Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

v2.4.0.6
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS  
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

        Components of the net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):

Huntsman Corporation

 
  Defined
Benefit Plans
  Other
Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
  Three months
ended
March 31,
  Three months
ended
March 31,
 
 
  2012   2011   2012   2011  

Service cost

  $ 16   $ 16   $ 1   $ 1  

Interest cost

    37     38     2     2  

Expected return on assets

    (46 )   (46 )        

Amortization of prior service cost

    (2 )   (1 )   (1 )   (1 )

Amortization of actuarial loss

    11     7          
                   

Net periodic benefit cost

  $ 16   $ 14   $ 2   $ 2  
                   

Huntsman International

 
  Defined
Benefit Plans
  Other
Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
  Three months
ended
March 31,
  Three months
ended
March 31,
 
 
  2012   2011   2012   2011  

Service cost

  $ 16   $ 16   $ 1   $ 1  

Interest cost

    37     38     2     2  

Expected return on assets

    (46 )   (46 )        

Amortization of prior service cost

    (2 )   (1 )   (1 )   (1 )

Amortization of actuarial loss

    12     8          
                   

Net periodic benefit cost

  $ 17   $ 15   $ 2   $ 2  
                   

        During the first quarter of 2012, certain U.K. pension plans were closed to new entrants. For existing participants, benefits will only grow as a result of increases in pay. Defined contribution plans were established to replace these pension plans for future benefit accruals. This change did not have a significant impact on our pension liability.

        During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we made contributions to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans of $48 million and $62 million, respectively. During the remainder of 2012, we expect to contribute an additional amount of $108 million to these plans.