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Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
 9 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2018
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]  
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
The components of our net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans are
shown below.
 
Three Months Ended January 31,
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost
$
1.3

 
$
3.0

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.5

Interest cost
5.4

 
6.2

 
0.5

 
0.7

Expected return on plan assets
(7.2
)
 
(7.3
)
 
—

 
—

Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)
2.9

 
3.3

 
(0.1
)
 
—

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
0.2

 
0.3

 
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
2.6

 
$
5.5

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.8

 
Nine Months Ended January 31,
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost
$
4.7

 
$
10.7

 
$
1.5

 
$
1.7

Interest cost
16.2

 
19.1

 
1.6

 
2.0

Expected return on plan assets
(21.6
)
 
(21.9
)
 
—

 
—

Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)
8.6

 
10.4

 
(0.3
)
 
(0.1
)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
0.7

 
0.9

 
(1.1
)
 
(1.1
)
Settlement loss
—

 
0.1

 
—

 
—

Net periodic benefit cost
$
8.6

 
$
19.3

 
$
1.7

 
$
2.5


As of April 30, 2017, we changed the approach utilized to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for our defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Historically, we estimated the service and interest cost components using a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. As of April 30, 2017, we utilized a spot rate approach for the estimation of service and interest cost for our plans by applying specific spot rates along the yield curve to the relevant projected cash flows to provide a better estimate of service and interest costs. This approach does not affect the measurement of the total benefit obligations, and has been accounted for as a change in estimate that is effected by a change in accounting principle. As such, we accounted for this change in methodology on a prospective basis beginning May 1, 2017, which will result in a benefit of approximately $4.3 in 2018.
During the first quarter of 2017, we announced our plans to harmonize our retirement benefits and freeze our non-union U.S. defined benefit pension plans by December 31, 2017. The amendments resulted in an immaterial net settlement loss and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $25.2 at July 31, 2016. As a result of the plan changes that occurred at the end of calendar year 2017, we expect to realize additional future savings.
During the third quarter of 2018, we made additional contributions to the defined benefit pension plans of $20.0, and as a result, we anticipate total contributions to be $35.1 in 2018, of which the majority has been contributed as of January 31, 2018. The additional contribution was funded by the current year tax savings that resulted from the tax legislation that was enacted during the third quarter of 2018. For further details on the tax legislation changes, refer to Note 12: Income Taxes.