Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

8.     Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The following table sets forth information regarding the components of net periodic cost for our defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plan for the periods indicated.

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)	2013		2012		2013	2012
Service cost	$     —		$  1,514		$   318	$   195
Interest cost	2,410		3,002		351	363
Expected return on plan assets	(3,188	)	(2,618	)	—	—
Recognized net actuarial loss	779		3,238		188	162
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	53		11		—	(7	)
Settlement	—		7		—	—
Net periodic cost	$    54		$  5,154		$   857	$   713

Effective April 30, 2012, the Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association Employees’ Pension Plan, the Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association Excess Benefit Plan, the Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association Supplemental Benefit Plan and the Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association Directors’ Retirement Plan were amended to, among other things, change the manner in which benefits were computed for service through April 30, 2012 and to suspend accrual of additional benefits for all of the aforementioned plans effective April 30, 2012.  These amendments resulted in a significant reduction in net periodic cost for our defined benefit pension plans for periods subsequent to April 30, 2012.