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Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2014
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
12.Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs:

 
 
Pension Benefits
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
  
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
March 29,
  
March 30,
  
March 29,
  
March 30,
 
 
 
2014
  
2013
  
2014
  
2013
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
Interest cost
 
$
1,443
  
$
1,307
  
$
2,887
  
$
2,614
 
Expected return on plan assets
  
(1,275
)
  
(1,320
)
  
(2,551
)
  
(2,641
)
Amortization of net loss (gain)
  
1,123
   
1,321
   
2,246
   
2,643
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
1,291
  
$
1,308
  
$
2,582
  
$
2,616
 
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
  
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
March 29,
  
March 30,
  
March 29,
  
March 30,
 
 
 2014  2013  2014  2013 
 
                
Service cost
 
$
1
  
$
2
  
$
3
  
$
4
 
Interest cost
  
160
   
146
   
320
   
293
 
Amortization of prior service costs
  
(122
)
  
(122
)
  
(245
)
  
(245
)
Amortization of net loss (gain)
  
(46
)
  
-
   
(91
)
  
-
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
(7
)
 
$
26
  
$
(13
)
 
$
52
 

There are no projected minimum employer cash contribution requirements under ERISA laws for fiscal 2014 under the Partnership’s defined benefit pension plan. The projected annual contribution requirements related to the Partnership’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plan for fiscal 2014 is $1,337, of which $608 has been contributed during the six months ended March 29, 2014.

As a result of the Inergy Propane Acquisition, the Partnership contributes to multi-employer pension plans (“MEPP”) in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements covering union employees. As one of the many participating employers in these MEPPs, the Partnership is responsible with the other participating employers for any plan underfunding.  As of March 29, 2014, the Partnership had accrued $6,932 for its estimated obligation to certain MEPPs due to the Partnership’s voluntary partial withdrawal from one such MEPP and full withdrawal from four MEPPs.  Due to the uncertainty regarding future factors that could trigger withdrawal liability, including the integration of Inergy Propane, the Partnership is unable to determine the amount and timing of any future withdrawal liability, if any.