SPOKANE, Wash. (News release) -- PotlatchDeltic Corporation announced that it agreed to purchase a group annuity contract from New York Life Insurance Company, pursuant to which it will irrevocably transfer to New York Life approximately $100 million of pension obligations. New York Life will assume responsibility for annuity administration and benefit payments to select retirees beginning May 1, 2020. Retirees and beneficiaries covered by this transaction will receive personalized information with further details before May 1, 2020.

This transaction was funded with plan assets and the Company transferred the premium amount to New York Life on March 6, 2020. There will be no change to retirees' pension benefits as a result of the group annuity transaction. Following the annuity purchase and transfer, the Company's pension plans will remain well-funded.

PotlatchDeltic will recognize a pre-tax noncash pension settlement charge estimated to be approximately $45 million against its first quarter 2020 income.

"This transaction maintains financially secure benefits for our pension plan participants while reducing PotlatchDeltic's pension funding risk," said Jerald W. Richards, vice president and chief financial officer. "The transfer represents almost one quarter of our qualified pension liability."