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)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Service cost	$	720		$	1,154		$	2,180		$	3,473
Interest cost	7,756			9,375			23,335			28,299
Expected return on plan assets	(14,659		)	(14,560		)	(44,088		)	(43,924		)
Amortization of transition obligation	22			19			67			61
Amortization of prior service credit	(113		)	(104		)	(339		)	(313		)
Recognition of actuarial losses	2,066			1,805			6,266			5,452
Settlement gain	(320		)	—			(320		)	—
Special termination benefit charge	—			—			—			214
Net periodic pension income	$	(4,528	)	$	(2,311	)	$	(12,899	)	$	(6,738	)

The settlement gain of $0.3 million during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017 is the result of income from the settlement with several terminated Executive Retirement Plan participants. 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.

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)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Interest cost	$	168		$	210		$	505		$	630
Amortization of prior service credit	(6		)	(6		)	(16		)	(16		)
Recognition of actuarial loss	89			81			266			242
Net periodic other postretirement benefit cost	$	251		$	285		$	755		$	856