Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

BENEFIT PLANS

v3.3.1.900
BENEFIT PLANS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]  
BENEFIT PLANS
Huntington sponsors the Plan, a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees hired or rehired prior to January 1, 2010. The Plan, which was modified in 2013 and no longer accrues service benefits to participants, provides benefits based upon length of service and compensation levels. The funding policy of Huntington is to contribute an annual amount that is at least equal to the minimum funding requirements but not more than the amount deductible under the Internal Revenue Code. There were no required minimum contributions during 2015. During the 2013 third quarter, the board of directors approved, and management communicated, a curtailment of the Company’s pension plan effective December 31, 2013.
In addition, Huntington has an unfunded defined benefit post-retirement plan that provides certain healthcare and life insurance benefits to retired employees who have attained the age of 55 and have at least 10 years of vesting service under this plan. For any employee retiring on or after January 1, 1993, post-retirement healthcare benefits are based upon the employee’s number of months of service and are limited to the actual cost of coverage. Life insurance benefits are a percentage of the employee’s base salary at the time of retirement, with a maximum of $50,000 of coverage. The employer paid portion of the post-retirement health and life insurance plan was eliminated for employees retiring on and after March 1, 2010. Eligible employees retiring on and after March 1, 2010, who elect retiree medical coverage, will pay the full cost of this coverage. Huntington will not provide any employer paid life insurance to employees retiring on and after March 1, 2010. Eligible employees will be able to convert or port their existing life insurance at their own expense under the same terms that are available to all terminated employees.
On January 1, 2015, Huntington terminated the company sponsored retiree health care plan for Medicare eligible retirees and their dependents. Instead, Huntington will partner with a third-party to assist the retirees and their dependents in selecting individual policies from a variety of carriers on a private exchange. This plan amendment resulted in a measurement of the liability at the approval date. The result of the measurement was a $5 million reduction of the liability and increase in accumulated other comprehensive income. It will also result in a reduction of expense over the estimated life of plan participants.
The following table shows the weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the net periodic benefit cost for the years then ended:
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-Retirement
Benefits
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
4.54
%
 
4.12
%
 
3.81
%
 
3.72
%
Rate of compensation increase
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate (1)(2)(3)
4.12

 
4.89

 
3.73

 
4.11

Expected return on plan assets
7.00

 
7.25

 
N/A

 
N/A

Rate of compensation increase
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

N/A—Not Applicable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
The 2014 post-retirement benefit expense was remeasured as of July 31, 2014. The discount rate was 4.27% from January 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014, and was changed to 3.89% for the period from July 31, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
(2)
The 2015 post-retirement benefit expense was remeasured as of September 30, 2015. The discount rate was 3.72% from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015, and was changed to 3.77% for the period from September 30, 2015 to December 31, 2015.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is an assumption reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. The expected long-term rate of return is established at the beginning of the plan year based upon historical returns and projected returns on the underlying mix of invested assets.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation of the Plan and the post-retirement benefit plan with the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31:
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(dollar amounts in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of measurement year
$
799,594

 
$
684,999

 
$
15,963

 
$
25,669

Changes due to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
1,830

 
1,740

 
—

 
—

Interest cost
31,937

 
32,398

 
506

 
856

Benefits paid
(17,246
)
 
(16,221
)
 
(2,211
)
 
(3,401
)
Settlements
(27,976
)
 
(27,045
)
 
(6,993
)
 
—

Plan amendments
—

 
—

 
—

 
(8,782
)
Plan curtailments
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Medicare subsidies
—

 
—

 
117

 
462

Actuarial assumptions and gains and losses (1)
(33,425
)
 
123,723

 
643

 
1,159

Total changes
(44,880
)
 
114,595

 
(7,938
)
 
(9,706
)
Projected benefit obligation at end of measurement year
$
754,714

 
$
799,594

 
$
8,025

 
$
15,963


(1)
The 2014 actuarial assumptions include revised mortality tables.
Benefits paid for post-retirement are net of retiree contributions collected by Huntington. The actual contributions received in 2015 and 2014 by Huntington for the retiree medical program were less than $1 million and $3 million, respectively.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the fair value of Plan assets at the December 31, 2015 and 2014 measurement dates:
 
Pension
Benefits
(dollar amounts in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of measurement year
$
653,013

 
$
649,020

Changes due to:
 
 
 
Actual return on plan assets
(16,122
)
 
44,312

Settlements
(25,428
)
 
(24,098
)
Benefits paid
(17,246
)
 
(16,221
)
Total changes
(58,796
)
 
