EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract]

The components of net periodic benefit cost related to our defined benefit plans

The components of net periodic benefit cost related to our defined benefit plans were as follows:

	Pension Plans (a)						Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(Thousands of Dollars)
For the three months ended September 30:
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	4,080		$	3,904		$	293		$	315
Interest cost	1,259			1,003			235			244
Expected return on assets	(1,134		)	(979		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service credit	(10		)	(4		)	(50		)	—
Amortization of net loss	518			348			52			35
Net periodic benefit cost before other charges	$	4,713		$	4,272		$	530		$	594
Other charges (b)	1,044			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	5,757		$	4,272		$	530		$	594
For the nine months ended September 30:
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	12,240		$	11,712		$	879		$	945
Interest cost	3,777			3,009			705			732
Expected return on assets	(3,402		)	(2,937		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service credit	(30		)	(12		)	(150		)	—
Amortization of net loss	1,554			1,044			156			105
Net periodic benefit cost before other charges	$	14,139		$	12,816		$	1,590		$	1,782
Other charges (b)	1,224			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	15,363		$	12,816		$	1,590		$	1,782

(a) Includes amounts related to the pension plan, the excess pension plan and the supplemental executive retirement plan.

(b) Other charges include settlement charges for retirees under the excess pension plan in the third quarter of 2013 and a disposition charge related to NuStar Energy’s sale of its fuels refinery in San Antonio, Texas and related assets on January 1, 2013.