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EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
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 $ 3,300 $ 2,900 $ 2,700    
Pension Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]          
ASSETS          
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits       $ 12,603 $ 16,327
Liability [Abstract]          
Pension and postretirement benefits       (4,070) (4,185)
Net amount recognized       8,533 12,142
Amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets under the caption "accumulated other comprehensive income", before deferred income taxes [Abstract]          
Net actuarial loss       (16,691) (11,598)
Prior service credit       0 0
Net amount recognized       (16,691) (11,598)
Amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in next fiscal year [Abstract]          
Amortization of net actuarial loss       717  
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)       0  
Amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income [Abstract]          
Net actuarial gain (loss) (5,093) 7,329      
Prior service (cost) credit 0 6      
Net amount recognized (5,093) 7,335      
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]          
Net periodic benefit cost (income) 1,200 2,800 2,900    
Pension Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member]          
Change in projected benefit obligation [Abstract]          
Benefit obligation at beginning of year 308,244 284,194      
Service cost 16,852 15,135 14,432    
Interest cost 10,726 11,190 10,161    
Actuarial (gain) loss (30,787) 12,577      
Benefits paid (16,933) (14,852)      
Plan amendments 0 0      
Projected benefit obligation at end of year 288,102 308,244 284,194    
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 349,004 300,915      
Actual return on plan assets (24,325) 54,255      
Employer contributions 9,009 8,686      
Benefits paid (16,933) (14,852)      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 316,755 349,004 300,915    
Funded status       $ 28,653 $ 40,760
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]          
Service cost 16,852 15,135 14,432    
Interest cost 10,726 11,190 10,161    
Expected return on plan assets (24,052) (20,765) (19,361)    
Amortization of net actuarial loss 537 3,643 4,311    
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) 0 20 31    
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $ 4,063 $ 9,223 $ 9,574    
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations [Abstract]          
Discount rate (in hundredths)       4.24% 3.60%
Interest credit rate (in hundreths) 4.50% 5.50%      
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]          
Discount rate (in hundredths) 3.60% 4.07% 3.90%    
Interest credit rate (in hundreths) 5.50% 5.50% 5.50%    
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths) 7.00% 7.00% 7.00%    
Expected future benefit payments to be paid from the plans over the next ten years [Abstract]          
2019       $ 19,932  
2020       22,180  
2021       21,996  
2022       22,620  
2023       23,408  
2024 - 2028       124,035  
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 349,004 $ 300,915 $ 300,915 $ 316,755 $ 349,004
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        
Defined Benefit Plan Years Of Service Attainment [Table Text Block] one year        
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 349,004        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 316,755 $ 349,004      
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations [Abstract]          
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)       5.07% 5.09%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]          
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths) 5.07% 5.08% 5.07%    
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 349,004 $ 349,004   $ 316,755 $ 349,004
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions [Abstract]          
Defined benefit plan estimated future parent total contributions next fiscal year       7,000  
Qualified Pension Plan [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Pooled Separate Accounts [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 349,004        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 316,755 349,004      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 349,004 $ 349,004   316,755 349,004
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       13,566 13,950
Accumulated benefit obligation       11,882 12,272
Fair value of plan assets       $ 0 $ 0
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations [Abstract]          
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)       4.37% 4.45%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]          
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths) 4.37% 4.47% 4.56%    
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]          
ASSETS          
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits       $ 5,088 $ 4,356
Liability [Abstract]          
Pension and postretirement benefits       0 0
Net amount recognized       5,088 4,356
Amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets under the caption "accumulated other comprehensive income", before deferred income taxes [Abstract]          
Net actuarial loss       (5,622) (4,950)
Prior service credit       14,586 16,407
Net amount recognized       8,964 11,457
Amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in next fiscal year [Abstract]          
Amortization of net actuarial loss       281  
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)       2,600  
Amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income [Abstract]          
Net actuarial gain (loss) $ (672) $ 1,197      
Prior service (cost) credit (1,821) (3,034)      
Net amount recognized (2,493) (1,837)      
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]          
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $ (3,200) (2,900) $ (3,000)    
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member]          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Defined benefit plan, age of attainment years 55 years        
Change in projected benefit obligation [Abstract]          
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 59,004 55,651      
Service cost 1,473 1,362 1,273    
Interest cost 2,084 2,281 2,215    
Actuarial (gain) loss (7,484) 3,278      
Benefits paid (2,579) (2,455)      
Plan amendments $ 0 (1,113)      
Amortization period for prior service credit from plan amendment 10 years        
Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 52,498 59,004 55,651    
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 75,658 67,809      
Actual return on plan assets (4,311) 10,304      
Employer contributions 0 0      
Benefits paid (2,579) (2,455)      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 68,768 75,658 67,809    
Funded status       $ 16,270 $ 16,654
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]          
Service cost 1,473 1,362 1,273    
Interest cost 2,084 2,281 2,215    
Expected return on plan assets (4,815) (4,311) (4,224)    
Amortization of net actuarial loss 935 1,371 1,494    
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (11,129) (11,154) (11,338)    
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $ (11,452) $ (10,451) $ (10,580)    
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations [Abstract]          
Discount rate (in hundredths)       4.27% 3.63%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]          
Discount rate (in hundredths) 3.63% 4.21% 4.42%    
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths) 6.50% 6.50% 6.50%    
Expected future benefit payments to be paid from the plans over the next ten years [Abstract]          
2019       $ 2,805  
2020       2,998  
2021       3,169  
2022       3,286  
2023       3,358  
2024 - 2028       17,922  
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure $ 75,658 $ 67,809 $ 67,809 68,768 $ 75,658
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | HRA Maximum Adjustment [Member]          
Change in projected benefit obligation [Abstract]          
Plan amendments   2,700      
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Life Insuance Amount Adjustment [Member]          
Change in projected benefit obligation [Abstract]          
Plan amendments   (3,800)      
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 75,658        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 68,768 75,658      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 75,658 75,658   68,768 75,658
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected 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 1,254        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 1,506 1,254      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Net asset value per share (in dollars per share)       $ 1.00  
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 1,254 1,254   $ 1,506 1,254
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 4,803        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 3,986 4,803      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 4,803 4,803   3,986 4,803
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Mutual Fund [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 54,180        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 47,632 54,180      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 54,180 54,180   $ 47,632 54,180
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 14,524        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 14,885 14,524      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Guaranteed interest rate life insurance policy       4.50%  
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 14,524 14,524   $ 14,885 14,524
Reconciliation of the plan assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Roll Forward]          
Beginning balance 14,524 14,159      
Actual return on plan assets [Abstract]          
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance contracts 361 365      
Balance at end of period 14,885 14,524 $ 14,159    
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Cash [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 897        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 759 897      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 897 897   759 897
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 61,134        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 53,883 61,134      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 61,134 61,134   53,883 61,134
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 1,254        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 1,506 1,254      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 1,254 1,254   1,506 1,254
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 4,803        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 3,986 4,803      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 4,803 4,803   3,986 4,803
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Mutual Fund [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 54,180        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 47,632 54,180      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 54,180 54,180   47,632 54,180
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] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Cash [Member]          
Change in plan assets [Abstract]          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 897        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 759 897      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 897 897   759 897
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] | Mutual Fund [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 other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cash [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 14,524        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 14,885 14,524      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 14,524 14,524   14,885 14,524
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] | Mutual Fund [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 14,524        
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 14,885 14,524      
Fair values of the plan assets held [Abstract]          
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure 14,524 14,524   14,885 14,524
VEBA Trust [Member] | EMC Insurance Companies [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Cash [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