16 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.

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

2019
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Benefit obligation as of 1 January

3 832

2 270

319

6 421

Service cost

99

8

3

110

Interest cost

29

67

7

103

Amendments

 

 

–1

–1

Actuarial gains/losses

307

297

24

628

Benefits paid

–59

–95

–16

–170

Employee contribution

32

 

 

32

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

–150

 

 

–150

Effect of foreign currency translation

75

42

4

121

Benefit obligation as of 31 December

4 165

2 589

340

7 094

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets as of 1 January

3 760

2 336

0

6 096

Actual return on plan assets

391

323

 

714

Company contribution

97

16

16

129

Benefits paid

–59

–95

–16

–170

Employee contribution

32

 

 

32

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

–150

 

 

–150

Effect of foreign currency translation

74

53

 

127

Fair value of plan assets as of 31 December

4 145

2 633

0

6 778

Funded status

–20

44

–340

–316

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

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

2019
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Non-current assets

 

242

 

242

Current liabilities

 

–3

–17

–20

Non-current liabilities

–20

–195

–323

–538

Net amount recognised

–20

44

–340

–316

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

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

2019
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Net gain/loss

818

441

13

1 272

Prior service cost/credit

–85

2

–50

–133

Total

733

443

–37

1 139

Components of net periodic benefit cost

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

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

2019
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Service cost (net of participant contributions)

99

8

3

110

Interest cost

29

67

7

103

Expected return on assets

–93

–88

 

–181

Amortisation of:

 

 

 

 

Net gain/loss

35

15

–2

48

Prior service cost

–15

 

–15

–30

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

28

 

 

28

Net periodic benefit cost

83

2

–7

78

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

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

2019
USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

Net gain/loss

10

55

24

89

Prior service cost/credit

 

 

–1

–1

Amortisation of:

 

 

 

 

Net gain/loss

–35

–15

2

–48

Prior service cost

15

 

15

30

Effect of settlement, curtailment and termination

–26

 

 

–26

Exchange rate gain/loss recognised during the year

 

3

 

3

Total recognised in other comprehensive income, gross of tax

–36

43

40

47

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

47

45

33

125

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 2020 are USD 80 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 2020 are nil and USD 15 million, respectively.

The accumulated benefit obligation (the current value of accrued benefits excluding future salary increases) for pension benefits was USD 6 043 million and USD 6 687 million as of 31 December 2018 and 2019, respectively.

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

USD millions

2018

2019

Projected benefit obligation

4 898

628

Accumulated benefit obligation

4 856

619

Fair value of plan assets

4 654

430

Principal actuarial assumptions

 

Swiss plan

 

Foreign plans weighted average

 

Other benefits weighted average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

2019

 

2018

2019

 

2018

2019

Assumptions used to determine obligations at the end of the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

0.8%

0.1%

 

3.0%

2.1%

 

2.2%

1.5%

Rate of compensation increase

1.8%

1.8%

 

3.0%

2.9%

 

2.1%

2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

0.6%

0.8%

 

2.8%

3.0%

 

2.1%

2.2%

Expected long-term return on plan assets

2.5%

2.5%

 

3.6%

3.7%

 

 

 

Rate of compensation increase

1.8%

1.8%

 

3.0%

3.0%

 

2.1%

2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assumed medical trend rates at year end

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical trend – initial rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.7%

4.4%

Medical trend – ultimate rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.6%

3.6%

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2023

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 2019:

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

–16

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 2018 and 2019 was as follows:

 

Swiss plan allocation

 

Foreign plans allocation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

2019

Target allocation

 

2018

2019

Target allocation

Asset category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

23%

26%

23%

 

13%

8%

13%

Debt securities

46%

41%

46%

 

73%

76%

81%

Real estate

24%

18%

23%

 

2%

0%

0%

Other

7%

15%

8%

 

12%

16%

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 shares of USD 4 million (0.1% of total plan assets) and USD 3 million (0.04% of total plan assets) as of 31 December 2018 and 2019, 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:

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 at fair value through earnings

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

2019
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

50

211

 

 

261

Debt securities issued by non-US governments and government agencies

 

1 365

 

 

1 365

Corporate debt securities

 

2 011

11

 

2 022

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

9

 

 

9

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

1

 

 

1

Agency securitised products

 

 

 

 

0

Other asset-backed securities

 

3

 

 

3

Equity securities at fair value through earnings

1 082

205

 

 

1 287

Short-term investments

 

43

 

 

43

Derivative financial instruments

 

36

 

 

36

Real estate

4

 

756

 

760

Other assets

 

95

 

698

793

Total assets at fair value

1 136

3 979

767

698

6 580

Cash

198

 

 

 

198

Total plan assets

1 334

3 979

767

698

6 778

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:

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

2019
USD millions

Real estate

Other assets

Total

Balance as of 1 January

721

10

731

Realised/unrealised gains/losses:

 

 

 

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

20

1

21

Relating to assets sold during the period

 

 

0

Purchases, issuances and settlements

2

 

2

Transfers in and/or out of level 3

 

 

0

Impact of foreign exchange movements

13

 

13

Closing balance as of 31 December

756

11

767

Expected contributions and estimated future benefit payments

The employer contributions expected to be made in 2020 to the defined benefit pension plans are USD 117 million and to the post-retirement benefit plan are USD 17 million.

As of 31 December 2019, the projected benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, not adjusted for transfers in and for employees’ voluntary contributions, are as follows:

USD millions

Swiss plan

Foreign plans

Other benefits

Total

2020

216

96

17

329

2021

212

101

17

330

2022

203

104

18

325

2023

198

106

18

322

2024

201

110

18

329

Years 2025–2029

966

585

90

1 641

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 2018 and 2019 was USD 85 million and USD 86 million, respectively.