PENSION BENEFITS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

PENSION BENEFITS [Abstract]

PENSION BENEFITS

NOTE 9 – PENSION BENEFITS

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit costs for the periods indicated:

	Three months ended		Nine months ended
	September 30,		September 30,
	2017	2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$    1,532	$    2,213	$     4,596	$    6,639
Interest cost	2,294	2,341	6,882	7,023
Expected return on assets	(2,953)	(2,613)	(8,859)	(7,839)
Recognized prior service cost	(186)	(179)	(558)	(537)
Recognized net loss	1,719	1,690	5,157	5,070
Net periodic benefit costs	$    2,406	$    3,452	$     7,218	$  10,356