THE DIXIE GROUP, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (amounts in thousands, except per share data) (Continued) NOTE 14 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Defined Contribution Plans Non-Qualified Retirement Savings Plan Multi-Employer Pension Plan The Company sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan that covers a significant portion, or approximately 85% of the Company's associates. This plan includes a mandatory Company match on the first 1% of participants' contributions. The Company matches the next 2% of participants' contributions if the Company meets prescribed earnings levels. The plan also provides for additional Company contributions above the 3% level if the Company attains certain additional performance targets. Matching contribution expense for this 401(k) plan was $418 in 2019, $448 in 2018 and $484 in 2017. Additionally, the Company sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan that covers those associates at one facility who are under a collective-bargaining agreement, or approximately 15% of the Company's associates. Under this plan, the Company generally matches participants' contributions, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 2.75% of the participant's earnings. Matching contribution expense for the collective-bargaining 401(k) plan was $143 in 2019, $123 in 2018 and $125 in 2017. The Company sponsors a non-qualified retirement savings plan that allows eligible associates to defer a specified percentage of their compensation. The obligations owed to participants under this plan were $16,203 at December 28, 2019 and $13,943 at December 29, 2018 and are included in other long-term liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The obligations are unsecured general obligations of the Company and the participants have no right, interest or claim in the assets of the Company, except as unsecured general creditors. The Company utilizes a Rabbi Trust to hold, invest and reinvest deferrals and contributions under the plan. Amounts are invested in Company-owned life insurance in the Rabbi Trust and the cash surrender value of the policies was $16,500 at December 28, 2019 and $13,822 at December 29, 2018 and is included in other assets in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company contributes to a multi-employer pension plan under the terms of a collective-bargaining agreement that covers its union-represented employees. These union-represented employees represented approximately 15% of the Company's total employees. The risks of participating in multi-employer plans are different from single-employer plans. If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. If the Company chooses to stop participating in the multi-employer plan, the Company may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. The Company's participation in the multi-employer pension plan for 2019 is provided in the table below. The "EIN/Pension Plan Number" column provides the Employee Identification Number (EIN) and the three digit plan number. The most recent Pension Protection Act (PPA) zone status available in 2019 and 2018 is for the plan's year-end at 2018 and 2017, respectively. The zone status is based on information that the Company received from the plan and is certified by the plan's actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The "FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented" column indicates a plan for which a financial improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration date of the collective-bargaining agreement to which the plan is subject. (1) The collective-bargaining agreement requires the Company to contribute to the plan at the rate of $0.47 per compensated hour for each covered employee. The Company will make additional contributions, as mandated by law, in accordance with the fund's 2010 Rehabilitation Plan which required a surcharge equal to $0.03 per hour (from $0.47 to $0.50) effective June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015, a surcharge equal to $0.03 per hour (from $0.50 to $0.53) effective June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016, a surcharge equal to $0.02 per hour (from $0.53 to $0.55) effective June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017, a surcharge equal to $0.03 per hour (from $0.55 to $0.58) effective June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018, a surcharge equal to $0.02 per hour (from $0.58 to $0.60) effective June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019, and a surcharge equal to $0.03 per hour (from $0.60 to $0.63) effective June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020. Based upon current employment and benefit levels, the Company's contributions to the multi-employer pension plan are expected to be approximately $342 for 2020. Pension Fund EIN/Pension Plan Number Pension Protection Act Zone Status FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented (1) Contributions (2) Surcharge Imposed (1) Expiration Date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement 2019 2018 2019 2018 2017 The Pension Plan of the National Retirement Fund 13-6130178 - 001 Red Red Implemented $ 335 $ 320 $ 313 Yes 6/4/2022 Table of Contents 53