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LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Feb 20, 2026.

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FY2025 · Filed Feb 20, 2026

LYB$60.60+1.8%Stored close · as of Nov 10, 2026

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Contents

Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits

  1. Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits

We have defined benefit pension plans which cover employees in the U.S. and various other countries. We also sponsor post-retirement benefit plans other than pensions that provide medical benefits to certain of our U.S., Canadian and French employees. In addition, we provide other post-employment benefits such as early retirement and deferred compensation severance benefits to employees in certain non-U.S. countries. We use a measurement date of December 31 for all of our benefit plans.

Pension Benefits—The following tables provide a reconciliation of projected benefit obligations, plan assets and the funded status of our U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans:

Year Ended December 31,
20252024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of period$1,232$1,389$1,155$1,363
Service cost54255221
Interest cost59546252
Actuarial (gain) loss(13)(141)6088
Plan amendments(5)1——
Benefits paid(128)(71)(97)(59)
Participant contributions—2—2
Settlement(43)(3)—(3)
Curtailment6———
Termination benefits6———
Foreign exchange effects—159—(75)
Benefit obligation, end of period1,1681,4151,2321,389
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period1,036770960705
Actual return on plan assets49(52)130112
Company contributions20594351
Benefits paid(128)(71)(97)(59)
Participant contributions—2—2
Settlement(43)(3)—(3)
Foreign exchange effects—81—(38)
Fair value of plan assets, end of period9347861,036770
Funded status, end of period$(234)$(629)$(196)$(619)

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following:

December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Prepaid benefit cost, long-term$—$74$—$56
Accrued benefit liability, current—(37)—(30)
Accrued benefit liability, long-term(234)(666)(196)(645)
Funded status, end of period$(234)$(629)$(196)$(619)

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss include the following:

December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Actuarial and investment loss$278$70$276$94
Prior service (credit) cost(4)23—23
Balance, end of period$274$93$276$117

The following additional information is presented for our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans:

December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Accumulated benefit obligation for defined benefit plans$1,150$1,298$1,204$1,268

Pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of assets are summarized as follows:

December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Projected benefit obligations$1,168$820$1,232$793
Fair value of assets9341171,036118

Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of assets are summarized as follows:

December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Accumulated benefit obligations$1,150$621$1,201$593
Fair value of assets93471,0338

Components of net periodic pension costs for our U.S. and non-U.S. plans are as follows:

U.S. Plans
Year Ended December 31,
Millions of dollars202520242023
Service cost$49$47$45
Interest cost525550
Expected return on plan assets(63)(58)(62)
Actuarial loss amortization161917
Net periodic benefit cost$54$63$50
Non-U.S. Plans
Year Ended December 31,
Millions of dollars202520242023
Service cost$25$21$22
Interest cost545251
Expected return on plan assets(28)(28)(28)
Prior service cost amortization333
Actuarial (gain) loss amortization55(1)
Net periodic benefit cost$59$53$47

The actual and target asset allocations for our plans are as follows:

20252024
ActualTargetActualTarget
Canada
Fixed incomeN/AN/A100%100%
United Kingdom—Lyondell Chemical Plans
Equity securities26%25%25%25%
Fixed income74%75%75%75%
United Kingdom—Basell Plans
Equity securities27%25%25%25%
Fixed income73%75%75%75%
United Kingdom—A. Schulman Plans
Equity securities and growth assets27%25%26%25%
Fixed income and matching assets73%75%74%75%
United States
Equity securities41%40%39%40%
Fixed income47%45%48%45%
Alternatives12%15%13%15%

During 2025, the Canadian Defined Benefits pension plans entered into an annuity buy-in. As a result, the plan assets of $65 million were transferred to the insurer and treated as a nonparticipating insurance contract.

We estimate contributions to our defined benefit plans in 2026 will be $80 million and $63 million for the U.S. and non-U.S. plans, respectively.

