Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Non-Bargaining Employees,” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees.”  The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in two of these plans: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees.”  Except for the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, the pension plans are noncontributory and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during the final years before retirement.  The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III includes a mandatory employee contribution of 3% of earnings during the first 10 years of plan participation, and allows voluntary contributions from 1% to 10% of earnings for a limited group of employees.

The assets of the seven qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts of the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled in the master trust, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating pension plans.  The fair value of the trust assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

Further, within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment income and contributions, and decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/(loss) (i.e. interest and dividends, realized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension costs in accordance with contribution guidelines established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$172,280			$150,763			$121,961
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263,296			260,929			236,992
Expected return on assets	(328,227		)	(317,423		)	(301,276		)
Amortization of prior service cost	2,125			2,733			3,350
Recognized net loss	213,194			167,279			92,977
Curtailment loss	16,318			—			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—			—
Net periodic pension costs		$352,125			$264,281			$154,004
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		($894,150	)		$552,303			$1,045,624
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,125		)	(2,733		)	(3,350		)
Acceleration of prior service cost to curtailment	(1,307		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss	(213,194		)	(167,279		)	(92,977		)
Total	(1,110,776		)	382,291			949,297
Total recognized as net periodic pension (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($758,651	)		$646,572			$1,103,301
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year:
Prior service cost		$1,600			$2,268			$2,733
Net loss		$146,958			$219,805			$169,064

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States  Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$25,229			$14,258			$17,044			$7,295			$3,264			$6,475			$7,242
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Expected return on assets	(66,951		)	(34,982		)	(41,948		)	(21,139		)	(9,117		)	(22,277		)	(17,249		)
Amortization of prior service cost	23			9			83			10			2			6			9
Recognized net loss	49,517			23,374			34,107			13,189			7,878			13,302			9,560
Curtailment loss	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Net pension cost		$69,013			$31,013			$49,316			$16,283			$10,413			$16,223			$13,702
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain		($177,105	)		($98,610	)		($123,234	)		($52,525	)		($25,419	)		($55,772	)		($35,511	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(23		)	(9		)	(83		)	(10		)	(2		)	(6		)	(9		)
Amortization of net loss	(49,517		)	(23,374		)	(34,107		)	(13,189		)	(7,878		)	(13,302		)	(9,560		)
Total		($226,645	)		($121,993	)		($157,424	)		($65,724	)		($33,299	)		($69,080	)		($45,080	)
Total recognized as net periodic pension income regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($157,632	)		($90,980	)		($108,108	)		($49,441	)		($22,886	)		($52,857	)		($31,378	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$2
Net loss		$35,984			$15,935			$24,360			$9,421			$5,802			$9,363			$9,510

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$22,169			$12,273			$14,675			$6,410			$2,824			$5,684			$5,920
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Expected return on assets	(65,763		)	(34,370		)	(40,836		)	(20,945		)	(8,860		)	(22,325		)	(16,436		)
Amortization of prior service cost	200			19			208			30			7			15			13
Recognized net loss	40,772			16,173			28,197			10,532			6,878			10,179			9,001
Net pension cost		$53,064			$19,774			$37,445			$12,306			$8,457			$10,376			$11,485
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$105,133			$77,207			$76,163			$27,106			$14,282			$28,745			$10,266
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(200		)	(19		)	(208		)	(30		)	(7		)	(15		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	(40,772		)	(16,173		)	(28,197		)	(10,532		)	(6,878		)	(10,179		)	(9,001		)
Total		$64,161			$61,015			$47,758			$16,544			$7,397			$18,551			$1,252
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$117,225			$80,789			$85,203			$28,850			$15,854			$28,927			$12,737
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$23			$9			$83			$10			$2			$6			$10
Net loss		$50,175			$23,731			$34,906			$13,375			$8,046			$13,494			$9,717

