EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 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   September 30,						Nine months ended   September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,216		$	3,302		$	9,647		$	9,909
Interest cost	2,416			1,914			7,248			5,742
Expected return on plan assets	(5,183		)	(4,288		)	(15,549		)	(12,863		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	91			1,491			274			4,472
Amortization of prior service cost	8			13			24			38
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	548		$	2,432		$	1,644		$	7,298
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	315		$	1,575		$	945		$	4,725
Interest cost	564			1,543			1,691			4,629
Expected return on plan assets	(1,099		)	(908		)	(3,297		)	(2,723		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	413			923			1,238			2,770
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,867		)	(622		)	(8,600		)	(1,868		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (income)	$	(2,674	)	$	2,511		$	(8,023	)	$	7,533