Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)

v2.4.1.9
PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Retirement And Defined Compensation Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]
The following table summarizes the annual expense recognized related to the retirement plans for 2014, 2013 and 2012:
 
(In Millions)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Defined benefit pension plans
$
31.3

 
$
52.1

 
$
55.2

Defined contribution pension plans
6.3

 
6.8

 
6.7

Other postretirement benefits
(0.7
)
 
17.4

 
28.1

Total
$
36.9

 
$
76.3

 
$
90.0

Obligations and Funded Status
The following tables and information provide additional disclosures for the December 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Change in benefit obligations:
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Benefit obligations — beginning of year
$
1,118.0

 
$
1,244.3

 
$
356.2

 
$
459.8

Service cost (excluding expenses)
30.8

 
38.9

 
6.7

 
12.3

Interest cost
49.7

 
45.9

 
16.2

 
17.3

Plan amendments

 
0.8

 
(0.9
)
 

Actuarial (gain) loss
141.6

 
(121.8
)
 
51.9

 
(103.3
)
Benefits paid
(87.0
)
 
(72.9
)
 
(27.4
)
 
(28.0
)
Participant contributions

 

 
4.8

 
5.6

Federal subsidy on benefits paid

 

 
0.9

 
0.5

Exchange rate gain
(18.2
)
 
(17.2
)
 
(3.7
)
 
(8.0
)
Curtailment gain
(10.9
)
 

 
(8.8
)
 

Special termination benefits
3.4

 

 

 

Benefit obligations — end of year
$
1,227.4

 
$
1,118.0

 
$
395.9

 
$
356.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets — beginning of year
$
915.3

 
$
838.7

 
$
251.8

 
$
237.0

Actual return on plan assets
78.7

 
109.5

 
31.9

 
11.0

Participant contributions

 

 
0.8

 
1.8

Employer contributions
60.5

 
53.7

 
6.9

 
20.7

Benefits paid
(87.0
)
 
(72.9
)
 
(22.1
)
 
(18.7
)
Exchange rate loss
(17.9
)
 
(13.7
)
 

 

Fair value of plan assets — end of year
$
949.6

 
$
915.3

 
$
269.3

 
$
251.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded status at December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets
$
949.6

 
$
915.3

 
$
269.3

 
$
251.8

Benefit obligations
(1,227.4
)
 
(1,118.0
)
 
(395.9
)
 
(356.2
)
Funded status (plan assets less benefit obligations)
$
(277.8
)
 
$
(202.7
)
 
$
(126.6
)
 
$
(104.4
)
Amount recognized at December 31
$
(277.8
)
 
$
(202.7
)
 
$
(126.6
)
 
$
(104.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in Statements of Financial Position:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
$
(2.4
)
 
$
(5.2
)
 
$
(6.8
)
 
$
(7.9
)
Noncurrent liabilities
(275.4
)
 
(197.5
)
 
(119.8
)
 
(96.5
)
Net amount recognized
$
(277.8
)
 
$
(202.7
)
 
$
(126.6
)
 
$
(104.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
$
341.5

 
$
230.6

 
$
97.1

 
$
67.0

Prior service cost
10.6

 
14.9

 
(42.9
)
 
(45.4
)
Net amount recognized
$
352.1

 
$
245.5

 
$
54.2

 
$
21.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
$
22.3

 
 
 
$
6.3

 
 
Prior service cost
2.4

 
 
 
(3.7
)
 
 
Net amount recognized
$
24.7

 
 
 
$
2.6

 
 
Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Benefit Obligation And Funded Status
 
(In Millions)
 
2014
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Benefits
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Mining
 
SERP
 
Total
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Total
Fair value of plan assets
$
366.4

 
$
576.6

 
$
6.6

 
$

 
$
949.6

 
$

 
$
269.3

 
$
269.3

Benefit obligation
(471.4
)
 
(739.2
)
 
(9.2
)
 
(7.6
)
 
(1,227.4
)
 
(54.0
)
 
(341.9
)
 
(395.9
)
Funded status
$
(105.0
)
 
$
(162.6
)
 
$
(2.6
)
 
$
(7.6
)
 
$
(277.8
)
 
$
(54.0
)
 
$
(72.6
)
 
$
(126.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Benefits
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Mining
 