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$18,072			$9,848			$11,543			$5,308			$2,242			$4,788			$4,941
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	51,965			23,713			32,636			15,637			7,050			15,971			11,758
Expected return on assets	(62,434		)	(33,358		)	(38,866		)	(20,152		)	(8,455		)	(22,005		)	(15,138		)
Amortization of prior service cost	459			79			280			152			35			65			16
Recognized net loss	25,681			9,118			17,990			6,717			4,666			5,579			5,284
Net pension cost		$33,743			$9,400			$23,583			$7,662			$5,538			$4,398			$6,861
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$217,989			$102,329			$137,100			$56,714			$29,297			$64,662			$52,876
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(459		)	(79		)	(280		)	(152		)	(35		)	(65		)	(16		)
Amortization of net loss	(25,681		)	(9,118		)	(17,990		)	(6,717		)	(4,666		)	(5,579		)	(5,284		)
Total		$191,849			$93,132			$118,830			$49,845			$24,596			$59,018			$47,576
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$225,592			$102,532			$142,413			$57,507			$30,134			$63,416			$54,437
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$200			$19			$208			$30			$7			$15			$13
Net loss		$41,309			$16,295			$28,486			$10,667			$6,935			$10,261			$9,135

Qualified PensionObligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$6,096,639			$5,187,635
Service cost	172,280			150,763
Interest cost	263,296			260,929
Curtailment	15,011			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990		)	693,017
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Balance at end of year		$5,770,999			$6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$3,832,860			$3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386			458,137
Employer contributions	163,367			170,512
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$4,429,237			$3,832,860
Funded status		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$5,027			$308
Net loss	1,494,117			2,352,234
		$1,499,144			$2,352,542
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		$1,292			$9,444
Net loss	383,920			633,146
		$385,212			$642,590

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Service cost	25,229			14,258			17,044			7,295			3,264			6,475			7,242
Interest cost	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Curtailment	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Actuarial gain	(110,943		)	(64,119		)	(80,794		)	(31,684		)	(16,276		)	(33,792		)	(23,882		)
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Balance at end of year		$1,192,640			$579,862			$761,350			$345,824			$163,707			$356,080			$270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Actual return on plan assets	133,113			69,473			84,388			41,980			18,259			44,257			28,878
Employer contributions	35,382			11,550			21,152			8,152			4,175			6,880			8,305
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$896,295			$469,295			$561,892			$281,837			$122,960			$295,751			$196,328
Funded status		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service credit		$—			$—			($1	)		$—			$—			$—			($4	)
Net loss	457,485			178,990			299,740			120,290			69,856			120,619			121,327
	$	457,485		$	178,990		$	299,739		$	120,290		$	69,856		$	120,619		$	121,323
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	—			25,437			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$25,437			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,116,572			$512,432			$704,748			$326,377			$151,966			$337,669			$258,268
Service cost	22,169			12,273			14,675			6,410			2,824			5,684			5,920
Interest cost	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Actuarial loss	134,691			92,275			93,817			36,329			18,000			38,328			13,691
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Balance at end of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$707,275			$366,555			$432,418			$223,981			$94,202			$237,438			$147,091
Actual return on plan assets	95,321			49,438			58,489			30,169			12,578			31,909			19,860
Employer contributions	37,163			13,569			28,816			9,665			5,811			9,091			9,771
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Funded status		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$23			$8			$83			$10			$2			$7			$6
Net loss	683,790			283,847			456,800			185,903			103,072			189,589			166,276
		$683,813			$283,855			$456,883			$185,913			$103,074			$189,596			$166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Prior service cost		$—			$1			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			42,414			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$42,415			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  Substantially all employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement benefit plans.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  At January 1, 1993, the actuarially determined accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) earned by retirees and active employees was estimated to be approximately $241.4 million for Entergy (other than the former Entergy Gulf States) and $128 million for the former Entergy Gulf States (now split into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas).  Such obligations were being amortized over a 20-year period that began in 1993 and ended in 2012.  For the most part, the Registrant Subsidiaries recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs from customers and are required to contribute the other postretirement benefits collected in rates to an external trust.

