Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

6 Months Ended

Mar. 26, 2022

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 26,			March 27,			March 26,			March 27,
	2022			2021			2022			2021
Interest cost	$	560		$	534		$	1,119		$	1,068
Expected return on plan assets		(354	)		(319	)		(708	)		(638	)
Amortization of net loss		600			898			1,199			1,796
Pension settlement charge		—			570			—			570
Net periodic benefit cost	$	806		$	1,683		$	1,610		$	2,796

	Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 26,			March 27,			March 26,			March 27,
	2022			2021			2022			2021
Interest cost	$	20		$	19		$	40		$	38
Amortization of prior service credits		(125	)		(125	)		(249	)		(249	)
Amortization of net (gain)		(181	)		(180	)		(362	)		(361	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(286	)	$	(286	)	$	(571	)	$	(572	)

The Partnership expects to contribute approximately $3,330 to the defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2022, of which $1,110 was contributed during the six months ended March 26, 2022.  The projected annual contribution requirements related to the Partnership’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plan for fiscal 2022 is $710, of which $332 was contributed during the six months ended March 26, 2022. 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 26, 2022 and September 25, 2021, the Partnership’s estimated obligation to these MEPPs was $23,035 and $23,567, respectively, as a result of its voluntary full withdrawal from certain MEPPs.