24. Provisions for Pensions and Similar Obligations

The provisions for pensions and similar obligations are made up as follows:

 

30 September

in EUR thousand


2010

2009

Defined benefit obligation

147,966

123,642

Deferred compensation

9,407

8,884

Similar obligations

4

4

Total

157,376

132,530

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

Defined Benefit Obligation

In Germany, Demag Cranes AG pays post-employment benefits to almost all retired employees. Outside Germany, post-employment benefits have been granted to employees in Switzerland and South Africa. The level of post-employment benefit depends on salary-based entitlement and/or position in the Company and length of service.

The defined benefit obligation changed as follows in financial year 2009/2010 (2008/2009):

 

2009/2010

2008/2009

in EUR thousand

Germany

Other
countries

Total

Germany

Other
countries

Total

Defined benefit obligation
at 1 October

122,130

18,113

140,242

103,165

17,631

120,796

Current service cost

1,678

390

2,068

1,216

528

1,744

Interest cost

6,502

695

7,198

6,706

665

7,371

Exchange differences

2,517

2,517

950

950

Contributions by plan participants

313

313

316

316

Actuarial gains and losses

24,035

602

24,637

18,869

–791

18,078

Benefits paid

–7,422

–1,492

–8,914

–7,230

–1,186

–8,416

Other

–886

–886

–596

–596

Defined benefit obligation at 30 September

146,038

21,137

167,175

122,130

18,113

140,242

Of which

           

funded

19,209

19,209

16,600

16,600

unfunded

146,038

1,928

147,966

122,130

1,513

123,642

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

The actuarial gains and losses result from differences between the actual and expected benefit obligation. The change in defined benefit obligations mainly relates to a reduction in the discount factor from 5.35 percent to 3.90 percent.

The table below reconciles the present value of defined benefit obligations to the amount of the obligation stated in the Statement of Financial Position:

 

30 September

in EUR thousand

2010

2009


2008

2007

2006

Defined benefit obligation

167,175

140,242

120,796

129,462

137,402

Fair value of plan assets

–19,209

–16,600

–16,753

–16,919

–16,607

Amount not recognised as asset

55

303

109

Prepayments

170

178

Provision for defined
benefit obligation

147,966

123,642

104,097

113,016

121,082

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

The fair value of plan assets changed as follows:

in EUR thousand

2009/2010

2008/2009

Fair value of plan assets at 1 October

16,600

16,753

Expected return on plan assets

824

803

Contributions by the employer

350

350

Contributions by plan participants

313

316

Benefits paid

–1,492

–1,186

Actuarial gains and losses

319

–1,335

Exchange differences


2,295

899

Fair value of plan assets at 30 September

19,209

16,600

Actual income from plan assets

1,143

–532

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

Only plans outside Germany are funded.

Plan assets are made up as follows:

 

30 September

in %


2010

2009

Equity instruments

22

24

Debt instruments

43

46

Property

10

8

Other short-term investments

25

22

Total

100

100

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

The investment objectives of Demag Cranes AG are to maximise returns while limiting risk. Investments in debt and equity instruments, cash and cash equivalents and property are made in observance of the Group’s risk management policies. The diversified securities portfolio includes both domestic and foreign securities. The securities portfolio is administered by the trustees.

The expected return on plan assets is based on average market expectations for the period over which the obligation is settled.

Based on actuarial calculations, the composition of the pension expense is as follows:

 

1 October to 30 September 2009/2010

1 October to 30 September 2008/2009

in EUR thousand

Germany

Other
countries

Total

Germany

Other
countries

Total

Current service cost

1,678

390

2,068

1,216

528

1,744

Interest cost

6,502

695

7,198

6,706

665

7,371

Expected return on plan assets

–824

–824

–803

–803

Other

–146

–146

–33

–33

Pension expense, net

8,035

261

8,296

7,889

390

8,279

Included in

           

Cost of sales

808

258

1,067

701

347

1,048

Selling, general and
administrative expenses

724

132

856

478

181

659

Research and development expenses

4

4

Interest and similar income

–824

–824

–803

–803

Interest and similar expenses

6,502

695

7,198

6,706

665

7,371

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

The assumed discount rates, rates of salary increases and benefit increases used to compute the benefit obligation, including the long-term return on plan assets, vary with economic conditions in the countries where the pension plans are in effect.

The actuarial assumptions are as follows:

 

2009/2010

2008/2009

in %

Germany


Other
countries

Germany

Other
countries

Discount rate

3.90

2.5

5.35

3.0 – 8.5

Expected salary increase

2.5

1.5

2.5

1.5

Expected benefit increase

1.5

1.5

0.0 – 3.5

Expected return on plan assets

4.0

4.0 – 10.0

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

Experience adjustments are as follows:

 

30 September


in %

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Defined benefit obligation

0.7

–0.2

–1.8

–1.0

0.4

Plan assets

1.7

–7.9

–7.5

1.6

1.3

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

Experience adjustments are the ratio of the portion of actuarial gains and losses comprising differences between previous computation assumptions and what has actually occurred to the amount of the defined benefit obligation and plan assets at the balance sheet date. The figures state the increase (+) or decrease (–) in the defined benefit obligation/plan assets required by the differences measured.

Deferred Compensation

Deferred compensation is a form of pension funded by employees out of their pay. Under an agreement between a Group member company and the employee, a portion of the employee’s earnings are withheld and paid out at a later date. The benefit entitlements resulting from deferred compensation are computed using actuarial methods. EUR 9,407,000 in deferred compensation was recognised as liabilities in financial year 2009/2010 (2008/2009: EUR 8,884,000).

Defined Contribution Plans

In addition to the defined benefit plans, contributions are paid notably in Germany, Brazil, Denmark, the USA and the UK into defined contribution plans. Under defined contribution arrangements, Demag Cranes AG pays contributions by law, by contractual agreement or voluntarily into state or private pension funds. Contributions are recognised as an expense in the year they are paid. EUR 14,218,000 was recognised as an expense in financial year 2009/2010 (2008/2009: EUR 18,045,000). This included EUR 12,040,000 (2008/2009: EUR 14,525,000) in contributions to the state pension scheme in Germany.

Service Functions

Further Links