Note 9. Pension

The components of pension expense for the periods presented are as follows:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2019		2018		2019		2018
Components of net periodic cost:
Service cost	$	82	$	90	$	243	$	270
Interest cost		157		138		473		414
Expected return on plan assets		(272)		(279)		(814)		(837)
Recognized net actuarial loss		133		176		419		528
Total pension expense	$	100	$	125	$	321	$	375

The Bank expects its pension expense to decrease to approximately $420 thousand in 2019 compared to $500 thousand in 2018, due primarily to decreases in service costs and recognized net actuarial losses. The service cost component of pension expense is in the salaries and employee benefits line on the income statement. All other cost components are in the other expense line on the income statement.