Pension and Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Thousands of Dollars) [Abstract]

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

(7) Pension and Postretirement Benefits

The components of the net periodic cost of the Company's defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans for the quarters ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015are as follows:

	Quarter Ended
	Pension				Postretirement
	March 27,		March 29,		March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Service cost	$	998		1,011		132		150
Interest cost		4,606		4,605		294		285
Expected return on assets		(5,507)		(5,479)		-		-
Net amortization and deferrals		2,132		2,201		-		(114)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,229		2,338		426		321

During the three months ended March 27, 2016, the Company made cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of approximately $370 in the aggregate. The Company expects to contribute approximately $3,130 during the remainder of fiscal 2016.