EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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)	2016			2015			2016			2015
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,639		$	3,497		$	10,824		$	10,471
Interest cost	2,551			2,341			7,620			6,983
Expected return on plan assets	(4,841		)	(5,074		)	(14,521		)	(15,223		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,111			719			3,233			2,033
Amortization of prior service cost	9			8			24			23
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	2,469		$	1,491		$	7,180		$	4,287
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	319		$	353		$	955		$	1,059
Interest cost	553			537			1,661			1,611
Expected return on plan assets	(1,056		)	(1,104		)	(3,168		)	(3,312		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	374			437			1,121			1,309
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,835		)	(2,867		)	(8,504		)	(8,600		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,645	)	$	(2,644	)	$	(7,935	)	$	(7,933	)