Note 7. Employee Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 7.   Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all U.S. employees.  Net periodic pension cost for the plans consisted of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	969		$	551		$	14		$	11
Interest cost		1,028			931			19			18
Expected return on plan assets		(1,370	)		(1,261	)		(22	)		—
Amortization of prior service cost		101			151			55			14
Amortization of net (gain) loss		220			217			(32	)		(12	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	948		$	589		$	34		$	31

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	2,908		$	1,652		$	41		$	34
Interest cost		3,085			2,793			58			55
Expected return on plan assets		(4,111	)		(3,781	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost		302			452			33			40
Amortization of net (gain) loss		660			650			(32	)		(35	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,844		$	1,766		$	100		$	94

The increased service costs in 2011 versus 2010 were driven primarily by higher staffing and compensation levels.

We do not expect to contribute to the pension plans during 2011.