Pension And Other Post-Retirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Pension And Other Post-Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension And Other Post-Retirement Benefits

10. The components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit programs reflected in consolidated results are shown below:

		Pension						Other Post-Retirement
		Benefits for Three Months						Benefits for Three Months
		Ended March 31						Ended March 31
(In Thousands)		2013			2012			2013			2012
Service cost	$	(870	)	$	(858	)	$	(18	)	$	(13	)
Interest cost		(3,106	)		(3,289	)		(89	)		(100	)
Expected return on plan assets		4,329			4,811			-			-
Amortization of prior service costs, gains or
losses and net transition asset		(3,690	)		(2,626	)		41			53
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(3,337	)	$	(1,962	)	$	(66	)	$	(60	)

     We contributed $2.3 million to our pension plans for continuing operations in 2012, and our required contributions are expected to be approximately $0.2 million in 2013. We also intend to make an additional discretionary contribution of $5.0 million to our underfunded pension plan in 2013. We fund our other post-retirement benefits (life insurance and health benefits) on a claims-made basis, which were $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.