9. Retirement benefits

9.1. Defined benefit pension scheme

The valuation of the defined benefit scheme used for the purposes of FRS 102 disclosures is based on data provided by the scheme administrator, Mercer (Ireland) Limited. The valuation is determined by an independent actuary to take account of the requirements of FRS 102 in order to assess the liabilities at the Statement of Financial Position date. Scheme assets are stated at their fair value at the Statement of Financial Position date.

9.2. Change in defined benefit obligation

Note 2016
€'000
2015
€'000
Defined benefit obligation at beginning of year 131,378 123,342
Charge arising from employee service in reporting period 13,985 15,737
(Gain) on curtailments / changes / introductions (865) -
Interest expense 3,688 2,837
Benefit payments 679 49
Participant contributions 1,520 1,484
Insurance premiums (244) (241)
Effect of changes in assumptions 30,289 (16,723)
Effect of experience adjustments (7,667) 4,893
Defined benefit obligation at end of year 9.4 172,763 131,378

9.3. Change in fair value of plan assets

Note 2016
€'000
2015
€'000
Fair value of plan assets at end of prior year 112,455 97,805
Interest income 3,304 2,362
Employer contributions 9,112 8,451
Participant contributions 1,520 1,484
Benefit payments from plan assets 679 49
Insurance premiums for risk benefits (244) (241)
Return on plan assets (excluding interest income) 4,275 2,545
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 9.4 131,101 112,455

Plan Assets

%

%
The asset allocations at the year-end were as follows:
Equities 48.92 53.80
Debt securities 32.47 31.78
Property 3.99 4.39
Alternatives 9.53 9.95
Cash 5.09 0.08
100.00 100.00
2016
€'000
2015
€'000
Actual return on scheme assets 7,579 4,907

9.4. Scheme deficit

Note 2016
€'000
2015
€'000
Defined benefit obligation 9.2 (172,763) (131,378)
Fair value of plan assets 9.3 131,101 112,455
Net defined benefit liability (41,662) (18,923)

Amounts in the Statement of Financial Position
Retirement benefit obligations (41,662) (18,923)
Deferred retirement benefit funding 6 41,662 18,923

9.5. Cost relating to defined benefit plans

Amount recognised in the Statement of Income and Expenditure is as follows:

Note 2016
€'000
2015
€'000
Charge arising from employee service in reporting period 8.1 13,120 15,737

Interest expense on defined benefit obligation

3,688

2,837
Interest (income) on plan assets (3,304) (2,362)
Net interest expense 7.1 384 475

9.6. Actuarial (loss) / gain

Remeasurements recognised in Other Comprehensive Income are as follows:

2016
€'000
2015
€'000
Effect of changes in assumptions (30,289) 16,723
Effect of experience adjustments 7,667 (4,893)
Return on plan assets (excluding interest income) 4,275 2,545
Remeasurements included in Other Comprehensive Income (18,347) 14,375

9.7. Principal actuarial assumptions

The principal actuarial assumptions used were as follows:

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: 2016
%
2015
%
Discount rate 2.1 2.8
Rate of salary increase 2.5 2.5
Rate of price inflation 1.5 1.5
Rate of pension increase 1.5 / 2.5 1.5 / 2.5

Weighted average assumptions used to determine pension cost:

%

%
Discount rate 2.8 2.3
Expected long-term return on scheme assets 2.8 2.3
Rate of salary increase 2.5 2.5
Rate of price inflation 1.5 1.5
Rate of pension increase 1.5 / 2.5 1.5 / 2.5

Weighted average life expectancy at age 60 for mortality tables
used to determine benefit obligations:


Years


Years
Future Pensioners
- Male (current age 45) 30.5 30.4
- Female (current age 45) 32.7 32.6
Current pensioners
- Male (current age 60) 28.8 28.6
- Female (current age 60) 30.9 30.7

Weighted average life expectancy at age 65 for mortality tables
used to determine benefit obligations:


Years


Years
Future Pensioners
- Male (current age 45) 26.1 26.0
- Female (current age 45) 28.2 28.1
Current pensioners
- Male (current age 65) 23.8 23.7
- Female (current age 65) 25.9 25.8

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