EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

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,
($ in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,497		$	3,216		$	10,471		$	9,647
Interest cost	2,341			2,416			6,983			7,248
Expected return on plan assets	(5,074		)	(5,183		)	(15,223		)	(15,549		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	719			91			2,033			274
Amortization of prior service cost	8			8			23			24
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	1,491		$	548		$	4,287		$	1,644
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	353		$	315		$	1,059		$	945
Interest cost	537			564			1,611			1,691
Expected return on plan assets	(1,104		)	(1,099		)	(3,312		)	(3,297		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	437			413			1,309			1,238
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,867		)	(2,867		)	(8,600		)	(8,600		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,644	)	$	(2,674	)	$	(7,933	)	$	(8,023	)