11. Pensions

U.S. Plans:

For U.S. plans, the following table provides the components of net periodic pension costs of the plans for the periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended March 31
Pension Benefits	2013			2012
Service cost	$	291		$	265
Interest cost	1,127			1,216
Expected return on plan assets	(1,667		)	(1,559		)
Amortization of prior service cost	19			19
Net actuarial loss amortization	909			834
Net periodic pension cost	$	679		$	775

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 7.75% in 2013.

Employer Contributions

In its 2012 financial statements, the Company disclosed that it expected to contribute $1.3 million to its U.S. pension plans in 2013. As of March 31, 2013, the Company has made contributions of $0.1 million. The Company expects to contribute the remaining $1.2 million over the balance of the year.

European Plans:

For European plans, the following table provides the components of net periodic pension costs of the plans for the periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended March 31
Pension Benefits	2013			2012
Service cost	$	78		$	42
Interest cost	374			439
Expected return on plan assets	(237		)	(325		)
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	(24		)	4
Foreign currency translation	6			1
Net periodic pension cost	$	197		$	161

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is between 4.50% and 5.40% in 2013.

Employer Contributions

In its 2012 financial statements, the Company disclosed that it expected to contribute $2.1 million to its European pension plans in 2013. As of March 31, 2013, the Company contributed $0.4 million. The Company expects to contribute the remaining $1.7 million over the balance of the year.

Multi-Employer Plan:

In addition to the aforementioned European plans, the Company participates in a multi-employer plan accounted for as a defined contribution plan. This multi-employer plan almost entirely relates to former employees of operations it has divested. Benefits are distributed by the multi-employer plan. In August 2012, the Company learned that the multi-employer plan had elected to reduce benefits to entitled parties. Also in August 2012, the Company learned that the local Labor Court had issued a judgment where it concluded that employers were required to compensate their pensioners for the shortfall if benefits had been reduced by the plan. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, the Company has a $1.6 million liability recorded to account for shortfalls based on an actuarial analysis that was performed.