pre_text: mastercard incorporated notes to consolidated financial statements 2014 ( continued ) ( in thousands , except percent and per share data ) the following table summarizes expected benefit payments through 2019 for the pension plans , including those payments expected to be paid from the company 2019s general assets . since the majority of the benefit payments are made in the form of lump-sum distributions , actual benefit payments may differ from expected benefit payments. .
post_text: substantially all of the company 2019s u.s . employees are eligible to participate in a defined contribution savings plan ( the 201csavings plan 201d ) sponsored by the company . the savings plan allows employees to contribute a portion of their base compensation on a pre-tax and after-tax basis in accordance with specified guidelines . the company matches a percentage of employees 2019 contributions up to certain limits . in 2007 and prior years , the company could also contribute to the savings plan a discretionary profit sharing component linked to company performance during the prior year . beginning in 2008 , the discretionary profit sharing amount related to prior year company performance was paid directly to employees as a short-term cash incentive bonus rather than as a contribution to the savings plan . in addition , the company has several defined contribution plans outside of the united states . the company 2019s contribution expense related to all of its defined contribution plans was $ 40627 , $ 35341 and $ 26996 for 2009 , 2008 and 2007 , respectively . note 13 . postemployment and postretirement benefits the company maintains a postretirement plan ( the 201cpostretirement plan 201d ) providing health coverage and life insurance benefits for substantially all of its u.s . employees hired before july 1 , 2007 . the company amended the life insurance benefits under the postretirement plan effective january 1 , 2007 . the impact , net of taxes , of this amendment was an increase of $ 1715 to accumulated other comprehensive income in 2007 . in 2009 , the company recorded a $ 3944 benefit expense as a result of enhanced postretirement medical benefits under the postretirement plan provided to employees that chose to participate in a voluntary transition program. .
table: 2010 $18,181
table: 2011 27,090
table: 2012 21,548
table: 2013 25,513
table: 2014 24,002
table: 2015-2019 128,494
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. what is the average contribution expense related to all of its defined contribution plans for the years 2007-2009?