XML 27 R17.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.1
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Notes)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract]  
Employee Benefit Plans (Notes) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The following tables set forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other postemployment benefit plans for the periods indicated:
Pension Benefits
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20222021
(Thousands of dollars)
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) 
Service cost$3,094 $3,453 
Interest cost 7,804 7,365 
Expected return on assets (14,613)(15,596)
Amortization of net loss 8,147 11,381 
Net periodic benefit cost$4,432 $6,603 

Other Postemployment Benefits
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20222021
(Thousands of dollars)
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) 
Service cost$318 $397 
Interest cost 1,612 1,563 
Expected return on assets (3,295)(4,202)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost (credit)10 (70)
Amortization of net loss 54 93 
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)$(1,301)$(2,219)

We recover qualified pension benefit plan and other postemployment benefit plan costs through rates charged to our customers. Certain regulatory authorities require that the recovery of these costs be based on specific guidelines. The difference between these regulatory-based amounts and the periodic benefit cost calculated pursuant to GAAP is deferred as a regulatory asset or liability and amortized to expense over periods in which this difference will be recovered in rates, as authorized by the applicable regulatory authorities. Regulatory deferrals related to net periodic benefit cost were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

We continue to capitalize all eligible service cost and non-service cost components under the accounting requirements of ASC Topic 980 (Regulated Operations) for rate-regulated entities. Our consolidated balance sheets reflect the capitalized non-service cost components as a regulatory asset in the amount of $5.8 million and $6.1 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report for additional information.