EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Retirement Benefits [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)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,783		$	3,639		$	11,351		$	10,824
Interest cost	2,798			2,551			8,393			7,620
Expected return on plan assets	(5,192		)	(4,841		)	(15,574		)	(14,521		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	911			1,111			2,732			3,233
Amortization of prior service cost	5			9			15			24
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	2,305		$	2,469		$	6,917		$	7,180
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	341		$	319		$	1,022		$	955
Interest cost	570			553			1,710			1,661
Expected return on plan assets	(1,077		)	(1,056		)	(3,233		)	(3,168		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	342			374			1,028			1,121
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,788		)	(2,835		)	(8,365		)	(8,504		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,612	)	$	(2,645	)	$	(7,838	)	$	(7,935	)