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  Entergy Arkansas began recovery in 1998, pursuant to an APSC order.  This order also allowed Entergy Arkansas to amortize a regulatory asset (representing the difference between other postretirement benefit costs and cash expenditures for other postretirement benefits incurred from 1993 through 1997) over a 15-year period that began in January 1998 and ended in December 2012.

The LPSC ordered Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted.

Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in bank-administered master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Other postretirement benefit changes

In December 2013, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits which include, among other things, elimination of other postretirement benefits for employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014 and setting a dollar limit cap on Entergy's contribution to retiree medical costs, effective 2019 for those employees who commence their Entergy retirement benefits on or after January 1, 2015. In accordance with accounting standards, certain of the other postretirement benefit changes have been reflected in the December 31, 2013 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Other post retirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$74,654			$68,883			$59,340
Interest cost on APBO	79,453			82,561			74,522
Expected return on assets	(40,323		)	(34,503		)	(29,477		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			3,177			3,183
Amortization of prior service credit	(14,904		)	(18,163		)	(14,070		)
Recognized net loss	44,178			36,448			21,192
Curtailment loss	12,729			—			—
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$155,787			$138,403			$114,690
Other changes in plan assets and benefit  obligations recognized as a regulatory asset  and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period		($116,571	)		$—			($29,507	)
Net (gain)/loss	(405,976		)	92,584			236,594
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	—			(3,177		)	(3,183		)
Amortization of prior service credit	14,904			18,163			14,070
Acceleration of prior service credit due to curtailment	1,989			—			—
Amortization of net loss	(44,178		)	(36,448		)	(21,192		)
Total		($549,832	)		$71,122			$196,782
Total recognized as net periodic benefit cost,  regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($394,045	)		$209,525			$311,472
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic  benefit cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$—			$—			$3,177
Prior service credit		($31,589	)		($13,336	)		($18,163	)
Net loss		$11,197			$45,217			$43,127

Total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,619			$7,910			$8,541			$3,246			$1,752			$3,760			$3,580
Interest cost on APBO	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Expected return on assets	(16,843		)	—			—			(5,335		)	(4,101		)	(9,391		)	(3,350		)
Amortization of prior credit	(689		)	(942		)	(508		)	(204		)	(24		)	(501		)	(126		)
Recognized net loss	7,976			4,598			5,050			2,534			1,509			3,744			1,896
Curtailment loss	4,517			1,546			1,848			596			354			1,436			760
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,125			$22,076			$24,341			$5,126			$2,625			$5,124			$5,705
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for the period		($11,617	)		($8,705	)		($18,844	)		($4,714	)		($4,469	)		($5,359	)		($4,591	)
Net loss		($81,236	)		($40,938	)		($43,743	)		($30,018	)		($18,508	)		($34,562	)		($17,579	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	689			942			508			204			24			501			126
Acceleration of prior service credit/(cost) due to curtailment	78			91			41			20			(4		)	62			9
Amortization of net loss	(7,976		)	(4,598		)	(5,050		)	(2,534		)	(1,509		)	(3,744		)	(1,896		)
Total		($100,062	)		($53,208	)		($67,088	)		($37,042	)		($24,466	)		($43,102	)		($23,931	)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($81,937	)		($31,132	)		($42,747	)		($31,916	)		($21,841	)		($37,978	)		($18,226	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service credit		($2,441	)		($2,236	)		($3,376	)		($918	)		($709	)		($1,301	)		($824	)
Net loss		$1,267			$1,212			$1,511			$149			$56			$800			$464

