I/A Table of Contents FIRST DATA CORPORATION NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) The Company employs a building block approach in determining the long-term rate of return for plan assets with proper consideration of diversification and re-balancing. Historical markets are studied and long-term historical relationships between equities and fixed-income securities are preserved consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. Current market factors such as inflation and interest rates are evaluated before long-term capital market assumptions are determined. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed to chock for reasonableness and appropriateness. All assumptions are the responsibility of management. Plan assets The Company employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities and plan funded status. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed-income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and global equity investments. In addition, private equity securities comprise a very small part of the equity allocation. The fixed income allocation is a combination of fixed income investment strategics designed to contribute to the total rate of return of all plan assets while minimizing risk and supporting the duration of plan liabilities. The Company's pension plan target allocation for the U.S. plans based on the investment policy as of December 31, 2014 was 40% equity securities and 60% debt securities. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements, and periodic asset and liability