Table:
|  |  | Years Ended December 31, |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Service cost | $272 | $841 | $  — |
| Interest cost | 1,211 | 802 | 809 |
| Expected return on plan assets | (615) | (665) | (597) |
| Amortization of actuarial gains and losses | 411 | 478 | 503 |
| Net periodic pension cost | $1,279 | $1,456 | $715 |
Paragraphs:
ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (continued) (in thousands, except per share amounts)
The information provided below includes one pension plan which is part of discontinued operations. As such, all related liabilities and expenses are reported in discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented.
The components of net periodic pension benefit cost recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods presented are as follows:
Question:
What was the change in the net periodic pension cost between 2018 and 2019?
Answer: $1279-$1456 = -177