Pension plans and other postretirement benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension plans and other postretirement benefits

7. Pension plans and other postretirement benefits

The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits (including health care and life insurance benefits) to qualified retired employees.  Net periodic defined benefit cost for defined benefit plans consisted of the following:

	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended March 31
	2017			2016			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	4,908			6,382			383		458
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		19,691			20,883			1,080			1,205
Expected return on plan assets		(27,200	)		(27,814	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		125			(825	)		(350	)		(350	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		6,800			8,300			(25	)		—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,324			6,926			1,088			1,313

Expense incurred in connection with the Company's defined contribution pension and retirement savings plans totaled $19,419,000 and $17,690,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.