Note 7. Employee Benefit Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

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 six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	994		$	970		$	17		$	13
Interest cost		1,017			1,029			20			20
Expected return on plan assets		(1,145	)		(1,371	)		22			22
Amortization of prior service cost		100			100			(26	)		(33	)
Amortization of net (gain) loss		706			220			7			11
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,672		$	948		$	40		$	33

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	1,987		$	1,939		$	34		$	27
Interest cost		2,034			2,057			39			39
Expected return on plan assets		(2,290	)		(2,741	)		22			22
Amortization of prior service cost		200			201			(15	)		(22	)
Amortization of net (gain) loss		1,413			440			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,344		$	1,896		$	80		$	66

The increased service costs in 2012 versus 2011 were driven primarily by higher staffing and compensation levels.

We expect to contribute $2.0 million to the pension plans during the second half of 2012 (no contributions have been made to date in 2012).