Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

We sponsor a defined contribution 401(k) plan for all employees 18 years or older. Employee contributions may be made on a before-tax basis, limited by IRS regulations. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we matched 50% of the employee’s contributions up to 6% of eligible compensation. Eligibility for the matching contribution in all years began after the participant had worked a minimum of three months. Our matching contributions to the plan vest ratably over five years of service by the employee. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, we used approximately $110,000, $69,000 and $198,000, respectively, of previously forfeited matching contributions to fund current matching contributions, which decreased expense for the corresponding periods. We recognized expense associated with matching contributions as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
401(k) expense	$	786	$	805	$	882