Note 10 - Postretirement Medical Benefits (Postretirement Medical Benefits [Member])

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Postretirement Medical Benefits [Member]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

10.  Postretirement Medical Benefits

Prior to 2003, the Company provided lifetime medical and dental benefits upon retirement for certain employees meeting the eligibility requirements as of December 31, 1989 (Plan 1). During 2003, the Company implemented an additional postretirement health insurance program (Plan 2). Under Plan 2, any employee meeting the service requirement of 20 years of full time service to the Company and is at least age 55 years of age upon retirement is eligible to continue their health insurance coverage. Under both plans, retirees not yet eligible for Medicare have coverage identical to the coverage offered to active employees. Under both plans, Medicare-eligible retirees are provided with a Medicare Advantage plan. The Company pays 100% of the cost of Plan 1. The Company and the retirees each pay 50% of the cost under Plan 2. Both plans are unfunded.

The following disclosures of the net periodic benefit cost components of Plan 1 and Plan 2 were measured at January 1, 2013 and 2012.

Three months ended March 31, (In thousands)	2013		2012
Service cost	$	157	$	154
Interest cost		138		152
Amortization of transition obligation		-		26
Recognized prior service cost		64		64
Recognized net actuarial loss		-		14
Net periodic benefit cost	$	359	$	410

The Company expects benefit payments of $308 thousand for 2013, of which $61 thousand have been made during the first three months of 2013.