3,993

Fair value of plan assets at end of measurement year
$
594,217

 
$
653,013


Huntington’s accumulated benefit obligation under the Plan was $755 million and $800 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015, the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of Huntington’s plan assets by $160 million and is recorded in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of Huntington’s plan assets by $160 million.
The following table shows the components of net periodic benefit costs recognized in the three years ended December 31, 2015:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Post-Retirement Benefits
(dollar amounts in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Service cost
$
1,830

 
$
1,740

 
$
25,122

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Interest cost
31,937

 
32,398

 
30,112

 
506

 
856

 
862

Expected return on plan assets
(44,175
)
 
(45,783
)
 
(47,716
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Amortization of prior service cost
—

 
—

 
(2,883
)
 
(1,968
)
 
(1,609
)
 
(1,353
)
Amortization of loss
7,934

 
5,767

 
23,044

 
(401
)
 
(571
)
 
(600
)
Curtailment
—

 
—

 
(34,613
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Settlements
12,645

 
11,200

 
8,116

 
(3,090
)
 
—

 
—

Benefit costs
$
10,171

 
$
5,322

 
$
1,182

 
$
(4,953
)
 
$
(1,324
)
 
$
(1,091
)

Included in benefit costs are $4 million, $2 million, and $2 million of plan expenses that were recognized in the three years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. It is Huntington’s policy to recognize settlement gains and losses as incurred. Assuming no cash contributions are made to the Plan during 2016, Management expects net periodic pension benefit, excluding any expense of settlements, to approximate $2 million for 2016. The postretirement medical and life subsidy was eliminated for anyone who retires on or after March 1, 2010. As such, there were no incremental net periodic post-retirement benefits costs associated with this plan.
The estimated transition obligation, prior service credit, and net actuarial loss for the plans that will be amortized from OCI into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is zero, $2 million, and a $8 million benefit, respectively.
At December 31, 2015 and 2014, The Huntington National Bank, as trustee, held all Plan assets. The Plan assets consisted of investments in a variety of corporate and government fixed income investments, money market funds, and Huntington mutual funds as follows:
 
Fair Value
(dollar amounts in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federated-money market
$
15,590

 
3
%
 
$
—

 
—
%
Huntington funds—money market
—

 
—

 
16,136

 
2

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 


Corporate obligations
205,081

 
34

 
218,077

 
33

U.S. Government Obligations
64,456

 
11

 
62,627

 
10

Mutual funds-fixed income
32,874

 
6

 
34,761

 
5

U.S. Government Agencies
6,979

 
1

 
7,445

 
1

Equities:
 
 


 
 
 


Mutual funds-equities
136,026

 
23

 
147,191

 
23

Other common stock
120,046

 
20

 
118,970

 
18

Huntington funds
—

 
—

 
37,920

 
6

Exchange Traded Funds
6,530

 
1

 
6,840

 
1

Limited Partnerships
6,635

 
1

 
3,046

 
1

Fair value of plan assets
$
594,217

 
100
%
 
$
653,013

 
100
%

Investments of the Plan are accounted for at cost on the trade date and are reported at fair value. The valuation methodologies used to measure the fair value of pension plan assets vary depending on the type of asset. For an explanation of the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 1 “Significant Accounting Policies” under the heading “Fair Value Measurements”. At December 31, 2015, equities and money market funds are classified as Level 1; mutual funds-fixed income, corporate obligations, U.S. government obligations, and U.S. government agencies are classified as Level 2; and limited partnerships are classified as Level 3.
In general, investments of the Plan are exposed to various risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is reasonably possible changes in the values of investments will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Plan assets.
The investment objective of the Plan is to maximize the return on Plan assets over a long-time period, while meeting the Plan obligations. At December 31, 2015, Plan assets were invested 3% in cash and cash equivalents, 45% in equity investments, and 52% in bonds, with an average duration of 12.2 years on bond investments. The estimated life of benefit obligations was 11.9 years. Although it may fluctuate with market conditions, Management has targeted a long-term allocation of Plan assets of 20% to 50% in equity investments and 80% to 50% in bond investments. The allocation of Plan assets between equity investments and fixed income investments will change from time to time with the allocation to fixed income investments increasing as the funding level increases.
The following table shows the number of shares and dividends received on shares of Huntington stock held by the Plan:
 
December 31,
(dollar amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
2015
 
2014
Dividends received on shares of Huntington stock
$
—

 
$
267

 
At December 31, 2015, the following table shows when benefit payments were expected to be paid:
(dollar amounts in thousands)
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
2016
$
51,333

