XML 137 R51.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.2
Benefit Plans Benefit Plans (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Obligations and Funded Status
The changes in plan obligations, assets, and funded status for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, were as follows:
Obligations and Funded Status
For the years ended September 30
795,900,000 Pension BenefitsOther Post-Retirement Benefits
 2020201920202019
Change in benefit obligation    
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$13,312 $11,725 $499 $428 
Service cost55 44 16 11 
Interest cost415 499 16 18 
Plan participants' contributions— — 
Collections(1)
— — 20 22 
Actuarial (gain) loss 614 1,756 39 78 
Plan change— — 
Net transfers (to) from variable fund/401(k) plan— — 
Expenses paid(5)(6)— — 
Benefits paid(726)(721)(46)(58)
Benefit obligation at end of year13,675 13,312 544 499 
Change in plan assets    
Fair value of net plan assets at beginning of year7,980 8,003 — — 
Actual return on plan assets397 389 — — 
Plan participants' contributions— — 
Collections(1)
— — 20 22 
Net transfers (to) from variable fund/401(k) plan— — 
Employer contributions305 307 26 36 
Expenses paid(5)(6)— — 
Benefits paid(726)(721)(46)(58)
Fair value of net plan assets at end of year7,959 7,980 — — 
Funded status$(5,716)$(5,332)$(544)$(499)
Note
(1) Collections include retiree contributions as well as provider discounts and rebates.
Amounts Recognized on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets
Amounts related to these benefit plans recognized on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of regulatory assets and liabilities that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost at September 30, 2020 and 2019, and the funded status of TVA's benefit plans, which are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations:
Amounts Recognized on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets
At September 30
 Pension BenefitsOther Post-Retirement Benefits
 2020201920202019
Regulatory assets (liabilities)$5,115 $4,731 $78 $25 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(5)(5)(28)(28)
Pension and post-retirement benefit obligations(1)
(5,711)(5,327)(516)(471)
Note
(1) The table above excludes $390 million and $383 million of post-employment benefit costs that are recorded in Post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Post-Retirement Benefit Costs Deferred as Regulatory Assets
Unrecognized amounts included in regulatory assets or liabilities yet to be recognized as components of accrued benefit cost at September 30, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following:
Post-Retirement Benefit Costs Deferred as Regulatory Assets (Liabilities)
At September 30
 Pension BenefitsOther Post-Retirement Benefits
 2020201920202019
Unrecognized prior service credit$(615)$(714)$(112)$(135)
Unrecognized net loss5,620 5,350 190 160 
Amount capitalized due to actions of regulator110 95 — — 
Total regulatory assets (liabilities)$5,115 $4,731 $78 $25 
Projected Benefit Obligations and Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan at September 30, 2020 and 2019, were as follows:
Projected Benefit Obligations and Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
At September 30
 20202019
Projected benefit obligation$13,675 $13,312 
Accumulated benefit obligation13,613 13,246 
Fair value of net plan assets7,959 7,980 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized as changes in regulatory assets for the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
For the years ended September 30
 Pension BenefitsOther Post-Retirement Benefits
 202020192018202020192018
Service cost$55 $44 $53 $16 $11 $14 
Interest cost415 499 473 16 18 19 
Expected return on plan assets(488)(477)(478)— — — 
Amortization of prior service credit(97)(99)(99)(24)(24)(22)
