v3.26.1
Employee Benefits (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Expense and Post-retirement Benefit Expense
Net periodic benefit expense for the Lumen Combined Pension Plan (the "Combined Pension Plan" or the "Plan") includes the following components:

Combined Pension Plan
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
202620252026
2025
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost$5 6 9 11 
Interest cost51 60 102 120 
Expected return on plan assets(64)(64)(128)(127)
Settlement charges— — 9 — 
Curtailment loss— — 5 — 
Recognition of prior service credit— (1)— (1)
Recognition of actuarial loss28 37 56 72 
Net periodic pension expense$20 38 53 75 

Net periodic benefit expense for our post-retirement benefit plan includes the following components:

Post-Retirement Benefit Plan
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2026202520262025
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost$— 1 1 2 
Interest cost18 22 37 44 
Recognition of prior service credit(1)(1)(2)(3)
Recognition of actuarial gain(8)(7)(15)(13)
Curtailment gain— — (10)— 
Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense$9 15 11 30