Postretirement Plans

The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:



	Nine months ended September 30						Three months ended September 30
Pension Plans	2017			2016			2017			2016
Service cost		$301			$488			$100			$162
Interest cost	2,243			2,287			747			761
Expected return on plan assets	(2,883		)	(2,998		)	(961		)	(1,000		)
Amortization of prior service (credits)/costs	(29		)	29			(9		)	9
Recognized net actuarial loss	603			592			201			198
Settlement/curtailment/other losses	1			39						6
Net periodic benefit cost		$236			$437			$78			$136
Net periodic benefit cost included in Earnings from operations		$534			$1,545			$100			$453



	Nine months ended September 30						Three months ended September 30
Other Postretirement Benefits	2017			2016			2017			2016
Service cost		$80			$96			$27			$32
Interest cost	171			196			57			66
Expected return on plan assets	(5		)	(6		)	(1		)	(2		)
Amortization of prior service credits	(102		)	(94		)	(34		)	(32		)
Recognized net actuarial loss	8			17			2			5
Net periodic benefit cost		$152			$209			$51			$69
Net periodic benefit cost included in Earnings from operations		$201			$213			$58			$63

Required pension contributions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as well as rules governing funding of our non-US pension plans, are minimal in 2017. During the third quarter of 2017, we contributed $500 in cash and $3,500 in shares of our common stock. These contributions exceed our previously announced plan to contribute approximately $500 to our pension plans in 2017.