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PENSION AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS:
3 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2017
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]  
Pension and Employee Benefits Plan
PENSION AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS: 
The Company has defined benefit pension or retirement plans for eligible current, retired and resigned employees in certain foreign subsidiaries. Benefits under these plans are primarily based on years of service and compensation during the years immediately preceding retirement or termination of participation in the plans. In addition, the Company provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement in certain foreign subsidiaries. During the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, net pension costs were $1,644 and $41, respectively, and the Company's contributions were $644 and $515, respectively. As of February 28, 2017 and November 30, 2016, those plans were unfunded by $16,717 and $16,113, respectively.
The Company has 401(k) plans in the United States under which eligible employees may contribute up to the maximum amount as provided by law. Employees become eligible to participate in these plans on the first day of the month after their employment date. The Company may make discretionary contributions under the plans. Employees in most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are covered by government mandated defined contribution plans. During the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, the Company contributed $8,209 and $7,289, respectively, to defined contribution plans.
The Company has a deferred compensation plan for certain directors and officers. Distributions under the plan are subject to Section 409A of the United States Tax Code. The Company may invest balances in the plan in trading securities reported on recognized exchanges. As of February 28, 2017 and November 30, 2016, the deferred compensation liability balance was $7,513 and $7,468, respectively.