The following table presents the net periodic pension cost for WesBanco’s Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the “Plan”) and the related components:

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(unaudited, in thousands)	2019			2018			2019			2018
Service cost – benefits earned during year	$	567		$	715		$	1,681		$	2,121
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		1,327			1,242			3,938			3,684
Expected return on plan assets		(2,235	)		(2,416	)		(6,633	)		(7,169	)
Amortization of prior service cost		7			6			20			19
Amortization of net loss		817			766			2,424			2,274
Net periodic pension cost	$	483		$	313		$	1,430		$	929

The Plan covers all employees of WesBanco and its subsidiaries who were hired on or before August 1, 2007 who satisfy minimum age and length of service requirements, and is not available to employees hired after such date.

A minimum required contribution of $4.8 million is due for 2019, which can be offset in whole or in part by the Plan’s $52.5 million available credit balance. WesBanco made a voluntary contribution of $3.0 million to the Plan in June 2019 .