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9 Employee benefit plans

The defined benefit obligations for the active members of pension plans is the present value of accrued pension obligations at balance sheet date considering future salary and pension increases as well as turnover rates (using the project unit credit method). The defined benefit assets/obligations for the retirees are the present value of the current and future pension benefits considering future pension increases.

Reconciliation of the amount recognized in the balance sheet as of December 31

 

 

2021

millions of CHF

 

Funded plans Switzerland

 

Funded plans United Kingdom

 

Funded plans USA

 

Funded plans others

 

Unfunded plans

 

Total

Present value of funded defined benefit obligation

 

–891.6

 

–613.2

 

–68.4

 

–104.9

 

 

–1’678.1

Fair value of plan assets (funded plans)

 

1’025.8

 

504.0

 

50.6

 

66.1

 

 

1’646.6

Overfunding / (underfunding)

 

134.2

 

–109.2

 

–17.8

 

–38.8

 

 

–31.5

Present value of unfunded defined benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

–14.1

 

–14.1

Asset / (liability) recognized in the balance sheet

 

134.2

 

–109.2

 

–17.8

 

–38.8

 

–14.1

 

–45.7

– thereof defined benefit obligations

 

 

–109.2

 

–17.8

 

–38.9

 

–14.1

 

–180.0

– thereof defined benefit assets

 

134.2

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

134.3

 

 

2020

millions of CHF

 

Funded plans Switzerland

 

Funded plans United Kingdom

 

Funded plans USA

 

Funded plans others

 

Unfunded plans

 

Total

Present value of funded defined benefit obligation

 

–1’034.7

 

–609.9

 

–68.8

 

–110.7

 

 

–1’824.1

Fair value of plan assets

 

1’108.4

 

469.9

 

45.1

 

66.1

 

 

1’689.5

Overfunding / (underfunding)

 

73.7

 

–139.9

 

–23.7

 

–44.6

 

 

–134.6

Present value of unfunded defined benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

–17.1

 

–17.1

Asset / (liability) recognized in the balance sheet

 

73.7

 

–139.9

 

–23.7

 

–44.6

 

–17.1

 

–151.7

– thereof defined benefit obligations

 

–1.8

 

–139.9

 

–23.7

 

–44.7

 

–17.1

 

–227.4

– thereof defined benefit assets 1)

 

75.5

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

75.7

1) Defined benefit assets are presented as non-current assets and comparative information is re-presented. In 2020, defined benefit assets were presented as “other current receivables and prepaid expenses” under current assets.

The group operates major funded defined benefit pension plans in Switzerland, the UK and the USA. Unfunded defined benefit plans relate to German pension benefit plans. The plans are exposed to actuarial risks, e.g., longevity risk, currency risk and interest rate risk, and the funded plans additionally to market (investment) risk.

In Switzerland, the group contributes to two pension plans funded via two different pension funds, i.e., a base plan for all employees and a supplementary plan for employees with salaries exceeding a certain limit. Both plans provide benefits depending on the pension savings at retirement. They include certain legal minimum interest credits to the pension savings (i.e. investment return) and guaranteed rates of conversion of pension savings into an annuity at retirement. In addition, the plans offer death in service and disability benefits. The two pension funds are collective funds administrating pension plans of group companies and also unrelated companies. In case of a material underfunding of the pension plans, the regulations include predefined steps, such as higher contributions by employer and employees or lower interest on pension savings, to eliminate the underfunding. The pension funds are legally separated from the group. The vast majority of the active participants in the two pension funds are employed by companies not belonging to the group. The Board of Trustees for the base plan comprises 10 employee representatives and 10 employer representatives. The average discount rate increased in 2021 compared to 2020 (from 0.2% to 0.4% for active employees and from 0.1% to 0.3% for pensioners). The plan assets decreased compared to 2020 due to the spin-off of the Applicator Systems division. The total expenses recognized in the income statement in 2021 were CHF 16.6 million (2020: CHF 19.0 million).

