8-KRegulation FD

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Sep 20, 2012)

Filed September 20, 2012For Securities:ADM

Summary

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) filed an 8-K on September 20, 2012, announcing an amendment to its U.S. qualified pension plans. The company is offering a voluntary lump-sum payment option to certain former employees who are vested in traditional formula pension plans and left the company before August 1, 2012, without having commenced their pension payments. This initiative is designed to reduce ADM's long-term pension obligations and ongoing annual pension expenses. The company anticipates that if participation rates range between 50% and 75%, these lump-sum payments, funded from existing plan assets, could decrease its global pension benefit obligation by an estimated $140 million to $210 million. Furthermore, this action is expected to improve the company's pension underfunding by approximately $35 million to $55 million.

Key Highlights

  • 1ADM is offering former employees a voluntary lump-sum pension payout option.
  • 2The program targets vested participants who left before August 1, 2012, and haven't started receiving benefits.
  • 3The primary goal is to reduce long-term pension obligations and annual pension expense.
  • 4Estimated reduction in global pension benefit obligation: $140 - $210 million (assuming 50%-75% participation).
  • 5Expected improvement in pension underfunding: $35 - $55 million.
  • 6A non-cash pre-tax charge of $45 - $65 million is anticipated in Q4 2012 due to actuarial loss expensing.
  • 7Projected annual pre-tax reduction in ongoing pension expense: $4 - $5 million.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to inform investors that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) is offering a voluntary lump-sum payment option to certain former employees for their pension benefits. This initiative is intended to reduce the company's long-term pension liabilities and ongoing pension expenses.

ADM estimates that this program could reduce its global pension benefit obligation by $140 million to $210 million and improve its pension underfunding by $35 million to $55 million, depending on participation rates. The company also expects to incur a non-cash pre-tax charge of $45 million to $65 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and reduce its annual ongoing pension expense by $4 million to $5 million pre-tax.

Eligibility is generally limited to former employees who are vested participants of ADM's U.S. qualified pension plans, terminated employment prior to August 1, 2012, and have not yet begun receiving their monthly pension benefits.

ADM expects to know the actual participation rates and payout amounts in December 2012.