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Pension and Other Retiree Benefits
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Retiree Benefits
6. Pension and Other Retiree Benefits

We have a number of pension plans, principally in Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. The plans provide for payment of retirement benefits, primarily commencing between the ages of 60 and 65, and also for payment of certain disability and severance benefits. After meeting certain qualifications, an employee acquires a vested right to future benefits. The benefits payable under the plans are generally determined based on an employee’s length of service and earnings. The majority of these plans have been frozen and are no longer accruing additional service benefits. Cash contributions to the plans are made as necessary to ensure legal funding requirements are satisfied.

In the Esselte acquisition, we acquired numerous pension plans, primarily in Germany (which is frozen to new participants) and the U.K. The Esselte U.K. plan is frozen and was merged into the legacy ACCO U.K. plan in 2019, which was frozen on September 30, 2012.

On January 20, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved plan amendments to temporarily freeze our ACCO Brands Corporation Pension Plan for Salaried and Certain Hourly Paid Employees in the U.S. (the "U.S. Salaried Plan") effective March 7, 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the U.S. Salaried Plan became permanently frozen and, as of December 31, 2014, we permanently froze a portion of our U.S. pension plan for certain bargained hourly employees. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company froze the pension benefit for the Sidney, New York bargained hourly employees under the ACCO Brands Corporation Pension Plan. As of December 31, 2016, all of our Canadian pension plans were frozen.

We also provide post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to certain employees and retirees in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. All but one of these benefit plans is no longer open to new participants. Many employees and retirees outside of the U.S. are covered by government health care programs.

Our German Esselte Leitz Pension Plan had an unfunded liability of $151.7 million and $167.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As is customary, there are no plans to, and there is no requirement to, fund the German Pension Plan other than to meet the current liabilities.

For the ACCO Europe Pension Plan, the Company’s discount rate assumption methodology was based on the yield curve that uses a dataset of bonds with an average AA rating from main ratings agencies. Effective December 31, 2020, we changed our basis to estimate the discount rate assumption to the yield curve that uses a dataset of bonds rated AA by at least one of the main rating agencies, as we determined it better reflects the duration of the plan.
The following table sets forth our defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans funded status and the amounts recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
PensionPost-retirement
U.S.International
(in millions)202120202021202020212020
Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO)
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year$226.1 $211.6 $748.7 $690.7 $5.1 $5.3 
Service cost0.5 1.6 1.5 1.5 — — 
Interest cost4.5 5.9 6.3 9.7 0.1 0.1 
Actuarial (gain) loss(3.1)17.9 (33.2)60.7 (0.5)— 
Participants’ contributions— — 0.1 0.1 — 0.1 
Benefits paid(15.5)(10.9)(28.4)(27.6)(0.5)(0.5)
Settlement— — (0.3)(27.4)— — 
Foreign exchange rate changes— — (21.4)41.0 0.1 0.1 
Acquisitions— — 0.3 — — — 
Projected benefit obligation at end of year212.5 226.1 673.6 748.7 4.3 5.1 
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year170.6 158.0 484.8 460.3 — — 
Actual return on plan assets18.6 18.6 16.5 45.0 — — 
Employer contributions7.2 4.9 15.0 14.2 0.5 0.4 
Participants’ contributions— — 0.1 0.1 — 0.1 
Benefits paid(15.5)(10.9)(28.4)(27.6)(0.5)(0.5)
Settlement— — (0.3)(27.4)— — 
Foreign exchange rate changes— — (6.0)20.2 — — 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year180.9 170.6 481.7 484.8 — — 
Funded status (Fair value of plan assets less PBO)$(31.6)$(55.5)$(191.9)$(263.9)$(4.3)$(5.1)
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Other non-current assets$— $— $2.0 $0.6 $— $— 
Other current liabilities— — 7.1 7.5 0.4 0.5 
Pension and post-retirement benefit obligations31.6 55.5 186.8 257.0 3.9 4.6 
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)96.1 110.0 166.5 208.3 (4.3)(4.4)
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)— 1.5 6.1 6.4 (0.1)(0.1)

Pension and post-retirement benefit obligations of $222.3 million as of December 31, 2021, decreased from $317.1 million as of December 31, 2020, primarily due to the higher discount rate assumptions compared to the prior year and strong investment returns in 2021. These factors were the primary reasons for the actuarial gains recognized in 2021.