 
$
986

2017
50,323

 
823

2018
48,457

 
743

2019
47,435

 
686

2020
46,629

 
644

2021 through 2025
221,569

 
2,738


Although not required, a cash contribution can be made to the Plan up to the maximum deductible limit in the plan year. Anticipated contributions for 2016 to the post-retirement benefit plan are zero.
The 2016 healthcare cost trend rate is projected to be 7.0% for participants. This rate is assumed to decrease gradually until it reaches 4.5% in the year 2028 and remain at that level thereafter. Huntington updated the immediate healthcare cost trend rate assumption based on current market data and Huntington’s claims experience. This trend rate is expected to decline over time to a trend level consistent with medical inflation and long-term economic assumptions.
Huntington also sponsors other nonqualified retirement plans, the most significant being the SERP and the SRIP. The SERP provides certain former officers and directors, and the SRIP provides certain current and former officers and directors of Huntington and its subsidiaries with defined pension benefits in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, Huntington has an accrued pension liability of $34 million and $35 million, respectively, associated with these plans. Pension expense for the plans was $1 million, $1 million, and $4 million in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. During the 2013 third quarter, the board of directors approved, and management communicated, a curtailment of the Company’s SRIP plan effective December 31, 2013.
The following table presents the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, for all of Huntington's defined benefit plans:
(dollar amounts in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (1)
$
192,734

 
$
198,947



(1)
A current liability of $2 million is included in the amounts above at December 31, 2015 and 2014; the remaining amount is classified as a noncurrent liability.
The following tables present the amounts recognized in OCI as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, and the changes in accumulated OCI for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013: 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net actuarial loss
$
(243,984
)
 
$
(240,197
)
 
$
(166,078
)
Prior service cost
13,237

 
14,517

 
9,855

Defined benefit pension plans
$
(230,747
)
 
$
(225,680
)
 
$
(156,223
)
 
 
2015
(dollar amounts in thousands)
Pretax
 
Benefit
 
After-tax
Balance, beginning of year
$
(347,202
)
 
$
121,522

 
$
(225,680
)
Net actuarial (loss) gain:
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts arising during the year
(25,520
)
 
8,931

 
(16,589
)
Amortization included in net periodic benefit costs
19,693

 
(6,892
)
 
12,801

Prior service cost:
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts arising during the year
—

 
—

 
—

Amortization included in net periodic benefit costs
(1,968
)
 
689

 
(1,279
)
Balance, end of year
$
(354,997
)
 
$
124,250

 
$
(230,747
)
 
2014
(dollar amounts in thousands)
Pretax
 
Benefit
 
After-tax
Balance, beginning of year
$
(240,345
)
 
$
84,122

 
$
(156,223
)
Net actuarial (loss) gain:
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts arising during the year
(133,085
)
 
46,580

 
(86,505
)
Amortization included in net periodic benefit costs
19,056

 
(6,670
)
 
12,386

Prior service cost:
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts arising during the year
8,781

 
(3,073
)
 
5,708

Amortization included in net periodic benefit costs
(1,609
)
 
563

 
(1,046
)
Balance, end of year
$
(347,202
)
 
$
121,522

 
$
(225,680
)
 
2013
(dollar amounts in thousands)
Pretax
 
Benefit
 
After-tax
Balance, beginning of year
$
(363,691
)
 
$
127,292

 
$
(236,399
)
Net actuarial (loss) gain:
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts arising during the year
118,666

 
(41,532
)
 
77,134

Amortization included in net periodic benefit costs
29,194

 
(10,218
)
 
18,976

Prior service cost:
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts arising during the year
—

 
—

 
—

Amortization included in net periodic benefit costs
(24,514
)
 
8,580

 
(15,934
)
Balance, end of year
$
(240,345
)
 
$
84,122

 
$
(156,223
)


Huntington has a defined contribution plan that is available to eligible employees. Huntington matches participant contributions, up to the first 4% of base pay contributed to the Plan. For 2014 and 2015, a discretionary profit-sharing contribution equal to 1% of eligible participants’ annual base pay was awarded.
The following table shows the costs of providing the defined contribution plan:
 
Year ended December 31,
(dollar amounts in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Defined contribution plan
$
31,896

 
$
31,110

 
$
18,238


The following table shows the number of shares, market value, and dividends received on shares of Huntington stock held by the defined contribution plan:
 
December 31,
(dollar amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
2015
 
2014
Shares in Huntington common stock
13,076,164

 
12,883,333

Market value of Huntington common stock
$
144,622

 
$
135,533

Dividends received on shares of Huntington stock
3,076

 
2,694