Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)

v3.8.0.1
PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Retirement And Defined Compensation Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]
The following table summarizes the annual expense (income) recognized related to the retirement plans for 2017, 2016 and 2015:
 
(In Millions)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Defined benefit pension plans
$
18.0

 
$
16.5

 
$
23.9

Defined contribution pension plans
2.9

 
2.8

 
3.6

Other postretirement benefits
(6.1
)
 
(4.0
)
 
4.4

Total
$
14.8

 
$
15.3

 
$
31.9

Obligations and Funded Status
The following tables and information provide additional disclosures for the years ending December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Change in benefit obligations:
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Benefit obligations — beginning of year
$
931.6

 
$
910.8

 
$
264.6

 
$
266.0

Service cost (excluding expenses)
17.1

 
17.6

 
1.8

 
1.7

Interest cost
30.5

 
30.3

 
8.3

 
9.1

Plan amendments

 
5.7

 

 
9.8

Actuarial (gain) loss
54.6

 
38.1

 
7.4

 
(7.2
)
Benefits paid
(60.7
)
 
(70.9
)
 
(21.4
)
 
(21.3
)
Participant contributions

 

 
4.6

 
6.0

Federal subsidy on benefits paid

 

 
0.6

 
0.5

Benefit obligations — end of year
$
973.1

 
$
931.6

 
$
265.9

 
$
264.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets — beginning of year
$
685.8

 
$
700.6

 
$
253.0

 
$
250.6

Actual return on plan assets
100.2

 
54.8

 
24.2

 
16.0

Participant contributions

 

 
0.3

 
0.5

Employer contributions
24.4

 
1.2

 
1.7

 
1.7

Asset transfers
0.1

 
0.1

 

 

Benefits paid
(60.7
)
 
(70.9
)
 
(16.7
)
 
(15.8
)
Fair value of plan assets — end of year
$
749.8

 
$
685.8

 
$
262.5

 
$
253.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded status at December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets
$
749.8

 
$
685.8

 
$
262.5

 
$
253.0

Benefit obligations
(973.1
)
 
(931.6
)
 
(265.9
)
 
(264.6
)
Amount recognized at December 31
$
(223.3
)
 
$
(245.8
)
 
$
(3.4
)
 
$
(11.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in Statements of Financial Position:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent assets
$

 
$

 
$
35.4

 
$
27.3

Current liabilities
(0.5
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(3.9
)
 
(4.1
)
Noncurrent liabilities
(222.8
)
 
(245.7
)
 
(34.9
)
 
(34.8
)
Total amount recognized
$
(223.3
)
 
$
(245.8
)
 
$
(3.4
)
 
$
(11.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
$
318.7

 
$
315.9

 
$
88.3

 
$
87.0

Prior service cost (credit)
8.8

 
11.0

 
(25.6
)
 
(26.9
)
Net amount recognized
$
327.5

 
$
326.9

 
$
62.7

 
$
60.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in 2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
$
21.1

 
 
 
$
4.9

 
 
Prior service cost (credit)
2.2

 
 
 
(3.0
)
 
 
Net amount recognized
$
23.3

 
 
 
$
1.9

 
 
Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Benefit Obligation And Funded Status
 
(In Millions)
 
2017
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Benefits
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Mining
 
SERP
 
Total
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Total
Fair value of plan assets
$
269.4

 
$
473.0

 
$
7.4

 
$

 
$
749.8

 
$

 
$
262.5

 
$
262.5

Benefit obligation
(368.0
)
 
(590.0
)
 
(10.3
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(973.1
)
 
(37.7
)
 
(228.2
)
 
(265.9
)
Funded status
$
(98.6
)
 
$
(117.0
)
 
$
(2.9
)
 
$
(4.8
)
 
$
(223.3
)
 
$
(37.7
)
 
$
34.3

 
$
(3.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Benefits
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Mining
 
SERP
 
Total
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Total
Fair value of plan assets
$
242.9

 
$
436.9

 
$
6.0

 
$

 
$
685.8

 
$

 
$
253.0

 
$
253.0

Benefit obligation
(351.9
)
 
