Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Defined benefit pension plans

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

A summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost for Mattel’s defined benefit pension plans is as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2012			March 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	3,319		$	3,213
Interest cost		7,492			7,329
Expected return on plan assets		(7,760	)		(6,302	)
Amortization of prior service cost		10			461
Recognized actuarial loss		5,738			3,636
	$	8,799		$	8,337

Postretirement benefit plans

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

A summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost for Mattel’s postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2012		March 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	19	$	20
Interest cost		345		437
Recognized actuarial loss		30		36
	$	394	$	493