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Annual Report 2018

14 Benefit plans

Defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefits

The Group sponsors various funded defined benefit pension plans. Employer contributions to the plans are charged to income on a basis which recognises the costs of pensions over the expected service lives of employees covered by the plans. The Group’s funding policy for these plans is to contribute annually at a rate that is intended to maintain a level percentage of compensation for the employees covered. A full valuation is prepared at least every three years.

The Group also provides certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for retired employees and their dependants. Employees become eligible for these benefits when they become eligible for pension benefits.

The measurement date of these plans is 31 December for each year presented.

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2017
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Benefit obligation as of 1 January

3 916

2 358

369

6 643

Service cost

111

8

4

123

Interest cost

24

69

9

102

Amendments

–55

 

–3

–58

Actuarial gains/losses

–57

–48

42

–63

Benefits paid

–185

–78

–17

–280

Employee contribution

26

 

 

26

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

2

–20

 

–18

Effect of foreign currency translation

166

175

9

350

Benefit obligation as of 31 December

3 948

2 464

413

6 825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets as of 1 January

3 532

2 257

0

5 789

Actual return on plan assets

264

167

 

431

Company contribution

95

61

17

173

Benefits paid

–185

–78

–17

–280

Employee contribution

26

 

 

26

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

2

–20

 

–18

Effect of foreign currency translation

153

178

 

331

Fair value of plan assets as of 31 December

3 887

2 565

0

6 452

Funded status

–61

101

–413

–373

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2018
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Benefit obligation as of 1 January

3 948

2 464

413

6 825

Service cost

120

8

5

133

Interest cost

23

68

9

100

Amendments

 

1

–61

–60

Actuarial gains/losses

–43

–81

–25

–149

Benefits paid

–202

–91

–18

–311

Employee contribution

25

 

 

25

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

4

 

 

4

Effect of foreign currency translation

–43

–99

–4

–146

Benefit obligation as of 31 December

3 832

2 270

319

6 421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets as of 1 January

3 887

2 565

0

6 452

Actual return on plan assets

–73

–46

 

–119

Company contribution

162

16

18

196

Benefits paid

–202

–91

–18

–311

Employee contribution

25

 

 

25

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

4

 

 

4

Effect of foreign currency translation

–43

–108

 

–151

Fair value of plan assets as of 31 December

3 760

2 336

0

6 096

Funded status

–72

66

–319

–325

Amounts recognised in “Other assets” and “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in the Group’s balance sheet as of 31 December were as follows:

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2017
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Non-current assets

 

278

 

278

Current liabilities

 

–3

–18

–21

Non-current liabilities

–61

–174

–395

–630

Net amount recognised

–61

101

–413

–373

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2018
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Non-current assets

 

238

 

238

Current liabilities

 

–3

–17

–20

Non-current liabilities

–72

–169

–302

–543

Net amount recognised

–72

66

–319

–325

Amounts recognised in accumulated other comprehensive income, gross of tax, as of 31 December were as follows:

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2017
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Net gain/loss

805

375

13

1 193

Prior service cost/credit

–115

2

 

–113

Total

690

377

13

1 080

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2018
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Net gain/loss

864

393

–12

1 245

Prior service cost/credit

–100

3

–61

–158

Total

764

396

–73

1 087

Components of net periodic benefit cost

The components of pension and post-retirement cost for the years ended 31 December were as follows:

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2017
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Service cost (net of participant contributions)

111

8

4

123

Interest cost

24

69

9

102

Expected return on assets

–90

–78

 

–168

Amortisation of:

 

 

 

 

Net gain/loss

77

35

–1

111

Prior service cost

–9

 

 

–9

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

2

 

–61

–59

Net periodic benefit cost

115

34

–49

100

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2018
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Service cost (net of participant contributions)

120

8

5

133

Interest cost

23

68

9

100

Expected return on assets

–93

–85

 

–178

Amortisation of:

 

 

 

 

Net gain/loss

64

19

 

83

Prior service cost

–15

 

 

–15

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

4

 

 

4

Net periodic benefit cost

103

10

14

127

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognised in other comprehensive income for the years ended 31 December were as follows:

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2017
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Net gain/loss