SERP
 
Total
 
Salaried
 
Hourly
 
Total
Fair value of plan assets
$
357.4

 
$
552.7

 
$
5.2

 
$

 
$
915.3

 
$

 
$
251.8

 
$
251.8

Benefit obligation
(427.2
)
 
(674.8
)
 
(6.8
)
 
(9.2
)
 
(1,118.0
)
 
(53.6
)
 
(302.6
)
 
(356.2
)
Funded status
$
(69.8
)
 
$
(122.1
)
 
$
(1.6
)
 
$
(9.2
)
 
$
(202.7
)
 
$
(53.6
)
 
$
(50.8
)
 
$
(104.4
)
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Service cost
$
30.8

 
$
38.9

 
$
32.0

 
$
6.7

 
$
12.3

 
$
14.7

Interest cost
49.7

 
45.9

 
48.4

 
16.2

 
17.3

 
20.6

Expected return on plan assets
(72.3
)
 
(65.6
)
 
(59.5
)
 
(17.1
)
 
(20.1
)
 
(17.7
)
Amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset

 

 

 

 

 
(3.0
)
Prior service costs (credits)
2.7

 
3.0

 
3.9

 
(3.6
)
 
(3.6
)
 
1.9

Net actuarial loss
14.1

 
29.9

 
30.4

 
5.0

 
11.5

 
11.6

Curtailments and settlements
2.9

 

 

 
(7.9
)
 

 

Special termination benefits
3.4

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost
$
31.3

 
$
52.1

 
$
55.2

 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
17.4

 
$
28.1

Curtailment effects

 

 

 
(0.8
)
 

 

Current year actuarial (gain)/loss
121.8

 
(168.8
)
 
53.1

 
36.9

 
(95.2
)
 
3.2

Amortization of net loss
(15.5
)
 
(29.9
)
 
(30.4
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(11.5
)
 
(11.6
)
Current year prior service (credit) cost
(1.5
)
 
0.8

 
2.8

 
(0.9
)
 

 
(58.3
)
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
(2.7
)
 
(3.0
)
 
(3.9
)
 
3.6

 
3.6

 
(1.9
)
Amortization of transition asset

 

 

 

 

 
3.0

Total recognized in other comprehensive income
$
102.1

 
$
(200.9
)
 
$
21.6

 
$
33.8

 
$
(103.1
)
 
$
(65.6
)
Total recognized in net periodic cost and other
    comprehensive income
$
133.4

 
$
(148.8
)
 
$
76.8

 
$
33.1

 
$
(85.7
)
 
$
(37.5
)
Additional Information
Additional Information
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Effect of change in mine ownership & noncontrolling interest
$
51.4

 
$
46.5

 
$
54.8

 
$
5.9

 
$
4.8

 
$
8.6

Actual return on plan assets
78.7

 
109.5

 
92.5

 
31.9

 
11.0

 
26.1

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 were:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
U.S. plan discount rate
3.83%
 
4.57%
 
3.83%
 
4.57%
Canadian plan discount rate
3.75
 
4.50
 
3.75
 
4.75
U.S. salaried rate of compensation increase
3.00
 
4.00
 
3.00
 
4.00
Canadian rate of compensation increase
3.00
 
4.00
 
N/A
 
N/A
Hourly rate of compensation increase (ultimate)
2.50
 
3.00
 
N/A
 
N/A
U.S. expected return on plan assets
8.25
 
8.25
 
7.00
 
7.00
Canadian expected return on plan assets
7.25
 
7.25
 
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 2014, 2013 and 2012 were:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
U.S. plan discount rate
4.57
%
3.70
%
4.28
%
4.57
%
3.70
%
4.28/3.51
% 1
Canadian plan discount rate
4.50
 
3.75
 
4.00
 
4.75
 
4.00
 
4.25
 
U.S. expected return on plan assets
8.25
 
8.25
 
8.25
 
7.00
 
8.25
 
8.25
 
Canadian expected return on plan assets
7.25
 
7.25
 
7.25
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
U.S. salaried rate of compensation increase
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
U.S. hourly rate of compensation increase
3.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
Canadian rate of compensation increase
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
4.00
 
