13. Benefit Plans

In February 2009, the Company announced its decision to discontinue future benefits being earned under its non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”) and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) effective May 1, 2009. Additionally, as of January 2011, the Company’s postretirement medical plan is completely self-funded. The Company continues to sponsor a separate executive postretirement medical plan.

The components of net pension expense for the Pension Plan for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010 are as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 30,			May 1,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Interest expense on projected benefit obligation	$	2,463		$	2,307
Expected return on plan assets		(2,443	)		(2,406	)
Net amortization and deferral		209			105

Net pension expense	$	229		$	6

The components of net SERP expense for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010 are as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 30,		May 1,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Interest expense on projected benefit obligation	$	277	$	266
Net amortization and deferral		26		7

Net SERP expense	$	303	$	273

The components of net postretirement medical expense (credit) for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010 are as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 30,		May 1,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Interest expense on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	15	$	18
Prior service cost amortization		—		(380	)
Net amortization and deferral		51		131

Net postretirement medical expense (credit)	$	66	$	(231	)

The Company was required to make contributions to the Pension Plan of $1.9 million and $1.0 million during the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010, respectively. The Company expects to make required contributions of $9.7 million to the Pension Plan during the remainder of 2011. The Company did not make any voluntary contributions to the Pension Plan during the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010.