EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 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   June 30,						Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2019			2018			2019			2018
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,806		$	4,300		$	7,877		$	8,426
Interest cost	2,930			2,698			5,879			5,363
Expected return on plan assets	(5,423		)	(6,048		)	(10,863		)	(12,026		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	548			143			1,146			268
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	1,861		$	1,093		$	4,039		$	2,031
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	352		$	368		$	705		$	736
Interest cost	545			521			1,091			1,042
Expected return on plan assets	(1,094		)	(1,203		)	(2,189		)	(2,407		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	246			233			491			467
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,285		)	(2,782		)	(4,570		)	(5,564		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,236	)	$	(2,863	)	$	(4,472	)	$	(5,726	)