v3.26.1
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering eligible employees in the U.S. and in certain of its international subsidiaries. The net periodic benefit cost (credit) of such plans consisted of the following components: 
Three Months Ended
June 30,		Six Months Ended
June 30,
2026202520262025
($ in millions)U.S.InternationalU.S.InternationalU.S.InternationalU.S.International
Service cost$98 $49 $90 $60 $195 $98 $180 $114 
Interest cost145 79 141 75 290 160 282 146 
Expected return on plan assets(207)(158)(210)(152)(414)(319)(420)(295)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit
— (4)— (4)— (7)— (8)
Net loss (gain) amortization
27 (1)13 2 54 (2)25 5 
Termination benefits2 — — — 4 14 — — 
$65 $(35)$34 $(19)$129 $(56)$67 $(38)
The Company provides medical benefits, principally to its eligible U.S. retirees and similar benefits to their dependents, through its other postretirement benefit plans. The net credit of such plans consisted of the following components: 
Three Months Ended
June 30,		Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions)2026202520262025
Service cost$11 $9 $21 $19 
Interest cost16 16 32 31 
Expected return on plan assets(14)(13)(27)(26)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit(9)(10)(18)(20)
Net gain amortization(8)(10)(15)(20)
Termination benefits— — 1 — 
$(4)$(8)$(6)$(16)
In connection with restructuring actions (see Note 4), termination charges were recorded on pension and other postretirement benefit plans related to expanded eligibility for certain employees exiting Merck.
The components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than the service cost component are included in Other (income) expense, net (see Note 11), with the exception of certain amounts for termination benefits which are recorded in Restructuring costs if the event giving rise to the termination benefits related to restructuring actions.