Pension and Retirement Benefit Plans.

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

PENSION AND RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS.

8. PENSION AND RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS.

The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan (the “Retirement Plan”) and a health care and life insurance plan (the “Postretirement Plan”). The Company assumed the Retirement Plan and the Postretirement Plan as part of its acquisition of Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. on July 1, 2015.

The Retirement Plan is noncontributory, and covers only “grandfathered” unionized employees at the Company’s Pekin, Illinois facility who fulfill minimum age and service requirements. Benefits are based on a prescribed formula based upon the employee’s years of service. The Retirement Plan, which is part of a collective bargaining agreement, covers only union employees hired prior to November 1, 2010.

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its Retirement Plan. The Company’s funding policy is to make the minimum annual contribution required by applicable regulations. As of December 31, 2020, the Retirement Plan’s accumulated projected benefit obligation was $24.6 million, with a fair value of plan assets of $17.6 million. The underfunded amount of $7.0 million is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in other liabilities.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Retirement Plan’s net periodic expense was $22,000, comprised of $151,000 in interest cost and $109,000 in service cost, partially offset by $238,000 of expected return on plan assets. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Retirement Plan’s net periodic expense was $48,000, comprised of $173,000 in interest cost and $101,000 in service cost, partially offset by $226,000 of expected return on plan assets. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Retirement Plan’s net periodic expense was $44,000, comprised of $302,000 in interest cost and $218,000 in service cost, partially offset by $476,000 of expected return on plan assets. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Retirement Plan’s net periodic expense was $96,000, comprised of $346,000 in interest cost and $202,000 in service cost, partially offset by $452,000 of expected return on plan assets.

The Postretirement Plan provides postretirement medical benefits and life insurance to certain “grandfathered” unionized employees. Employees hired after December 31, 2000 are not eligible to participate in the Postretirement Plan. The Postretirement Plan is contributory, with contributions required at the same rate as active employees. Benefit eligibility under the plan declines at age 65 from a defined benefit to a defined dollar cap based upon years of service. As of December 31, 2020, the Postretirement Plan’s accumulated projected benefit obligation was $5.3 million and is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in other liabilities. The Company’s funding policy is to make the minimum annual contribution required by applicable regulations.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Postretirement Plan’s net periodic expense was $42,000, comprised of $10,000 of interest cost, $26,000 of service cost and $6,000 of amortization expense. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Postretirement Plan’s net periodic expense was $59,000, comprised of $38,000 of interest cost, $14,000 of service cost and $7,000 of amortization expense.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Postretirement Plan’s net periodic expense was $84,000, comprised of $20,000 of interest cost, $52,000 of service cost and $12,000 of amortization expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Postretirement Plan’s net periodic expense was $118,000, comprised of $76,000 of interest cost, $28,000 of service cost and $14,000 of amortization expense.