Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 204 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report 2024 2020 25. Post employment benefits 204 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report 2024 Strategic report Governance
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The Group operates a number of Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution retirement plans for our employees. The Group’s largest defined benefit plan is in the UK. For further details see ‘Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty’ in note 1 ‘Basis of preparation’. Accounting policies For defined benefit retirement plans, the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the present value of the plan liabilities is recognised as an asset or a liability on the consolidated statement of financial position. Defined benefit plan liabilities are assessed using the projected unit funding method and applying the principal actuarial assumptions at the reporting period date. Assets are valued at market value. Actuarial gains and losses are taken to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for defined benefit plans or consolidated income statement for cash leaver plans as incurred. For this purpose, actuarial gains and losses comprise both the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions and experience adjustments arising from differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and what has actually occurred. The return on plan assets, in excess of interest income, and costs incurred for the management of plan assets are also taken to other comprehensive income. Other movements in the net surplus or deficit are recognised in the consolidated income statement, including the current service cost, any past service cost and the effect of any settlements. The interest cost less the expected interest income on assets is also charged to the consolidated income statement. The amount charged to the consolidated income statement in respect of these plans is included within operating costs or in the Group’s share of the results of equity accounted operations, as appropriate. The Group’s contributions to defined contribution pension plans are charged to the consolidated income statement as they fall due. Background At 31 March 2024 the Group operated a number of retirement plans for the benefit of its employees throughout the world, with varying rights and obligations depending on the conditions and practices in the countries concerned. The Group’s philosophy is to provide access to defined contribution retirement plans where feasible and to manage legacy defined benefit retirement arrangements. Defined benefit plans provide benefits based on the employees’ length of pensionable service and their final pensionable salary or other criteria. Defined contribution plans offer employees individual funds that are converted into benefits at the time of retirement. The Group operates defined benefit plans in Germany, India, Ireland, Italy 1 , the UK, the United States and defined benefit indemnity plans in Greece and Turkey. Defined contribution plans are currently provided in Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy 1 , Portugal, South Africa, Spain 1 and the UK. Income statement expense/(income) Re-presented 1 Re-presented 1 2024 2023 2022 €m €m €m Defined contribution plans 183 175 167 Defined benefit plans 34 37 (29) Total amount charged to income statement (note 24) 217 212 138 Note: 1 The defined contribution plan results for the years ended 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2022 have been re-presented to reflect that the results of Vodafone Spain and Vodafone Italy are now reported as discontinued operations, decreasing both the previously disclosed defined contribution plans’ expense and the total amount charged to the income statement by €32 million and €30 million respectively. The results of the defined benefit plans have not been re-presented as such impacts are immaterial. See note 7 ‘Discontinued operations and assets held for sale’ for more information. Defined benefit plans The Group’s retirement policy is to provide competitive pension provision, in each operating country, in line with the market median for that location. The Group’s preferred retirement provision is focused on Defined Contribution arrangements and/or State provision for future service. The Group’s main defined benefit funding liability is the Vodafone UK Group Pension Scheme (‘Vodafone UK plan’). Since June 2014 the Vodafone UK plan has consisted of two segregated sections: the Vodafone Section and the Cable & Wireless Section (‘CWW Section’). Both sections are closed to new entrants and to future accrual. The Group also operates smaller funded and unfunded plans in the UK, funded and unfunded plans in Germany and a funded plan in Ireland. Defined benefit pension provision exposes the Group to actuarial risks such as longer than expected longevity of participants, lower than expected return on investments and higher than expected inflation, which may increase the liabilities or reduce the value of assets of the plans.
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