Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Retirement Plans

Note 16. Retirement Plans

We sponsor a defined contribution plan covering substantially all of the Company’s U.S. employees. For 2011 and 2010, Company contributions were equal to 7.5% of each eligible employee’s gross pay (plus bonus of up to $2,500), up to the amount permitted by certain Federal regulations. Employees’ accounts vest at 20% per year for six years with vesting beginning in an employee’s second year of service. For any employee hired prior to January 1, 2008, vesting is calculated based on hours of service and vesting commences on January 1 following an employee’s first full year of service. For employees hired after January 1, 2008, vesting is calculated based on elapsed time and vesting commences on the employees anniversary date. The expense recorded for the defined contribution plan was $2.8 million, $2.9 million and $2.7 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company sponsors a similar defined contribution plan under U.K. regulations for the Company’s U.K. employees. Contributions, which are fully vested when made, are equal to 15% of each eligible employee’s gross base salary. The expense recorded for the U.K. defined contribution plan was $1.7 million, $1.5 million and $1.4 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Such expenses are included in Other operating expenses.

We have a 401(k) plan for all U.S. eligible employees. Each eligible employee can contribute a portion of their salary, limited by certain Federal regulations. Beginning in 2008, we matched 100% of employee contributions on eligible compensation, up to a maximum of 4% each pay period; our contribution vests immediately. In addition, beginning in 2008, we have the discretion of contributing up to 4% of eligible compensation to each eligible employee’s 401(k) plan irrespective of the employees’ contribution amount which also vests immediately. The expense recorded for such plan was $1.6 million, $1.7 million and $1.2 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.