RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The components of total pension cost were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Service cost	$	5,063		$	5,675
Interest cost	10,662			9,390
Expected return on plan assets	(17,021		)	(15,404		)
Amortization of prior service cost	(155		)	(153		)
Amortization of net loss	4,222			8,111
Defined benefit plans	2,771			7,619
Multi-employer plans	264			239
Defined contribution plans	2,834			2,589
Total pension cost	$	5,869		$	10,447

The Company voluntarily contributed $20,000 to its defined benefit plans in the United States during the three months ended March 31, 2014. The amortization of net loss decreased due to greater actuarial gains during 2013, attributable to a higher discount rate and higher actual return on plan assets compared with the expected return on assets.