(565.6
)
 
(10.0
)
 
(4.1
)
 
(931.6
)
 
(37.6
)
 
(227.0
)
 
(264.6
)
Funded status
$
(109.0
)
 
$
(128.7
)
 
$
(4.0
)
 
$
(4.1
)
 
$
(245.8
)
 
$
(37.6
)
 
$
26.0

 
$
(11.6
)
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Service cost
$
17.1

 
$
17.6

 
$
22.7

 
$
1.8

 
$
1.7

 
$
6.4

Interest cost
30.5

 
30.3

 
37.7

 
8.3

 
9.1

 
13.4

Expected return on plan assets
(54.5
)
 
(54.7
)
 
(59.8
)
 
(17.7
)
 
(17.1
)
 
(18.3
)
Amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service costs (credits)
2.6

 
2.2

 
2.3

 
(3.0
)
 
(3.7
)
 
(3.7
)
Net actuarial loss
22.3

 
21.1

 
20.8

 
4.5

 
6.0

 
6.6

Curtailments and settlements

 

 
0.2

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
$
18.0

 
$
16.5

 
$
23.9

 
$
(6.1
)
 
$
(4.0
)
 
$
4.4

Curtailment effects

 

 
(1.2
)
 

 

 

Current year actuarial loss (gain)
9.3

 
37.8

 
(0.7
)
 
1.2

 
(8.1
)
 
0.2

Amortization of net loss
(22.3
)
 
(21.1
)
 
(21.0
)
 
(4.5
)
 
(6.0
)
 
(6.6
)
Current year prior service cost

 
5.7

 

 

 
9.8

 

Amortization of prior service credit (cost)
(2.6
)
 
(2.2
)
 
(2.3
)
 
3.0

 
3.7

 
3.7

Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(15.6
)
 
$
20.2

 
$
(25.2
)
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$
(2.7
)
Total recognized in net periodic cost and other
    comprehensive income (loss)
$
2.4

 
$
36.7

 
$
(1.3
)
 
$
(6.4
)
 
$
(4.6
)
 
$
1.7

Additional Information


Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 were:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Discount rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
3.60
%
 
4.02
%
 
N/A
%
 
N/A
%
Salaried Pension Plan
3.52
 
 
3.92
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Ore Mining Pension Plan
3.61
 
 
4.04
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
SERP
3.50
 
 
3.90
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Hourly OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.60
 
 
4.02
 
Salaried OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.57
 
 
3.99
 
Salaried rate of compensation increase
3.00
 
 
3.00
 
 
3.00
 
 
3.00
 
Hourly rate of compensation increase
2.00
 
 
2.00
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used To Determine Net Benefit Costs
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net benefit cost for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015 were:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Obligation Discount Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
4.02
%
 
4.27
%
 
3.83
%
 
N/A
%
 
N/A
%
 
N/A
%
Salaried Pension Plan
3.91
 
 
4.13
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Ore Mining Pension Plan
4.04
 
 
4.28
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
SERP
3.90
 
 
4.01
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Hourly OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
4.03
 
 
4.32
 
 
3.83
 
Salaried OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.98
 
 
4.22
 
 
3.83
 
Service Cost Discount Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
4.30
 
 
4.66
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Salaried Pension Plan
3.93
 
 
4.14
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Ore Mining Pension Plan
4.27
 
 
4.60
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
SERP
3.69
 
 
3.87
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Hourly OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
4.23
 
 
4.56
 
 
3.83
 
Salaried OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
4.30
 
 
4.63
 
 
3.83
 
Interest Cost Discount Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
3.38
 
 
3.46
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Salaried Pension Plan
3.21
 
 
3.21
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Ore Mining Pension Plan
3.41
 
 
3.48
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
SERP
3.36
 
 
3.30
 
 
3.83
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Hourly OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.24
 
 
3.48
 
 
3.83
 
Salaried OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.28
 
 
3.31
 
 
3.83
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected return on plan assets
8.25
 
