Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)

v3.19.3.a.u2
PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Annual Costs Related to Retirement Plans
The following table summarizes the annual expense (income) recognized related to the retirement plans:
 
(In Millions)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Defined benefit pension plans
$
22.4

 
$
12.7

 
$
18.0

Defined contribution pension plans
3.4

 
3.1

 
2.9

OPEB plans
(2.5
)
 
(5.9
)
 
(6.1
)
Total
$
23.3

 
$
9.9

 
$
14.8


Obligations and Funded Status
The following tables and information provide additional disclosures:
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Change in benefit obligations:
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Benefit obligations — beginning of year
$
905.7

 
$
973.1

 
$
241.9

 
$
265.9

Service cost (excluding expenses)
17.3

 
18.7

 
1.7

 
2.2

Interest cost
34.9

 
30.3

 
9.5

 
8.3

Plan amendments

 
2.2

 

 
12.8

Actuarial (gain) loss
111.8

 
(57.0
)
 
18.9

 
(29.4
)
Benefits paid
(62.2
)
 
(60.7
)
 
(25.6
)
 
(24.4
)
Participant contributions

 

 
5.8

 
5.6

Other
13.6

 
(0.9
)
 
2.3

 
0.9

Benefit obligations — end of year
$
1,021.1

 
$
905.7

 
$
254.5

 
$
241.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets — beginning of year
$
687.2

 
$
749.8

 
$
240.2

 
$
262.5

Actual return on plan assets
98.1

 
(29.6
)
 
35.1

 
(8.2
)
Participant contributions

 

 
0.5

 
0.5

Employer contributions
16.4

 
27.6

 
2.5

 
3.0

Benefits paid
(62.2
)
 
(60.7
)
 
(18.6
)
 
(17.6
)
Other
9.4

 
0.1

 

 

Fair value of plan assets — end of year
$
748.9

 
$
687.2

 
$
259.7

 
$
240.2

Funded status
$
(272.2
)
 
$
(218.5
)
 
$
5.2

 
$
(1.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in Statements of Financial Position:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-current assets
$

 
$

 
$
48.5

 
$
32.1

Current liabilities
(0.5
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(3.5
)
 
(3.5
)
Non-current liabilities
(271.7
)
 
(218.4
)
 
(39.8
)
 
(30.3
)
Total amount recognized
$
(272.2
)
 
$
(218.5
)
 
$
5.2

 
$
(1.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
$
382.1

 
$
330.1

 
$
72.6

 
$
82.1

Prior service cost (credit)
7.3

 
8.5

 
(7.9
)
 
(9.9
)
Net amount recognized
$
389.4

 
$
338.6

 
$
64.7

 
$
72.2


Schedule of Net Funded Status
 
(In Millions)
 
2019
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Benefits
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
SERP
 
Total
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Total
Fair value of plan assets
$
293.7

 
$
455.2

 
$

 
$
748.9

 
$

 
$
259.7

 
$
259.7

Benefit obligation
(407.2
)
 
(607.3
)
 
(6.6
)
 
(1,021.1
)
 
(37.7
)
 
(216.8
)
 
(254.5
)
Funded status
$
(113.5
)
 
$
(152.1
)
 
$
(6.6
)
 
$
(272.2
)
 
$
(37.7
)
 
$
42.9

 
$
5.2


 
(In Millions)
 
2018
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Benefits
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Mining
 
SERP
 
Total
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Total
Fair value of plan assets
$
249.8

 
$
429.4

 
$
8.0

 
$

 
$
687.2

 
$

 
$
240.2

 
$
240.2

Benefit obligation
(340.8
)
 
(548.9
)
 
(10.7
)
 
(5.3
)
 
(905.7
)
 
(32.9
)
 
(209.0
)
 
(241.9
)
Funded status
$
(91.0
)
 
$
(119.5
)
 
$
(2.7
)
 
$
(5.3
)
 
$
(218.5
)
 
$
(32.9
)
 
$
31.2

 
$
(1.7
)

Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost
$
17.3

 
$
18.7

 
$
17.1

 
$
1.7

 
$
2.2

 
$
1.8

Interest cost
34.9

 
30.3

 
30.5

 
9.5

 
8.3

 
8.3

Expected return on plan assets
(54.6
)
 
(60.0
)
 
(54.5
)
 
(16.8
)
 
(18.4
)
 
(17.7
)
Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service costs (credits)
1.2

 
2.2

 
2.6

 
(2.0
)
 
(3.0
)
 
(3.0
)
Net actuarial loss
23.5

 
21.2

 
22.3

 
5.1

 
5.0

 
4.5

Curtailments
0.1

 
0.3

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
$
22.4

 
$
12.7

 
$
18.0

 
$
(2.5
)
 
$
(5.9
)
 
$
(6.1
)

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Discount rates
$
105.8

 
$
(75.7
)
 
$
25.5

 
$
(19.0
)
Demographic losses
12.3

 
21.7

 
3.6

 
2.3

Mortality
(6.3
)
 
(3.0
)
 
(3.9
)
 
(0.8
)
Per capita claims

 

