EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 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   June 30,						Six months ended   June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,240		$	3,181		$	6,431		$	6,607
Interest cost	2,451			1,918			4,832			3,828
Expected return on plan assets	(5,183		)	(4,287		)	(10,366		)	(8,575		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	119			1,515			183			2,981
Amortization of prior service cost	8			12			16			25
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	635		$	2,339		$	1,096		$	4,866
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	315		$	1,575		$	630		$	3,150
Interest cost	563			1,543			1,127			3,086
Expected return on plan assets	(1,099		)	(907		)	(2,198		)	(1,815		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	412			923			825			1,847
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,866		)	(623		)	(5,733		)	(1,246		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (income)	$	(2,675	)	$	2,511		$	(5,349	)	$	5,022