v3.25.4
Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Retirement Benefits, Description [Abstract]  
Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits Retirement Plans and Post-Employment Benefits
Retirement Plans
On February 26, 1991, we formed our own retirement plan covering substantially all our U.S. employees. Under our plan, covered employees earned benefit payments based primarily on their service credits and wages subsequent to February 26, 1991.
Prior to that date, substantially all our U.S. employees were participants in the U.S. retirement plan of Union Carbide Corporation (“Union Carbide”). While service credit was frozen, covered employees continued to earn benefits under the Union Carbide plan based on their final average wages through February 26, 1991, adjusted for salary increases (not to exceed six percent per annum) through January 26, 1995, the date Union Carbide ceased to own a minimum 50% of the equity of GTI. The Union Carbide plan is responsible for paying retirement and death benefits earned as of February 26, 1991.
Effective January 1, 2002, we established a defined contribution plan for U.S. employees. Certain employees had the option to remain in our defined benefit plan for an additional period of up to five years. Employees not covered by this option had their benefits under our defined benefit plan frozen as of December 31, 2001, and began participating in the defined contribution plan.
Effective March 31, 2003, we curtailed our qualified benefit plan and the benefits were frozen as of that date for the U.S. employees who had the option to remain in our defined benefit plan. We also closed our non-qualified U.S. defined benefit plan for the participating salaried workforce. The employees began participating in the defined contribution plan as of April 1, 2003.
In 2025, GrafTech offered a limited-time and amount, voluntary lump sum distribution (“2025 Voluntary Lump Sum”). Total lump sums under the 2025 Voluntary Lump Sum were not to exceed $24.0 million. Lump sum payments were distributed in December 2025 and resulted in a $0.8 million settlement gain.
Pension coverage for employees of foreign subsidiaries is provided, to the extent deemed appropriate, through separate plans. Obligations under such plans are systematically provided for by depositing funds with trustees, under insurance policies or by book reserves.
The components of our net pension cost related to our defined benefit pension plans are set forth in the following table:
(in thousands)202520242023
 U.S.ForeignU.S.ForeignU.S.Foreign
Service cost$1,221 $982 $960 $942 $1,483 $1,053 
Interest cost4,587 495 4,409 617 4,722 870 
Expected return on assets(4,346)(1,283)(4,729)(1,358)(4,353)(1,145)
Settlement gain(820)— — — — — 
Mark-to-market (gain) loss (970)(1,405)(1,370)2,423 (2,513)4,395 
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost$(328)$(1,211)$(730)$2,624 $(661)$5,173 

The mark-to-market gain in 2025 was primarily due to favorable asset returns in the United States and favorable changes in the discount rate in Switzerland, partially offset by unfavorable changes in the discount rate in other countries. The mark-to-market loss in 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate for our foreign plans, as well as unfavorable asset returns compared to expectations in both the foreign and U.S. plans, partially offset by increase in U.S. discount rates. The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of our pension plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of assets, and funded status at December 31, 2025 and 2024 are shown below.
(in thousands)
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
 U.S.ForeignU.S.Foreign
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of period$89,455 $34,045 $97,322 $37,481 
Service cost1,221 982 960 942 
Interest cost4,587 495 4,409 617 
Participant contributions— 446 — 435 
Plan settlements(23,506)— — (3,267)
Foreign currency exchange changes— 4,930 — (2,748)
Actuarial loss (gain)857 (1,555)(3,550)1,676 
Benefits paid(10,584)(235)(9,686)(1,091)
Net benefit obligation at end of period$62,030 $39,108 $89,455 $34,045 
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period$75,953 $25,342 $78,396 $29,981 
Actual return on plan assets6,993 1,133 2,549 611 
Foreign currency exchange rate changes— 3,735 — (2,172)
Plan settlements(23,506)— — (3,267)
Employer contributions1,525 646 4,385 760 
Participant contributions— 446 — 435 
Benefits paid(10,287)(125)(9,377)(1,006)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period$50,678 $31,177 $75,953 $25,342 
Funded status (underfunded):$(11,352)$(7,931)$(13,502)$(8,703)
Amounts recognized in the statement
  of financial position:
Other accrued liabilities$(261)$(102)$(286)$— 
Other long-term obligations(11,091)(7,829)(13,216)(8,703)
Net amount recognized$(11,352)$(7,931)$(13,502)$(8,703)
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $99.4 million and $121.8 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Plan Assets
The accounting guidance on fair value measurements specifies a hierarchy based on the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques (Level 1, 2 and 3). See Note 8, “Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments" for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy.
The following describes the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the investments:
•Cash and cash equivalents – Valued at cost. Cash equivalents are valued at net asset value as provided by the administrator of the fund.
•Equity securities – Valued using the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
•Fixed income securities – Valued using both market observable inputs for similar assets that are traded on an active market and the closing price on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
•Other - Primarily a tactical, multi-asset “fund of funds” that allocates across various asset classes rather than being strictly limited to equity or fixed income.
•Foreign government bonds – Valued by the trustees using various pricing services of financial institutions.
•Fixed insurance contracts – Valued at the present value of the guaranteed payment streams.
•Collective trusts – Valued at the net asset value provided by the administrator of the fund (the practical expedient). The net asset value is primarily based on quoted market prices of the underlying securities for which quoted market prices of the underlying securities of the funds. Some of the underlying investments include securities for which quoted market prices are not available and are valued using data obtained by the trustee from the best available source or market value. This method may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although we believe its valuation method is appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