As of December 31, 2025, future expected benefit payments by our pension plans which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are as follows:

Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.
2026$127$73
20279373
20289775
20299677
20309579
2031 through 2035490414

The following tables set forth the principal assumptions on discount rates, projected rates of compensation increase and expected rates of return on plan assets, where applicable. These assumptions vary for the different plans, as they are determined in consideration of local conditions.

The weighted average assumptions used in determining the net benefit liabilities for our pension plans were as follows at December 31:

20252024
U.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Discount rate5.43%4.37%5.35%3.66%
Rate of compensation increase4.66%3.37%4.66%3.36%
Cash balance interest credit rate4.67%—%4.36%—%

The weighted average assumptions used in determining net benefit costs for our pension plans were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
U.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Discount rate5.35%3.66%5.80%4.00%5.50%3.99%
Expected return on plan assets7.25%3.44%7.25%4.14%7.25%3.57%
Rate of compensation increase4.66%3.36%4.68%3.58%4.65%2.66%

The discount rate assumptions reflect the rates at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled, based on the yields of high-quality long-term bonds where the term closely matches the term of the benefit obligations. We measure service and interest costs by applying the specific spot rates along that same yield curve to the projected cash flows of the plans. This approach provides a more precise measurement of service and interest costs. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on assets in our U.S. plans of 7.25% is based on the average level of earnings that our independent pension investment adviser had advised could be expected to be earned over afifteen- totwenty-year time period, consistent with the target asset allocation of the plans, historical capital market performance, historical plan performance (since the 1997 inception of the U.S. Master Trust) and a forecast of expected future asset returns. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on assets in our non-U.S. plans of 3.44% is based on expectations and asset allocations that vary by region. We review these long-term assumptions on a periodic basis.

Actual rates of return may differ from the expected rate due to the volatility normally experienced in capital markets. Assets are externally managed by professional investment firms over the long term to achieve optimal returns with an acceptable level of risk and volatility in order to meet the benefit obligations of the plans as they come due.

Our pension plans have not directly invested in securities of LyondellBasell N.V., and there have been no significant transactions between any of the pension plans and the Company or related parties thereof.

The pension investments that are measured at fair value are summarized below:

December 31, 2025
Millions of dollarsFair ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
U.S.
Common and preferred stock$59$59$—$—
Commingled funds measured at net asset value432
Fixed income securities97—97—
Real estate funds measured at net asset value57
Hedge funds measured at net asset value15
Private equity measured at net asset value39
U.S. government securities217217——
Cash and cash equivalents1717——
Total U.S. Pension Assets$933$293$97$—
December 31, 2025
Millions of dollars · Fair Value · Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3
Non-U.S.
Insurance arrangements$610$—$—$610
Commingled funds measured at net asset value172
Cash and cash equivalents11——
Total Non-U.S. Pension Assets$783$1$—$610
December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsFair ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
U.S.
Common and preferred stock$64$64$—$—
Commingled funds measured at net asset value459
Fixed income securities97—97—
Real estate funds measured at net asset value63
Hedge funds measured at net asset value20
Private equity measured at net asset value46
U.S. government securities253253——
Cash and cash equivalents2626——
Total U.S. Pension Assets$1,028$343$97$—
December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsFair ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Non-U.S.
Insurance arrangements$531$—$—$531
Commingled funds measured at net asset value237
Cash and cash equivalents11——
Total Non-U.S. Pension Assets$769$1$—$531

Certain non-U.S. plans have investments in a pooled asset portfolio that are treated as a nonparticipating insurance contract. The associated plan assets underlying the insurance arrangement are measured at the cash surrender value, which is primarily derived from an actuarial determination of the discounted benefits cash flows. As such, these assets are considered to use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). As of December 31, 2024, these defined benefit pension plan assets were valued at $531 million and have increased to $610 million as of December 31, 2025. This change is primarily due to the transfer of the Canadian plan assets of $65 million into an insurance arrangement and in relation to the increase in the discount rate from 2024 to 2025.

