Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract]

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

Note 9 - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The components of net periodic cost are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	3,495		$	2,976		$	29		$	115
Interest cost		9,334			9,127			127			603
Expected return on plan assets		(12,830	)		(11,807	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost		100			102			(59	)		(102	)
Amortization of net loss (gain)		4,843			1,978			(21	)		(243	)
Settlements		(27	)		—			—			—
Net periodic cost	$	4,915		$	2,376		$	76		$	373

The Company expects, based on current actuarial calculations, to contribute approximately $5 million to its defined benefit plans and $1 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2012, of which $0.8 million and $0.3 million have been contributed during the first quarter of 2012, respectively. The Company contributed $47.5 million to its defined benefit plans and $1.4 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2011. Cash contributions for subsequent years will depend on a number of factors, including the impact of the Pension Protection Act signed into law in 2006, changes in minimum funding requirements, long-term interest rates, the investment performance of plan assets and changes in employee census data affecting the Company's projected benefit obligations.