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 third quarters of 2017 and 2016.


	Third Quarter Ended
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	November 4,		November 5,		November 4,		November 5,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	—	$	14	$	2	$	2
Interest cost		42		44		3		2
Expected return on plan assets		(54)		(55)		—		—
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		—		—		(2)		(2)
Actuarial loss (gain)		19		16		(2)		(2)
Other		1		—		—		—

Net periodic benefit cost	$	8	$	19	$	1	$	—

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


	Three Quarters Ended
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	November 4,		November 5,		November 4,		November 5,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	42	$	50	$	7	$	7
Interest cost		140		145		8		8
Expected return on plan assets		(182)		(183)		—		—
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		—		—		(6)		(6)
Actuarial loss (gain)		65		50		(7)		(7)
Other		3		—		—		—

Net periodic benefit cost	$	68	$	62	$	2	$	2

Although the Company is not required to make any contributions to its Company-sponsored pension plans in 2017, in the third quarter of 2017, the Company contributed $1,000 to the Company-sponsored pension plans that will significantly address the underfunded position of the Company-sponsored pension plans. The $1,000 is deductible for tax purposes, resulting in a tax benefit of $375. The Company did not make any contributions to its Company-sponsored pension plans in the first three quarters of 2016.

The Company contributed $173 and $167 to employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts in the first three 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, which included an incremental $111, $69 net of tax, contribution to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan in the third quarter of 2017. 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 of the withdrawal liability, absent demand letters from the multi-employer pension plans. Demand letters from the affected 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’ (“OG&A”) caption in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the liability was recorded in the ‘Other long-term liabilities’ caption in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the second quarter of 2016, the Company incurred a charge of $111, $71 net of tax, due to commitments arising from the restructuring of certain multi-employer pension plan obligations during the second quarter of 2016.