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 September 30,
(in thousands)	2016			2015
Service cost	$	733		$	1,163
Interest cost	7,809			9,485
Expected return on plan assets	(14,757		)	(14,709		)
Amortization of transition obligation	23			21
Amortization of prior service credit	(113		)	(104		)
Recognition of actuarial losses	2,112			1,833
Special termination benefit charge	—			54
Net periodic pension income	$	(4,193	)	$	(2,257	)

The special termination benefit charge of $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 is the result of lump sum payments to several terminated Executive Retirement Plan participants.

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



	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2016			2015
Interest cost	$	168		$	210
Amortization of prior service credit	(6		)	(6		)
Recognition of actuarial loss	89			81
Net periodic other postretirement benefit cost	$	251		$	285