Pension plans and other postretirement benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension plans and other postretirement benefits

6. 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
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	5,103			4,908			226		383
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		18,805			19,691			557			1,080
Expected return on plan assets		(30,875	)		(27,200	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		125			125			(1,175	)		(350	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		11,100			6,800			(200	)		(25	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,258			4,324			(592	)		1,088

Service cost is reflected in salaries and employee benefits expense. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are reflected in other costs of operations. Expenses incurred in connection with the Company's defined contribution pension and retirement savings plans totaled $21,274,000 and $19,419,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are included in salaries and employee benefits expense.