NOTE 10—LONG-TERM EMPLOYEE-RELATED OBLIGATIONS:

a.	Long-term employee-related obligations consisted of the following


	December 31,
	2018		2017
	(U.S. $ in millions)
Accrued severance obligations	$	75	$	91
Defined benefit plans		146		182

Total	$	221	$	273

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Group had $137 million and $149 million, respectively, deposited in funds managed by financial institutions that are earmarked by management to cover severance pay liability mainly in respect of Israeli employees. Such deposits are not considered to be “plan assets” and are therefore included in long-term investments and receivables.

Most of the change resulted from actuarial updates, as well as from exiting from several defined benefit plans in several countries.

The Company expects to expense an approximate contribution of $106 million in 2019 to the pension funds and insurance companies in respect of its severance and pension pay obligations.

The main terms of the different arrangements with employees are described in below.

b.	Terms of arrangements:

Israel

Israeli law generally requires payment of severance pay upon dismissal of an employee or upon termination of employment in certain other circumstances. The Parent Company and its Israeli subsidiaries make ongoing deposits into employee pension plans to fund their severance liabilities. According to the general collective pension agreement in Israel, Company deposits with respect to employees who were employed by the Company after the agreement took effect are made in lieu of the Company’s severance liability; therefore no obligation is provided for in the financial statements. Severance pay liabilities with respect to employees who were employed by the Parent Company and its Israeli subsidiaries prior to the collective pension agreement effective date, as well as employees who have special contractual arrangements, are provided for in the financial statements based upon the number of years of service and the latest monthly salary.

Europe

Many of the employees in the Company’s European subsidiaries are entitled to a retirement grant when they leave the Company. In the consolidated financial statements, the liability of the European subsidiaries is accrued, based on the length of service and remuneration of each employee at the balance sheet date. Other employees in Europe are entitled to a pension according to a defined benefit scheme providing benefits based on final or average pensionable pay or according to a hybrid pension scheme that provides retirement benefits on a defined benefit and a defined contribution basis. Independent certified actuaries value these schemes and determine the rates of contribution payable. Pension costs for the defined benefit section of the scheme are accounted for on the basis of charging the expected cost of providing pensions over the period during which the subsidiaries benefit from the employees’ services. The Company uses December 31 as the measurement date for defined benefit plans.

North America

The Company’s North American subsidiaries mainly provide various defined contribution plans for the benefit of their employees. Under these plans, contributions are based on specified percentages of pay. Additionally, a multi-employer plan is maintained in accordance with various union agreements.

Latin America

The majority of the employees in Latin America are entitled to severance under local law. The severance payments are calculated based on service term and employee remuneration, and accruals are maintained to reflect these amounts. In some Latin American countries it is Teva’s practice to offer retirement health benefits to qualifying employees. Based on the specific plan requirements, benefits accruals are maintained to reflect the estimated amounts or adjusted if future plans are modified.

The Company expects to pay the following future minimum benefits to its employees: $6 million in 2019; $6 million in 2020; $7 million in 2021; $8 million in 2022; $8 million in 2023 and $42 million between 2024 to 2028. These amounts do not include amounts that may be paid to employees who cease working with the Company before their normal retirement age.