PENSION BENEFITS

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Pension Disclosure Paragraph Details [Abstract]

Pension Benefits

Note13. Pension Benefits

Net periodic pension benefit costs for our significant defined benefit plans include the following components:

		U.S. Plans
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
		2018		2017		2018		2017
Service cost	$	35	$	43	$	70	$	86
Interest cost		144		146		287		293
Expected return on plan assets		(357)		(315)		(714)		(630)
Amortization of prior service (credit)		(11)		(11)		(22)		(22)
	$	(189)	$	(137)	$	(379)	$	(273)
		Non-U.S. Plans
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
		2018		2017		2018		2017
Service cost	$	7	$	10	$	14	$	19
Interest cost		36		37		73		72
Expected return on plan assets		(114)		(102)		(228)		(201)
Amortization of prior service (credit)		-		-		(1)		-
	$	(71)	$	(55)	$	(142)	$	(110)

In the first quarter of 2018, the asset mix of our U.S. Qualified Pension Plan (the “Plan”) was changed. Fixed income assets were increased to approximately 50% of the Plan’s total assets and matched with the liability profile of the Plan. The Plan’s remaining assets are comprised of return-seeking assets including, equity securities, private equity investments and real estate investments.We review our asset allocations on a regular basis in order to achieve our long-term investment objectives on a risk adjusted basis.