3.BENEFIT PLANS

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans for the first quarters of 2017 and 2016.


	First Quarter Ended
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	May 20,		May 21,		May 20,		May 21,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	24	$	21	$	3	$	3
Interest cost		56		58		3		3
Expected return on plan assets		(73)		(73)		—		—
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		—		—		(2)		(2)
Actuarial loss (gain)		26		19		(3)		(3)
Curtailment		2		—		—		—

Net periodic benefit cost	$	35	$	25	$	1	$	1

The Company is not required to make any contributions to its Company-sponsored pension plans in 2017, but may make contributions to the extent such contributions are beneficial to the Company. The Company did not make any contributions to its Company-sponsored pension plans in the first quarter of 2017 or 2016.

The Company contributed $73 and $68 to employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts in the first quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company also contributes to various multi-employer pension plans based on obligations arising from most of its collective bargaining agreements. These plans provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers. The Company recognizes expense in connection with these plans as contributions are funded.

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company incurred a charge of $199, $126 net of tax, due to withdrawing from two multi-employer pension plans, which represents the Company’s best estimate, absent demand letters from the multi-employer pension plans. Demand letters from the impacted multi-employer pension plans may be received in 2017, or later, and the ultimate withdrawal liability may change from the currently estimated amount. Any future charge will be recorded in the period in which the change is identified. Based on ERISA regulations, the liability will be paid out in installments, which vary by plan, over a period of up to 20 years. The net present value of the liability was determined using a risk free interest rate. The charge was recorded in the ‘Operating, general and administrative’ caption in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the liability was recorded in the ‘Other long-term liabilities’ caption in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.