EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Components of net pension expense were as follows:



	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Pension Benefits
Company-administered plans:
Service cost	$	3,165		2,660		$	9,431		9,065
Interest cost	21,609			22,754		64,524			72,086
Expected return on plan assets	(22,822		)	(22,601	)	(68,012		)	(68,353	)
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss	8,336			7,324		24,863			23,889
Prior service cost	133			320		399			3,060
	10,421			10,457		31,205			39,747
Union-administered plans	7,873			2,493		12,996			7,221
Net pension expense	$	18,294		12,950		$	44,201		46,968

Company-administered plans:
U.S.	$	10,929		10,952		$	32,787		41,389
Non-U.S.	(508		)	(495	)	(1,582		)	(1,642	)
	10,421			10,457		31,205			39,747
Union-administered plans	7,873			2,493		12,996			7,221
Net pension expense	$	18,294		12,950		$	44,201		46,968

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we contributed $10.6 million to our pension plans. In 2017, the expected total contributions to our pension plans are approximately $22 million. We also maintain other postretirement benefit plans that are not reflected in the above table. The amount of postretirement benefit expense was not material for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017.

During the third quarter of 2017, we recorded an estimated pension settlement charge of $5.5 million for the exit from a U.S. multi-employer pension plan. This charge was recorded within “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in our Consolidated Condensed Statement of Earnings and is included in the Union-administered plans expense.

During the second quarter of 2016, we determined that certain pension benefit improvements made in 2009 had not been fully reflected in our projected benefit obligation. Because the amounts were not material to our consolidated financial statements in any individual period, and the cumulative amount was not material to 2016 results, we recognized a one-time, non-cash charge of $7.7 million in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" and a $12.8 million pre-tax increase to “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in our second quarter 2016 consolidated condensed financial statements to correctly state the pension benefit obligation and account for these 2009 benefit improvements.