Recognized net actuarial loss436 336 409 10 
Total net periodic benefit cost as actuarially determined321 303 358 18 19 
Amount expensed (capitalized) due to actions of regulator(15)(54)— — — 
Net periodic benefit cost$306 $304 $304 $18 $$19 
Expected Amortization of Regulatory Assets in Next Fiscal Year
The amounts in the regulatory asset that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during the next fiscal year are as follows:
Expected Amortization of Regulatory Assets in 2021
At September 30, 2020
 Pension BenefitsOther Post-Retirement
Benefits
Total
Prior service credit$(97)$(18)$(115)
Net actuarial loss447 12 459 
Amounts expensed due to actions of regulator28 — 28 
Actuarial Assumptions
Actuarial Assumptions Utilized to Determine Benefit Obligations at September 30
 Pension BenefitsOther Post-Retirement Benefits
 2020201920202019
Discount rate2.75%3.20%3.05%3.30%
Rate of compensation increase3.43%3.50%N/AN/A
Cost of living adjustment (COLA)(1)
2.00%2.00%2.00%2.00%
Pre-Medicare eligible
Current health care cost trend rate(2)
N/AN/A6.50%6.75%
Ultimate health care cost trend rateN/AN/A5.00%5.00%
Year ultimate trend rate is reachedN/AN/A20272027
Post-Medicare eligible
Current health care cost trend rateN/AN/A—%—%
Ultimate health care cost trend rateN/AN/A4.00%4.00%
Year ultimate trend rate is reachedN/AN/A20242023
Notes
(1) The COLA assumption is the ultimate long-term rate. The calendar year rate for 2021 is assumed to be one percent, and for years thereafter the ultimate is used.
(2) In 2019, TVA reset the pre-Medicare health care cost trend rates assumption with an initial rate of 6.75 percent, declining 0.25 percent per year until it reaches the ultimate rate of 5.00 percent in 2027. For 2020, TVA maintained this trend assumption for pre-Medicare per capita claims cost with a current health care cost rate of 6.50 percent. However, to account for cumulative delayed medical care due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the expected spending as the demand for care returns, the pre-Medicare per capita retiree contributions current health care cost trend rate is 11.93 percent, and in 2022 assumed to return to 6.25 percent in line with the health care cost trend rates assumption.
Actuarial Assumptions Utilized to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for the Years Ended September 30(1)
 Pension BenefitsOther Post-Retirement Benefits
 202020192018202020192018
Discount rate3.20 %4.35 %3.85 %3.30 %4.40 %3.95 %
Expected return on plan assets(2)
6.75 %6.75 %6.75 %N/AN/AN/A
Cost of living adjustment (COLA)(3)
2.00 %2.00 %2.00 %2.00 %2.00 %2.00 %
Rate of compensation increase3.43 %3.50 %5.34 %N/AN/AN/A
Pre-Medicare eligible
Current health care cost trend rateN/AN/AN/A6.75 %6.25 %6.50 %
Ultimate health care cost trend rateN/AN/AN/A5.00 %5.00 %5.00 %
Year ultimate trend rate is reachedN/AN/AN/A202720242024
Post-Medicare eligible
Current health care cost trend rateN/AN/AN/A— %— %— %
Ultimate health care cost trend rateN/AN/AN/A4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %
Year ultimate trend rate is reachedN/AN/AN/A202320212021
Notes
(1) The actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations at September 30 of each year are subsequently used to determine net periodic benefit cost
for the following year except the rate of compensation increase assumption.
(2) The actual return on assets for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were 5.11%, 4.99%, and 5.84%, respectively.
(3) The COLA assumption is the ultimate rate. The actual calendar year rate is used in determining the expense, and for years thereafter the ultimate rate is used.
Sensitivity to Certain Changes in Pension Assumptions The following chart reflects the sensitivity of pension cost to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:
Sensitivity to Certain Changes in Pension Assumptions
At September 30, 2020
 
