Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Benefit Plans

BENEFIT PLANS

Pension Expense

The following table presents net periodic benefit (credit) / cost information relating to the Pension Plans combined:

	For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(In Thousands)				(In Thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit (credit) / cost:
Service cost	$	2,335	$	2,068	$	7,004	$	6,204
Interest cost	3,915		5,538		11,745		16,614
Expected return on plan assets	(10,454)		(9,445)		(31,362)		(28,335)
Amortization of prior service cost	736		920		2,208		2,758
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,383		2,029		4,147		6,086
Net periodic benefit (credit) / cost	$	(2,085)	$	1,110	$	(6,258)	$	3,327

The components of net periodic benefit (credit) / cost other than service cost are included in "Other income, net" in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In addition, AES Indiana provides postretirement health care benefits to certain active or retired employees and the spouses of certain active or retired employees. These postretirement health care benefits and the related unfunded obligation of $4.5 million and $4.3 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were not material to the Financial Statements in the periods covered by this report.