10) PENSION PLAN

We maintain contributory and non-contributory retirement plans for eligible employees. Our contributions to the contributory plan amounted to $40.7 million, $35.7 million and $29.9 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The non-contributory plan is a defined benefit pension plan which covers employees of one of our subsidiaries. The benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s highest compensation for any five years of employment. Our funding policy is to contribute annually at least the minimum amount that should be funded in accordance with the provisions of ERISA.

The following table shows the reconciliation of the defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

	2015			2014
	(000s)
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	116,697		$	106,469
Actual return (loss) on plan assets		(3,223	)		16,470
Benefits paid		(6,086	)		(5,605	)
Administrative expenses		(549	)		(637	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	106,839		$	116,697
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	127,342		$	103,558
Service cost		1,051			966
Interest cost		4,912			4,986
Benefits paid		(6,086	)		(5,605	)
Actuarial (gain) loss		(9,039	)		23,437
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	118,180		$	127,342
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Other non-current liabilities		11,341			10,645
Total amounts recognized at end of year	$	11,341		$	10,645

	2015			2014			2013
	(000s)
Components of net periodic cost (benefit)
Service cost	$	1,051		$	966		$	1,060
Interest cost		4,912			4,985			4,528
Expected return on plan assets		(6,254	)		(7,772	)		(7,601	)
Recognized actuarial loss		3,164			1,107			3,305
Net periodic cost	$	2,873		$	(714	)	$	1,292

	2015	2014
Measurement Dates
Benefit obligations	12/31/2015	12/31/2014
Fair value of plan assets	12/31/2015	12/31/2014

	2015			2014
Weighted average assumptions as of December 31
Discount rate		4.34	%		3.95	%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%

	2015			2014			2013
Weighted-average assumptions for net periodic benefit cost calculations
Discount rate		3.95	%		4.95	%		4.05	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		5.50	%		7.50	%		7.50	%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%

The accumulated benefit obligation was $117.7 million and $126.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $10.9 million. As of December 31, 2014, the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $9.7 million.

We estimate that there will be a $3.1 million net loss amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income during 2016.

The market values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 by asset category are as follows:

December 31, 2015	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Equities:
U.S. Large Cap	$	8,520	$	—	$	8,520	$	—
U.S. Mid Cap		2,613		—		2,613		—
U.S. Small Cap		2,649		—		2,649		—
International Developed		6,406		—		6,406		—
Emerging Markets		4,114		—		4,114		—
Fixed income:
Core Fixed Income		23,782		—		23,782		—
Long Duration Fixed Income		55,931		—		55,931		—
Real Estate:
REIT Fund		2,212		—		2,212		—
Cash/Currency:
Cash Equivalents		612		—		612		—
Total market value	$	106,839	$	—	$	106,839	$	—

December 31, 2014	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Equities:
U.S. Large Cap	$	9,212	$	—	$	9,212	$	—
U.S. Mid Cap		2,852		—		2,852		—
U.S. Small Cap		2,626		—		2,626		—
International Developed		6,181		—		6,181		—
Emerging Markets		4,139		—		4,139		—
Fixed income:
Core Fixed Income		27,062		—		27,062		—
Long Duration Fixed Income		61,718		—		61,718		—
Real Estate:
REIT Fund		2,395		—		2,395		—
Cash/Currency:
Cash Equivalents		512		—		512		—
Total market value	$	116,697	$	—	$	116,697	$	—

To develop the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption, we considered the historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of the pension portfolio.

The following table shows expected benefit payments for the years ended December 31, 2015 through 2025 for our defined pension plan. There will be benefit payments under this plan beyond 2025.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments (000s)
2016	$	6,086
2017		6,343
2018		6,563
2019		6,753
2020		6,900
2021-2025		35,657
Total	$	68,302

	2015			2014
Plan Assets
Asset Category
Equity securities		23	%		21	%
Fixed income securities		75	%		76	%
Other		2	%		3	%
Total		100	%		100	%

Investment Policy, Guidelines and Objectives have been established for the defined benefit pension plan. The investment policy is in keeping with the fiduciary requirements under existing federal laws and managed in accordance with the Prudent Investor Rule. Total portfolio risk is regularly evaluated and compared to that of the plan’s policy target allocation and judged on a relative basis over a market cycle. The following asset allocation policy and ranges have been established in accordance with the overall risk and return objectives of the portfolio:

	As of 12/31/2015			Permitted Range
Total Equity		23	%	10-30%
Total Fixed Income		75	%	70-90%
Other		2	%	0-10%

In accordance with the investment policy, the portfolio will invest in high quality, large and small capitalization companies traded on national exchanges, and investment grade securities. The investment managers will not write or buy options for speculative purposes; securities may not be margined or sold short. The manager may employ futures or options for the purpose of hedging exposure, and will not purchase unregistered sectors, private placements, partnerships or commodities.