The fair value of other plan assets by category is summarized below:
(in thousands)December 31, 2025
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
U.S. Plan Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$1,242 $— $— $1,242 
Equity securities10,537 — — 10,537 
Fixed income securities12,257 11,581 — 23,838 
Other3,397 — — 3,397 
International Plan Assets
Foreign government bonds— 680 — 680 
Fixed insurance contracts— — 30,497 30,497 
Total international plan assets$— $680 $30,497 $31,177 
U.S. Plan - Investments measured at net asset value$11,664 
Total$27,433 $12,261 $30,497 $81,855 
December 31, 2024
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
U.S. Plan Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$696 $— $— $696 
International Plan Assets
Foreign government bonds— 700 — 700 
Fixed insurance contracts— — 24,642 24,642 
Total international plan assets$— $700 $24,642 $25,342 
U.S. Plan - Investments measured at net asset value$75,257 
Total$696 $700 $24,642 $101,295 
The following table presents the changes for those financial instruments classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for international plan pension assets for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
(in thousands)Fixed Insurance
Contracts
Balance at December 31, 2023
$29,020 
   Gain / contributions / currency impact(4,241)
   Distributions(137)
Balance at December 31, 2024
24,642 
   Gain / contributions / currency impact6,027 
   Distributions(172)
Balance at December 31, 2025
$30,497 
 
We annually re-evaluate assumptions and estimates used in projecting pension assets, liabilities and expenses. These assumptions and estimates may affect the carrying value of pension assets, liabilities and expenses in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Assumptions used to determine net pension costs and projected benefit obligations are:
Pension Benefit Obligations Key Assumptions
 20252024
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate3.80 %4.29 %
Rate of compensation increase1.46 %1.69 %
 
Pension Cost Key Assumptions
Weighted average assumptions to determine net cost:
Discount rate4.29 %3.93 %
Expected return on plan assets5.67 %5.88 %
Rate of compensation increase1.69 %1.70 %
We adjust our discount rate annually in relation to the rate at which the benefits could be effectively settled. Discount rates are set for each plan in reference to the yields available on AA-rated corporate bonds of appropriate currency and duration. The appropriate discount rate is derived by developing an AA-rated corporate bond yield curve in each currency. The discount rate for a given plan is the rate implied by the yield curve for the duration of that plan’s liabilities. In certain countries, where little public information is available on which to base discount rate assumptions, the discount rate is based on government bond yields or other indices and approximate adjustments to allow for the differences in weighted durations for the specific plans and/or allowance for assumed credit spreads between government and AA-rated corporate bonds.
The expected return on assets assumption represents our best estimate of the long-term return on plan assets and generally was estimated by computing a weighted average return of the underlying long-term expected returns on the different asset classes, based on the target asset allocations. The expected return on assets assumption is a long-term assumption that is expected to remain the same from one year to the next unless there is a significant change in the target asset allocation, the fees and expenses paid by the plan or market conditions.
The rate of compensation increase is based on the long-term inflation rate projection of the jurisdictions where we have active plans and on any incremental change due to merit or productivity.
Plan Assets. The following table presents our retirement plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2025, by asset category:
 Percentage of Plan Assets
 U.S.Foreign
Equity securities20 %— %
Fixed income, debt securities, or cash80 %100 %
Total100 %100 %

Investment Policy and Strategy. The investment policy and strategy of the U.S. plan is to invest approximately 20% in equities and return seeking assets and approximately 80% in fixed income securities. Rebalancing is undertaken monthly. To the extent we maintain plans in other countries, target asset allocation is 100% fixed income investments. For each plan, the investment policy is set within both asset return and local statutory requirements.
Information for our pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2025 and 2024 follows:
(in thousands)20252024
 U.S.ForeignU.S.Foreign
Accumulated benefit obligation$62,030 $37,375 $89,455 $32,311 
Fair value of plan assets50,678 31,177 75,953 25,342 

Information for our pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2025 and 2024 follows:
(in thousands)20252024
 U.S.ForeignU.S.Foreign
Projected benefit obligation$62,030 $39,108 $89,455 $34,045 
Fair value of plan assets50,678 31,177 75,953 25,342 

Following is our projected future pension plan cash flow by year:
(in thousands)U.S.Foreign
Expected contributions in 2026:
Expected employer contributions$3,181 $846 
Expected employee contributions— — 
Estimated future benefit payments:
2026$6,777 $1,677 
20276,532 2,476 
20286,290 1,800 
20296,034 1,577 
20305,776 3,265 
Next five years24,576 11,749 
Post-Employment Benefit Plans
We have legacy post-employment medical coverage and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees in the United States and in certain foreign jurisdictions. Effective December 31, 2005, all U.S. post-employment medical coverage plans were frozen.
The post-employment benefit plans are un-funded and our periodic contributions correspond to the amount of benefits paid in the period. Our funding contributions were $1.5 million and $1.4 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The estimated liability for post-employment benefit plans was $12.1 million and $12.5 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company recognized expense of $0.3 million, $0.5 million and $2.0 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for post-employment benefits. Included in post-employment benefit expense are mark-to-market gains of $0.5 million and $0.4 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively, compared to mark-to-market losses of $1.1 million in 2023.
Savings Plan
Our employee savings plan provides eligible employees the opportunity for long-term savings and investment. The plan allows employees to contribute up to 5% of pay as a basic contribution and an additional 45% of pay as supplemental contribution. The Company's contributions to our savings plan were $1.4 million, $1.6 million and $3.0 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.