Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits

7. The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 (in millions):

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended June  30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	97		$	91		$	192		$	184
Interest cost		189			184			379			369
Expected return on assets		(165	)		(148	)		(328	)		(297	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3			3			7			7
Unrecognized net loss		39			39			76			76
Net periodic benefit cost	$	163		$	169		$	326		$	339

	Retiree Medical and Other Benefits
	Three Months Ended June  30,						Six Months Ended June  30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	15		$	15		$	30		$	30
Interest cost		44			41			88			83
Expected return on assets		(5	)		(5	)		(10	)		(9	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		(7	)		(5	)		(14	)		(10	)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss		(2	)		(3	)		(4	)		(5	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	45		$	43		$	90		$	89

The Company is required to make minimum contributions to its defined benefit pension plans under the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and the Pension Relief Act (Relief Act) of 2010. Under the Relief Act, the Company estimates its 2011 minimum required contribution to its defined benefit pension plans to be approximately $520 million. The Company contributed $188 million to its defined benefit pension plans during the first six months of 2011 and $99 million on July 15, 2011.