The majority of our U.S. and Non-U.S investments that are calculated at net asset values have a redemption frequency, redemption period and trade settlement term of less than one-week.

Other Post-retirement Benefits—We sponsor unfunded health care and life insurance plans covering certain eligible retired employees and their eligible dependents. Generally, the medical plans pay a stated percentage of medical expenses, reduced by deductibles and other coverage. Life insurance benefits are generally provided by insurance contracts. We retain the right, subject to existing agreements, to modify or eliminate these benefits.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of benefit obligations of our unfunded other post-retirement benefit plans:

Year Ended December 31,
20252024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of period$139$52$142$39
Service cost—2—1
Interest cost7282
Actuarial (gain) loss6(5)815
Benefits paid(22)(2)(24)(1)
Participant contributions4—5—
Foreign exchange effects—6—(4)
Benefit obligation, end of period1345513952
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period————
Employer contributions182191
Participant contributions4—5—
Benefits paid(22)(2)(24)(1)
Fair value of plan assets, end of period————
Funded status, end of period$(134)$(55)$(139)$(52)

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Accrued benefit liability, current$(13)$(2)$(13)$(1)
Accrued benefit liability, long-term(121)(53)(126)(51)
Funded status, end of period$(134)$(55)$(139)$(52)

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Actuarial and investment income$48$11$61$8
Prior service cost—(1)—(1)
Balance, end of period$48$10$61$7

The following tables set forth the assumed health care cost trend rates for our U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans:

U.S. Plans
December 31,
2025 · 2024
Immediate trend rate7.0%6.5%
Ultimate trend rate (the rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline)4.5%4.5%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate20362033
Non-U.S. Plans
Canada · France
December 31, · December 31,
2025 · 2024 · 2025 · 2024
Immediate trend rate4.5%4.5%5.0%5.0%
Ultimate trend rate (the rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline)4.5%4.5%5.0%5.0%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate————

The health care cost trend rate assumption does not typically have a significant effect on the amounts reported due to limits on maximum contribution levels to the medical plans.

The weighted average assumptions used in determining the net benefit liabilities for our other post-retirement benefit plans were as follows:

December 31,
20252024
U.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Discount rate5.08%4.01%5.24%3.53%
Rate of compensation increase4.12%—4.09%—

The weighted average assumptions used in determining the net benefit costs for our other post-retirement benefit plans were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
U.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Discount rate5.24%3.53%5.74%4.36%5.44%3.95%
Rate of compensation increase4.09%—4.13%—4.16%—

As of December 31, 2025, future expected benefit payments by our other post-retirement benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, were as follows:

Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.
2026$13$2
2027132
2028132
2029132
2030122
2031 through 20355310

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss—In 2025, pension benefits actuarial gain and other post-retirement benefits actuarial loss of $53 million and $1 million, respectively, are primarily due to changes in discount rate assumptions and updated actuarial assumptions. In 2024, pension benefits actuarial gain and other post-retirement benefits actuarial loss of $1 million and $22 million, respectively, are primarily due to changes in discount rate assumptions and updated actuarial assumptions.

Deferred income taxes related to amounts in Accumulated other comprehensive loss include provisions of $72 million and $91 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Defined Contribution Plans—Most employees in the U.S. and certain non-U.S. countries are eligible to participate in defined contribution plans (“Employee Savings Plan”) by contributing a portion of their compensation. We make employer contributions, such as matching contributions, to certain of these plans. The Company also has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that covers senior management in the U.S. This plan was amended and restated in May 2023 and provides Company contributions on behalf of certain eligible employees who earn base pay above the IRS annual compensation limit.

The following table provides the Company contributions to the Employee Savings Plans:

Company Contributions
202520242023
Millions of dollarsU.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.U.S.Non-U.S.
Employee Savings Plans$58$11$56$11$54$9
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