Benefit Plans

The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees in the United States and certain foreign locations. The Company also provides certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to qualifying domestic retirees. Other postretirement benefit plans in foreign countries are not material. The measurement date used for the Company’s employee benefit plans is September 30.

Net pension and postretirement cost included the following components for the three months ended June 30:



	Pension Plans						Other Postretirement Benefits
(Millions of dollars)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Service cost	$	27		$	20		$	1		$	1
Interest cost	18			18			1			1
Expected return on plan assets	(34		)	(27		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service credit	(4		)	(4		)	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization of loss	28			19			—			—
Settlements	—			3			—			—
Net pension and postretirement cost	$	36		$	29		$	1		$	1

Net pension and postretirement cost included the following components for the nine months ended June 30:



	Pension Plans						Other Postretirement Benefits
(Millions of dollars)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Service cost	$	79		$	61		$	2		$	2
Interest cost	53			54			3			4
Expected return on plan assets	(97		)	(82		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service credit	(12		)	(11		)	(4		)	(4		)
Amortization of loss	80			58			1			1
Settlements	—			4			—			—
Net pension and postretirement cost	$	103		$	85		$	3		$	4

The amounts provided above for amortization of prior service credit and amortization of loss represent the reclassifications of prior service credits and net actuarial losses that were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in prior periods.

Postemployment benefit costs accounted for under a service-based approach were $10 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Postemployment benefit costs were $30 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Employee termination costs associated with the Company's restructuring activities are provided in Note 11.