v3.25.4
Pension Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Pension Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits  
Pension Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

11. Pension Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension Benefit Plans

The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering a substantial number of employees located in the United States and several other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Benefits generally are based on compensation for salaried employees and on length of service for hourly employees. The Company’s policy is to fund pension plans such that sufficient assets will be available to meet future benefit requirements. The Company’s defined benefit pension plans use a December 31 measurement date.

The changes in the pension benefit obligations for the year are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Obligations at beginning of year

$

793

$

866

$

615

$

727

Change in benefit obligations:

Service cost

 

5

 

6

 

9

 

9

Interest cost

 

43

 

43

 

37

 

35

Actuarial (gain) loss

8

(45)

(4)

(56)

Settlements

 

(20)

(15)

Curtailments

 

(6)

(2)

Benefit payments

 

(77)

 

(78)

 

(42)

 

(41)

Foreign currency translation

 

60

 

(42)

Net change in benefit obligations

 

(21)

 

(73)

 

34

 

(112)

Obligations at end of year

$

772

$

793

$

649

$

615

The changes in the fair value of the pension plans’ assets for the year are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Fair value at beginning of year

$

794

$

837

$

505

$

564

Change in fair value:

Actual gain (loss) on plan assets

 

88

 

30

 

18

 

(12)

Benefit payments

 

(77)

 

(78)

 

(42)

 

(41)

Employer contributions

 

2

 

5

 

32

 

27

Participant contributions

 

1

 

1

Settlements

(20)

(15)

Foreign currency translation

 

36

 

(19)

Net change in fair value of assets

 

13

 

(43)

 

25

 

(59)

Fair value at end of year

$

807

$

794

$

530

$

505

The Company recognizes the funded status of each pension benefit plan on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The funded status of each plan is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and actuarially calculated benefit obligations as of the balance sheet date. Actuarial gains and losses are primarily related to changes in asset performance and in discount rates, and are accumulated in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The portion of accumulated actuarial gains and losses of each plan that exceeds 10% of the greater of that plan’s assets or projected benefit obligation is amortized to income on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of employees still accruing benefits or the expected life of participants not accruing benefits if all, or almost all, of the plan’s participants are no longer accruing benefits.

The funded status of the pension plans at year end is as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

2025

2024

2025

2024

 

Plan assets at fair value

  ​ ​ ​

$

807

  ​ ​ ​

$

794

  ​ ​ ​

$

530

  ​ ​ ​

$

505

Projected benefit obligations

 

772

 

793

 

649

 

615

Plan assets less than projected benefit obligations

 

35

 

1

 

(119)

 

(110)

Items not yet recognized in pension expense:

Actuarial loss

 

280

 

321

 

297

 

283

Prior service cost

 

 

 

8

 

9

 

280

 

321

 

305

 

292

Net amount recognized

$

315

$

322

$

186

$

182

The net amount recognized is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2025 and 2024 as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Pension assets

$

38

$

8

$

90

$

84

Current pension liability, included with other accrued liabilities

 

(1)

 

(1)

 

(9)

 

(7)

Pension benefits

 

(2)

 

(6)

 

(200)

 

(187)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

280

 

321

 

305

 

292

Net amount recognized

$

315

$

322

$

186

$

182

The following changes in plan assets and benefit obligations were recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss at December 31, 2025 and 2024 as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Current year actuarial (gain) loss

$

(29)

$

(22)

$

5

$

(14)

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

(12)

 

(14)

 

(8)

 

(10)

Settlement

(6)

(4)

Foreign currency translation

 

23

 

(9)

$

(41)

$

(36)

$

14

$

(37)

The components of the net pension expense for the year are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

2025

2024

2023

2025

2024

2023

 

Service cost

  ​ ​ ​

$

5

  ​ ​ ​

$

6

  ​ ​ ​

$

6

  ​ ​ ​

$

9

  ​ ​ ​

$

9

  ​ ​ ​

$

8

Interest cost

 

43

 

43

 

45

 

37

 

35

 

38

Expected asset return

 

(50)

 

(53)

 

(55)

 

(32)

 

(32)

 

(30)

Amortization:

Actuarial loss

 

11

 

14

 

9

 

8

 

10

 

9

Net expense

$

9

$

10

$

5

$

22

$

22

$

25

In addition to the above net pension expense, in 2025, 2024, and 2023, the Company also settled a portion of its pension obligations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, resulting in settlement charges of approximately $6

million, $5 million, and $6 million, respectively. In 2025 and 2023, the Company also recorded a curtailment (credit) charge of ($1 million) and $13 million, respectively.