In the UK, the plan is a final salary plan and provides benefits linked to salary at closure to future accrual adjusted for inflation to retirement or earlier date of leaving service. The scheme is fully closed to new entrants and future accruals. The scheme is managed by six trustees forming the Board. The plan is a multiemployer scheme with Sulzer (UK) Holding being the principal sponsor. The discount rate increased in 2021 by 0.5 percentage points to 2.0% (2020: 1.5%). The net pension liabilities decreased from CHF 139.9 million in 2020 to CHF 109.2 million due to the higher discount rate and changes in the demographic assumptions. The total expenses recognized in the income statement in 2021 were CHF 3.0 million, compared to CHF 3.3 million in 2020.

In the USA, the group operates non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans. The salaried plans provide benefits that are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation, averaged over the five highest consecutive years preceding retirement. The hourly plans’ benefits are based on years of service and a flat dollar benefit multiplier. All plans were closed for new entrants. In 2021, an expense of CHF 1.1 million was recognized in the income statement (2020: CHF 1.3 million). The discount rate increased in 2021 to 2.5% (2020: 2.2%). The amount recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) in 2021 was CHF –1.0 million (2020: CHF –4.2 million).

In Germany, the group operates a range of different defined benefit pension plans. The majority of these plans are unfunded and benefits are paid directly by the employer to the beneficiaries as they become due. All defined benefit plans are closed for new entrants and a new defined contribution plan for all employees was introduced in 2007. Existing employees who participated in the defined benefit plans continued to be eligible for these defined benefit pensions but also became eligible for the new defined contribution pensions. However, benefits received under the defined contribution plan are offset against the benefits under the defined benefit plans. The different defined benefit plans offer retirement pension, disability pension and survivor’s pension benefits.

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

 

2021

 

2020

Reconciliation of effect of asset ceiling

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of asset / (liability) recognized in the balance sheet

 

 

 

 

Asset / (liability) recognized at January 1

 

–151.7

 

–168.6

Defined benefit income / (expenses) recognized in the income statement

 

–24.1

 

–25.2

Defined benefit income / (expenses) recognized in OCI

 

102.2

 

8.8

Employer contributions

 

29.0

 

25.3

Derecognized as discontinued operations

 

1.4

 

Currency translation differences

 

–2.5

 

8.1

Asset / (liability) recognized at December 31

 

–45.7

 

–151.7

 

 

 

 

 

Components of defined benefit income / (expenses) in the income statement

 

 

 

 

Current service costs (employer)

 

–19.1

 

–22.2

Interest expenses

 

–12.9

 

–16.3

Interest income on plan assets

 

9.7

 

12.9

Past service costs

 

–0.1

 

Effects of curtailments and settlements

 

 

2.3

Other administrative costs

 

–1.7

 

–1.8

Income / (expenses) recognized in the income statement

 

–24.1

 

–25.2

– thereof charged to personnel expenses

 

–16.9

 

–16.4

– thereof charged to financial expenses

 

–3.2

 

–3.5

– thereof charged to net income from discontinued operations

 

–4.0

 

–5.3

 

 

 

 

 

Components of defined benefit gains / (losses) in OCI

 

 

 

 

Actuarial gains / (losses) on defined benefit obligation

 

16.6

 

–73.6

Returns on plan assets excl. interest income

 

84.9

 

82.2

Returns on reimbursement right excl. interest income / (expenses)

 

0.7

 

0.2

Defined benefit gains / (losses) recognized in OCI 1)

 

102.2

 

8.8

1) The tax effect on defined benefit cost recognized in OCI amounted to CHF -13.4 million (2020: CHF -0.8 million).

