Employee Benefit Plans

In the fourth quarter of 2014, we began the process of terminating the funded defined benefit plan (the "Plan"), which will include settling the Plan liabilities by offering lump sum distributions to plan participants or purchasing annuity contracts for those who do not elect lump sums. As part of the planned termination, in 2014 we adjusted our asset portfolio to a target asset allocation of 100% fixed income investments (up from 49%), which will provide a better matching of Plan assets to the characteristics of the liabilities. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we provided notice to plan participants of our intent to terminate the Plan and we applied for a determination with the Internal Revenue Service with regards to the termination. We will take further actions to minimize the volatility of the value of our pension assets relative to pension liabilities and to settle remaining Plan liabilities, including making such contributions to the Plan as may be necessary to make the Plan sufficient to settle all Plan liabilities.

As of December 31, 2014, we have valued the projected benefit obligations of the Plan based on the present value of estimated costs to settle the liabilities through a combination of lump sum payments to participants and purchasing annuities from an insurance company. This reflects an estimate of how many participants we expect will accept a lump sum offering, and an estimate of lump sum payouts for those participants based on the current lump sum rates approved by the IRS. Liabilities expected to be settled through annuity contracts have been estimated based on future benefit payments, discounted based on current interest rates that correspond to the liability payouts, adjusted to reflect a premium that would be assessed by the insurer. As the liabilities are settled, unamortized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income will be recognized based on the projected benefit obligations and assets measured as of the dates the settlements occur. Based on rates as of September 30, 2015, the amount of unamortized losses in other comprehensive income that would result in a one-time noncash pre-tax charge was estimated at $54.4 million. Prior to settling the liabilities, we will contribute such additional amounts (estimated to be approximately $6.9 million as of September 30, 2015) as may be necessary to fully fund the Plan. Such contributions are expected to be made concurrent with settling the liabilities but may be made earlier at our discretion. The impact of termination is subject to rate changes at the time of settlement. This planned termination does not yet constitute a settlement of liability under applicable accounting guidance for pension plans. The Company anticipates the conversion to individual annuity policies along with the liability discharge to occur in the fourth quarter. The defined benefit plan is included in the accompanying table for all periods presented.

The following are components of the net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement benefit plans maintained by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:



	Pension Benefits
(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2015		2014			2015		2014
Service cost	$	59	$	45		$	177	$	135
Interest cost	45		1,193			136		3,580
Expected return on plan assets	—		(1,903		)	—		(5,711		)
Recognized net actuarial loss	379		234			1,137		701
Benefit cost (income)	$	483	$	(431	)	$	1,450	$	(1,295	)



	Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost	$	225		$	173		$	675		$	516
Interest cost	396			377			1,188			1,133
Amortization of prior service cost	(136		)	(136		)	(408		)	(408		)
Recognized net actuarial loss	379			203			1,138			609
Benefit cost	$	864		$	617		$	2,593		$	1,850