Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

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, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
Pension Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	1,214		$	1,130
Interest cost	6,687			8,320
Expected return on assets	(10,063		)	(9,452		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(51		)	6
Total net pension benefits (credit) cost	$	(2,213	)	$	4
Postretirement Benefits Cost:
Service cost	$	26		$	24
Interest cost	468			549
Total net postretirement benefits cost	$	494		$	573
Total net pension and postretirement benefits (credit) cost	$	(1,719	)	$	577

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

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we made contributions of $5.4 million and $2.7 million respectively, to our qualified and nonqualified pension plans.

We paid $0.7 million and $0.9 million in premiums to the U.S. postretirement benefit plan during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.