Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Employee Benefit Plans

v3.19.1
Employee Benefit Plans
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]  
Employee Benefit Plans

Note 12 – Employee Benefit Plans:

Retirement Plans

The Company has a qualified defined benefit plan covering U.S. employees hired prior to January 1, 2003, which is non-contributory.  Benefits are based on the employee's years of service and average earnings for the five highest consecutive calendar years of compensation in the ten-year period preceding retirement.  The Company's funding policy for the plan is to contribute the amount required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

The components of pension (benefit) cost are:

 

 

 

Year ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Service cost during the period

 

$

571

 

 

$

598

 

 

$

600

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

 

1,339

 

 

 

1,423

 

 

 

1,450

 

Expected return on assets

 

 

(3,062

)

 

 

(2,977

)

 

 

(2,873

)

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial loss

 

 

847

 

 

 

1,013

 

 

 

1,351

 

Net pension (benefit) cost

 

$

(305

)

 

$

57

 

 

$

528

 

 

The weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine net pension cost are:

 

 

 

Year ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Discount rate

 

 

3.95

%

 

 

4.08

%

 

 

3.93

%

Rate of increase in compensation levels

 

 

3.00

%

 

 

3.00

%

 

 

3.00

%

Long-term rate of return on plan assets

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

8.00

%

 

The expected long-term rate of return is based on the mix of investments that comprise plan assets and external forecasts of future long-term investment returns, historical returns, correlations and market volatilities.

The Company does not expect to make any contributions to the plan during fiscal 2020.

Changes in the Company's benefit obligation, plan assets and funded status for the pension plan are presented below:

 

 

 

Year ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Change in the benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

34,441

 

 

$

35,460

 

Service cost

 

 

468

 

 

 

494

 

Interest cost

 

 

1,339

 

 

 

1,423

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

 

462

 

 

 

(44

)

Benefit payments

 

 

(972

)

 

 

(2,002

)

Liability released through annuity purchase

 

 

(1,589

)

 

 

(890

)

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

34,149

 

 

$

34,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

$

38,810

 

 

$

37,800

 

Employer contribution

 

 

30

 

 

 

52

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

2,266

 

 

 

3,958

 

Benefit and administrative expense payments

 

 

(972

)

 

 

(2,002

)

Annuities purchased

 

 

(1,718

)

 

 

(998

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

$

38,416

 

 

$

38,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded status

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded status at end of year

 

$

4,267

 

 

$

4,369

 

Amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

$

4,267

 

 

$

4,369

 

 

The weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation are:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Discount rate

 

 

3.83

%

 

 

3.95

%

Rate of increase in compensation levels

 

 

3.00

%

 

 

3.00

%

 

During fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, the pension plan released liabilities for vested benefits of certain participants through the purchase of nonparticipating annuity contracts with a third-party insurance company.  As a result of these transactions, in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, the projected benefit obligation decreased $1,589 and $890, respectively, and plan assets decreased $1,718 and $998 respectively.  The projected benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of benefits attributable to employee service rendered to date, including the effects of estimated future pay increases.  The accumulated benefit obligation reflects the actuarial present value of benefits attributable to employee service rendered to date, but does not include the effects of estimated future pay increases.  The accumulated benefit obligation as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $30,380 and $30,385, respectively.  At March 31, 2019 and 2018, the pension plan was fully funded on an accumulated benefit obligation basis.

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, consist of:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net actuarial loss

 

$

8,737

 

 

$

8,369

 

 

The increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, consists of:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net actuarial loss (gain) arising during the year

 

$

1,080

 

 

$

(794

)

Reclassification of stranded tax effects related to the Tax Act

 

 

 

 

 

1,771

 

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

(712

)

 

 

(788

)

 

 

$

368

 

 

$

189

 

 

The estimated net actuarial loss for the pension plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net pension cost in fiscal 2020 is $969.

The following benefit payments, which reflect future service, are expected to be paid during the fiscal years ending March 31:

 

2020

 

$

1,224

 

2021

 

 

1,306

 

2022

 

 

1,378

 

2023

 

 

1,396

 

2024

 

 

1,483

 

2025-2029

 

 

8,273

 

Total

 

$

15,060

 

 

The weighted average asset allocation of the plan assets by asset category is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Asset Category

 

Target Allocation

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Equity securities

 

 

50

%

 

 

49

%

 

 

67

%

Debt securities

 

 

50

%

 

 

51

%

 

 

33

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

The investment strategy of the plan is to generate a consistent total investment return sufficient to pay present and future plan benefits to retirees, while minimizing the long-term cost to the Company.  Target allocations for asset categories are used to earn a reasonable rate of return, provide required liquidity and minimize the risk of large losses.  Targets are adjusted when considered necessary to reflect trends and developments within the overall investment environment.  In fiscal 2019, the target allocation was adjusted to 50% from 65% for equity securities and to 50% from 35% for debt securities.

