EMPLOYEE DEFINED AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Apr. 28, 2012

EMPLOYEE DEFINED AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE DEFINED AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

8.EMPLOYEE DEFINED AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The Company provides benefits to certain current and former associates who are eligible under a qualified defined benefit pension plan and various non-qualified supplemental pension plans (collectively, the “Pension Plans”).  Net periodic benefit expense for the Pension Plans includes the following (income) and expense components:

	THIRTEEN
	WEEKS ENDED
	April 28,			April 30,
	2012			2011
Interest cost	$	2,116		$	2,373
Expected return on plan assets	(2,157		)	(2,359		)
Recognition of net actuarial loss	1,690			628
Net periodic benefit expense	$	1,649		$	642

During the first quarter of 2012, contributions of $3,001 were made to the Pension Plans.  The Company anticipates contributing an additional $14,786 to fund the Pension Plans in 2012 for an annual total of $17,787.

The Company also provides medical and life insurance benefits to certain former associates under a postretirement benefit plan (“Postretirement Benefit Plan”).  Net periodic benefit income for the Postretirement Benefit Plan includes the following (income) and expense components:

	THIRTEEN
	WEEKS ENDED
	April 28,			April 30,
	2012			2011
Interest cost	$	35		$	45
Recognition of net actuarial gain	(94		)	(125		)
Net periodic benefit income	$	(59	)	$	(80	)

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company contributed $48 to fund the Postretirement Benefit Plan, and anticipates contributing an additional $563 in 2012 for a net annual total of $611.