Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] |
(7) RETIREMENT PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
Pension and other postretirement benefit costs for the periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended
June 30
Six Months Ended
June 30
Pension
Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension
Other Postretirement Benefits
2009
2008
2009
2008
2009
2008
2009
2008
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
$
24,201
$
28,060
$
3,142
$
3,585
$
48,433
$
56,009
$
6,284
$
7,170
Interest cost
29,350
30,223
7,718
8,217
58,930
60,319
15,436
16,433
Expected return on plan assets
(38,040
)
(42,283
)
(3,403
)
(3,848
)
(75,885
)
(84,536
)
(6,806
)
(7,696
)
Amortization of actuarial (gain)
loss
2,072
651
64
(252
)
4,137
1,289
128
(504
)
Amortization of prior service
(income) cost
(422
)
(600
)
1,606
1,565
(800
)
(1,202
)
3,212
3,130
Amortization of net transition
amount
37
24
76
45
Curtailment settlement gain
(12,345
)
(1,929)
(12,345
)
(1,929)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
4,853
$
16,075
$
9,127
$
7,338
$
22,546
$
31,924
$
18,254
$
16,604
The Company expects to contribute $218,400,000 to its pension plans and $38,100,000 to its other postretirement plans in 2009. As of June 30, 2009, contributions of $41,100,000 to pension plans and $17,300,000 to other postretirement plans have been made. |