Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

6 Months Ended

Oct. 26, 2011

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

	Second Quarter Ended
	October 26, 2011			October 27, 2010			October 26, 2011			October 27, 2010
	Pension Benefits						Other Retiree Benefits
	(Thousands of Dollars)
Service cost	$	8,445		$	8,096		$	1,489		$	1,567
Interest cost	34,939			35,512			2,860			3,162
Expected return on plan assets	(58,756		)	(57,278		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	495			617			(1,532		)	(1,291		)
Amortization of unrecognized loss	20,937			19,388			274			401
Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,060		$	6,335		$	3,091		$	3,839

	Six Months Ended
	October 26, 2011			October 27, 2010			October 26, 2011			October 27, 2010
	Pension Benefits						Other Retiree Benefits
	(Thousands of Dollars)
Service cost	$	17,056		$	15,833		$	2,997		$	3,128
Interest cost	70,486			69,791			5,747			6,316
Expected return on plan assets	(118,537		)	(112,570		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	993			1,208			(3,062		)	(2,581		)
Amortization of unrecognized loss	42,166			38,356			547			802
Net periodic benefit cost	$	12,164		$	12,618		$	6,229		$	7,665

The amounts recognized for pension benefits as other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were $662.5 million as of October 26, 2011 and $644.6 million as of April 27, 2011.

During the first six months of Fiscal 2012, the Company contributed $8 million to these defined benefit plans. The Company expects to make combined cash contributions of less than $30 million in Fiscal 2012; however, actual contributions may be affected by pension asset and liability valuations during the year.