Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans

11.   Retirement Plans

        We have established defined contribution plans including 401(k) plans. Generally, employees are eligible to participate in the defined contribution plans upon completion of one year of service and in the 401(k) plans upon commencement of employment. For fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, employer contributions to the plans were $14.7 million, $14.1 million and $13.8 million, respectively.

        We have established a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain key employees and non-employee directors. Eligible employees and non-employee directors may elect to defer receipt of salary, incentive payments and Board of Directors' fees, which are generally invested by us in individual variable life insurance contracts we own that are designed to informally fund savings plans of this nature. At September 30, 2012, and October 2, 2011, the consolidated balance sheets reflect assets of $13.4 million and $11.3 million, respectively, related to the deferred compensation plan in "Other assets," and liabilities of $12.9 million and $10.6 million, respectively, related to the deferred compensation plan in "Other long-term liabilities."