Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2014

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans

12.         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 2014, 2013 and 2012, employer contributions to the plans were $9.6 million, $9.5 million and $14.7 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 the receipt of salary, incentive payments, restricted stock and RSU awards, and non-employee director 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 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, the consolidated balance sheets reflect assets of $20.1 million and $17.2 million, respectively, related to the deferred compensation plan in "Other long-term assets," and liabilities of $19.9 million and $16.1 million, respectively, related to the deferred compensation plan in "Other long-term liabilities."