BENEFIT PLANS

We sponsor several defined benefit pension plans. Additionally, we provide varying levels of postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to some U.S. employees.

The table below summarizes the components of net periodic pension (income):



	Three Months Ended March 31,						Nine Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost	$	1,154		$	1,349		$	3,473		$	4,148
Interest cost	9,375			9,575			28,299			29,256
Expected return on plan assets	(14,560		)	(14,797		)	(43,924		)	(44,744		)
Amortization of transition obligation	19			18			61			58
Amortization of prior service credit	(104		)	(72		)	(313		)	(213		)
Recognition of actuarial losses	1,805			871			5,452			2,809
Curtailment loss	—			—			—			358
Special termination benefit charge	—			—			214			459
Net periodic pension (income)	$	(2,311	)	$	(3,056	)	$	(6,738	)	$	(7,869	)

The special termination benefit charge of $0.2 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2016 is the result of lump sum payments to several terminated Executive Retirement Plan participants.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 we recognized a special termination benefit charge of $0.5 million and a curtailment loss of $0.4 million for one of our U.S.-based defined benefit pension plans resulting from a plant closure. The special termination benefit charge was recognized in restructuring expense.

The table below summarizes the components of net periodic other postretirement benefit cost:



	Three Months Ended March 31,						Nine Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost	$	—		$	27		$	—		$	81
Interest cost	210			259			630			778
Amortization of prior service credit	(6		)	(28		)	(16		)	(83		)
Recognition of actuarial loss	81			207			242			621
Curtailment gain	—			—			—			(221		)
Net periodic other postretirement benefit cost	$	285		$	465		$	856		$	1,176

The curtailment gain of $0.2 million recognized during the nine months ended March 31, 2015 was a result of the plant closure discussed above.