The accumulated benefit obligation for all pension plans was $870.7 million and $962.6 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The following table sets out information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
U.S.International
(in millions)2021202020212020
Accumulated benefit obligation$212.5 $226.1 $616.7 $716.0 
Fair value of plan assets180.9 170.6 437.8 463.7 

The following table sets out information for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
U.S.International
(in millions)2021202020212020
Projected benefit obligation$212.5 $226.1 $631.7 $728.3 
Fair value of plan assets180.9 170.6 437.8 463.7 

The components of net periodic benefit (income) expense for pension and post-retirement plans for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, were as follows:
PensionPost-retirement
U.S.International
(in millions)202120202019202120202019202120202019
Service cost$0.5 $1.6 $1.3 $1.5 $1.5 $1.3 $— $— $— 
Interest cost4.5 5.9 7.4 6.3 9.7 13.4 0.1 0.1 0.2 
Expected return on plan assets(11.4)(11.4)(11.7)(19.3)(18.6)(20.5)— — — 
Amortization of net loss (gain)3.6 3.2 2.2 7.1 4.9 3.3 (0.5)(0.5)(0.4)
Amortization of prior service cost0.1 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 — — — 
Curtailment loss(2)
1.4 — — — — — — — — 
Settlement loss— — — — 0.4 0.1 — — — 
Net periodic benefit income (1)
$(1.3)$(0.3)$(0.4)$(4.1)$(1.8)$(2.1)$(0.4)$(0.4)$(0.2)

(1)The components, other than service cost, are included in the line "Non-operating pension income" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)Curtailment loss of $1.4 million due to the pension benefit freeze for the Sidney, New York bargained hourly employees under the ACCO Brands Corporation Pension Plan.
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations that were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 were as follows:
PensionPost-retirement
U.S.International
(in millions)202120202019202120202019202120202019
Current year actuarial (gain) loss$(10.3)$10.6 $15.0 $(30.5)$36.5 $43.3 $(0.5)$— $(1.0)
Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain(3.6)(3.2)(2.2)(7.1)(5.3)(3.3)0.5 0.5 0.4 
Amortization of prior service cost(1.5)(0.4)(0.4)(0.3)(0.3)(0.3)— — — 
Foreign exchange rate changes— — — (4.1)8.5 3.4 — — — 
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)$(15.4)$7.0 $12.4 $(42.0)$39.4 $43.1 $— $0.5 $(0.6)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost (income) and other comprehensive income (loss)$(16.7)$6.7 $12.0 $(46.1)$37.6 $41.0 $(0.4)$0.1 $(0.8)

Assumptions

The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 were as follows:
PensionPost-retirement
U.S.International
202120202019202120202019202120202019
Discount rate2.9 %2.6 %3.3 %1.8 %1.2 %1.8 %2.4 %1.9 %2.7 %
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/AN/A3.0 %2.9 %2.9 %N/AN/AN/A

The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit (income) expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 were as follows:
PensionPost-retirement
U.S.International
202120202019202120202019202120202019
Discount rate3.1 %3.2 %4.0 %1.0 %1.6 %2.4 %2.2 %2.7 %3.6 %
Expected long-term rate of return6.8 %7.0 %7.4 %4.0 %4.2 %5.0 %N/AN/AN/A
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/AN/A2.7 %2.9 %3.0 %N/AN/AN/A

The weighted average health care cost trend rates used to determine post-retirement benefit obligations and net periodic benefit (income) expense as of December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 were as follows:
Post-retirement
202120202019
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year6 %6 %7 %
Rate that the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)5 %4 %4 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate203020282027
Plan Assets

The investment strategy for the Company is to optimize investment returns through a diversified portfolio of investments, taking into consideration underlying plan liabilities and asset volatility. Each plan has a different target asset allocation, which is reviewed periodically and is based on the underlying liability structure. The target asset allocation for our U.S. plan is 63 percent in equity securities, 28 percent in fixed income securities and 9 percent in alternative assets. The target asset allocation for non-U.S. plans is set by the local plan trustees.

Our pension plan weighted average asset allocations as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
20212020
U.S.InternationalU.S.International
Asset category
Equity securities63 %15 %64 %21 %
Fixed income28 59 29 54 
Real estate5 4 6 4 
Other(3)
4 22 1 21 
Total100 %100 %100 %100 %

(3)Multi-strategy hedge funds, commodity linked funds, private equity funds, and cash and cash equivalents for certain of our plans.

U.S. Pension Plan Assets

The fair value measurements of our U.S. pension plan assets by asset category as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
(in millions)Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)		Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)		Fair Value
as of
December 31,
2021
Mutual funds$104.9 $— $— $104.9 
Exchange traded funds75.1 — — 75.1 
Common collective trust funds— 0.9 — 0.9 
Total$180.0 $0.9 $— $180.9 


The fair value measurements of our U.S. pension plan assets by asset category as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:
(in millions)Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)		Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)		Fair Value
as of
December 31,
2020
Mutual funds$94.8 $— $— $94.8 
Exchange traded funds74.6 — — 74.6 
Common collective trust funds— 1.2 — 1.2 
Total$169.4 $1.2 $— $170.6 


Mutual funds and exchange traded funds: The fair values of mutual fund and common stock fund investments are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (level 1 inputs).
Common collective trusts: The fair values of participation units held in common collective trusts are based on their net asset values, as reported by the managers of the common collective trusts and as supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions occurring as of or close to the financial statement date (level 2 inputs).

