Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits:

The components of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2019			2018
Pension Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	1,130		$	1,268
Interest cost	8,320			8,027
Expected return on assets	(9,452		)	(10,764		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	6			22
Total net pension benefits cost (credit)	$	4		$	(1,447	)
Postretirement Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	24		$	29
Interest cost	549			542
Expected return on assets	—			(2		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	—			(12		)
Total net postretirement benefits cost	$	573		$	557
Total net pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit)	$	577		$	(890	)

All components of net benefit cost (credit), other than service cost, are included in Other income (expenses), net on the consolidated statements of income.

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we made contributions of $2.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively, to our qualified and nonqualified pension plans.

We paid $0.9 million and $0.5 million in premiums to the U.S. postretirement benefit plan during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.