Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Table)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

General Discussion of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components of net periodic pension cost table

The components of our net periodic pension cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the following table. Most of these costs are recoverable through our gas distribution rates; however, a portion of these costs is capitalized into our gas distribution rate base. The remaining costs are recorded as a component of operation and maintenance expense. On October 2, 2013, due to the retirement of one of our executive officers, we recognized a settlement loss of $4.5 million associated with our Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan (SEBP). In association with his retirement, on October 2, 2013, we made a $16.8 million benefit payment from the SEBP.

	Three Months Ended December 31
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	5,051		$	4,738		$	3,896		$	4,196
Interest cost	6,699			6,824			3,596			3,988
Expected return on assets	(6,436		)	(5,901		)	(1,608		)	(1,292		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			68			68
Amortization of prior service credit	(49		)	(34		)	(411		)	(363		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	3,917			3,932			—			158
Settlement loss	—			4,539			—			—
Net periodic pension cost	$	9,182		$	14,098		$	5,541		$	6,755

Schedule of assumptions used table text block

The assumptions used to develop our net periodic pension cost for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.43	%	4.95	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	N/A		N/A
Expected return on plan assets	7.25	%	7.25	%	4.60	%	4.60	%