 
Actuarial Assumption
Change in Assumption
Impact on 2020 Pension Cost
Impact on 2020 Projected Benefit Obligation
Discount rate(0.25)%$17 $418 
Rate of return on plan assets(0.25)%18 N/A
Cost of living adjustments0.25 %30 270 
Sensitivity to Changes in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
The following chart reflects the sensitivity of post-retirement benefit cost to changes in the health care trend rate:
Sensitivity to Changes in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
At September 30, 2020
 1% Increase1% Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest cost components for the year$$(4)
Effect on end-of-year accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation70 (68)
Asset Holdings and Fair Value Measurements s consistent with the asset allocation policy. At September 30, 2020 and 2019, the asset holdings of TVARS included the following:
Asset Holdings of TVARS
At September 30
  Plan Assets at September 30
Asset CategoryTarget Allocation20202019
Global public equity32 %36 %37 %
Private equity%13 %10 %
Safety oriented fixed income20 %18 %18 %
Opportunistic fixed income20 %15 %12 %
Public real assets10 %10 %15 %
Private real assets10 %%%
Total100 %100 %100 %
Fair Value Measurements

    The following table provides the fair value measurement amounts for assets held by TVARS at September 30, 2020:
TVA Retirement System
At September 30, 2020
 
Total(1)(2)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets    
Equity securities$1,624 $1,621 $— $
Preferred securities11 — 11 — 
Debt securities   
Corporate debt securities1,421 — 1,418 
Residential mortgage-backed securities317 — 314 
    Debt securities issued by U.S. Treasury701 701 — — 
Debt securities issued by foreign governments
231 — 179 52 
Asset-backed securities
116 — 88 28 
Debt securities issued by state/local governments
23 — 23 — 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
91 — 86 
Commingled funds measured at net asset value(3)
Equity931 — — — 
Debt203 — — — 
Blended102 — — — 
Institutional mutual funds277 277 — — 
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments338 77 261 — 
Private credit measured at net asset value(3)
166 — — — 
Private equity measured at net asset value(3)
1,003 — — — 
Private real assets measured at net asset value(3)
629 — — — 
Securities lending collateral167 — 167 — 
Derivatives    
Futures
— — 
Swaps10 — 10 — 
Options— — 
Foreign currency forward receivable— — 
Total assets$8,368 $2,679 $2,561 $94 
Liabilities    
Derivatives
Futures$$$— $— 
Foreign currency forward payable— — 
Swaps— — 
Options— — 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase123 — 123 — 
Total liabilities$135 $$134 $— 
Notes
(1)  Excludes approximately $107 million in net payables associated with security purchases and sales and various other payables.
(2)  Excludes a $167 million payable for collateral on loaned securities in connection with TVARS's participation in securities lending programs.
(3) In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
    The following table provides the fair value measurement amounts for assets held by TVARS at September 30, 2019:
TVA Retirement System
At September 30, 2019
 
Total(1)(2)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets    
Equity securities$1,766 $1,762 $— $
Preferred securities10 — 
Debt securities   
Corporate debt securities1,387 — 1,382 
Residential mortgage-backed securities427 — 424 
Debt securities issued by U.S. Treasury807 807 — — 
Debt securities issued by foreign governments210 — 209 
Asset-backed securities144 — 116 28 
Debt securities issued by state/local governments18 — 18 — 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
81 — 80 
Commingled funds measured at net asset value(3)
Equity795 — — — 
Debt308 — — — 
Commodities217 — — — 
Blended125 — — — 
Institutional mutual funds97 97 — — 
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments329 328 — 
Certificates of deposit— — 
Private credit measured at net asset value(3)
78 — — — 
Private equity measured at net asset value(3)
778 — — — 
Private real assets measured at net asset value(3)
659 — — — 
Securities lending collateral224 — 224 — 
Derivatives
Futures
— — 
Swaps
— — 
    Options— — 
Foreign currency forward receivable— — 
Total assets$8,472 $2,670 $2,800 $42 
Liabilities    
Derivatives
Futures$$$— $— 
Foreign currency forward payable— — 
Swaps12 — 12 — 
Options— — 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase118 — 118 — 
Total liabilities$136 $$132 $— 
cNotes
(1)  Excludes approximately $132 million in net payables associated with security purchases and sales and various other payables.
(2)  Excludes a $224 million payable for collateral on loaned securities in connection with TVARS's participation in securities lending programs.
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis where the determination of fair value includes significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Balance at October 1, 2018$58 
Net realized/unrealized gains (losses)
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net)(12)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3(8)
Balance at September 30, 201942 
Net realized/unrealized gains (losses)46 
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net)11 
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3(5)
Balance at September 30, 2020$94 
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
Cash Flows

Estimated Future Benefit Payments.  The following table sets forth the estimated future benefit payments under the benefit plans.
Estimated Future Benefits Payments
At September 30, 2020
 
Pension
Benefits(1)
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
2021$777 $28 
2022776 26 
2023773 24 
2024768 23 
2025767 22 
2026 - 20303,741 117 
Note
(1) Participants are assumed to receive the Fixed Fund in a lump sum in lieu of available annuity options allowed for certain grandfathered participants resulting in higher estimated pension benefits payments.
Amounts recognized on Consolidated Balance Sheets
Amounts Recognized on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets
At September 30
 20202019
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$— $36 
Post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations390 383