Rogers Corp. Terminates Pension Plan

In late October, Rogers Corp., a global materials manufacturer and one of the oldest public companies in the U.S., announced the termination of its U.S., non-union, pension plan.  Rogers transferred $163 Million in pension liabilities in a combination of lump-sum distributions and the purchase of a group annuity contract.  In its Q3 earnings call, CFO Michael Ludwig, stated that: “As highlighted in our earnings press release the company terminated a pension plan in the fourth quarter. The pension plan was adequately funded therefore the company was not required to make additional cash contributions to fund the plan. The company will however take a $52 million to $56 million non-cash charge to income for other accumulated losses for the plan that were recorded as part of our equity.”