The following table sets forth the combined status of the plans as recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: For fiscal 2004, the assumed health care cost trend rates are 8.5 percent for all participants. The rate for participants under age 65 is assumed to decrease to five percent in fiscal 2008. The health care cost trend rate assumption has a sig- nificant effect on the amount of the other postretirement benefits obligation and periodic other postretirement benefits cost reported. A one-percentage point annual change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the fol- lowing effect as of April 30, 2003: Defined Benefit Pension Plans Other Postretirement Benefits April 30, April 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2003 2002 2003 2002 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of the year $ 81,453 $ 74,898 $ 11,788 $ 9,991 Service cost 3,121 2,414 695 506 Interest cost 5,976 5,504 990 737 Amendments 5,252 197 214 — Acquisition — — 2,018 — Actuarial loss  15,331 1,457 6,908 887 Participant contributions — — 205 193 Benefits paid (3,415) (3,017) (1,084) (526) Benefit obligation at end of the year $107,718 $ 81,453 $ 21,734 $ 11,788 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year $ 68,747 $ 72,685 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets (4,160) (2,499) — — Company contributions 3,001 1,578 879 333 Participant contributions — — 205 193 Benefits paid (3,415) (3,017) (1,084) (526) Fair value of plan assets at end of the year $ 64,173 $ 68,747 $ — $ — Net amount recognized: Funded status of the plans $ (43,545) $(12,706) $(21,734) $(11,788) Unrecognized net actuarial loss (gain) 26,836 1,370 4,553 (2,433) Unrecognized prior service cost (credit) 13,345 9,332 (433) (692) Unrecognized initial asset (531) (765) — — Net benefit liability recognized $ (3,895) $( 2,769) $(17,614) $(14,913) Accrued benefit liability $ (32,385) $(13,996) $(17,614) $(14,913) Prepaid benefit costs — 5,589 — — Intangible asset 13,345 4,410 — — Minimum pension liability  15,145 1,228 — — Net benefit liability recognized $ (3,895) $ (2,769) $(17,614) $(14,913) Weighted-average assumptions: Discount rate 6.25% 7.25% 6.25% 7.25% Expected return on plan assets 9.00% 9.00% — — Rate of compensation increase 4.50% 4.50% — — One Percentage Point (Dollars in thousands) Increase Decrease Effect on total service and interest cost components $ 357 $ (277) Effect on benefit obligation $4,031 $(3,169) 33