PENSION PLAN

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The Company has a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”). Benefits after January 1, 2005, are based on the benefit earned as of December 31, 2004, plus benefits earned in future years of service based on the employee’s compensation during each such year. All benefit accruals for employees were frozen as of December 31, 2007 based on past service and thus salary increases and additional years of service after such date no longer affect the defined benefit provided by the Plan, although additional vesting may continue to occur.

The Company's funding policy is to contribute amounts to the Plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended. In addition, the Company contributes additional amounts as it deems appropriate based on benefits attributed to service prior to the date of the Plan freeze. The Plan invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of managed fixed income and equity funds.

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the periods indicated are presented in the following table:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	316	$	359	$	952	$	1,078
Expected return on plan assets	(312)		(456)		(936)		(1,368)
Recognized net actuarial loss	228		219		682		656
Net periodic benefit cost	$	232	$	122	$	698	$	366

The decision as to whether or not to make a plan contribution and the amount of any such contribution is dependent on a number of factors. Such factors include the investment performance of Plan assets in the current economy and, since the Plan is currently frozen, the remaining investment horizon of the Plan. After consideration of these factors, the Company made a $1.0 million contribution during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Management continues to monitor the funding level of the Plan and may make additional contributions as necessary during 2021.