Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits (Expected Employer Contributions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Change in Plan Assets
Expected current year pension contributions	$ 307,600
Subsequent Event [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date		$ 390,100
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected current year pension contributions	65,882
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in current year	17,119
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date		83,001
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected current year pension contributions	67,116
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in current year	17,306
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date		84,422
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected current year pension contributions	15,981
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in current year	3,987
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date		19,968
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected current year pension contributions	8,456
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in current year	2,253
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date		10,709
Entergy Texas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected current year pension contributions	12,649
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in current year	3,271
Entergy Texas [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date		15,920
System Energy [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected current year pension contributions	16,120
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in current year	$ 4,378
System Energy [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date		$ 20,498