BENEFIT PLANS

Net periodic benefit (income) expense and contributions for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans consisted of the following:



	Third Quarter Ended
	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	December 2, 2017 (12 weeks)			December 3, 2016 (12 weeks)			December 2, 2017 (12 weeks)			December 3, 2016 (12 weeks)
Interest cost	$	20		$	20		$	1		$	—
Expected return on assets	(33		)	(33		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service benefit	—			—			(4		)	(2		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	3			10			—			—
Pension settlement charge	—			41			—			—
Net periodic benefit (income) expense	$	(10	)	$	38		$	(3	)	$	(2	)
Contributions to benefit plans	$	—		$	—		$	(1	)	$	—



	Year-To-Date Ended
	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	December 2, 2017 (40 weeks)			December 3, 2016 (40 weeks)			December 2, 2017 (40 weeks)			December 3, 2016 (40 weeks)
Interest cost	$	64		$	66		$	2		$	1
Expected return on assets	(106		)	(110		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service benefit	—			—			(12		)	(10		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	9			34			1			1
Pension settlement charge	—			41			—			—
Net periodic benefit (income) expense	$	(33	)	$	31		$	(9	)	$	(8	)
Contributions to benefit plans	$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	(1	)	$	—

Multiemployer Pension Plans

During fiscal 2018 and 2017 year-to-date, Supervalu contributed $31 and $31, respectively, to various multiemployer pension plans, primarily defined benefit pension plans, under collective bargaining agreements. As part of the acquisition of Unified, Supervalu assumed the off-balance sheet multiemployer pension plan obligations of Unified.

Pension Contributions

No minimum contributions are required to Supervalu's pension plans in fiscal 2018 in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). Supervalu anticipates fiscal 2018 discretionary pension contributions and required minimum other postretirement benefit plan contributions will be approximately $5 to $10.