponsors.

Defined benefit plans provide pre-determined benefits to employees that are distributed upon retirement. Cabot is making all sponsor required contributions to these plans. The accumulated benefit obligation was $2 million for the U.S. defined benefit plan and $142 million for the foreign defined benefit plans as of September 30, 2025 and $2 million for the U.S. defined benefit plans and $145 million for the foreign defined benefit plans as of September 30, 2024. The U.S. defined benefit plan is the frozen Supplemental Cash Balance Plan.

The following provides information about projected benefit obligations, plan assets, the funded status and weighted-average assumptions of the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans:

 

 

 

 

Years Ended September 30

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Change in Benefit Obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of
   year

 

$

2

 

 

$

155

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

139

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

12

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

11

 

Service cost

 

 

—

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Interest cost

 

 

—

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

Plan participants’ contribution

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Foreign currency exchange rate
   changes

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

(Gain) loss from changes in actuarial
   assumptions and plan experience

 

 

—

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

Benefits paid

 

 

—

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

Plan Amendments

 

 

—

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Settlements or curtailments

 

 

—

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

2

 

 

$

152

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

155

 

 

$

12

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

12

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended September 30

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Change in Plan Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning
   of year

 

$

—

 

 

$

156

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

144

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

—

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Employer contribution

 

 

—

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Plan participants’ contribution

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Foreign currency exchange rate
   changes

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Benefits paid

 

 

—

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

Settlements or curtailments

 

 

—

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

Fair value of plan assets at end
   of year

 

$

—

 

 

$

151

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

156

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

Funded status

 

$

(2

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(2

)

 

$

1

 

 

$

(12

)

 

$

(11

)

 

$

(13

)

 

$

(12

)

Recognized asset (liability)

 

$

(2

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(2

)

 

$

1

 

 

$

(12

)

 

$

(11

)

 

$

(13

)

 

$

(12

)

 

Pension Assumptions and Strategy

The following assumptions were used to determine the pension benefit obligations and periodic benefit costs as of and for the years ended September 30:

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

Actuarial assumptions as of the year-end
   measurement date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

 

4.9

%

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

4.1

%

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

4.7

%

Rate of increase in compensation

 

N/A

 

 

 

2.9

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

2.9

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

3.0

%

Cash balance interest credit rate

 

 

3.0

%

 

 

2.2

%

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

2.2

%

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

2.1

%

Actuarial assumptions used to determine net
   periodic benefit cost during the year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate - benefit obligation

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

4.1

%

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

5.6

%

 

 

4.5

%

Discount rate - service cost

 

N/A

 

 

 

3.2

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

3.9

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

3.6

%

Discount rate - interest cost

 

 

4.9

%

 

 

3.9

%

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

5.3

%

 

 

4.5

%

Expected long-term rate of return on
   plan assets

 

N/A

 

 

 

4.9

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

5.2

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

5.1

%

Rate of increase in compensation

 

N/A

 

 

 

2.9

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

3.0

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

3.0

%

Cash balance interest credit rate

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

2.2

%

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

2.1

%

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

2.0

%

 

Postretirement Assumptions and Strategy

The following assumptions were used to determine the postretirement benefit obligations and net costs as of and for the years ended September 30:

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

Actuarial assumptions as of the year-end
   measurement date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

4.8

%

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

5.7

%

Initial health care cost trend rate

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

6.1

%

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

6.3

%

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

6.4

%

Actuarial assumptions used to determine
   net cost during the year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate - benefit obligation

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

4.8

%

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

5.7

%

 

 

5.6

%

 

 

5.1

%

Discount rate - service cost

 

 

4.9

%

 

 

4.8

%

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

5.6

%

 

 

5.4

%

 

 

5.1

%

Discount rate - interest cost

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

4.6

%

 

 

5.9

%

 

 

5.7

%

 

 

5.3

%

 

 

5.1

%

Initial health care cost trend rate

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

6.3

%

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

6.4

%

 

 

—

%

 

 

6.8

%

 

Cabot uses discount rates as of September 30, the plans’ measurement date, to determine future benefit obligations under its U.S. and foreign defined benefit plans. The discount rates for the defined benefit plans in Canada, the Eurozone, Japan, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the U.S. are derived from yield curves that reflect high quality corporate bond yield or swap rate information in each region and reflect the characteristics of Cabot’s employee benefit plans. The discount rates for the defined benefit plans in Mexico, the Czech Republic and Indonesia are based on government bond indices that best reflect the durations of the plans, adjusted for credit spreads presented in selected AA corporate bond indices. The rates utilized are selected because they represent long-term, high quality, fixed income benchmarks that approximate the long-term nature of Cabot’s pension obligations and related payouts.

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2025 and 2024 related to the Company's defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans were as follows:

 

 

 

September 30

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Other assets

 

$

—

 

 

$

28

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

—

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

—

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

(2

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(2

)

 

$

(1

)

Other liabilities

 

$

(2

)

 

$

(27

)

 

$

(2

)

 

$

(28

)

 

$

(10

)

 

$

(10

)

 

$

(11

)

 

$

(11

)

 

Amounts recognized in AOCI at September 30, 2025 and 2024 related to the Company's defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans were as follows:

 

 

 

September 30

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net actuarial (gain) loss

 

$

—

 

 

$

32

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

32

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(5

)

 

$

(4

)

Net prior service credit

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Balance in accumulated other
   comprehensive (income) loss, pretax

 

$

—

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(5

)

 

$

(4

)

 

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The Company expects that the following benefit payments will be made to plan participants in the years from 2026 to 2035:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

Years Ending September 30

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

2026

 

$

—

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

2027

 

$

—

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

2028

 

$

—

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

2029

 

$

—

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

2030

 

$

—

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

2031 - 2035

 

$

1

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

4

 

 

Postretirement benefits are unfunded and impact Cabot’s cash flows as benefits become due, which is expected to be $2 million in fiscal 2026. The Company expects to contribute $5 million to its pension plans in fiscal 2026.

