v3.26.1
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
 9 Months Ended
Jun. 27, 2026
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
15.
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs:

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

June 27,

 

 

June 28,

 

 

June 27,

 

 

June 28,

 

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Interest cost

 

$

619

 

 

$

646

 

 

$

1,857

 

 

$

1,939

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(351

)

 

 

(329

)

 

 

(1,055

)

 

 

(988

)

Amortization of net loss

 

 

58

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

172

 

 

 

184

 

Pension settlement charge

 

 

—

 

 

 

450

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

450

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

326

 

 

$

828

 

 

$

974

 

 

$

1,585

 

 

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

June 27,

 

 

June 28,

 

 

June 27,

 

 

June 28,

 

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Interest cost

 

$

20

 

 

$

25

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

75

 

Amortization of prior service credits

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(17

)

 

 

(19

)

Amortization of net (gain)

 

 

(161

)

 

 

(172

)

 

 

(483

)

 

 

(515

)

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

(147

)

 

$

(153

)

 

$

(435

)

 

$

(459

)

 

The Partnership expects to contribute approximately $4,000 to the defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2026, of which $3,000 was contributed during the nine months ended June 27, 2026. The projected annual contribution requirements related to the Partnership’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plan for fiscal 2026 is $289, of which $179 was contributed during the nine months ended June 27, 2026. During the third quarter of fiscal 2025, lump sum pension settlement payments exceeded the settlement threshold (combined service and interest costs of net periodic pension cost) of $2,586, which required the Partnership to recognize a non-cash settlement charge of $450. This non-cash charge was required to accelerate recognition of a portion of cumulative unamortized losses in the defined benefit pension plans. The components of net periodic benefit cost are included in the line item “Other, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Partnership contributes to multi-employer pension plans (“MEPPs”) in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements covering union employees. As one of the many participating employers in these MEPPs, the Partnership is responsible with the other participating employers for any plan underfunding. As of June 27, 2026 and September 27, 2025, the Partnership’s estimated obligation to these MEPPs was $17,440 and $18,559, respectively, as a result of its voluntary full withdrawal from certain MEPPs.