 
(9.4
)
 
(11.9
)
Other

 

 
3.1

 

Actuarial (gain) loss on benefit obligation
111.8

 
(57.0
)
 
18.9

 
(29.4
)
Actual returns on assets (over) under estimate
(43.5
)
 
89.6

 
(18.3
)
 
26.6

Amortization of net actuarial loss
(23.5
)
 
(21.2
)
 
(5.1
)
 
(5.0
)
Amortization of prior service credits (costs)
(1.2
)
 
(2.2
)
 
2.0

 
3.0

Current year prior service costs

 
2.2

 

 
12.8

Other
7.2

 
(0.3
)
 
(5.0
)
 
1.5

Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)
$
50.8

 
$
11.1

 
$
(7.5
)
 
$
9.5


Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations
The following represents weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Discount rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
3.34
%
 
4.31
%
 
N/A
%
 
N/A
%
Salaried Pension Plan
3.18
 
 
4.21
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Ore Mining Pension Plan
N/A
 
 
4.33
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
3.05
 
 
4.22
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Hourly OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.28
 
 
4.29
 
Salaried OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.29
 
 
4.27
 
Interest crediting rate
6.00
 
 
6.00
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
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
The following represents weighted-average assumptions used to determine net benefit cost:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Obligation Discount Rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
4.31
%
 
3.61
%
 
4.02
%
 
N/A
%
 
N/A
%
 
N/A
%
Salaried Pension Plan
4.22
 
 
3.52
 
 
3.91
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Ore Mining Pension Plan
N/A
 
 
3.61
 
 
4.04
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
4.21
 
 
3.54
 
 
3.90
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Hourly OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
4.29
 
 
3.60
 
 
4.03
 
Salaried OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
4.28
 
 
3.57
 
 
3.98
 
Service Cost Discount Rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
4.49
 
 
3.76
 
 
4.30
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Salaried Pension Plan
4.23
 
 
3.53
 
 
3.93
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Ore Mining Pension Plan
N/A
 
 
3.75
 
 
4.27
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
4.11
 
 
3.43
 
 
3.69
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Hourly OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
4.48
 
 
3.73
 
 
4.23
 
Salaried OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
4.54
 
 
3.76
 
 
4.30
 
Interest Cost Discount Rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
3.96
 
 
3.21
 
 
3.38
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Salaried Pension Plan
3.85
 
 
3.08
 
 
3.21
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Ore Mining Pension Plan
N/A
 
 
3.22
 
 
3.41
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
3.89
 
 
3.16
 
 
3.36
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
Hourly OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.95
 
 
3.10
 
 
3.24
 
Salaried OPEB Plan
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
3.91
 
 
3.15
 
 
3.28
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest crediting rate
6.00
 
 
6.00
 
 
6.00
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
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
 
 
2.00
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
The following represents assumed health care cost trend rates:
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
6.50
%
 
6.75
%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate
5.00
 
 
5.00
 
Year that the ultimate rate is reached
2026
 
 
2026
 

Plan Assets and Asset Allocation The following table reflects the actual asset allocations for pension and VEBA plan assets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, as well as the 2020 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.
 
 
Pension Assets
 
VEBA Assets
Asset Category
 
2020
Target
Allocation
 
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
 
2020
Target
Allocation
 
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Equity securities
 
45.0
%
 
44.0
%
 
38.9
%
 
8.0
%
 
7.2
%
 
8.1
%
Fixed income
 
28.0
%
 
26.1
%
 
26.0
%
 
80.0
%
 
79.8
%
 
77.0
%
Hedge funds
 
5.0
%
 
5.4
%
 
5.4
%
 
4.0
%
 
4.8
%
 
4.7
%
Private equity
 
7.0
%
 
6.6
%
 
6.2
%
 
3.0
%
 
0.7
%
 
1.2
%
Structured credit
 
7.5
%
 
7.0
%
 
11.4
%
 
2.0
%
 
2.1
%
 
3.5
%
Real estate
 
7.5
%
 
9.4
%
 
10.3
%
 
3.0
%
 
5.4
%
 
5.4
%
Cash
 
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.8
%
 
%
 
%
 
0.1
%
Total
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Table Text Block]
The fair value of our pension plan assets by asset category is as follows:
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
December 31, 2019
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
 
$
139.1

 
$

 
$

 
$
139.1

U.S. small/mid-cap
 
29.3

 

 

 
29.3

International
 
161.4

 

 

 
161.4

Fixed income
 
173.0

 
22.3

 

 
195.3

Hedge funds
 

 

 
40.2

 
40.2

Private equity
 

 

 
49.5

 
49.5

Structured credit
 

 

 
52.3

 
52.3

Real estate
 

 

 
70.4

 
70.4

Cash
 
11.4

 

 

 
11.4

Total
 
$
514.2

 
$
22.3

 
$
212.4

 
$
748.9

 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
December 31, 2018
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
 
$
112.6

 
$

 
$

 
$
112.6

U.S. small/mid-cap
 
22.5

 

 

 
22.5

International
 
132.0

 

 

