EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Components of the net periodic benefit cost of PLC's defined benefit pension plan for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, are as follows: 

	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018					2017
	Qualified Pension Plan			Nonqualified Excess Pension Plan		Qualified Pension Plan			Nonqualified Excess Pension Plan
	(Dollars In Thousands)
Service cost — benefits earned during the period	$	3,441		$	387	$	3,348		$	334
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	2,397			359		2,191			297
Expected return on plan assets	(4,026		)	—		(3,352		)	—
Amortization of prior service cost	—			—		—			—
Amortization of actuarial loss/(gain)	—			265		—			118
Preliminary net periodic benefit cost	1,812			1,011		2,187			749
Settlement/curtailment expense	—			—		—			—
Total net periodic benefit costs	$	1,812		$	1,011	$	2,187		$	749

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, PLC did not make a contribution to its defined benefit pension plan. PLC will make contributions in future periods as necessary to at least satisfy minimum funding requirements, to maintain an adjusted funding target attainment percentage ("AFTAP") of at least 80% and to avoid certain Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) reporting triggers. PLC may also make additional discretionary contributions in excess of the contribution amounts established by the current funding policy.