Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost:


	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended December 31,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Operating expenses:
Service cost	$	117	$	120	$	352	$	359
Interest expense:
Interest expense	1,029		1,155		3,088		3,464
Expected return on plan assets	(1,121)		(1,286)		(3,363)		(3,858)
Amortization of prior service cost	10		11		31		32
Settlement loss⁽¹⁾	271		91		819		609
Actuarial loss	456		422		1,368		1,267
Net periodic pension cost	$	762	$	513	$	2,295	$	1,873
(1) During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company's cash payments activity triggered settlement accounting. Settlement losses are recorded in interest expense.


	Other Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended December 31,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Operating expenses:
Service cost	$	2	$	4	$	5	$	11
Interest expense:
Interest expense	82		83		246		248
Amortization of prior service cost	(177)		(177)		(531)		(532)
Actuarial loss	109		109		328		328
Net periodic pension cost	$	16	$	19	$	48	$	55

The following summarizes contributions to pension plans and postretirement health and life insurance benefits:


	Three Months Ended December 31,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Contributions made during the period	$	1,277	$	1,399	$	4,457	$	4,890
Contributions expected for the remainder of the fiscal year					2,665		2,357
Total					$	7,122	$	7,247