14. Employee benefit plans and deferred compensation

The Company has 401(k) plans for the benefit of all employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. The plans provide for Company match, specified Company contributions, and/or discretionary Company contributions. During the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company contributed $3.0 million, $3.0 million and $3.2 million to the 401(k) plans, respectively.

The Company also has a deferred compensation plan, which is a non-qualified plan available to a restricted number of highly compensated employees. The plan enables participants to defer compensation for tax purposes. These deferred employee contributions are held within a rabbi trust with investments directed by the respective employees. The assets of the rabbi trust are available to satisfy the claims of general creditors in the event of bankruptcy of the Company. The balance sheet at September 30, 2012 includes $1.5 million of cash and cash equivalents; an asset of $9.2 million related to life insurance assets, which are held at cash surrender value; and liabilities totaling $12.4 million related to the deferred compensation plan liabilities.