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Retirement Plan And Other Post-Retirement Benefits (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule Of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets And Funded Status
Reconciliations of the Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status, as well as the components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and the Weighted Average Assumptions of the Retirement Plan and other post-retirement benefits are shown in the tables below. The date used to measure the Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status is September 30 for fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016.
 
Retirement Plan
 
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 
Year Ended September 30
 
Year Ended September 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Period
$
1,054,826

 
$
1,097,421

 
$
1,026,190

 
$
462,619

 
$
526,138

 
$
464,987

Service Cost
9,921

 
11,969

 
11,710

 
1,830

 
2,449

 
2,331

Interest Cost
33,006

 
38,383

 
42,315

 
14,801

 
19,007

 
20,386

Plan Participants’ Contributions
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,894

 
2,717

 
2,558

Retiree Drug Subsidy Receipts
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,545

 
1,553

 
1,925

Actuarial (Gain) Loss
(50,218
)
 
(32,466
)
 
76,309

 
(21,039
)
 
(62,215
)
 
60,402

Benefits Paid
(61,845
)
 
(60,481
)
 
(59,103
)
 
(26,664
)
 
(27,030
)
 
(26,451
)
Benefit Obligation at End of Period
$
985,690

 
$
1,054,826

 
$
1,097,421

 
$
435,986

 
$
462,619

 
$
526,138

Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at Beginning of Period
$
910,719

 
$
869,775

 
$
834,870

 
$
514,017

 
$
494,320

 
$
477,959

Actual Return on Plan Assets
42,652

 
84,279

 
87,008

 
20,657

 
40,157

 
37,415

Employer Contributions
32,980

 
17,146

 
7,000

 
2,896

 
3,853

 
2,839

Plan Participants’ Contributions
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,894

 
2,717

 
2,558

Benefits Paid
(61,845
)
 
(60,481
)
 
(59,103
)
 
(26,664
)
 
(27,030
)
 
(26,451
)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Period
$
924,506

 
$
910,719

 
$
869,775

 
$
513,800

 
$
514,017

 
$
494,320

Net Amount Recognized at End of Period (Funded Status)
$
(61,184
)
 
$
(144,107
)
 
$
(227,646
)
 
$
77,814

 
$
51,398

 
$
(31,818
)
Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheets Consist of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Current Liabilities
$
(61,184
)
 
$
(144,107
)
 
$
(227,646
)
 
$
(4,919
)
 
$
(4,972
)
 
$
(49,467
)
Non-Current Assets
—

 
—

 
—

 
82,733

 
56,370

 
17,649

Net Amount Recognized at End of Period
$
(61,184
)
 
$
(144,107
)
 
$
(227,646
)
 
$
77,814

 
$
51,398

 
$
(31,818
)
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
$
946,763

 
$
1,010,179

 
$
1,039,408

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligation at September 30
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
4.30
%
 
3.77
%
 
3.60
%
 
4.31
%
 
3.81
%
 
3.70
%
Rate of Compensation Increase
4.70
%
 
4.70
%
 
4.70
%
 
4.70
%
 
4.70
%
 
4.70
%
 
Retirement Plan
 
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 
Year Ended September 30
 
Year Ended September 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Thousands)
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service Cost
$
9,921

 
$
11,969

 
$
11,710

 
$
1,830

 
$
2,449

 
$
2,331

Interest Cost
33,006

 
38,383

 
42,315

 
14,801

 
19,007

 
20,386

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(61,715
)
 
(59,718
)
 
(59,369
)
 
(31,482
)
 
(31,458
)
 
(31,535
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
938

 
1,058

 
1,234

 
(429
)
 
(429
)
 
(912
)
Recognition of Actuarial Loss(1)
37,205

 
42,687

 
32,248

 
10,558

 
18,415

 
5,530

Net Amortization and Deferral for Regulatory Purposes
9,027

 
469

 
3,957

 
15,028

 
6,108

 
17,123

Net Periodic Benefit Cost
$
28,382

 
$
34,848

 
$
32,095

 
$
10,306

 
$
14,092

 
$
12,923

Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost at September 30
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective Discount Rate for Benefit Obligations
3.77
%
 
