7. Pension plans and other postretirement benefits The Company provides defined pension and other postretirement benefits (including health care and life insurance benefits) to eligible retired employees. Net periodic benefit for defined benefit plans consisted of the following. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Pension Benefits | | Other Postretirement Benefits | | (Dollars in millions) | Three Months Ended March 31, | | Net periodic pension (benefit)/cost | 2026 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2025 | | Service cost | $ | 2 | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | Interest cost on benefit obligation | 23 | | | 27 | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | Expected return on plan assets | (43) | | | (46) | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | Amortization of prior service credit and actuarial gains | — | | | (1) | | | (1) | | | (1) | | | Net periodic benefit | $ | (18) | | | $ | (18) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Service cost is reflected in Salaries and employee benefits and the other components of net periodic benefit cost are reflected in Other costs of operations in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Expenses incurred in connection with the Company's defined contribution pension and retirement savings plans totaled $50 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025
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