COHERENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 14. DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS (continued) The information for plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is as follows (in thousands): The weighted-average rates used to determine the net periodic benefit costs are as follows: 106 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2018 Change in benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 51,499 $ 52,547 Service cost 1,955 2,262 Interest cost 1,308 1,230  Assumption change 9,505 (1,517 )  Experience (gain) loss (308) 596 Foreign exchange rate impacts (1,889 ) (460 ) Benefits paid - total (1,633) (1,923) Curtailment gain — (1,236 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 60,437 $ 51,499 Projected benefit obligation at end of year: U.S. plans $ 18,892 $ 15,754 Foreign plans 41,545 35,745 Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 60,437 $ 51,499 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 12,486 $ 11,856 Actual return on plan assets 539 672 Employer contributions 455 361 Benefits paid - funded plan (483 ) (403 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 12,997 $ 12,486 Fair value of plan assets at end of year: U.S. plans $ 12,766 $ 12,323 Foreign plans 231 163 Fair value of plan assets at end of year 12,997 12,486 Unfunded status at end of year $ (47,440 ) $ (39,013 ) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet: Accrued benefit liability - current $ (1,578) $ (1,485) Accrued benefit liability - non current (45,862 ) (37,528 ) Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss (pre-tax) 2,590 (6,340) Fiscal year-end 2019 2018 Projected benefit obligation $ 60,437 $ 51,499 Accumulated benefit obligation 55,941 47,713 Fair value of plan assets 12,997 12,486