Pension and postretirement benefits (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Pension Plan

Components of Net Periodic Pension/Postretirement Benefit Cost

The components of net periodic pension cost for the periods presented were as follows:

	Pension Plan Quarters ended June 30,						Benefit Restoration Plans Quarters ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Interest cost	$	7,784		$	7,953		$	395		$	385
Expected return on plan assets		(10,840	)		(7,777	)		(450	)		(404	)
Amortization of net loss		2,829			2,206			148			99
Settlement loss		—			3,380			—			—
Total net periodic pension cost	$	(227	)	$	5,762		$	93		$	80

	Pension Plans Six months ended June 30,						Benefit Restoration Plans Six months ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Interest cost	$	15,569		$	15,906		$	790		$	769
Expected return on plan assets		(21,680	)		(15,553	)		(901	)		(807	)
Amortization of net loss		5,657			4,412			296			198
Settlement loss		—			3,380			—			—
Total net periodic pension cost	$	(454	)	$	8,145		$	185		$	160

Postretirement Benefit Plan

Components of Net Periodic Pension/Postretirement Benefit Cost

The Corporation also provides certain health care benefits for retired employees of certain subsidiaries. The table that follows presents the components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost.

	Postretirement Benefit Plan
	Quarters ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	504		$	432		$	1,008		$	864
Interest cost		2,135			1,608			4,271			3,217
Amortization of prior service cost		(240	)		(261	)		(480	)		(523	)
Amortization of net loss (gain)		267			(294	)		534			(588	)
Total net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	2,666		$	1,485		$	5,333		$	2,970