Investor Presentaiton
Retirement Benefits Plans
For the principal pension plans in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom, the Company uses a
market-related value of plan assets to calculate the expected return on assets used to determine net periodic benefit costs. The
market-related value of plan assets is a calculated value that recognizes changes in the fair value of plan assets over a five
period. All other plans use fair value of plan assets.
year
Net actuarial gains or losses are amortized to expense on a plan-by-plan basis when they exceed the accounting corridor.
The Company's corridors are set at either 8% or 10%, depending on the plan, of the greater of the plan assets or benefit
obligations. Gains or losses outside of the corridor are subject to amortization over an average employee future service period
that differs by plan. If most or all of the plan's participants are no longer actively accruing benefits, the average life expectancy
is used. The amortization periods on a weighted average basis for United States and Non-United States pension plans are
approximately 22 years and 10 years, respectively. The amortization period for other postretirement benefits plans is 8 years.
Asset Retirement Obligations
A conditional asset retirement obligation is recognized at fair value when incurred if the fair value of the liability can be
reasonably estimated. Uncertainty about the timing or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation would
be considered in the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. Eaton believes that for substantially all of
its asset retirement obligations, there is an indeterminate settlement date because the range of time over which the Company
may settle the obligation is unknown or cannot be estimated. A liability for these obligations will be recognized when sufficient
information is available to estimate fair value.
Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax
basis of the respective assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year when the differences are expected to
reverse. Deferred income tax assets are recognized for income tax loss carryforwards and income tax credit carryforwards.
Judgment is required in determining and evaluating income tax provisions and valuation allowances for deferred income tax
assets. Eaton recognizes an income tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax
position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Eaton evaluates
and adjusts these accruals based on changing facts and circumstances. Eaton recognizes interest and penalties related to
unrecognized income tax benefits in the provision for income tax expense. Eaton's policy is to recognize income tax effects
from accumulated other comprehensive income when individual units of account are sold, terminated, or extinguished. For
additional information about income taxes, see Note 11.
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
Eaton uses derivative financial instruments to manage the exposure to the volatility in raw material costs, currency, and
interest rates on certain debt. These instruments are marked to fair value in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Changes in the fair value of derivative assets or liabilities (i.e., gains or losses) are recognized depending upon the type of
hedging relationship and whether an instrument has been designated as a hedge. For those instruments that qualify for hedge
accounting, Eaton designates the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a cash flow hedge, a fair value
hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. Changes in fair value of these instruments that do not qualify for
hedge accounting are recognized immediately in net income. See Note 15 for additional information about hedges and
derivative financial instruments.
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