Table:
| (In thousands) | 2019 | 2018 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in projected benefit obligation: |  |  |
| Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period | $37,245 | $34,893 |
| Service cost | 1,471 | 1,193 |
| Interest cost | 634 | 727 |
| Actuarial loss - experience | 453 | 38 |
| Actuarial loss - assumptions | 5,091 | 2,139 |
| Benefit payments | (166) | (138) |
| Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes | (826) | (1,607) |
| Projected benefit obligation at end of period | 43,902 | 37,245 |
| Change in plan assets: |  |  |
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period | 24,159 | 26,624 |
| Actual gain (loss) on plan assets | 4,392 | (2,024) |
| Contributions | — | 688 |
| Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes | (535) | (1,129) |
| Fair value of plan assets at end of period | 28,016 | 24,159 |
| Unfunded status at end of period | $(15,886) | $(13,086) |
Paragraphs:
Note 14 – Employee Benefit Plans
Pension Benefit Plan
We maintain a defined benefit pension plan covering employees in certain foreign countries.
The pension benefit plan obligations and funded status as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, were as follows:
The accumulated benefit obligation was $43.9 million and $37.2 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in the accumulated benefit obligation and the actuarial loss was primarily attributable to a decrease in the discount rate during 2019.
Question:
What was the accumulated benefit obligation in 2019?
Answer: $43.9 million