11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Components of the net periodic benefit cost of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan and unfunded excess benefit plan are as follows:

	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars In Thousands)
Service cost — benefits earned during the period	$	2,453		$	2,708
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	2,993			2,553
Expected return on plan assets	(3,065		)	(2,759		)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(95		)	(95		)
Amortization of actuarial losses	1,897			2,729
Total benefit cost	$	4,183		$	5,136

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company contributed $2.3 million to its defined benefit pension plan for the 2013 plan year. During April of 2014, the Company contributed $3.1 million to the defined benefit pension plan for the 2014 plan year. The Company will continue to make contributions in future periods as necessary to at least satisfy minimum funding requirements. The Company may also make additional contributions in future periods to maintain an adjusted funding target attainment percentage (“AFTAP”) of at least 80% and to avoid certain Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) reporting triggers.

In addition to pension benefits, the Company provides life insurance benefits to eligible retirees and limited healthcare benefits to eligible retirees who are not yet eligible for Medicare. For a closed group of retirees over age 65, the Company provides a prescription drug benefit. The cost of these plans for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was immaterial to the Company’s financial statements.