EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Components of net pension expense were as follows:



	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018			2017
	(In thousands)
Pension Benefits
Company-administered plans:
Service cost	$	3,074		3,165		$	9,370		9,431
Interest cost	19,425			21,609		58,275			64,524
Expected return on plan assets	(25,187		)	(22,822	)	(76,086		)	(68,012	)
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss	7,130			8,336		21,416			24,863
Prior service cost	145			133		434			399
	4,587			10,421		13,409			31,205
Union-administered plans	2,469			7,873		7,339			12,996
Net pension expense	$	7,056		18,294		$	20,748		44,201

Company-administered plans:
U.S.	$	7,011		10,929		$	21,033		32,787
Non-U.S.	(2,424		)	(508	)	(7,624		)	(1,582	)
	4,587			10,421		13,409			31,205
Union-administered plans	2,469			7,873		7,339			12,996
Net pension expense	$	7,056		18,294		$	20,748		44,201

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we contributed $23 million to our pension plans. In 2018, the expected total contributions to our pension plans are approximately $27 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2018.