United Continental charts $420 million contribution for pension plans

United Continental Holdings Inc., Chicago, plans to contribute at least $420 million to its pension plans in 2018, the airline announced in its 10-K filed Friday.

United contributed $419 million to its pension plans in 2017 and $421 million in 2016.

United's defined benefit assets totaled $3.93 billion as of Dec. 31 and its projected benefit obligations, $5.85 billion, for a funded status of 67.2%, up from 63.9% the previous year.

The discount rate used to measure benefit obligations was 3.65% at the end of 2017, down from 4.18% as of Dec. 31, 2016.

The asset allocation range for 2017 was 30% to 40% for fixed-income securities, 27% to 42% for equity securities, 10% to 25% for alternatives and up to 10% for other.