–231

–137

42

–326

Prior service cost/credit

–55

 

–3

–58

Amortisation of:

 

 

 

 

Net gain/loss

–77

–35

1

–111

Prior service cost

9

 

 

9

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

 

 

61

61

Exchange rate gain/loss recognised during the year

 

34

 

34

Total recognised in other comprehensive income, gross of tax

–354

–138

101

–391

Total recognised in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income, gross of tax

–239

–104

52

–291

Download

2018
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Net gain/loss

123

50

–25

148

Prior service cost/credit

 

1

–61

–60

Amortisation of:

 

 

 

 

Net gain/loss

–64

–19

 

–83

Prior service cost

15

 

 

15

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

 

 

 

0

Exchange rate gain/loss recognised during the year

 

–13

 

–13

Total recognised in other comprehensive income, gross of tax

74

19

–86

7

Total recognised in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income, gross of tax

177

29

–72

134

The estimated net loss and prior service credit for the defined benefit pension plans that will be amortised from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2019 are USD 56 million and USD 15 million, respectively. The estimated net gain and prior service credit for the other defined post-retirement benefits that will be amortised from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2019 are USD 2 million and USD 15 million, respectively.

The accumulated benefit obligation (the current value of accrued benefits excluding future salary increases) for pension benefits was USD 6 335 million and USD 6 043 million as of 31 December 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of 31 December were as follows:

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USD millions

2017

2018

Projected benefit obligation

5 071

4 898

Accumulated benefit obligation

5 025

4 856

Fair value of plan assets

4 834

4 654

Principal actuarial assumptions

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Swiss plan

 

Foreign plans weighted average

 

Other benefits weighted average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

2018

 

2017

2018

 

2017

2018

Assumptions used to determine obligations at the end of the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

0.6%

0.8%

 

2.8%

3.0%

 

2.1%

2.2%

Rate of compensation increase

1.8%

1.8%

 

3.0%

3.0%

 

2.1%

2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs for the year ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

0.6%

0.6%

 

2.9%

2.8%

 

2.4%

2.1%

Expected long-term return on plan assets

2.5%

2.5%

 

3.5%

3.6%

 

 

 

Rate of compensation increase

1.8%

1.8%

 

3.1%

3.0%

 

2.1%

2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assumed medical trend rates at year end

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical trend – initial rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.6%

4.7%

Medical trend – ultimate rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.8%

3.6%

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2021

The expected long-term rates of return on plan assets are based on long-term expected inflation, interest rates, risk premiums and targeted asset category allocations. The estimates take into consideration historical asset category returns.

Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the healthcare plans. A one percentage point change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have had the following effects for 2018:

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USD millions

1 percentage point increase

1 percentage point decrease

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

0

0

Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation

18

–15

Plan asset allocation by asset category

The actual asset allocation by major asset category for defined benefit pension plans as of the respective measurement dates in 2017 and 2018 was as follows:

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Swiss plan allocation

 

Foreign plans allocation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

2018

Target allocation

 

2017

2018

Target allocation

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

29%

23%

23%

 

21%

13%

20%

Debt securities

41%

46%

45%

 

71%

73%

74%

Real estate

23%

24%

24%

 

0%

2%

0%

Other

7%

7%

8%

 

8%

12%

6%

Total

100%

100%

100%

 

100%

100%

100%

Actual asset allocation is determined by a variety of current economic and market conditions and considers specific asset class risks.

Equity securities include Swiss Re common stock of USD 6 million (0.1% of total plan assets) and USD 4 million (0.1% of total plan assets) as of 31 December 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The Groupʼs pension plan investment strategy is to match the maturity profiles of the assets and liabilities in order to reduce the future volatility of pension expense and funding status of the plans. This involves balancing investment portfolios between equity and fixed income securities. Tactical allocation decisions that reflect this strategy are made on a quarterly basis.

Assets measured at fair value

For a description of the different fair value levels and valuation techniques see Note 8 “Fair value disclosures”.

Certain items reported as pension plan assets at fair value in the following table are not within the scope of Note 8, namely two positions: real estate and an insurance contract.

