EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Components of net pension expense were as follows:


	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2019		2018	2019		2018
	(In thousands)

Pension Benefits
Company-administered plans:
Service cost	$	2,449	3,074	$	8,264	9,370
Interest cost	21,301		19,425	64,165		58,275

Expected return on plan assets	(22,350)		(25,187)	(67,615)		(76,086)
Amortization of:

Net actuarial loss	8,170		7,130	23,212		21,416
Prior service cost	167		145	533		434
	9,737		4,587	28,559		13,409
Union-administered plans	2,718		2,469	7,876		7,339
Net pension expense	$	12,455	7,056	$	36,435	20,748

Company-administered plans:
U.S.	$	11,067	7,011	$	33,199	21,033
Non-U.S.	(1,330)		(2,424)	(4,640)		(7,624)
	9,737		4,587	28,559		13,409
Union-administered plans	2,718		2,469	7,876		7,339
Net pension expense	$	12,455	7,056	$	36,435	20,748

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we contributed $26 million to our pension plans. In 2019, the expected total contributions to our pension plans are approximately $34 million. We also maintain other postretirement benefit plans that are not reflected in the above table. The amount of postretirement benefit expense was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.