3.60
%
 
4.25
%
 
3.81
%
 
3.70
%
 
4.50
%
Effective Rate for Interest on Benefit Obligations
3.23
%
 
3.60
%
 
4.25
%
 
3.29
%
 
3.70
%
 
4.50
%
Effective Discount Rate for Service Cost
4.00
%
 
3.60
%
 
4.25
%
 
4.10
%
 
3.70
%
 
4.50
%
Effective Rate for Interest on Service Cost
3.73
%
 
3.60
%
 
4.25
%
 
3.98
%
 
3.70
%
 
4.50
%
Expected Return on Plan Assets
7.00
%
 
7.00
%
 
7.25
%
 
6.25
%
 
6.50
%
 
6.75
%
Rate of Compensation Increase
4.70
%
 
4.70
%
 
4.75
%
 
4.70
%
 
4.70
%
 
4.75
%
 
(1)
Distribution Corporation’s New York jurisdiction calculates the amortization of the actuarial loss on a vintage year basis over 10 years, as mandated by the NYPSC. All the other subsidiaries of the Company utilize the corridor approach.
Schedule Of Cumulative Amounts Recognized In AOCI (Loss) And Regulatory Assets And Liabilities
The cumulative amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), regulatory assets, and regulatory liabilities through fiscal 2018, the changes in such amounts during 2018, as well as the amounts expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in fiscal 2019 are presented in the table below:
 
Retirement
Plan
 
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
 
Non-Qualified
Benefit Plans
 
(Thousands)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities(1)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Actuarial Gain (Loss)
$
(135,527
)
 
$
1,193

 
$
(22,818
)
Prior Service (Cost) Credit
(5,195
)
 
3,258

 
—

Net Amount Recognized
$
(140,722
)
 
$
4,451

 
$
(22,818
)
Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities Recognized During Fiscal 2018(1)
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease (Increase) in Actuarial Loss, excluding amortization(2)
$
31,155

 
$
10,213

 
$
(2,035
)
Change due to Amortization of Actuarial Loss
37,205

 
10,558

 
3,549

Prior Service (Cost) Credit
938

 
(429
)
 
—

Net Change
$
69,298

 
$
20,342

 
$
1,514

Amounts Expected to be Recognized in Net Periodic
Benefit Cost in the Next Fiscal Year(1)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Actuarial Loss
$
(32,096
)
 
$
(5,962
)
 
$
(3,558
)
Prior Service (Cost) Credit
(826
)
 
429

 
—

Net Amount Expected to be Recognized
$
(32,922
)
 
$
(5,533
)
 
$
(3,558
)
 
(1)
Amounts presented are shown before recognizing deferred taxes.
(2)
Amounts presented include the impact of actuarial gains/losses related to return on assets, as well as the Actuarial (Gain) Loss amounts presented in the Change in Benefit Obligation.
Schedule Of Expected Benefit Payments
The estimated gross other post-retirement benefit payments and gross amount of Medicare Part D prescription drug subsidy receipts are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Benefit Payments
 
Subsidy Receipts
2019
$
27,821

 
$
(1,858
)
2020
$
28,692

 
$
(1,996
)
2021
$
29,455

 
$
(2,128
)
2022
$
29,979

 
$
(2,260
)
2023
$
30,426

 
$
(2,386
)
2024 through 2028
$
153,855

 
$
(13,325
)
Schedule Of Health Care Cost Trend Rates
Assumed health care cost trend rates as of September 30 were:
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Rate of Medical Cost Increase for Pre Age 65 Participants
5.59
%
(1)
 
5.67
%
(1)
 
5.75
%
(1)
Rate of Medical Cost Increase for Post Age 65 Participants
4.75
%
(1)
 
4.75
%
(1)
 
4.75
%
(1)
Annual Rate of Increase in the Per Capita Cost of Covered Prescription Drug Benefits
7.89
%
(1)
 
8.45
%
(1)
 
9.00
%
(1)
Annual Rate of Increase in the Per Capita Medicare Part B Reimbursement
4.75
%
(1)
 
4.75
%
(1)
 
4.75
%
(1)
Annual Rate of Increase in the Per Capita Medicare Part D Subsidy
7.18
%
(1)
 
7.33
%
(1)
 
7.20
%
(1)
 
(1)
It was assumed that this rate would gradually decline to 4.5% by 2039.
Retirement Plan [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Plan Assets
 
Total Fair
 Value Amounts at
September 30, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Measured
at NAV(7)
Retirement Plan Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic Equities(1)
$
223,300

 
$
139,885

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
83,415

International Equities(2)
100,832

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
100,832

Global Equities(3)
85,942

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
85,942

Domestic Fixed Income(4)
434,392

 
1,640

 
382,348

 
—

 
50,404

International Fixed Income(5)
416

 
416

 
—

 
—

 
—

Global Fixed Income(6)
72,382

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
72,382

Real Estate
53,878

 
—

 
—

 
3,194

 
50,684

Cash Held in Collective Trust Funds
26,191

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
26,191

Total Retirement Plan Investments
997,333

 
141,941

 
382,348

 
3,194

 
469,850

401(h) Investments
(67,817
)
 
(9,695
)
 
(26,114
)
 
(218
)
 
(31,790
)
Total Retirement Plan Investments (excluding 401(h) Investments)
$
929,516

 
$
132,246

 
$
356,234

 
$
2,976

 
$
438,060

Miscellaneous Accruals, Interest Receivables, and Non-Interest Cash
(5,010
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Retirement Plan Assets
$
924,506

