Retirement Plans

6 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2012

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Retirement Plans

8.Retirement Plans

Effective December 31, 2008, we froze both of our noncontributory defined benefit plans: our pension plan (the “pension plan”) and our unfunded, nonqualified plan (the “restoration plan”), which restores retirement benefits for certain associates who are affected by Internal Revenue Code limitations on benefits provided under the pension plan.  No additional benefits have accrued under these plans since that date.  In connection with benefits earned prior to December 31, 2008, we have a continuing obligation to fund the pension plan and will continue to recognize net periodic pension expense for both plans.  We use a fiscal year end measurement date for both the pension plan and the restoration plan.

Components of Net Pension Expense

		Three Months Ended August 31
(In thousands)		Pension Plan				Restoration Plan				Total
		2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
Interest cost	$	1,824	$	1,708	$	115	$	131	$	1,939	$	1,839
Expected return on plan assets		(1,913)		(1,717)		―		―		(1,913)		(1,717)
Recognized actuarial loss		300		117		―		―		300		117
Net pension expense	$	211	$	108	$	115	$	131	$	326	$	239
		Six Months Ended August 31
(In thousands)		Pension Plan				Restoration Plan				Total
		2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
Interest cost	$	3,650	$	3,416	$	230	$	260	$	3,880	$	3,676
Expected return on plan assets		(3,796)		(3,436)		―		―		(3,796)		(3,436)
Recognized actuarial loss		600		230		―		―		600		230
Net pension expense	$	454	$	210	$	230	$	260	$	684	$	470

We made contributions of $5.1million to the pension plan during the six months ended August 31, 2012.  We do not anticipate making any furthercontributions during the remainder of fiscal 2013.  The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the pension plan was 7.75% as of February 29, 2012.