13. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company has contributory and non-contributory defined-benefit pension plans, which include both qualified and supplemental plans. The Company also provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees. Retiree health care benefits are funded by contributions from the retiree and, in certain circumstances, contributions from the Company. The Company’s retiree life insurance plan is noncontributory. The following summarizes the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit cost:



	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
millions	2018			2017			2018			2017
Three Months Ended March 31
Service cost	$	23		$	21		$	—		$	—
Interest cost	19			21			3			3
Expected (return) loss on plan assets	(21		)	(21		)	—			—
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)	7			6			—			—
Amortization of net prior service cost (credit)	—			—			(6		)	(6		)
Settlement expense	—			3			—			—
Termination benefits expense	—			4			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost ⁽¹⁾	$	28		$	34		$	(3	)	$	(3	)

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⁽¹⁾	The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is included in G&A; oil and gas operating expense; gathering, processing, and marketing expense; and exploration expense, and all other components of net periodic benefit cost are included in other (income) expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company contributed $46 million to funded pension plans and $16 million to unfunded pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The Company expects to contribute an additional $116 million to funded pension plans and $14 million to unfunded pension plans during 2018.