EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of net periodic benefit cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,191		$	3,426
Interest cost	2,381			1,910
Expected return on plan assets	(5,183		)	(4,288		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	64			1,466
Amortization of prior service cost	8			13
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	461		$	2,527
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	315		$	1,575
Interest cost	564			1,543
Expected return on plan assets	(1,099		)	(908		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	413			924
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,867		)	(623		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (income)	$	(2,674	)	$	2,511