The fair values of the Company's pension plan assets at March 31, 2019 and 2018, by asset category, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

Asset Category

 

At

March 31, 2019

 

 

Quoted prices in

active markets for

identical assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant other

observable inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

 

Cash

 

$

87

 

 

$

87

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. companies

 

 

15,130

 

 

 

15,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International companies

 

 

3,795

 

 

 

3,795

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bond funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term

 

 

19,404

 

 

 

19,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38,416

 

 

$

38,416

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

Asset Category

 

At

March 31,  2018

 

 

Quoted prices in

active markets for

identical assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant other

observable inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

 

Cash

 

$

98

 

 

$

98

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. companies

 

 

20,663

 

 

 

20,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International companies

 

 

5,181

 

 

 

5,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bond funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intermediate-term

 

 

10,283

 

 

 

10,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

 

2,585

 

 

 

2,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38,810

 

 

$

38,810

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

The fair value of Level 1 pension assets is obtained by reference to the last quoted price of the respective security on the market which it trades.  See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

On February 4, 2003, the Company closed the defined benefit plan to all employees hired on or after January 1, 2003.  In place of the defined benefit plan, these employees participate in the Company's domestic defined contribution plan.  The Company contributes a fixed percentage of employee compensation to this plan on an annual basis for these employees.  The Company contribution to the defined contribution plan for these employees in fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 was $325, $284 and $286, respectively.

The Company has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") which provides retirement benefits associated with wages in excess of the legislated qualified plan maximums.  Pension expense recorded in fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018, and fiscal 2017 related to this plan was $97, $115 and $128, respectively.  At March 31, 2019 and 2018, the related liability was $662 and $582, respectively.  The current portion of the related liability was $0 and $17 at March 31, 2019 and 2018 is included in the caption "Accrued Compensation" and the long-term portion is included in "Accrued Pension Liability" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company has a domestic defined contribution plan (401k) covering substantially all employees.  The Company provides matching contributions equal to 100% of the first 3% of an employee's salary deferral and 50% of the next 2% percent of an employee’s salary deferral.  Company contributions are immediately vested.  Contributions were $1,135 in fiscal 2019, $805 in fiscal 2018 and $873 in fiscal 2017.

Other Postretirement Benefits

In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company has a plan in the U.S. that provides health care benefits for eligible retirees and eligible survivors of retirees.  The Company's share of the medical premium cost has been capped at $4 for family coverage and $2 for single coverage for early retirees, and $1 for both family and single coverage for regular retirees.

On February 4, 2003, the Company terminated postretirement health care benefits for its U.S. employees.  Benefits payable to retirees of record on April 1, 2003 remained unchanged.

The components of postretirement benefit expense are:

 

 

 

Year ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Interest cost on accumulated benefit obligation

 

$

25

 

 

$

26

 

 

$

26

 

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

28

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

36

 

Net postretirement benefit expense

 

$

53

 

 

$

63

 

 

$

62

 

 

The weighted average discount rates used to develop the net postretirement benefit cost were 3.63%, 3.23% and 3.16% in fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

Changes in the Company's benefit obligation, plan assets and funded status for the plan are as follows:

 

 

 

Year ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Change in the benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

723

 

 

$

844

 

Interest cost

 

 

25

 

 

 

26

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(73

)

Benefit payments

 

 

(68

)

 

 

(74

)

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

682

 

 

$

723

 

 

Change in fair value of plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

$

 

 

$

 

Employer contribution

 

 

68

 

 

 

74

 

Benefit payments

 

 

(68

)

 

 

(74

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded status

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded status at end of year

 

$

(682

)

 

$

(723

)

Amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

$

(682

)

 

$

(723

)

 

The weighted average actuarial assumptions used to develop the accrued postretirement benefit obligation were:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Discount rate

 

 

3.37

%

 

 

3.63

%

Medical care cost trend rate

 

 

7.00

%

 

 

8.00

%

 

The medical care cost trend rate used in the actuarial computation ultimately reduces to 4.5% in 2024 and subsequent years.  This was accomplished using 0.5% decrements for the years ended March 31, 2019 through 2024.

The current portion of the accrued postretirement benefit obligation of $78 and $81, at March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is included in the caption "Accrued Compensation" and the long-term portion is separately presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, consist of:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net actuarial loss

 

$

210

 

 

$

230

 

 

The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, consists of:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net actuarial loss (gain) arising during the year

 

$

1

 

 

$

(57

)

Reclassification of stranded tax effects related to the Tax Act

 

 

 

 

 

57

 

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

$

(20

)

 

$

(29

)

 

The estimated net actuarial loss for the other postretirement benefit plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net postretirement benefit income in fiscal 2020 is $28. 

The following benefit payments are expected to be paid during the fiscal years ending March 31:

 

2020

 

$

78

 

2021

 

 

74

 

2022

 

 

70

 

2023

 

 

65

 

2024

 

 

61

 

2025-2029

 

 

239

 

Total

 

$

587

 

 

Assumed medical care cost trend rates could have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement benefit plan.  However, due to the caps imposed on the Company's share of the premium costs, a one percentage point change in assumed medical care cost trend rates would not have a significant effect on the total service and interest cost components or the postretirement benefit obligation.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

On January 3, 2017, the Company transferred the Company stock and accumulated dividends in its noncontributory Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") to its domestic defined contribution plan (401k) and subsequently terminated the ESOP.  There were no Company contributions to the ESOP in fiscal 2017.

Self-Insured Medical Plan

Effective January 1, 2014, the Company commenced self-funding the medical insurance coverage provided to its U.S. based employees.  The Company has obtained a stop loss insurance policy in an effort to limit its exposure to claims.  The Company has specific stop loss coverage per employee for claims incurred during the year exceeding $100 per employee with annual maximum aggregate stop loss coverage of $1,000.  The Company also has total plan annual maximum aggregate stop loss coverage of $2,399.  The liability of $150 and $122 on March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to the self-insured medical plan is primarily based upon claim history and is included in the caption "Accrued Compensation" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.