International Pension Plans Assets

The fair value measurements of our international pension plans assets by asset category as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
(in millions)Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)		Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)		Fair Value
as of
December 31,
2021
Cash and cash equivalents$10.2 $— $— $10.2 
Equity securities71.1 — — 71.1 
Exchange traded funds0.1 — — 0.1 
Corporate debt securities— 99.6 — 99.6 
Multi-strategy hedge funds— 39.0 — 39.0 
Insurance contracts— 3.8 — 3.8 
Real estate— 6.7 — 6.7 
Government debt securities— 186.2 — 186.2 
Investments measured at net asset value(3)
Multi-strategy hedge funds46.1 
Real estate11.3 
Private equity7.6 
Total$81.4 $335.3 $— $481.7 

(3)Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in these tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the table that presents our defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans funded status.
The fair value measurements of our international pension plans assets by asset category as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:
(in millions)Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)		Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)		Fair Value
as of
December 31,
2020
Cash and cash equivalents$8.5 $— $— $8.5 
Equity securities99.9 — — 99.9 
Exchange traded funds0.5 — — 0.5 
Corporate debt securities— 85.6 — 85.6 
Multi-strategy hedge funds— 57.8 — 57.8 
Insurance contracts— 4.1 — 4.1 
Real estate— 9.7 — 9.7 
Government debt securities— 180.9 — 180.9 
Investments measured at net asset value(3)
Multi-strategy hedge funds29.8 
Real estate8.0 
Total$108.9 $338.1 $— $484.8 

Equity securities and exchange traded funds: The fair values of equity securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (level 1 inputs).

Debt securities: Fixed income securities, such as corporate and government bonds and other debt securities, consist of index-linked securities. These debt securities are valued using quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information, including market interest rate curves, referenced credit spreads, and estimated prepayment rates, where applicable (level 2 inputs).

Insurance contracts: Valued at contributions made, plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses, which approximate fair value (level 2 inputs).

Multi-strategy hedge funds: The fair values of participation units held in multi-strategy hedge funds are based on their net asset values, as reported by the managers of the funds and are based on the daily closing prices of the underlying investments (level 2 inputs).

Real estate: Real estate consists of managed real estate investment trust securities (level 2 inputs).

Cash Contributions

We contributed $22.7 million to our pension and post-retirement plans in 2021 and expect to contribute approximately $18 million in 2022.

The following table presents estimated future benefit payments to participants for the next ten fiscal years:
PensionPost-retirement
(in millions)BenefitsBenefits
2022$39.4 $0.4 
202340.0 0.4 
202440.3 0.4 
202541.4 0.4 
202641.6 0.3 
Years 2027 - 2031214.5 1.1 
We also sponsor a number of defined contribution plans. Contributions are determined under various formulas. Costs related to such plans amounted to $12.7 million, $6.8 million and $12.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Multi-Employer Pension Plan

We are a participant in a multi-employer pension plan. The plan has reported significant underfunded liabilities and declared itself in critical and declining status (red). As a result, the trustees of the plan adopted a rehabilitation plan ("RP") in an effort to forestall insolvency. Our required contributions to this plan could increase due to the shrinking contribution base resulting from the insolvency of or withdrawal of other participating employers, from the inability or the failure of withdrawing participating employers to pay their withdrawal liability, from lower than expected returns on pension fund assets, and from other funding deficiencies. In the event that we withdraw from participation in the plan, we will be required to make withdrawal liability payments for a period of 20 years or longer in certain circumstances. The present value of our withdrawal liability payments would be recorded as an expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income and as a liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in the first year of our withdrawal. The most recent Pension Protection Act ("PPA") zone status available in 2021 and 2020 is for the plan’s years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The zone status is based on information that we received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Plans in the red zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The Company's contributions are not more than 5 percent of the total contributions to the plan. Details regarding the plan are outlined in the table below.
Pension Protection Act Zone StatusFIP/RP Status Pending/ImplementedContributionsExpiration Date of Collective-Bargaining Agreement
Year Ended December 31,
Pension FundEIN/Pension Plan Number20212020202120202019Surcharge Imposed
PACE Industry Union-Management Pension Fund11-6166763 / 001RedRedImplemented$0.1 $0.1 $0.2 Yes6/30/2023