EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

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   March 31,
($ in thousands)	2019			2018
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	4,071		$	4,126
Interest cost	2,949			2,665
Expected return on plan assets	(5,440		)	(5,978		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	598			125
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	2,178		$	938
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	353		$	368
Interest cost	546			521
Expected return on plan assets	(1,095		)	(1,204		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	245			234
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,285		)	(2,782		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,236	)	$	(2,863	)