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Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
14.
Components of net periodic benefit cost


   
Pension Benefits
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
  
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2011
  
2010
  
2011
  
2010
 
Service cost
 $783  $745  $2,350  $2,234 
Interest cost
  1,744   1,601   5,231   4,805 
Expected return on plan assets
  (1,658)  (1,344)  (4,973)  (4,032)
Amortization of prior service cost
  34   35   103   104 
Amortization of net loss
  466   415   1,397   1,245 
Net periodic benefit cost
 $1,369  $1,452  $4,108  $4,356 


   
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
  
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2011
  
2010
  
2011
  
2010
 
Service cost
 $417  $880  $1,251  $2,640 
Interest cost
  1,433   2,748   4,295   8,246 
Expected return on plan assets
  —   —   —   — 
Amortization of prior service cost (1)
  (1,063)  (280)  (31,751)  (841)
Amortization of net loss
  1,357   801   13,706   2,403 
Net periodic benefit cost
 $2,144  $4,149  $(12,499) $12,448 



(1)
OPEB plan amendments in November 2010 resulted in the immediate recognition of any unamortized prior service cost benefits that were accrued in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of the date of the amendments.  In addition, the November 2010 plan amendments resulted in a reduction in OPEB liability and a credit to accumulated other comprehensive loss.  The resulting prior service benefit and actuarial losses were amortized ratably into income over the period November 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 at which time the CAWV OPEB plan terminated.

 
Employer contributions
 
In June 2011, the election of three directors designated for nomination to our Board of Directors by Glencore triggered a “change of control” under the terms of our non-qualified Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (“SERB”) plan.  As a result of the change in control, we were required to make an approximately $16,700 contribution to a Rabbi trust to fully fund the non-qualified SERB benefit obligation.  In addition, through September 30, 2011, we have made contributions of approximately $16,400 to the qualified defined benefit plans we sponsor.  Based on current actuarial and other assumptions, we expect to make additional contributions to these qualified defined benefit plans of approximately $1,300 during 2011 for a total of approximately $34,400 in qualified defined benefit plan and non-qualified SERB contributions during the year.