Retirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Retirement Benefits

15.  RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company maintains both qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for its U.S. employees employed prior to April 1, 2010. Generally, the Company computes the benefits based on average earnings over a period prescribed by the plans and credited length of service. The Company’s non-qualified defined benefit pension plan provided compensating pension benefits for participants whose benefits have been curtailed under the qualified plan due to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Effective January 1, 2018, participants of the Company’s non-qualified defined benefit pension plan may no longer accrue additional service benefits.

Net periodic benefit cost for U.S. employees included the following components for the periods indicated:

Pension Benefits	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019
Service cost	$	4,011	$	2,276
Interest cost		2,483		2,930
Expected return on plan assets		(5,197)		(5,016)
Amortization of net (income) loss		1,213		1,601
Settlement charge		-		104
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,510	$	1,895

Other Benefits	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019
Service cost	$	141	$	286
Interest cost		215		295
Amortization of prior service cost		(48)		(144)
Amortization of net (income) loss		-		-
Net periodic benefit cost	$	308	$	437
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

The service cost component of net periodic benefit costs is included within other underwriting expenses on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). In accordance with ASU 2017-07, other staff compensation costs are also primarily recorded within this line item.

The Company did notmake any contributions to the qualified pension benefit plan for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.