RETIREMENT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

RETIREMENT PLANS

RETIREMENT PLANS

Barnwell sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”) covering substantially all of its U.S. employees. Additionally, Barnwell sponsors a Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (“SERP”), a noncontributory supplemental retirement benefit plan which covers certain current and former employees of Barnwell for amounts exceeding the limits allowed under the Pension Plan, and a postretirement medical insurance benefits plan (“Postretirement Medical”) covering eligible U.S. employees.

The following table details the components of net periodic benefit cost for Barnwell’s retirement plans:

	Pension Plan						SERP						Postretirement Medical
	Three months ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2016			2015			2016		2015
Service cost	$	72,000		$	65,000		$	16,000		$	16,000		$	—	$	—
Interest cost	87,000			91,000			21,000			20,000			22,000		14,000
Expected return on plan assets	(141,000		)	(112,000		)	—			—			—		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	1,000			1,000			(1,000		)	(1,000		)	—		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss	41,000			34,000			9,000			5,000			47,000		—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	60,000		$	79,000		$	45,000		$	40,000		$	69,000	$	14,000

Barnwell estimates that it will make approximately $500,000 in contributions to the Pension Plan during fiscal 2017. The SERP and Postretirement Medical plans are unfunded, and Barnwell funds benefits when payments are made. Expected payments under the Postretirement Medical plan and the SERP for fiscal 2017 are not material. Fluctuations in actual equity market returns as well as changes in general interest rates will result in changes in the market value of plan assets and may result in increased or decreased retirement benefits costs and contributions in future periods.