                                       
1 
4.28 percent for the Salaried Plan. For the Hourly Plan, 4.28 percent from January 1, 2012 through October 31, 2012, and 3.51 percent from November 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31 were:
 
2014
 
2013
 
U.S. plan health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
7.00
%
7.25
%
Canadian plan health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
4.25
 
4.00
 
Ultimate health care cost trend rate
5.00
 
5.00
 
U.S. plan year that the ultimate rate is reached
2023
 
2023
 
Canadian plan year that the ultimate rate is reached
2018
 
2018
 
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
$
3.4

 
$
(2.7
)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
49.6

 
(39.9
)
Plan Assets and Asset Allocation
The following table reflects the actual asset allocations for pension and VEBA plan assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, as well as the 2015 weighted average target asset allocations as of December 31, 2014. 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
2015
Target
Allocation
 
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
 
2015
Target
Allocation
 
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Equity securities
48.2
%
 
48.6
%
 
51.5
%
 
8.0
%
 
8.6
%
 
10.4
%
Fixed income
28.4
%
 
29.0
%
 
26.7
%
 
80.1
%
 
79.3
%
 
66.6
%
Hedge funds
6.1
%
 
6.2
%
 
6.3
%
 
4.2
%
 
4.3
%
 
9.8
%
Private equity
5.5
%
 
3.3
%
 
3.2
%
 
2.6
%
 
2.3
%
 
2.4
%
Structured credit
5.9
%
 
6.9
%
 
6.7
%
 
2.1
%
 
2.3
%
 
5.4
%
Real estate
5.9
%
 
5.3
%
 
4.5
%
 
3.0
%
 
3.2
%
 
5.3
%
Cash
%
 
0.7
%
 
1.1
%
 
%
 
%
 
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, 2014 and 2013 by asset category are as follows:
 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2014
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
$
248.5

 
$

 
$

 
$
248.5

U.S. small/mid-cap
55.8

 

 

 
55.8

International
157.4

 

 

 
157.4

Fixed income
243.7

 
31.8

 

 
275.5

Hedge funds

 

 
59.2

 
59.2

Private equity

 

 
31.2

 
31.2

Structured credit

 

 
65.4

 
65.4

Real estate

 

 
50.0

 
50.0

Cash
6.6

 

 

 
6.6

Total
$
712.0

 
$
31.8

 
$
205.8

 
$
949.6

 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2013
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
$
261.5

 
$

 
$

 
$
261.5

U.S. small/mid-cap
60.8

 

 

 
60.8

International
149.3

 

 

 
149.3

Fixed income
214.8

 
30.1

 

 
244.9

Hedge funds

 

 
57.6

 
57.6

Private equity

 

 
29.1

 
29.1

Structured credit

 

 
61.0

 
61.0

Real estate

 

 
40.9

 
40.9

Cash
10.2

 

 

 
10.2

Total
$
696.6

 
$
30.1

 
$
188.6

 
$
915.3

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, 2014 and 2013:
 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Hedge Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2014
$
57.6

 
$
29.1

 
$
61.0

 
$
40.9

 
$
188.6

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at
    the reporting date
3.1

 
3.2

 
4.4

 
5.2

 
15.9

Relating to assets sold during
    the period
(1.5
)
 
3.0

 

 

 
1.5

Purchases

 
1.4

 

 
5.4

 
6.8

Sales

 
(5.5
)
 

 
(1.5
)
 
(7.0
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2014
$
59.2

 
$
31.2

 
$
65.4

 
$
50.0

 
$
205.8

 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Hedge Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured
Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2013
$
85.6

 
$
29.3

 
$
56.2

 
$
29.4

 
$
200.5

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at
    the reporting date
4.5

 
(2.1
)
 
33.5

 
5.1

 
41.0

Relating to assets sold during
    the period
(1.2
)
 
5.2

 
(28.7
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(25.1
)
Purchases
66.0

 
14.7

 
27.5

 
36.8

 
145.0

Sales
(97.3
)
 
(18.0
)
 
(27.5
)
 
(30.0
)
 
(172.8
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2013
$
57.6

 
$
29.1

 
$
61.0

 
$
40.9

 
$
188.6

Schedule Of Annual Contributions
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Company Contributions
 
VEBA
 
Direct
Payments
 
Total
2013
 
$
53.7

 
$
14.6

 
$
10.9

 
$
25.5

2014
 
60.5

 