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

 

2021

 

2020

Reconciliation of defined benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit obligation as of January 1

 

–1’841.2

 

–1’884.0

Interest expenses

 

–12.9

 

–16.3

Current service costs (employer)

 

–19.1

 

–22.2

Contributions by plan participants

 

–9.2

 

–8.7

Past service costs

 

–0.1

 

Benefits paid / (deposited)

 

99.3

 

126.5

Effects of curtailments and settlement

 

 

2.3

Other administrative costs

 

–1.7

 

–1.8

Actuarial gains / (losses)

 

16.6

 

–73.6

Derecognized as discontinued operations

 

89.6

 

Currency translation differences

 

–13.6

 

36.7

Defined benefit obligation as of December 31 1)

 

–1’692.3

 

–1’841.2

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets as of January 1

 

1’689.5

 

1’715.4

Interest income on plan assets

 

9.7

 

12.9

Employer contributions

 

29.0

 

25.3

Contributions by plan participants

 

9.2

 

8.7

Benefits (paid) / deposited

 

–99.3

 

–126.5

Effects of curtailments and settlement

 

 

0.0

Returns on plan assets excl. interest income

 

84.9

 

82.2

Derecognized as discontinued operations

 

–88.2

 

Currency translation differences

 

11.8

 

–28.4

Fair value of plan assets as of December 31

 

1’646.6

 

1’689.5

 

 

 

 

 

Total plan assets at fair value – quoted market price

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

82.1

 

70.6

Equity instruments

 

569.9

 

555.7

Debt instruments

 

392.3

 

439.8

Real estate funds

 

33.2

 

35.3

Investment funds

 

4.6

 

3.9

Others

 

126.3

 

118.7

Total assets at fair value – quoted market price as of December 31

 

1’208.5

 

1’224.1

 

 

 

 

 

Total plan assets at fair value – non-quoted market price

 

 

 

 

Properties occupied by or used by third parties (real estate)

 

264.7

 

287.7

Others

 

173.4

 

177.7

Total assets at fair value – non-quoted market price as of December 31

 

438.1

 

465.5

 

 

 

 

 

Best estimate of contributions for upcoming financial year

 

 

 

 

Contributions by the employer

 

23.3

 

28.7

1) The defined benefit obligation includes the funded part and the unfunded part.

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

 

2021

 

2020

Components of defined benefit obligation, split

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit obligation for active members

 

–275.3

 

–345.4

Defined benefit obligation for pensioners

 

–1’024.9

 

–1’109.9

Defined benefit obligation for deferred members

 

–392.0

 

–385.9

Total defined benefit obligation as of December 31

 

–1’692.3

 

–1’841.2

 

 

 

 

 

Components of actuarial gains / (losses) on obligations

 

 

 

 

Actuarial gains / (losses) arising from changes in financial assumptions

 

22.0

 

–75.6

Actuarial gains / (losses) arising from changes in demographic assumptions

 

1.7

 

11.4

Actuarial gains / (losses) arising from experience adjustments

 

–7.1

 

–9.5

Total actuarial gains / (losses) on defined benefit obligation

 

16.6

 

–73.6

 

 

 

 

 

Maturity profile of defined benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

Weighted average duration of defined benefit obligation in years

 

13.2

 

13.5

Since the defined benefit obligations for the Swiss and UK pension plans represents 89% (2020: 89%) of the group, the following significant actuarial assumptions apply exclusively to these two countries:

Principal actuarial assumptions as of December 31

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

 

Funded plans Switzerland

 

Funded plans United Kingdom

 

Funded plans Switzerland

 

Funded plans United Kingdom

Discount rate for active employees

 

0.4%

 

2.0%

 

0.2%

 

1.5%

Discount rate for pensioners

 

0.3%

 

2.0%

 

0.1%

 

1.5%

Future salary increases

 

1.0%

 

0.0%

 

1.0%

 

0.0%

Future pension increases

 

0.0%

 

3.2%

 

0.0%

 

2.8%

Life expectancy at retirement age (male / female) in years

 

22/24

 

22/24

 

22/24

 

22/24

Sensitivity analysis of defined benefit obligations

millions of CHF

 

2021

 

2020

Discount rate (decrease 0.25 percentage points)

 

–53.5

 

–59.2

Discount rate (increase 0.25 percentage points)

 

59.1

 

64.0

Future salary growth (decrease 0.25 percentage points)

 

7.9

 

7.6

Future salary growth (increase 0.25 percentage points)

 

–0.5

 

–0.5

Life expectancy (decrease 1 year)

 

104.5

 

110.1

Life expectancy (increase 1 year)

 

–95.8

 

–103.5