Via American Journal of Transportation,
By Mary Schlangenstein and Katherine Chiglinsky
FedEx Corp. is transferring $6 billion in U.S. pension obligations to MetLife Inc. to reduce administrative costs.
The deal covers the pension benefits of 41,000 retirees and beneficiaries who currently receive a monthly payout and meet certain conditions, the courier said in a statement Tuesday. FedEx, which said it would take a non-cash charge related to the deal, didn’t disclosed the cost of the transaction.
FedEx is joining other employers in stepping up efforts to shed pension risks, as the retirement plans become increasingly expensive to offer because of low interest rates and higher fees paid to a government agency that backstops benefits. Prudential Financial Inc. has taken on obligations from companies including General Motors Co. and Verizon Communications Inc.
“The change is an important part of our strategy to reduce administrative expenses and ensure the long-term sustainability of the pension plans,” FedEx said in an emailed response to questions. Benefits will remain the same, the company said.