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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
10. 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:
PensionOPEB
Three Months EndedNine Months EndedThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
June 30,June 30,June 30,June 30,
(Thousands)20232022202320222023202220232022
Service cost$1,350 $2,073 $4,051 $6,219 $618 $1,077 $1,854 $3,229 
Interest cost3,794 2,408 11,381 7,224 2,286 1,588 6,859 4,766 
Expected return on plan assets(4,993)(5,319)(14,979)(15,956)(1,680)(1,893)(5,041)(5,681)
Recognized actuarial loss75 2,186 225 6,558 — 1,421 — 4,263 
Prior service cost (credit) amortization25 25 76 76 — (35)— (107)
Net periodic benefit cost$251 $1,373 $754 $4,121 $1,224 $2,158 $3,672 $6,470 

The Company does not expect to be required to make additional contributions to fund the pension plans during fiscal 2023 based on current actuarial assumptions; however, funding requirements are uncertain and can depend significantly on changes in actuarial assumptions, returns on plan assets 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 nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

There are no federal requirements to pre-fund OPEB benefits. However, the Company is required to fund certain amounts due to regulatory agreements with the BPU and estimates that it will contribute between $5 million and $10 million over each of the next five years. Additional contributions may be required based on market conditions and changes to assumptions.