Defined Benefit Pension Expense

6 Months Ended

May 27, 2012

Defined Benefit Pension Expense

Defined Benefit Pension Expense

Note 13: Defined Benefit Pension Expense

        The components of net periodic pension cost recognized for the Company's defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and Canada for the three and six months ended May 27, 2012 and May 29, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	May 27, 2012			May 29, 2011			May 27, 2012			May 29, 2011
Service cost	$	240		$	199		$	480		$	398
Interest cost		382			360			764			719
Expected return on plan assets		(388	)		(367	)		(776	)		(733	)
Amortization of unrecognized losses		202			35			404			71
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost		38			144			75			288
Net periodic pension cost*	$	474		$	371		$	947		$	743
Cash contributions	$	426		$	538		$	426		$	758
Weighted average expected return on plan assets		7.50	%		7.85	%		7.50	%		7.85	%

*

Net periodic pension cost recognized for the three and six months ended May 27, 2012 is based upon preliminary estimates pending the final actuarial determination of such costs for fiscal 2012. Similarly, net periodic pension cost for the three and six months ended May 29, 2011 is based upon preliminary estimates.

        The Company expects to make additional cash contributions to the defined benefit pension plans of approximately $1.8 million during the remainder of fiscal 2012.