Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

9. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The following tables set 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 June 30,				For the Three Months Ended June 30,
(In Thousands)	2013		2012		2013		2012
Service cost	$	—	$	511	$	471	$	336
Interest cost	2,365		2,662		289		326
Expected return on plan assets	(3,189)		(3,110)		—		—
Recognized net actuarial loss	790		565		48		96
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	53		55		—		(5)
Net periodic cost	$	19	$	683	$	808	$	753

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	For the Six Months Ended June 30,				For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(In Thousands)	2013		2012		2013		2012
Service cost	$	—	$	2,025	$	789	$	531
Interest cost	4,775		5,664		640		689
Expected return on plan assets	(6,377)		(5,728)		—		—
Recognized net actuarial loss	1,569		3,803		236		258
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	106		66		—		(12)
Curtailment	—		7		—		—
Net periodic cost	$	73	$	5,837	$	1,665	$	1,466

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.