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Corporate Information
We recognized an additional minimum pension liability for the underfunded defined benefit plans. The additional minimum liability is equal to the excess of the accumulated benefit obligation over plan assets and accrued liabilities. A corresponding amount is recognized as either an intangible asset or a reduction of shareholders’ equity.



Assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets, discount rates for estimating benefit obligations and rates of compensation increases vary for the different plans according to the local economic conditions. The rates used are as follows:



The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 are as follows:



Postretirement medical plan. We offer postretirement medical plans to specific eligible employees. For some plans, our liability is limited to a fixed contribution amount for each participant or dependent. The plan participants share the total cost for all benefits provided above our fixed contribution and participants’ contributions are adjusted as required to cover benefit payments. We have made no commitment to adjust the amount of our contributions; therefore, the computed accumulated postretirement benefit obligation amount is not affected by the expected future health care cost inflation rate.

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