v3.26.3
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2026
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS. We sponsor a number of pension and retiree health and life insurance benefit plans that we present in three categories; principal pension plans, other pension plans and principal retiree benefit plans. Please refer to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 for further information.
The components of benefit plans cost other than the service cost are included in the caption Non-operating benefit costs in our Statement of Operations.
PRINCIPAL PENSION PLANSThree months ended September 30Nine months ended September 30
2026202520262025
Service cost for benefits earned$12 $14 $37 $47 
Prior service cost amortization— (2)(2)(7)
Expected return on plan assets(359)(375)(1,076)(1,125)
Interest cost on benefit obligations310 325 930 976 
Net actuarial gain amortization(109)(126)(328)(379)
Net periodic expense (income)$(146)$(164)$(439)$(488)

Principal retiree benefit plans income was $13 million and $17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, and $39 million and $49 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
We have a defined contribution plan for eligible U.S. employees that provides employer contributions, which were $60 million and $55 million for the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, and $224 million and $194 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.