RETIREMENT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

11. RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company has noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for eligible employees in its International Telecom segment who meet certain eligibility criteria. The Company also has a noncontributory defined medical, dental, vision, and life benefit plan for eligible employees in its International Telecom segment who meet certain eligibility criteria. The Company recorded the net periodic benefit cost identified below (in thousands):



	Three months ended
	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
	Pension benefits		Postretirement benefits		Pension benefits		Postretirement benefits
Operating expense
Service cost	$	447	$	37	$	448	$	37
Non-operating expense
Interest cost		841		40		820		40
Expected return on plan assets		(1,263)		—		(1,209)		—
Actuarial gain/ loss		7		(17)		30		(17)
Net periodic pension expense	$	32	$	60	$	89	$	60

The Company is not required to contributions to its pension and postretirement benefit plans. However, the Company periodically evaluates whether to make discretionary contributions. No contributions were made during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.