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Fair 
Value
Amounts at
September 30, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Measured
at NAV(7)
Retirement Plan Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic Equities(1)
$
290,716

 
$
209,421

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
81,295

International Equities(2)
123,069

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
123,069

Global Equities(3)
121,008

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
121,008

Domestic Fixed Income(4)
348,501

 
1,664

 
346,837

 
—

 
—

International Fixed Income(5)
422

 
422

 
—

 
—

 
—

Global Fixed Income(6)
75,428

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
75,428

Real Estate
3,391

 
—

 
—

 
3,391

 
—

Cash Held in Collective Trust Funds
26,058

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
26,058

Total Retirement Plan Investments
988,593

 
211,507

 
346,837

 
3,391

 
426,858

401(h) Investments
(64,728
)
 
(14,026
)
 
(23,001
)
 
(225
)
 
(27,476
)
Total Retirement Plan Investments (excluding 401(h) Investments)
$
923,865

 
$
197,481

 
$
323,836

 
$
3,166

 
$
399,382

Miscellaneous Accruals, Interest Receivables, and Non-Interest Cash
(13,146
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Retirement Plan Assets
$
910,719

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Domestic Equities include mostly collective trust funds, common stock, and exchange traded funds.
(2)
International Equities are comprised of collective trust funds.
(3)
Global Equities are comprised of collective trust funds.
(4)
Domestic Fixed Income securities include mostly collective trust funds, corporate/government bonds and mortgages, and exchange traded funds.
(5)
International Fixed Income securities are comprised mostly of an exchange traded fund.
(6)
Global Fixed Income securities are comprised of a collective trust fund.
(7)
Reflects the authoritative guidance related to investments measured at the net asset value (NAV) practical expedient.
Schedule Of Significant Unobservable Input Changes In Plan Assets
 
 
Retirement Plan Level 3 Assets
(Thousands)
 
 
Real
Estate
 
Excluding
401(h)
Investments
 
Total
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2016
$
2,970

 
$
(188
)
 
$
2,782

 
Unrealized Gains/(Losses)
421

 
(37
)
 
384

 
Balance at September 30, 2017
3,391


(225
)

3,166

 
Unrealized Gains/(Losses)
188

 
(19
)
 
169

 
Sales
(385
)
 
26

 
(359
)
 
Balance at September 30, 2018
$
3,194

 
$
(218
)
 
$
2,976
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Plan Assets
 
Total Fair
 Value
Amounts at
September 30, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Measured
at NAV(1)
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Assets held in VEBA Trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collective Trust Funds — Domestic Equities
$
125,295

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
125,295

Collective Trust Funds — International Equities
47,245

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
47,245

Exchange Traded Funds — Fixed Income
265,667

 
265,667

 
—

 
—

 
—

Cash Held in Collective Trust Funds
7,894

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,894

Total VEBA Trust Investments
446,101

 
265,667

 
—

 
—

 
180,434

401(h) Investments
67,817

 
9,695

 
26,114

 
218

 
31,790

Total Investments (including 401(h) Investments)
$
513,918

 
$
275,362

 
$
26,114

 
$
218

 
$
212,224

Miscellaneous Accruals (Including Current and Deferred Taxes, Claims Incurred But Not Reported, Administrative)
(118
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Other Post-Retirement Benefit Assets
$
513,800

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Fair
 Value
Amounts at
September 30, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Measured
at NAV(1)
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Assets held in VEBA Trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collective Trust Funds — Domestic Equities
$
130,864

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
130,864

Collective Trust Funds — International Equities
52,063

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
52,063

Exchange Traded Funds — Fixed Income
256,099

 
256,099

 
—

 
—

 
—

Cash Held in Collective Trust Funds
9,569

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
9,569

Total VEBA Trust Investments
448,595

 
256,099

 
—

 
—

 
192,496

401(h) Investments
64,728

 
14,026

 
23,001

 
225

 
27,476

Total Investments (including 401(h) Investments)
$
513,323

 
$
270,125

 
$
23,001

 
$
225

 
$
219,972

Miscellaneous Accruals (Including Current and Deferred Taxes, Claims Incurred But Not Reported, Administrative)
694

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Other Post-Retirement Benefit Assets
$
514,017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
(1)
Reflects the authoritative guidance related to investments measured at the net asset value (NAV) practical expedient.
Schedule Of Significant Unobservable Input Changes In Plan Assets
 
 
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Level 3 Assets
(Thousands)
 
 
 
401(h)
Investments
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2016
 
$
188

 
Unrealized Gains/(Losses)
 
37

 
Balance at September 30, 2017
 
225

 
Unrealized Gains/(Losses)
 
19

 
Sales
 
(26
)
 
Balance at September 30, 2018
 
$
218