v3.26.3
Employee Benefits (Tables)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 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 September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
202620252026
2025
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost$4 5 13 16 
Interest cost52 61 154 181 
Expected return on plan assets(64)(64)(192)(191)
Settlement charges— — 9 — 
Curtailment loss— — 5 — 
Recognition of prior service credit(1)— (1)(1)
Recognition of actuarial loss28 36 84 108 
Net periodic pension expense$19 38 72 113 

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

Post-Retirement Benefit Plan
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2026202520262025
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost$— — 1 2 
Interest cost19 22 56 66 
Recognition of prior service credit(2)(3)(4)(6)
Recognition of actuarial gain(6)(6)(21)(19)
Curtailment gain— — (10)— 
Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense$11 13 22 43