Retiree Benefits

9 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2015

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Retiree Benefits

Retiree Benefits

The components of the net periodic benefit cost associated with our pension and other postretirement plans are as follows:

	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	Quarter Ended						Quarter Ended
In thousands	July 31, 2015			August 1, 2014			July 31, 2015			August 1, 2014
Service cost	$	1,036		$	1,634		$	204		$	195
Interest cost	18,344			22,511			291			315
Expected return on assets	(25,108		)	(27,348		)	(156		)	(121		)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	17			148			33			33
Actuarial loss (gain)	5,973			5,703			(206		)	(159		)
Curtailment charge	—			7,838			—			—
Settlement charge	2,323			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,585		$	10,486		$	166		$	263

	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	Nine Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
In thousands	July 31, 2015			August 1, 2014			July 31, 2015			August 1, 2014
Service cost	$	2,989		$	4,672		$	613		$	714
Interest cost	57,690			63,810			872			959
Expected return on assets	(78,698		)	(79,747		)	(468		)	(415		)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	52			440			99			99
Actuarial loss (gain)	18,524			16,562			(619		)	(611		)
Curtailment charge	—			7,838			—			—
Settlement charge	15,229			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	15,786		$	13,575		$	497		$	746

The actuarial loss (gain) arises from differences in estimates and actual experiences for certain assumptions, including changes in the discount rate and expected return on assets. For the nine months ended July 31, 2015, we contributed $12.1 million to our defined benefit employee pension plans, and we expect contributions to be less than $15.0 million for the full fiscal year.

In conjunction with a UK law change, we recorded non-cash pension settlement charges of $2.3 million and $15.2 million for the quarter and nine months ended July 31, 2015, respectively, as a result of the decision of certain individuals to transfer their pension benefit out of the Company's defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution plan.

For the quarter and nine months ended August 1, 2014, a $7.8 million non-cash pension curtailment charge was recorded in conjunction with the substantial completion of negotiations with certain of our U.S. bargaining units, resulting in the freezing of their respective defined benefit plans at the end of the 2014 calendar year.