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19 » Pensions and Similar Obligations

The Group has obligations both from defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans. The benefits are provided pursuant to the legal, fiscal and economic conditions in each respective country.

 

Pensions and Similar Obligations € in millions

   Dec. 31
2006
 Dec. 31
2005
     
Defined benefit plans  126 131
Thereof:    
 adidas AG  109  123
Similar obligations  8  17
Pensions and similar obligations  134  148

 
Defined Contribution Plans

The total expense for defined contribution plans amounted to € 42 million in 2006 (2005: € 14 million). All other pension plans are defined benefit plans, which are partly funded by plan assets.

Defined Benefit Plans
Given the diverse Group structure, different defined benefit plans exist, comprising both pension payments and widow’s and orphan’s pensions. 

 

Actuarial Assumptions in % 

   Dec. 31
2006
 Dec. 31
2005
     
Discount rate  4.5  4.0
Salary increases  3.5  3.0
Pension increases  1.5  1.5
Expected return on plan asset  3.0  —

 
The actuarial valuations of the defined benefit plans are made at the end of each reporting period. The assumptions for employee turnover and mortality are based on empirical data, the latter for Germany on the 2005 version of the mortality tables of Dr. Heubeck. The actuarial assumptions in Germany and in other countries are not materially different.
As of January 1, 2005, due to application of the amendment to IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” issued in December 2004, the Group recognizes actuarial gains or losses of defined benefit plans arising during the financial year immediately outside the income statement in the statement of recognized income and earnings (SoRIE). The actuarial gain (loss) recognized in the statement of recognized income and expense for 2006 was € 2 million (2005: € 14 million) The cumulative recognized actuarial losses amount to € 30 million (2005: € 31 million) (see also Note 22). 

 

Pension Expenses € in millions 

   Year ending Dec. 31
   2006 2005
     
Current service cost  7  9
Interest cost  5  5
Expected return on plan assets  (1)  —
Pension expenses  11  14

 

Of the total pension expenses, an amount of € 7 million (2005: € 11 million) relates to employees in Germany. Contributions to post-employment benefit plans for employees living in Germany for the year ending December 31, 2007, are expected to amount to € 11 million. The pension expense is recorded within the operating expenses whereas the production-related part thereof is recognized within the cost of sales. 

 

Defined Benefit Obligation € in millions 

   2006
   
 Defined benefit obligation as at January 1  131
 Increase in companies consolidated  34
 Currency translation differences  1
 Current service cost  7
 Interest cost  5
 Pensions paid  (6)
 Actuarial loss in 2006  (2)
 Defined benefit obligation as at December 31  170

 

 

Status of Funded and Unfunded Obligations € in millions 

   Dec. 31
2006
 Dec. 31
2005
     
Present value of unfunded obligation  110  131
Present value of funded obligation  60  —
Present value of total obligations  170  131
Fair value of plan assets  (44)1)  —
Recognized Liability for defined benefit obligations  126  131

1) Part of the € 46 million total of plan assets cannot be deducted, as it is not possible to use the exceeding amount for another plan.

 
The calculations of the recognized assets and liabilities from defined benefit plans are based upon statistical and actuarial calculations. In particular, the present value of the defined benefit obligation is impacted by assumptions on discount rates used to arrive at the present value of future pension liabilities and assumptions on future increases in salaries and benefits. Furthermore, the Group’s independent actuaries use statistically based assumptions covering areas such as future participant plan withdrawals and estimates on life expectancy. The actuarial assumptions used may differ materially from actual results due to changes in market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates or longer or shorter life spans of participants and other changes in the factors being assessed. These differences could impact the assets or liabilities recognized in the balance sheet in future periods. 

 

Movement in Plan Assets € in millions 

   2006
Fair value of plan assets at January 1 — 
Increase in companies consolidated 25 
Contributions paid into the plan 20 
Expected return on plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at December 31 46 

 

The plan assets are invested in several pension funds. The return on plan assets is in conformity with the current strategy of the pension funds. In 2006, the actual return on plan assets was € 2 million. 

 

Historical Development € in millions 

   Dec. 31
2006
 Dec. 31
2005
 Dec. 31
2004
 Dec. 31
2003
 Dec. 31
2002
           
Defined benefit obligation 170 131 118 100 93
Plan assets 44
Deficit in plan 126 131 118 100 93
Experience adjustments 4 1