the following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the year : ( in thousands ) .

$ 7928: ansoft unrecognized tax benefit 2014acquired july 31 2008: 3525
gross increases 2014tax positions in prior period: 2454
gross decreases 2014tax positions in prior period: -1572
gross increases 2014tax positions in current period: 2255
reductions due to a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations: -1598
changes due to currency fluctuation: -259
settlements: -317
unrecognized tax benefit 2014december 31 2008: 12416

included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at december 31 , 2008 are $ 5.6 million of tax benefits that , if recognized , would affect the effective tax rate . also included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at december 31 , 2008 are $ 5.0 million of tax benefits that , if recognized , would result in a decrease to goodwill recorded in purchase business combinations , and $ 1.9 million of tax benefits that , if recognized , would result in adjustments to other tax accounts , primarily deferred taxes . the company believes it is reasonably possible that uncertain tax positions of approximately $ 2.6 million as of december 31 , 2008 will be resolved within the next twelve months . the company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense . related to the uncertain tax benefits noted above , the company recorded interest of $ 171000 during 2008 . penalties recorded during 2008 were insignificant . in total , as of december 31 , 2008 , the company has recognized a liability for penalties of $ 498000 and interest of $ 1.8 million . the company is subject to taxation in the u.s . and various states and foreign jurisdictions . the company 2019s 2005 through 2008 tax years are open to examination by the internal revenue service . the 2005 and 2006 federal returns are currently under examination . the company also has various foreign subsidiaries with tax filings under examination , as well as numerous foreign and state tax filings subject to examination for various years . 10 . pension and profit-sharing plans the company has 401 ( k ) /profit-sharing plans for all qualifying full-time domestic employees that permit participants to make contributions by salary reduction pursuant to section 401 ( k ) of the internal revenue code . the company makes matching contributions on behalf of each eligible participant in an amount equal to 100% ( 100 % ) of the first 3% ( 3 % ) and an additional 25% ( 25 % ) of the next 5% ( 5 % ) , for a maximum total of 4.25% ( 4.25 % ) of the employee 2019s compensation . the company may make a discretionary profit sharing contribution in the amount of 0% ( 0 % ) to 5% ( 5 % ) based on the participant 2019s eligible compensation , provided the employee is employed at the end of the year and has worked at least 1000 hours . the qualifying domestic employees of the company 2019s ansoft subsidiary , acquired on july 31 , 2008 , also participate in a 401 ( k ) plan . there is no matching employer contribution associated with this plan . the company also maintains various defined contribution pension arrangements for its international employees . expenses related to the company 2019s retirement programs were $ 3.7 million in 2008 , $ 4.7 million in 2007 and $ 4.1 million in 2006 . 11 . non-compete and employment agreements employees of the company have signed agreements under which they have agreed not to disclose trade secrets or confidential information and , where legally permitted , that restrict engagement in or connection with any business that is competitive with the company anywhere in the world while employed by the company ( and .

Questions:
what was the change in unrecognized tax benefits
and the percentage change?
what was the expenses related to the company 2019s retirement programs in 2007 and 2008?
and including 2006?
so what was the average over this time?

Answers:
4488
56.6%
8.4
12.5
4.21