BENEFIT PLANS

We sponsor several defined benefit pension plans. Additionally, we provide varying levels of postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to some U.S. employees.

The table below summarizes the components of net periodic pension (income):



	Three Months Ended December 31,						Six Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost	$	1,156		$	1,384		$	2,319		$	2,799
Interest cost	9,438			9,745			18,923			19,681
Expected return on plan assets	(14,657		)	(14,900		)	(29,364		)	(29,947		)
Amortization of transition obligation	21			19			42			40
Amortization of prior service credit	(104		)	(71		)	(209		)	(141		)
Recognition of actuarial losses	1,815			937			3,648			1,937
Curtailment loss	—			358			—			358
Special termination benefit charge	54			459			107			459
Net periodic pension (income)	$	(2,277	)	$	(2,069	)	$	(4,534	)	$	(4,814	)

The special termination benefit charge of $0.1 million during the six months ended December 31, 2015 is the result of lump sum payments to several terminated Executive Retirement Plan participants.

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 we recognized a special termination benefit charge of $0.5 million and a curtailment loss of $0.4 million for one of our U.S.-based defined benefit pension plans resulting from a plant closure. The special termination benefit charge was recognized in restructuring expense.

The table below summarizes the components of net periodic other postretirement benefit cost:



	Three Months Ended December 31,						Six Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost	$	—		$	27		$	—		$	54
Interest cost	210			259			420			519
Amortization of prior service credit	(5		)	(28		)	(11		)	(55		)
Recognition of actuarial loss	81			207			162			414
Curtailment gain	—			(221		)	—			(221		)
Net periodic other postretirement benefit cost	$	286		$	244		$	571		$	711

The curtailment gain of $0.2 million recognized during the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 was a result of the plant closure discussed above.