The long-term rates of return used in the calculation of the expected return on scheme assets for the years ended 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2011 respectively,  determined in conjunction with the Group’s actuaries and analysed by class of investment, are as follows: The methodology applied in relation to the expected return on equities is driven by prevailing risk-free rates in the four jurisdictions listed and the application of an equity risk  premium (which varies by country) to those rates. The differences between the expected return on bonds and the yields used to discount the liabilities in each of the four  jurisdictions listed are attributable to the fact that the bond assets held by many of the Group’s schemes comprise an amalgam of government and corporate bonds. The  property and “other” (largely cash holdings) components of the asset portfolio are not significant. In all cases, the reasonableness of the assumed rates of return is assessed  by reference to actual and target asset allocations in the long-term and the Group’s overall investment strategy as articulated to the trustees of the various defined benefit  pension schemes in operation. The total expense charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of defined contribution and defined benefit pension schemes, post-retirement  healthcare obligations and long-term service commitments is as follows: At year-end 2012, €38 million (2011: €40 million) was included in other payables in respect of defined contribution pension liabilities. The total defined benefit expense (comprising funded and unfunded defined benefit pension schemes and unfunded post-retirement healthcare obligations and  long-term service commitments) is analysed as follows: *  Impact of scheme disposals shown separately in note 5.  During 2012, the Group implemented changes to the terms of a number of its defined benefit pension schemes in the Eurozone giving rise to a gain of €30 million  in the Consolidated Income Statement. The Group will adopt IAS 19  Employee Benefits (revised)  effective 1 January 2013. Details of the impact of adopting this standard on the accounting for the Group’s  retirement benefit obligations are contained in the Accounting Policies on page 76.  No reimbursement rights have been recognised as assets in accordance with IAS 19  Employee Benefits . 110 CRH 28. Retirement Benefit Obligations  | continued Scheme assets Impact on Consolidated Income Statement Analysis of defined benefit expense Eurozone Britain and Northern Ireland Switzerland United States Total Group 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m Charged in arriving at Group profit before finance costs*: Current service cost  7   11   16   14   25   21  (2)  1   46   47  Past service cost (3) (2)  -  -  1   1   - - (2) (1) Settlement/curtailment gain (30) (13)  - (15)  - (1)  - - (30) (29) Subtotal (26) (4)  16  (1)  26   21  (2)  1   14   17  Included in finance revenue and finance costs respectively: Expected return on scheme assets (31) (33) (32) (30) (24) (23) (9) (10) (96) (96) Interest cost on scheme liabilities  44   44   31   30   17   18   11   11   103   103  Subtotal  13   11  (1)  - (7) (5)  2   1   7   7  Net charge to Consolidated Income Statement* (13)  7   15  (1)  19   16   -  2   21   24  Actual return on pension scheme assets  86  (24)  61   12   48   5   17  (1)  212  (8) 2012 2011 €m €m Total defined contribution expense  143   134  Total defined benefit expense  21   24  Total expense in Consolidated Income Statement   164   158  Eurozone Britain and Northern Ireland Switzerland United States 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 % % % % % % % % Equities  7.50   7.50   7.50   7.50   6.05   6.35   7.50   7.50  Bonds  3.50   4.00   4.00   4.50   2.05   2.35   4.00   5.00  Property  6.50   6.50   6.50   6.50   4.75   4.75   6.50   6.50  Other  1.00   2.50   1.00   2.50   1.50   1.75   1.00   2.50 