Net periodic defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the following components:

 

 

 

Years Ended September 30

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Service cost

 

$

—

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

Interest cost

 

 

—

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Expected return on plan
   assets

 

 

—

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Amortization of net (gains) losses

 

 

—

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

—

 

Net periodic (benefit) cost

 

$

—

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1

 

 

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

 

 

Years Ended September 30

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net (gains) losses

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(3

)

Prior service (credit) cost

 

 

—

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Amortization of prior
   unrecognized gains (losses)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

Net changes recognized in
   Total other comprehensive
   (income) loss (1)

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

(3

)

 

(1)
The tax impact on pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustments arising during the period was a tax benefit of less than $1 million, a tax benefit of $2 million, and a tax provision of less than $1 million for fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

U.K. Plans Termination

In fiscal 2023, the Company commenced the plan termination process for the Cabot Carbon Limited Pension Plan and Carbon Plastics Pension Plan and expects to complete the transaction in fiscal 2026. At September 30, 2025, the benefit obligation and plan assets associated with these plans were $43 million and $51 million, respectively. During fiscal 2025, the Company recognized a $3 million charge associated with finalizing terms related to the settlement of the plans.

Plan Assets

The Company’s foreign defined benefit pension plans' weighted-average asset allocations at September 30, 2025 and 2024 by asset category, are as follows:

 

 

 

September 30

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Equity securities

 

 

19

%

 

 

19

%

Debt securities

 

 

32

%

 

 

33

%

Real estate

 

 

12

%

 

 

11

%

Cash and other securities

 

 

37

%

 

 

37

%

Total

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

To develop the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption, the Company used a capital asset pricing model. The model considers the current level of expected returns on risk-free investments comprised of government bonds, the historical level of the risk premium associated with the other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested and the expectations for future returns for each asset class. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return for each plan.

Cabot’s investment strategy for each of its foreign defined benefit plans is generally based on a set of investment objectives and policies that cover time horizons and risk tolerance levels consistent with plan liabilities. Periodic studies are performed to determine the asset mix that will meet pension obligations at a reasonable cost to the Company. The assets of the defined benefit plans are comprised principally of investments in equity and high-quality fixed income securities, which are broadly diversified across the capitalization and style spectrum and are managed using both active and passive strategies. The weighted average target asset allocation for the foreign plans is 30% in equity, 47% in fixed income, 18% in real estate and 5% in cash and other securities. The actual weighted average asset allocations differ from target asset allocation as a result of the insurance contracts with Cabot Carbon Limited Pension Plan and Carbon Plastics Pension Plan purchased with plan assets in anticipation of the settlement discussed above.

For pension plan assets classified as Level 1 measurements (measured using quoted prices in active markets), total fair value is either the price of the most recent trade at the time of the market close or the official close price, as defined by the exchange on which the asset is most actively traded on the last trading day of the period, multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs.

For pension plan assets classified as Level 2 measurements, where the security is frequently traded in less active markets, fair value is based on the closing price at the end of the period; where the security is less frequently traded, fair value is based on the

price a dealer would pay for the security or similar securities, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability. Market inputs are obtained from third-party vendors of market data and subjected to tolerance/quality checks.

The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets at September 30, 2025 and 2024 by asset category is as follows:

 

 

 

September 30

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 

 

Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

 

Total

 

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 

 

Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Cash

 

$

4

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1

 

Direct investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-U.S. equities

 

 

8

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

7

 

Non-U.S. government bonds

 

 

2

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

2

 

Non-U.S. corporate bonds

 

 

3

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

4

 

Other fixed income

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

Total direct investments

 

 

14

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

14

 

Investment funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity funds(1)

 

 

—

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

Fixed income funds(2)

 

 

—

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

46

 

Real estate funds(3)

 

 

—

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

18

 

Other investment funds

 

 

—

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

Total investment funds

 

 

—

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

86

 

Alternative investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance contracts(4)

 

 

—

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

54

 

Other alternative investments

 

 

—

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Total alternative investments

 

 

—

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

55

 

Total pension plan assets

 

$

18

 

 

$

133

 

 

$

151

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

142

 

 

$

156

 

 

(1)
The equity funds asset class includes funds that invest in U.S. equities as well as equity securities issued by companies incorporated, listed or domiciled in countries in developed and/or emerging markets. These companies may be in the small-, mid- or large-cap categories.
(2)
The fixed income funds asset class includes investments in high quality funds. High quality fixed income funds primarily invest in low-risk U.S. and non-U.S. government securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, mortgages and asset-backed securities. A significant portion of the fixed income funds include investment in long-term bond funds.
(3)
The real estate funds asset class includes funds that primarily invest in entities which are principally engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development, financing, sale and/or management of income-producing real estate properties, both commercial and residential. These funds typically seek long-term growth of capital and current income that is above average relative to public equity funds.
(4)
Insurance contracts held by the Company’s non-U.S. plans are issued by well-known, highly rated insurance companies.

 

Defined Contribution Plans

In addition to benefits provided under the defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans, the Company provides benefits under defined contribution plans. Cabot recognized expenses related to these plans of $22 million, $20 million and $19 million in fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.