Employee Benefit Plans

3 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2011

Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

6. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     The components of net company-sponsored benefit cost for the 13-week period presented are as follows:

	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Plans
	October 1, 2011			October 2, 2010			October 1, 2011			October 2, 2010
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	27,055		$	24,861		$	114		$	99
Interest cost		36,879			33,744			158			131
Expected return on plan assets		(40,401	)		(32,980	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost		1,201			989			54			47
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)		15,041			19,988			(83	)		(97	)
Amortization of transition obligation		—			—			38			38
Net periodic benefit cost	$	39,775		$	46,602		$	281		$	218

     Sysco's contributions to its company-sponsored defined benefit plans were $5.7 million and $5.0 million during the 13-week periods ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010, respectively.

     The company made contributions of $140.0 million to its company-sponsored qualified pension plan (Retirement Plan) in fiscal 2011 that would normally have been made in fiscal 2012. Additional contributions to the Retirement Plan are not currently anticipated in fiscal 2012; however, management will evaluate the funding position at the end of fiscal 2012 and select the timing for a contribution at that time. The company's contributions to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) and other post-retirement plans are made in the amounts needed to fund current year benefit payments. The estimated fiscal 2012 contributions to fund benefit payments for the SERP and other post-retirement plans are $23.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.