The components of pension expense, other than the service cost component, as well as pension curtailment and settlement charges are included in Other expense, net in the Consolidated Results of Operations.

The following information is for plans with projected and accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets at year-end:

Projected Benefit Obligation Exceeds 

Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeds

 

the Fair Value of Plan Assets

the Fair Value of Plan Assets

 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

2024

Projected benefit obligations

$

3

$

257

$

246

$

227

$

3

$

257

$

246

$

227

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

3

 

257

 

217

 

199

 

3

 

257

 

217

 

199

Fair value of plan assets

 

 

250

 

38

 

32

 

 

250

 

38

 

32

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $1,390 million and $1,379 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Discount rate

 

5.49

%  

5.66

%  

5.80

%  

5.74

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

N/A

N/A

3.45

%  

3.27

%

The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

2025

2024

2023

2025

2024

2023

 

Discount rate

  ​ ​ ​

5.66

%  

5.18

%  

5.48

%  

5.74

%  

5.12

%  

5.52

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

N/A

N/A

N/A

3.27

%  

3.24

%  

3.28

%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

 

5.75

%  

5.75

%  

5.75

%  

5.12

%  

5.14

%  

4.67

%

Future benefits are assumed to increase in a manner consistent with past experience of the plans, which, to the extent benefits are based on compensation, includes assumed salary increases as presented above.

For 2025, the Company’s weighted average expected long-term rate of return on assets was 5.75% for the U.S. plans and 5.12% for the non-U.S. plans. In developing this assumption, the Company considered the Plans’ asset mix and long-term average returns and evaluated input from its third-party pension plan asset consultants, including their review of asset class return expectations.

It is the Company’s policy to invest pension plan assets in a diversified portfolio consisting of an array of asset classes within established target asset allocation ranges. The investment risk of the assets is limited by appropriate diversification both within and between asset classes. Plan assets are primarily invested in a broad mix of domestic and international equities, domestic and international bonds, and real estate, subject to target asset allocation ranges, which may differ by individual plan. The assets are managed with a view to ensuring that sufficient liquidity will be available to meet expected cash flow requirements.

The investment valuation policy of the Company is to value investments at fair value. Equity securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last reported sales price on their principal exchange on valuation date or official close for certain markets. Fixed income investments are valued by an independent pricing service. Investments in registered investment companies or collective pooled funds are valued at their respective net asset values. Short-term investments are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The fair value of real estate is determined by periodic appraisals.

The assets of the U.S. plans are maintained in a group trust and hold no individual assets other than the investment in the group trust. U.S. pension plan assets are measured at net asset value in the fair value hierarchy and amounted to $807 million and $794 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. In 2025, the group trust assets consisted of approximately 31% equity securities and 69% debt securities.

In 2025, the non-U.S. plan assets consisted of approximately 93% debt securities, 3% equity securities and 4% diversified funds and other. The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s non-U.S. pension plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:

2025

2024

  ​ ​ ​

Level 1

  ​ ​ ​

Level 2

  ​ ​ ​

Level 3

Total

  ​ ​ ​

Level 1

  ​ ​ ​

Level 2

  ​ ​ ​

Level 3

Total

  ​ ​ ​

Cash and cash equivalents

$

13

$

$

$

13

$

12

$

$

$

12

Debt securities

21

21

17

17

Total

$

34

$

$

$

29

$

$

 

Investments measured at net asset value

 

$

496

 

$

476

 

Total non-U.S. assets at fair value

$

530

$

505

In order to maintain minimum funding requirements, the Company is required to make contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of approximately $19 million in 2026.

The following estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the years indicated:

Year(s)

  ​ ​ ​

U.S.

  ​ ​ ​

Non-U.S.

2026

$

69

$

49

2027

 

68

 

48

2028

 

67

 

49

2029

 

66

 

51

2030

 

65

 

54

2031-2035

 

298

 

283

The Company also sponsors several defined contribution plans for all salaried and hourly U.S. employees, and employees in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Participants’ contributions are based on their compensation. The Company matches contributions of participants, up to various limits, in substantially all plans. Company contributions to these plans amounted to $32 million in 2025, $34 million in 2024, and $35 million in 2023.