Real estate positions classified as level 1 and level 2 are exchange-traded real estate funds where a market valuation is readily available. Real estate reported on level 3 is property-owned by the pension funds. These positions are accounted for at the capitalised income value. The capitalisation based on sustainable recoverable earnings is conducted at interest rates that are determined individually for each property, based on the property’s location, age and condition. If properties are intended for disposal, the estimated selling costs and taxes are recognised in provisions. Sales gains or losses are allocated to income from real estate when the contract is concluded.

The fair value of the insurance contract is based on the fair value of the assets backing the contract.

As of 31 December, the fair values of pension plan assets by level of input were as follows:

Download

2017
USD millions

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (level 1)

Significant other observable inputs (level 2)

Significant unobservable inputs (level 3)

Investments measured at net asset value as practical expedient

Total

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities issued by the US government and government agencies

30

181

 

 

211

Debt securities issued by non-US governments and government agencies

 

1 224

 

 

1 224

Corporate debt securities

 

1 846

10

 

1 856

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

23

 

 

23

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

1

 

 

1

Agency securitised products

 

 

 

 

0

Other asset-backed securities

 

1

 

 

1

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities held for proprietary investment purposes

1 141

414

103

 

1 658

Short-term investments

 

38

 

 

38

Derivative financial instruments

 

–13

 

 

–13

Real estate

 

 

692

 

692

Other assets

 

89

 

563

652

Total assets at fair value

1 171

3 804

805

563

6 343

Cash

109

 

 

 

109

Total plan assets

1 280

3 804

805

563

6 452

Download

2018
USD millions

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (level 1)

Significant other observable inputs (level 2)

Significant unobservable inputs (level 3)

Investments measured at net asset value as practical expedient

Total

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities issued by the US government and government agencies

32

209

 

 

241

Debt securities issued by non-US governments and government agencies

 

1 227

 

 

1 227

Corporate debt securities

 

1 769

10

 

1 779

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

16

 

 

16

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

1

 

 

1

Agency securitised products

 

7

 

 

7

Other asset-backed securities

 

3

 

 

3

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities held for proprietary investment purposes

901

308

 

 

1 209

Short-term investments

 

48

 

 

48

Derivative financial instruments

 

10

 

 

10

Real estate

 

 

721

 

721

Other assets

 

91

 

659

750

Total assets at fair value

933

3 689

731

659

6 012

Cash

84

 

 

 

84

Total plan assets

1 017

3 689

731

659

6 096

Assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (level 3)

For the years ended 31 December, the reconciliation of fair value of pension plan assets using significant unobservable inputs were as follows:

Download

2017
USD millions

Real estate

Other assets

Total

Balance as of 1 January

612

106

718

Realised/unrealised gains/losses:

 

 

 

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

34

–26

8

Relating to assets sold during the period

 

19

19

Purchases, issuances and settlements

19

11

30

Transfers in and/or out of level 3

 

 

0

Impact of foreign exchange movements

27

3

30

Closing balance as of 31 December

692

113

805

Download

2018
USD millions

Real estate

Other assets

Total

Balance as of 1 January

692

113

805

Realised/unrealised gains/losses:

 

 

 

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

27

–14

13

Relating to assets sold during the period

 

27

27

Purchases, issuances and settlements

10

–11

–1

Transfers in and/or out of level 3

 

–103

–103

Impact of foreign exchange movements

–8

–2

–10

Closing balance as of 31 December

721

10

731

Expected contributions and estimated future benefit payments

The employer contributions expected to be made in 2019 to the defined benefit pension plans are USD 122 million and to the post-retirement benefit plan are USD 17 million.

As of 31 December 2018, the projected benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, not adjusted for transfers in and for employees’ voluntary contributions, are as follows:

Download

USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

2019

214

89

17

320

2020

210

93

17

320

2021

204

96

17

317

2022

200

98

17

315

2023

194

100

18

312

Years 2024–2028

934

532

89

1 555

Defined contribution pension plans

The Group sponsors a number of defined contribution plans to which employees and the Group make contributions. The accumulated balances are paid as a lump sum at the earlier of retirement, termination, disability or death. The amount expensed in 2017 and 2018 was USD 81 million and USD 85 million, respectively.