PENSION BENEFITS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

PENSION BENEFITS [Abstract]

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit costs for the periods indicated:

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	2,068	$	1,898	$	7,252	$	6,062
Interest cost		1,934		2,214		6,078		6,270
Expected return on assets		(2,765)		(3,745)		(8,447)		(11,171)
Amortization of unrecognized transition amount		3		4		13		14
Recognized prior service cost		(192)		52		(576)		152
Recognized net loss		893		891		3,651		2,047
Net periodic benefit costs	$	1,941	$	1,314	$	7,971	$	3,374