 
7.3

 
7.3

2015 (Expected)*
 
36.8

 

 
6.8

 
6.8

                                         
*
Pursuant to the bargaining agreement, benefits can be paid from VEBA trusts that are at least 70 percent funded (all VEBA trusts are over 70 percent funded at December 31, 2014). 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 percent of their obligation.
Estimated Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Estimated Cost for 2015
For 2015, we estimate net periodic benefit cost as follows:
 
(In Millions)
Defined benefit pension plans
$
23.6

Other postretirement benefits
6.0

Total
$
29.6

Estimated Future Benefit Payments
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
 
(In Millions)
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
Gross
Company
Benefits
 
Less
Medicare
Subsidy
 
Net
Company
Payments
2015
$
89.3

 
$
23.1

 
$
0.9

 
$
22.2

2016
77.7

 
23.0

 
1.0

 
22.0

2017
78.1

 
23.2

 
1.1

 
22.1

2018
79.3

 
23.3

 
1.3

 
22.0

2019
78.6

 
22.9

 
1.4

 
21.5

2020-2024
402.4

 
110.7

 
8.6

 
102.1

Other Potential Benefit Obligations
Other Potential Benefit Obligations
While the foregoing reflects our obligation, our total exposure in the event of non-performance is potentially greater. Following is a summary comparison of the total obligation:
 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2014
 
Defined
Benefit
Pensions
 
Other
Benefits
Fair value of plan assets
$
949.6

 
$
269.3

Benefit obligation
(1,227.4
)
 
(395.9
)
Underfunded status of plan
$
(277.8
)
 
$
(126.6
)
Additional shutdown and early retirement benefits
$
(26.7
)
 
$
40.5

Veba Trust [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
The fair values of our other benefit plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by asset category are as follows:
 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2014
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
$
11.6

 
$

 
$

 
$
11.6

U.S. small/mid-cap
2.9

 

 

 
2.9

International
8.6

 

 

 
8.6

Fixed income
174.5

 
39.1

 

 
213.6

Hedge funds

 

 
11.5

 
11.5

Private equity

 

 
6.2

 
6.2

Structured credit

 

 
6.1

 
6.1

Real estate

 

 
8.7

 
8.7

Cash
0.1

 

 

 
0.1

Total
$
197.7

 
$
39.1

 
$
32.5

 
$
269.3

 
(In Millions)
 
December 31, 2013
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
$
15.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
15.7

U.S. small/mid-cap
2.7

 

 

 
2.7

International
7.8

 

 

 
7.8

Fixed income
134.4

 
33.7

 

 
168.1

Hedge funds

 

 
24.6

 
24.6

Private equity

 

 
6.0

 
6.0

Structured credit

 

 
13.5

 
13.5

Real estate

 

 
13.2

 
13.2

Cash
0.2

 

 

 
0.2

Total
$
160.8

 
$
33.7

 
$
57.3

 
$
251.8

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 year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2014
$
24.6

 
$
6.0

 
$
13.5

 
$
13.2

 
$
57.3

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date
0.5

 
1.0

 
0.4

 
0.9

 
2.8

Relating to assets sold during the period
0.6

 
0.4

 
0.4

 
0.5

 
1.9

Purchases

 
0.1

 

 

 
0.1

Sales
(14.2
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(8.2
)
 
(5.9
)
 
(29.6
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2014
$
11.5

 
$
6.2

 
$
6.1

 
$
8.7

 
$
32.5

 
(In Millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Hedge 
Funds
 
Private Equity
Funds
 
Structured Credit Fund
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2014
$
23.2

 
$
6.2

 
$
12.5

 
$
15.9

 
$
57.8

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 
 
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date
2.1

 
0.2

 
2.4

 
2.8

 
7.5

Relating to assets sold during the period
(0.7
)
 
0.4

 
(1.4
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(2.4
)
Purchases
22.5

 
0.3

 
11.0

 
14.2

 
48.0

Sales
(22.5
)
 
(1.1
)
 
(11
)
 
(19.0
)
 
(53.6
)
Ending balance — December 31, 2014
$
24.6

 
$
6.0

 
$
13.5

 
$
13.2

 
$
57.3