7. 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						THIRTY-NINE
	WEEKS ENDED						WEEKS ENDED
	November 2,			October 27,			November 2,			October 27,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Interest cost	$	1,997		$	2,116		$	5,994		$	6,350
Expected return on plan assets	(2,235		)	(2,157		)	(6,706		)	(6,471		)
Recognition of net actuarial loss	1,642			1,689			4,925			5,068
Net periodic benefit expense	$	1,404		$	1,648		$	4,213		$	4,947

During the 39 weeks ended November 2, 2013, contributions of $11,198 were made to the Pension Plans. The Company anticipates contributing an additional $2,009 to fund the Pension Plans in fiscal 2013 for an annual total of $13,207.

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						THIRTY-NINE
	WEEKS ENDED						WEEKS ENDED
	November 2,			October 27,			November 2,			October 27,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Interest cost	$	30		$	35		$	91		$	106
Recognition of net actuarial gain	(91		)	(93		)	(272		)	(280		)
Net periodic benefit income	$	(61	)	$	(58	)	$	(181	)	$	(174	)

During the 39 weeks ended November 2, 2013, the Company contributed $153 to fund the Postretirement Benefit Plan, and anticipates contributing an additional $437 in fiscal 2013 for a net annual total of $590.