EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Pension and Other Postemployment Benefit Plans

The components of the net periodic cost for pension benefits, including the Company's Pension Equalization Plan, and OPEB costs (principally health care and life insurance) for employees and covered dependents were as follows:

	Pension						OPEB
	Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(Thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Service cost	$	1,871		$	1,536		$	1,063		$	981
Interest cost	2,550			2,516			1,435			1,433
Expected return on plan assets	(4,272		)	(3,869		)	(1,244		)	(1,044		)
Recognized actuarial loss	1,745			1,399			736			625
Prior service cost amortization	28			28			(91		)	(89		)
Recognized net initial obligation	—			—			—			3
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,922		$	1,610		$	1,899		$	1,909

The Company does not expect to be required to make additional contributions to fund the pension plans over the next three fiscal years based on current actuarial assumptions; however, funding requirements are uncertain and can depend significantly on changes in actuarial assumptions, returns on plan assets, interest rates and changes in the demographics of eligible employees and covered dependents. In addition, as in the past, the Company may elect to make contributions in excess of the minimum required amount to the plans. There were no discretionary contributions made during the three months endedDecember 31, 2014 and 2013.