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EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Percentage of pool participation (in hundredths) 30.00% 30.00% 30.00%    
Other benefit plans expenses (including 401(k)) allocated to the Company $ 2,500 $ 1,700 $ 1,500    
Pension Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]          
Assets [Abstract]          
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits       $ 8,132 $ 13,267
Liability [Abstract]          
Pension and postretirement benefits       (4,299) (4,162)
Net amount recognized       3,833 9,105
Amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets under the caption "accumulated other comprehensive income", before deferred income taxes [Abstract]          
Net actuarial loss       (20,101) (15,097)
Prior service (cost) credit       (15) (25)
Net amount recognized       (20,116) (15,122)
Amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in next fiscal year [Abstract]          
Amortization of net actuarial loss 1,300        
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) 10        
Amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income [Abstract]          
Net actuarial gain (loss) (5,004) (7,492)      
Prior service (cost) credit 10 10      
Net amount recognized (4,994) (7,482)      
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]          
Net periodic benefit cost (income) 1,800 680 3,000    
Pension Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member]          
Change in projected benefit obligation [Abstract]          
Benefit obligation at beginning of year 267,129 239,109      
Service cost 13,962 12,863 13,213    
Interest cost 9,311 9,664 7,656    
Actuarial (gain) loss (1,661) 19,257      
Benefits paid (18,837) (13,764)      
Plan amendments 0 0      
Projected benefit obligation at end of year 269,904 267,129 239,109    
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 297,848 288,750      
Actual return on plan assets (591) 15,029      
Employer contributions 4,811 7,833      
Benefits paid (18,837) (13,764)      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 283,231 297,848 288,750    
Funded status       $ 13,327 $ 30,719
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]          
Service cost 13,962 12,863 13,213    
Interest cost 9,311 9,664 7,656    
Expected return on plan assets (20,298) (20,733) (17,150)    
Amortization of net actuarial loss 2,710 366 5,962    
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) 31 31 50    
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $ 5,716 $ 2,191 $ 9,731    
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations [Abstract]          
Discount rate (in hundredths)       3.90% 3.57%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]          
Discount rate (in hundredths) 3.57% 4.17% 3.24%    
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths) 7.00% 7.25% 7.25%    
Expected future benefit payments to be paid from the plans over the next ten years [Abstract]          
2016       $ 22,066  
2017       22,967  
2018       23,334  
2019       24,293  
2020       25,502  
2021 - 2025       123,096  
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 297,848 $ 288,750 $ 288,750 $ 283,231 $ 297,848
Qualified Pension Plan [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member]          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Defined benefit plans, vest years of service 3 years        
Defined benefit plan, age of attainment years 55 years        
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 297,848        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 283,231 $ 297,848      
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations [Abstract]          
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)       5.07% 4.73%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]          
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths) 4.73% 4.73% 4.73%    
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 297,848 $ 297,848   $ 283,231 $ 297,848
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions [Abstract]          
Defined benefit plan estimated future parent total contributions next fiscal year       8,200  
Qualified Pension Plan [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | U.S. Stock Funds Pooled Accounts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 154,478        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 142,934 154,478      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 154,478 154,478   142,934 154,478
Qualified Pension Plan [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | International Stock Funds Pooled Accounts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 57,955        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 55,850 57,955      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 57,955 57,955   55,850 57,955
Qualified Pension Plan [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | U.S. Bond Funds Pooled Accounts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 63,443        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 62,160 63,443      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 63,443 63,443   62,160 63,443
Qualified Pension Plan [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Real Estate Separate Account [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 17,735        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 20,414 17,735      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 17,735 17,735   20,414 17,735
Qualified Pension Plan [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Short-Term Funds Pooled Accounts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 4,237        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 1,873 4,237      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 4,237 $ 4,237   1,873 4,237
Non-Qualified Pension Plan [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member]          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Defined benefit plans, vest years of service 3 years        
Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]          
Projected benefit obligation       13,505 13,057
Accumulated benefit obligation       12,405 12,121
Fair value of plan assets       $ 0 $ 0
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations [Abstract]          
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)       5.56% 4.68%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]          
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths) 4.68% 4.68% 4.68%    
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | Net [Member]          
Expected future benefit payments to be paid from the plans over the next ten years [Abstract]          
2016       $ 2,668  
2017       2,852  
2018       3,033  
2019       3,147  
2020       3,215  
2021 - 2025       16,670  
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]          
Change in projected benefit obligation [Abstract]          
Amortization period for prior service credit from plan amendment 10 years        
Assets [Abstract]          
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits       4,001 $ 4,093
Liability [Abstract]          
Pension and postretirement benefits       0 0
Net amount recognized       4,001 4,093
Amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets under the caption "accumulated other comprehensive income", before deferred income taxes [Abstract]          
Net actuarial loss       (6,523) (7,258)
Prior service (cost) credit       23,662 27,458
Net amount recognized       17,139 20,200
Amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in next fiscal year [Abstract]          
Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 422        
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (3,300)        
Amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income [Abstract]          
Net actuarial gain (loss) 735 $ (431)      
Prior service (cost) credit (3,796) (3,370)      
Net amount recognized (3,061) (3,801)      
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]          
Net periodic benefit cost (income) (3,000) (3,100) $ 2,900    
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member]          
Change in projected benefit obligation [Abstract]          
Benefit obligation at beginning of year 54,503 50,006      
Service cost 1,411 1,260 6,300    
Interest cost 2,148 2,254 6,172    
Actuarial (gain) loss (5,895) 3,516      
Benefits paid (2,185) (2,533)      
Plan amendments 1,467 0      
Projected benefit obligation at end of year 51,449 54,503 50,006    
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 69,290 67,276      
Actual return on plan assets (785) 4,547      
Employer contributions 0 0      
Benefits paid (2,185) (2,533)      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 66,320 69,290 67,276    
Funded status       $ 14,871 $ 14,787
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]          
Service cost 1,411 1,260 6,300    
Interest cost 2,148 2,254 6,172    
Expected return on plan assets (4,416) (4,396) (3,631)    
Amortization of net actuarial loss 1,745 1,651 3,694    
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (11,466) (11,466) (2,491)    
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $ (10,578) $ (10,697) $ 10,044    
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations [Abstract]          
Discount rate (in hundredths)       4.42% 4.04%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]          
Discount rate (in hundredths) 4.04% 4.71% 4.03%    
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths) 6.50% 6.75% 6.50%    
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 69,290 $ 67,276 $ 67,276 $ 66,320 $ 69,290
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 69,290        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 66,320 69,290      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 69,290 69,290   66,320 69,290
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions [Abstract]          
Defined benefit plan estimated future parent total contributions next fiscal year       $ 0  
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 4,644        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,709 4,644      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Net asset value per share (in dollars per share)       $ 1.00  
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 4,644 4,644   $ 2,709 4,644
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Emerging Markets ETF [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 4,187        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 3,422 4,187      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 4,187 4,187   3,422 4,187
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Equity Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 36,451        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 36,286 36,451      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 36,451 36,451   36,286 36,451
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Tax Exempt Fixed Income Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 3,425        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 3,422 3,425      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 3,425 3,425   3,422 3,425
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | International Equity Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 7,175        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 6,689 7,175      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 7,175 7,175   6,689 7,175
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Life Insurance Contracts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 13,408        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 13,792 13,408      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 13,408 13,408   13,792 13,408
Reconciliation of the plan assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Roll Forward]          
Beginning balance 13,408 13,227      
Actual return on plan assets [Abstract]          
Increase in cash accumulation value of life insurance contracts 384 367      
Gain on life insurance death benefit 0 89      
Settlement of life insurance death benefit 0 (275)      
Balance at end of period 13,792 13,408 $ 13,227    
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 55,882        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 52,528 55,882      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 55,882 55,882   52,528 55,882
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 4,644        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,709 4,644      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 4,644 4,644   2,709 4,644
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Emerging Markets ETF [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 4,187        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 3,422 4,187      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 4,187 4,187   3,422 4,187
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Equity Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 36,451        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 36,286 36,451      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 36,451 36,451   36,286 36,451
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Tax Exempt Fixed Income Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 3,425        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 3,422 3,425      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 3,425 3,425   3,422 3,425
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | International Equity Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 7,175        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 6,689 7,175      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 7,175 7,175   6,689 7,175
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Life Insurance Contracts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Emerging Markets ETF [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Tax Exempt Fixed Income Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | International Equity Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Life Insurance Contracts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 13,408        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 13,792 13,408      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 13,408 13,408   13,792 13,408
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Emerging Markets ETF [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Tax Exempt Fixed Income Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | International Equity Mutual Funds [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 0        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0 0      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0   0 0
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Life Insurance Contracts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 13,408        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 13,792 13,408      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 13,408 $ 13,408   $ 13,792 $ 13,408