MSCI Inc

10. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan for eligible U.S. employees and defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its non-U.S. employees. Eligible employees may participate in the MSCI 401(k) plan (or any other regional defined contribution plan sponsored by MSCI) immediately upon hire. Eligible employees receive 401(k) and other defined contribution plan matching contributions, which are subject to vesting and certain other limitations.

The following table reflects the employee benefits expense by cost, type and location in the Statement of Income for the periods indicated:

The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 to calculate obligations under its pension and postretirement plans. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company carried a net liability of $37.3 million and $31.9 million, respectively, in “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition related to its future pension obligations. The fair value of the defined benefit plan assets was $31.4 million and $31.8 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Company’s retiree benefit plans include defined benefit plans for employees in Switzerland, as well as other countries where MSCI maintains an operating presence.

Our Switzerland plans are government-mandated retirement funds that provide employees with a minimum investment return, which is determined annually by the Swiss government and was 1.3%,1.0% and 1.0%, in the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Under the Switzerland plans, the Company and our employees are required to make contributions into a fund managed by an independent investment fiduciary. Employer contributions must be in an amount at least equal to the employee’s contribution. Employee contributions are based on the respective employee’s age, salary and chosen contribution scale. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Switzerland defined benefit plans had a gross pension liability of $31.1 million and $30.9 million, respectively, and plan assets that totaled $25.9 million and $27.2 million, respectively. In the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we recognized net periodic benefit expense of $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to our Switzerland plans. The discount rate for the Switzerland defined benefit pension plan was 1.00% and 1.40%, respectively, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The investment strategies of the non-U.S. defined benefit plans vary according to the plan provisions and local laws. The majority of the assets in the non-U.S. plans are in the Switzerland plans. The Switzerland plans are associated with an insured collective retirement foundation, whereby assets are held in trust and the assets are comingled with those of other participating companies. Investment decisions are made by a board of the collective retirement foundation, comprised of participating company representatives and representatives from the insurer. The overall strategy is to manage risk while maximizing total returns.