basis points to 6.50% in 2014, pension expense would have increased by approximately $8 million in 2014 for our  qualified pension plans. Our funding requirements would not have been materially affected. We determined our discount rate using a Ryan ALM, Inc. Curve (the “Ryan Curve”). The Ryan Curve provides  the bonds included in the curve and allows adjustments for certain outliers (e.g., bonds on “watch”). We believe the  Ryan Curve allows us to calculate an appropriate discount rate.  To determine our discount rate, we project a cash flow based on annual accrued benefits. For active  participants, the benefits under the respective pension plans are projected to the date of termination. The projected  plan cash flow is discounted to the measurement date, which is the last day of our fiscal year, using the annual spot  rates provided in the Ryan Curve. A single discount rate is then computed so that the present value of the benefit cash  flow equals the present value computed using the Ryan Curve rates. The weighted average discount rate determined on this basis was 4.05% for our qualified plans and 3.90% for  our non-qualified plans as of December 28, 2014. If we had decreased the expected discount rate by 50 basis points for our qualified plans and our non-qualified  plans in 2014, pension expense would have increased by approximately $2 million as of December 28, 2014 and our  pension obligation would have increased by approximately $159 million. On October 27, 2014, the SOA released new mortality tables that increased life expectancy assumptions. During  the fourth quarter of 2014, we adopted the new mortality tables and revised the mortality assumptions used in  determining our pension benefit obligations. The net impact on our qualified and non-qualified pension obligations  resulting from the new mortality assumptions was an increase of $117.0 million. See Note 9 of our Consolidated  Financial Statements for additional information.  We will continue to evaluate all of our actuarial assumptions, generally on an annual basis, and will adjust as  necessary. Actual pension expense will depend on future investment performance, changes in future discount rates,  the level of contributions we make and various other factors.  We also recognize the present value of pension liabilities associated with the withdrawal from multiemployer  pension plans. Our multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability was approximately $116 million as of December  28, 2014. This liability represents the present value of the obligations related to complete and partial withdrawals that  have already occurred as well as an estimate of future partial withdrawals that we considered probable and  reasonably estimable. For those plans that have yet to provide us with a demand letter, the actual liability will not be  known until they complete a final assessment of the withdrawal liability and issue a demand to us. Therefore, the  estimate of our multiemployer pension plan liability will be adjusted as more information becomes available that  allows us to refine our estimates. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our  pension plans. We provide health benefits to retired employees (and their eligible dependents) who meet the definition of an  eligible participant and certain age and service requirements, as outlined in the plan document. While we offer pre- age 65 retiree medical coverage to employees who meet certain retiree medical eligibility requirements, we no longer  provide post-age 65 retiree medical benefits for employees who retired on or after March 1, 2009. We also contribute to  a postretirement plan under the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement. We accrue the costs of postretirement  benefits during the employees’ active years of service and our policy is to pay our portion of insurance premiums and  claims from our assets. On October 27, 2014, the SOA released new mortality tables that increased life expectancy assumptions. During  the fourth quarter of 2014, we adopted the new mortality tables and revised the mortality assumptions used in  determining our postretirement benefit obligations. The net impact to our postretirement obligations resulting from  the new mortality assumptions was an increase of $4.2 million. See Note 10 of our Consolidated Financial Statements  for additional information.  The annual postretirement expense was calculated using a number of actuarial assumptions, including a health- care cost trend rate and a discount rate. The health-care cost trend rate was 7.20% as of December 28, 2014. A one- percentage point change in the assumed health-care cost trend rate would result in an increase of $0.1 million or a  P. 50 – THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY Other Postretirement Benefits