Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

6 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2021

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						Six Months Ended
	March 27,			March 28,			March 27,			March 28,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
Interest cost	$	534		$	720		$	1,068		$	1,440
Expected return on plan assets		(319	)		(320	)		(638	)		(640	)
Amortization of net loss		898			862			1,796			1,724
Pension settlement charge		570			—			570			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,683		$	1,262		$	2,796		$	2,524

	Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 27,			March 28,			March 27,			March 28,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
Interest cost	$	19		$	38		$	38		$	75
Amortization of prior service credits		(125	)		(125	)		(249	)		(249	)
Amortization of net (gain)		(180	)		(196	)		(361	)		(393	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(286	)	$	(283	)	$	(572	)	$	(567	)

The Partnership expects to contribute approximately $6,250 to the defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2021, of which $3,690 was contributed during the six months ended March 27, 2021.  The projected annual contribution requirements related to the Partnership’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plan for fiscal 2021 is $843, of which $374 was contributed during the six months ended March 27, 2021. During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, lump sum pension settlement payments exceeded the settlement threshold (combined service and interest costs of net periodic pension cost) of $2,135, which required the Partnership to recognize a non-cash settlement charge of $570.  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 March 27, 2021 and September 26, 2020, the Partnership’s estimated obligation to these MEPPs was $19,876 and $20,396, respectively, as a result of its voluntary full withdrawal from certain MEPPs.