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 March 31,						Nine Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Service cost	$	414		$	720		$	1,224		$	2,180
Interest cost	7,716			7,756			23,051			23,335
Expected return on plan assets	(14,188		)	(14,659		)	(42,410		)	(44,088		)
Amortization of transition obligation	24			22			70			67
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost	(42		)	(113		)	90			(339		)
Recognition of actuarial losses	1,746			2,066			5,174			6,266
Settlement gain	—			(320		)	—			(320		)
Net periodic pension income	$	(4,330	)	$	(4,528	)	$	(12,801	)	$	(12,899	)

The settlement gain of $0.3 million during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017 is the result of income from the settlement with several terminated Executive Retirement Plan participants.

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,						Nine Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Interest cost	$	157		$	168		$	471		$	505
Amortization of prior service credit	(6		)	(6		)	(16		)	(16		)
Recognition of actuarial loss	70			89			210			266
Net periodic other postretirement benefit cost	$	221		$	251		$	665		$	755