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

The Company provides retiree health care and life insurance benefits covering certain U.S. salaried and hourly employees, and substantially all employees in Canada. Benefits provided by the Company for hourly retirees are determined by collective bargaining. Employees are generally eligible for benefits upon retirement

and completion of a specified number of years of creditable service. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date to measure its postretirement benefit obligations.

The changes in the postretirement benefit obligations for the year are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Obligations at beginning of year

$

19

$

21

$

46

$

50

Change in benefit obligations:

Service cost

 

 

 

1

 

1

Interest cost

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

2

Actuarial (gain) loss

 

(3)

 

(1)

 

(11)

 

(1)

Benefit payments

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(2)

Plan amendments

(1)

Foreign currency translation

 

3

 

(4)

Net change in benefit obligations

 

(5)

 

(2)

 

(7)

 

(4)

Obligations at end of year

$

14

$

19

$

39

$

46

The actuarial (gain) loss for the Company’s postretirement benefit obligations in 2025 and 2024 was primarily related to changes in discount rates.

The funded status of the postretirement benefit plans at year end is as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Postretirement benefit obligations

$

(14)

$

(19)

$

(39)

$

(46)

Items not yet recognized in net postretirement benefit cost:

Actuarial gain

(29)

(29)

(40)

(30)

Prior service credit

 

(2)

 

 

 

 

(31)

 

(29)

 

(40)

 

(30)

Net amount recognized

$

(45)

$

(48)

$

(79)

$

(76)

The net amount recognized is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2025 and 2024 as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Current nonpension postretirement benefit, included with Other accrued liabilities

$

(1)

$

(1)

$

(3)

$

(2)

Nonpension postretirement benefits

 

(13)

 

(18)

 

(36)

 

(44)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(31)

 

(29)

 

(40)

 

(30)

Net amount recognized

$

(45)

$

(48)

$

(79)

$

(76)

The following changes in benefit obligations were recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss at December 31, 2025 and 2024 as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Current year actuarial (gain) loss

$

$

$

(11)

$

(1)

Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)

 

 

(9)

2

3

Amortization of prior service credit

 

(2)

 

9

Foreign currency translation

 

(2)

3

$

(2)

$

$

(11)

$

5

The components of the net postretirement benefit cost for the year are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2023

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2023

 

Service cost

$

$

$

$

1

$

1

$

1

Interest cost

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

2

 

2

Amortization:

Actuarial (gain) loss

 

(2)

 

8

 

8

(2)

(3)

(3)

Prior service credit

 

 

(8)

 

(9)

Net amortization

 

(2)

 

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(3)

Net postretirement benefit cost

$

(1)

$

1

$

$

1

$

$

Amortization included in net postretirement benefit cost is based on the average remaining service of employees. The weighted average discount rates used to determine the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net postretirement benefit cost are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2023

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2023

 

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

 

5.43

%  

5.70

%  

5.18

%  

4.85

%  

4.65

%  

4.65

%  

Net postretirement benefit cost

 

5.70

%  

5.10

%  

5.48

%  

4.65

%  

4.65

%  

5.15

%  

The weighted average assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31 are as follows:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

 

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

 

6.3

%  

6.5

%  

5.0

%  

5.0

%  

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)

 

5.0

%  

5.0

%  

5.0

%  

5.0

%  

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

 

2033

2032

N/A

N/A

Amortization included in net postretirement benefit cost is based on the average remaining service of employees.

The following estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the years indicated:

Year(s)

  ​ ​ ​

U.S.

  ​ ​ ​

Non-U.S.

 

2026

$

1

$

2

2027

 

1

 

2

2028

 

1

 

2

2029

 

1

 

2

2030

 

1

 

2

2031  -  2035

 

6

 

12

Other U.S. hourly retirees receive health and life insurance benefits from a multi-employer trust established by collective bargaining. Payments to the trust as required by the bargaining agreements are based upon specified amounts per hour worked and were $4 million in 2025, $4 million in 2024 and $5 million in 2023. Postretirement health and life benefits for retirees of foreign subsidiaries are generally provided through the national health care programs of the countries in which the subsidiaries are located.