 
8.25
 
 
8.25
 
 
7.00
 
 
7.00
 
 
7.00
 
Salaried rate of compensation increase
3.00
 
 
3.00
 
 
3.00
 
 
3.00
 
 
3.00
 
 
3.00
 
Hourly rate of compensation increase
2.00
 
 
2.00
 
 
2.50
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31 were:
 
2017
 
2016
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
7.00
%
 
6.50
%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate
5.00
 
 
5.00
 
Year that the ultimate rate is reached
2026
 
 
2023
 
Effect of One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
A change of one percentage point in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
 
(In Millions)
 
Increase
 
Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest cost
$
1.0

 
$
(0.8
)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
21.2

 
(17.6
)
Plan Assets and Asset Allocation
The following table reflects the actual asset allocations for pension and VEBA plan assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, as well as the 2018 weighted average target asset allocations. Equity investments include securities in large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap companies located in the U.S. and worldwide. Fixed income investments primarily include corporate bonds and government debt securities. Alternative investments include hedge funds, private equity, structured credit and real estate.
 
Pension Assets
 
VEBA Assets
Asset Category
2018
Target
Allocation
 
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
 
2018
Target
Allocation
 
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Equity securities
45.0
%
 
43.6
%
 
43.2
%
 
8.0
%
 
8.7
%
 
8.4
%
Fixed income
28.0
%
 
27.0
%
 
26.4
%
 
80.0
%
 
77.7
%
 
78.3
%
Hedge funds
5.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
5.9
%
 
4.0
%
 
4.4
%
 
4.4
%
Private equity
7.0
%
 
5.3
%
 
5.3
%
 
3.0
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.7
%
Structured credit
7.5
%
 
9.7
%
 
9.3
%
 
2.0
%
 
3.0
%
 
2.7
%
Real estate
7.5
%
 
8.7
%
 
9.0
%
 
3.0
%
 
4.6
%
 
4.4
%
Cash
%
 
0.7
%
 
0.9
%
 
%
 
0.1
%
 
0.1
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Pension
The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 by asset category are as follows:
 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2017
Asset Category
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. large-cap
$
130.1

 
$

 
$

 
$
130.1

U.S. small/mid-cap
35.5

 

 

 
35.5

International
160.9

 

 

 
160.9

Fixed income
173.6

 
28.8

 

 
202.4

Hedge funds

 

 
37.4

 
37.4

Private equity

 

 
39.8

 
39.8

Structured credit

 

 
72.9

 
72.9

Real estate

 

 
65.5

 
65.5

Cash
5.3

 

 

 
5.3

Total
$
505.4

 
$
28.8

 
$
215.6

 
$
749.8

 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2016
Asset Category
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. large-cap
$
144.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
144.7

U.S. small/mid-cap
39.9

 

 

 
39.9

International
111.8

 

 

 
111.8

Fixed income
157.5

 
23.7

 

 
181.2

Hedge funds

 

 
40.6

 
40.6

Private equity

 

 
36.1

 
36.1

Structured credit

 

 
63.8

 
63.8

Real estate

 

 
61.9

 
61.9

Cash
5.8

 

 

 
5.8

Total
$
459.7

 
$
23.7

 
$
202.4

 
$
685.8

Effect of Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs on Changes in Plan Assets
The following represents the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on changes in plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2017
$
40.6

 
$
36.1

 
$
63.8

 
$
61.9

 
$
202.4

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at
    the reporting date
2.5

 
0.3

 
9.1

 
4.2

 
16.1

Relating to assets sold during
    the period
0.4

 
4.5

 

 
(0.1
)
 
4.8

Purchases
39.0

 
4.5

 

 
14.4

 
57.9

Sales
(45.1
)
 
(5.6
)
 

 
(14.9
)
 
(65.6
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2017
$
37.4

 
$
39.8

 
$
72.9

 
$
65.5

 
$
215.6

 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2016
$
40.7

 
$
33.1

 
$
62.1

 
$
57.5

 
$
193.4

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at
    the reporting date
(0.1
)
 
(2.7
)
 
10.0

 
5.1

 
12.3

Relating to assets sold during
the period

 
3.7

 
(0.3
)
 
(0.1
)
 
3.3

Purchases

 
8.0

 

 

