. ppg has paid uninterrupted annual dividends since 1899 , and 2012 marked the 41st consecutive year of increased annual dividend payments to shareholders . we did not have a mandatory contribution to our u.s . defined benefit pension plans in 2012 and we did not make a voluntary contribution to these plans . in 2011 and 2010 , we made voluntary contributions to our u.s . defined benefit pension plans of $ 50 million and $ 250 million , respectively . we do not expect to make a contribution to our u.s