The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $48,635, $39,809 and $20,519, respectively as of September 30, 1999, and $38,847, $33,380 and $11,389, respectively as of September 30, 1998.

Net pension and postretirement expense included the following components:

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Net pension expense attributable to foreign plans included in the preceding table was $8,721, $4,902 and $5,741 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

As discussed in Note 5, the Company recorded special charges in 1999 relating to an enhanced voluntary retirement incentive program. These charges included $7,828 and $5,412 of special termination benefits relating to pension benefits and postretirement benefits, respectively.

The assumptions used in determining benefit obligations were as follows:

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At September 30, 1999 and 1998, health care cost trends of 9% and 10%, respectively, pre-age 65 and 6% and 7%, respectively, post-age 65 were assumed in the valuation of postretirement health care benefits. These rates were ingassumed to decrease gradually to an ultimate rate of 6% beginning in 2003 for pre-age 65 and 2000 for post-age 65.

A one percentage point increase in health care cost trend rates in each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 1999 by $6,265 and the aggregate of the service cost and interest cost components of 1999 annual expense by $489. A one percentage point decrease in the health care cost trend rates in each year would decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 1999 by $5,928 and the aggregate of the 1999 service cost and interest cost by $462.

The Company utilizes a service-based approach in apply-the provisions of SFAS No. 112, “Employers’ Accounting For Postemployment Benefits”, for most of its postemployment benefits. Such an approach recognizes that actuarial gains and losses may result from experience that differs from baseline assumptions. In 1997, the Company recorded a $5,963 curtailment loss for severance in connection with productivity programs in the United States and Europe. Postemployment benefit costs were $22,842, $24,015, and $25,532 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.