Note 13. Pension Benefits

Net periodic pension benefit costs for our significant defined benefit plans include the following components:

In the first quarter of 2018, the asset mix of our U.S. Qualified Pension Plan (the “Plan”) was changed. Fixed income assets were increased to approximately 50% of the Plan’s total assets and matched with the liability profile of the Plan. The Plan’s remaining assets are comprised of return-seeking assets including, equity securities, private equity investments and real estate investments. We review our asset allocations on a regular basis in order to achieve our long-term investment objectives on a risk adjusted basis.