Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

15. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

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

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27,			June 29,			June 27,			June 29,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Interest cost	$	720		$	987		$	2,160		$	2,958
Expected return on plan assets		(321	)		(432	)		(961	)		(1,293	)
Amortization of net loss		862			867			2,586			2,600
Pension settlement charge		900			—			900			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,161		$	1,422		$	4,685		$	4,265

	Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27,			June 29,			June 27,			June 29,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Interest cost	$	38		$	69		$	113		$	206
Amortization of prior service credits		(125	)		(125	)		(373	)		(374	)
Amortization of net (gain)		(196	)		(190	)		(590	)		(570	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(283	)	$	(246	)	$	(850	)	$	(738	)

The Partnership expects to contribute approximately $3,800 to the defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2020, of which $2,030 was contributed during the nine months ended June 27, 2020.  The projected annual contribution requirements related to the Partnership’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plan for fiscal 2020 is $970, of which $644 was contributed during the nine months ended June 27, 2020.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, lump sum pension settlement payments exceeded the settlement threshold (combined service and interest costs of net periodic pension cost) of $2,880, which required the Partnership to recognize a non-cash settlement charge of $900.  This non-cash charge was required to accelerate recognition of a portion of cumulative unamortized losses in the defined benefit pension plans.  The components of net periodic benefit cost are included in the line item Other, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Partnership contributes to multi-employer pension plans (“MEPPs”) 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 June 27, 2020 and September 28, 2019, the Partnership’s estimated obligation to these MEPPs was $20,654 and $21,441, respectively, as a result of its voluntary full withdrawal from certain MEPPs.