Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits (Expected Employer Contributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	$ 105,800
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	35,382
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	21,729
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	13,653
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	11,550
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	7,132
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	4,418
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	21,151
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	13,343
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	7,808
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	8,152
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	5,033
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	3,119
Entergy New Orleans
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	4,175
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	2,634
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	1,541
Entergy Texas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	6,880
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	4,270
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	2,610
System Energy [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	8,304
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	5,175
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	$ 3,129