 
132.0

Fixed income
 
151.1

 
27.4

 

 
178.5

Hedge funds
 

 

 
37.2

 
37.2

Private equity
 

 

 
42.6

 
42.6

Structured credit
 

 

 
78.8

 
78.8

Real estate
 

 

 
70.5

 
70.5

Cash
 
12.5

 

 

 
12.5

Total
 
$
430.7

 
$
27.4

 
$
229.1

 
$
687.2


Effect of Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs on Changes in Plan Assets
The following represents the fair value measurements of changes in plan assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2019
$
37.2

 
$
42.6

 
$
78.8

 
$
70.5

 
$
229.1

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at
    the reporting date
3.4

 
(1.0
)
 
0.5

 
(4.2
)
 
(1.3
)
Relating to assets sold during
    the period

 
1.2

 
0.8

 
28.6

 
30.6

Purchases

 
16.5

 

 

 
16.5

Sales

 
(9.3
)
 
(26.8
)
 
(23.8
)
 
(59.9
)
Other
(0.4
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(1.0
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(2.6
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2019
$
40.2

 
$
49.5

 
$
52.3

 
$
70.4

 
$
212.4

 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2018
$
37.4

 
$
39.8

 
$
72.9

 
$
65.5

 
$
215.6

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at
    the reporting date
(0.2
)
 
1.4

 
5.9

 
5.4

 
12.5

Relating to assets sold during
the period

 
4.0

 

 

 
4.0

Purchases

 
5.2

 

 

 
5.2

Sales

 
(7.8
)
 

 
(0.4
)
 
(8.2
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2018
$
37.2

 
$
42.6

 
$
78.8

 
$
70.5

 
$
229.1


Schedule Of Annual Contributions
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Company Contributions
 
VEBA
 
Direct
Payments
 
Total
2018
 
$
27.6

 
$

 
$
3.8

 
$
3.8

2019
 
16.4

 

 
3.7

 
3.7

2020 (Expected)1
 
20.2

 

 
3.5

 
3.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2019). Funding obligations have been suspended as 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 2020
For 2020, we estimate net periodic benefit cost (credit) as follows:
 
(In Millions)
Defined benefit pension plans
$
16.7

OPEB plans
(8.7
)
Total
$
8.0


Estimated Future Benefit Payments
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Gross
Company
Benefits
 
Less
Medicare
Subsidy
 
Net
Benefit
Payments
2020
$
73.6

 
$
17.2

 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
16.5

2021
71.1

 
16.6

 
(0.8
)
 
15.8

2022
70.4

 
16.3

 
(0.8
)
 
15.5

2023
71.2

 
16.3

 
(0.8
)
 
15.5

2024
66.9

 
16.1

 
(0.9
)
 
15.2

2025-2029
318.2

 
77.3

 
(4.6
)
 
72.7


Veba Trust [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Table Text Block] The fair value of our other benefit plan assets by asset category is as follows:
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
December 31, 2019
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
 
$
9.3

 
$

 
$

 
$
9.3

U.S. small/mid-cap
 
2.3

 

 

 
2.3

International
 
7.0

 

 

 
7.0

Fixed income
 
166.4

 
40.9

 

 
207.3

Hedge funds
 

 

 
12.4

 
12.4

Private equity
 

 

 
1.7

 
1.7

Structured credit
 

 

 
5.5

 
5.5

Real estate
 

 

 
14.0

 
14.0

Cash
 
0.2

 

 

 
0.2

Total
 
$
185.2

 
$
40.9

 
$
33.6

 
$
259.7

 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
December 31, 2018
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
 
$
9.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
9.7

U.S. small/mid-cap
 
2.4

 

 

 
2.4

International
 
7.3

 

 

 
7.3

Fixed income
 
146.8

 
37.8

 

 
184.6

Hedge funds
 

 

 
11.4

 
11.4

Private equity
 

 

 
3.0

 
3.0

Structured credit
 

 

 
8.5

 
8.5

Real estate
 

 

 
13.1

 
13.1

Cash
 
0.2

 

 

 
0.2

Total
 
$
166.4

 
$
37.8

 
$
36.0

 
$
240.2


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:
 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2019
$
11.4

 
$
3.0

 
$
8.5

 
$
13.1

 
$
36.0

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date
1.0

 
(0.6
)
 
0.1

 
0.9

 
1.4

Relating to assets sold during the period

 

 
0.1

 

 
0.1

Purchases

 

 

 

 

Sales

 
(0.7
)
 
(3.2
)
 

 
(3.9
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2019
$
12.4

 
$
1.7

 
$
5.5

 
$
14.0

 
$
33.6

 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2018
$
11.4

 
$
3.9

 
$
7.9

 
$
12.0

 
$
35.2

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

 
(0.1
)
 
0.6

 
1.1

 
1.6

Relating to assets sold during the period

 
0.3

 

 

 
0.3

Purchases

 

 

 

 

Sales

 
(1.1
)
 

 

 
(1.1
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2018
$
11.4

 
$
3.0

 
$
8.5

 
$
13.1

 
$
36.0