 
8.0

Sales

 
(6.0
)
 
(8.0
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(14.6
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2016
$
40.6

 
$
36.1

 
$
63.8

 
$
61.9

 
$
202.4

VEBA
Assets fo
Schedule Of Annual Contributions
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Company Contributions
 
VEBA
 
Direct
Payments
 
Total
2016
 
$
1.2

 
$

 
$
1.1

 
$
1.1

2017
 
24.4

 

 
2.1

 
2.1

2018 (Expected)1
 
27.8

 

 
4.0

 
4.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Pursuant to the bargaining agreement, benefits can be paid from VEBA trusts that are at least 70% funded (all VEBA trusts are over 70% funded at December 31, 2017). Funding obligations have been suspended as Hibbing's, UTAC's, Tilden's and Empire's share of the value of their respective trust assets have reached 90% of their obligation.
Estimated Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Estimated Cost for 2018
For 2018, we estimate net periodic benefit cost as follows:
 
(In Millions)
Defined benefit pension plans
$
12.3

Other postretirement benefits
(6.2
)
Total
$
6.1

Estimated Future Benefit Payments
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Gross
Company
Benefits
 
Less
Medicare
Subsidy
 
Net
Benefit
Payments
2018
$
69.6

 
$
18.9

 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
18.2

2019
66.7

 
18.0

 
(0.8
)
 
17.2

2020
66.0

 
17.4

 
(0.9
)
 
16.5

2021
65.1

 
16.9

 
(1.0
)
 
15.9

2022
65.2

 
16.7

 
(1.1
)
 
15.6

2023-2027
310.5

 
81.5

 
(6.6
)
 
74.9

Veba Trust [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
The fair value of our other benefit plan assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 by asset category are as follows:
 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2017
Asset Category
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. large-cap
$
11.4

 
$

 
$

 
$
11.4

U.S. small/mid-cap
2.8

 

 

 
2.8

International
8.8

 

 

 
8.8

Fixed income
164.1

 
40.0

 

 
204.1

Hedge funds

 

 
11.4

 
11.4

Private equity

 

 
3.9

 
3.9

Structured credit

 

 
7.9

 
7.9

Real estate

 

 
12.0

 
12.0

Cash
0.2

 

 

 
0.2

Total
$
187.3

 
$
40.0

 
$
35.2

 
$
262.5

 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2016
Asset Category
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Equity securities:

 

 

 

U.S. large-cap
$
10.6

 
$

 
$

 
$
10.6

U.S. small/mid-cap
2.7

 

 

 
2.7

International
8.1

 

 

 
8.1

Fixed income
162.0

 
35.9

 

 
197.9

Hedge funds

 

 
11.2

 
11.2

Private equity

 

 
4.3

 
4.3

Structured credit

 

 
6.9

 
6.9

Real estate

 

 
11.1

 
11.1

Cash
0.2

 

 

 
0.2

Total
$
183.6

 
$
35.9

 
$
33.5

 
$
253.0

Effect of Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs on Changes in Plan Assets
The following represents the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on changes in plan assets for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2017
$
11.2

 
$
4.3

 
$
6.9

 
$
11.1

 
$
33.5

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date
0.8

 
0.9

 
2.0

 
3.4

 
7.1

Relating to assets sold during the period

 
(0.4
)
 
(1.0
)
 
(2.5
)
 
(3.9
)
Purchases
17.1

 
1.8

 
2.1

 
3.0

 
24.0

Sales
(17.7
)
 
(2.7
)
 
(2.1
)
 
(3.0
)
 
(25.5
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2017
$
11.4

 
$
3.9

 
$
7.9

 
$
12.0

 
$
35.2

 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2016
$
11.2

 
$
5.5

 
$
5.8

 
$
10.0

 
$
32.5

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

 
(0.3
)
 
1.1

 
1.1

 
1.9

Relating to assets sold during the period

 
0.1

 

 

 
0.1

Purchases

 

 

 

 

Sales

 
(1.0
)
 

 

 
(1.0
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2016
$
11.2

 
$
4.3

 
$
6.9

 
$
11.1

 
$
33.5

Contributions