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,089			$7,521			$7,796			$3,093			$1,689			$3,651			$3,293
Interest cost on APBO	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Expected return on assets	(14,029		)	—			—			(4,521		)	(3,711		)	(8,415		)	(2,601		)
Amortization of transition obligation	820			238			382			351			1,189			187			8
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(63		)
Recognized net loss	8,305			4,737			4,359			2,920			1,559			4,320			1,970
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,107			$21,262			$22,071			$6,420			$4,186			$5,965			$5,635
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$9,066			$5,818			$16,215			$271			$2,260			$191			$2,043
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(820		)	(238		)	(382		)	(351		)	(1,189		)	(187		)	(8		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			63
Amortization of net loss	(8,305		)	(4,737		)	(4,359		)	(2,920		)	(1,559		)	(4,320		)	(1,970		)
Total		$471			$1,667			$11,721			($2,861	)		($526	)		($3,888	)		$128
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$18,578			$22,929			$33,792			$3,559			$3,660			$2,077			$5,763
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($62	)
Net loss		$8,163			$4,693			$5,149			$2,650			$1,587			$3,905			$1,915

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$8,053			$6,158			$6,540			$2,632			$1,448			$3,074			$2,642
Interest cost on APBO	13,742			8,298			8,767			4,370			3,225			5,945			2,666
Expected return on assets	(11,528		)	—			—			(3,906		)	(3,200		)	(7,496		)	(2,115		)
Amortization of transition obligation	821			239			383			352			1,190			187			9
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(589		)
Recognized net loss	6,436			2,896			2,793			2,160			968			2,803			1,477
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$16,994			$16,767			$18,236			$5,469			$3,669			$4,085			$4,090
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		$32,241			$28,721			$24,837			$12,598			$8,946			$23,125			$8,499
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(821		)	(239		)	(383		)	(352		)	(1,190		)	(187		)	(9		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			589
Amortization of net loss	(6,436		)	(2,896		)	(2,793		)	(2,160		)	(968		)	(2,803		)	(1,477		)
Total		$25,514			$26,410			$21,908			$10,225			$6,750			$20,563			$7,602
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$42,508			$43,177			$40,144			$15,694			$10,419			$24,648			$11,692
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$820			$238			$382			$351			$1,189			$187			$8
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($63	)
Net loss		$8,365			$4,778			$4,398			$2,926			$1,562			$4,329			$1,994

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$1,846,922			$1,652,369
Service cost	74,654			68,883
Interest cost	79,453			82,561
Plan amendments	(116,571		)	—
Curtailment	14,718			—
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004		)	102,833
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310			5,999
Balance at end of year		$1,461,910			$1,846,922
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$488,448			$427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314			44,752
Employer contributions	75,660			82,247
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$569,850			$488,448
Funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		($40,602	)		($33,813	)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458		)	(1,324,661		)
Total funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	(93,332		)	(5,307		)
Net loss	165,270			367,519
		$71,938			$362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	(60,988		)	(49,335		)
Net loss	107,996			355,900
		$47,008			$306,565

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Service cost	9,619			7,910			8,541			3,246			1,752			3,760			3,580
Interest cost	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Plan amendments	(11,617		)	(8,705		)	(18,844		)	(4,714		)	(4,469		)	(5,359		)	(4,591		)
Curtailment	4,595			1,637			1,889			616			350			1,498			769
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Actuarial gain	(67,253		)	(40,941		)	(43,747		)	(25,527		)	(13,739		)	(26,048		)	(14,639		)
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737			410			513			245			194			334			105
Balance at end of year		$250,734			$170,302			$168,764			$74,539			$57,874			$115,418			$53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Actual return on plan assets	30,830			—			—			9,826			8,870			17,905			6,292
Employer contributions	21,015			6,960			9,015			4,785			2,567			4,846			5,387
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$231,663			$—			$—			$73,438			$66,539			$131,618			$48,101
Funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($8,803	)		($10,249	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(19,071		)	(161,499		)	(158,515		)	(1,101		)	8,665			16,200			(4,950		)
Total funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($12,996	)		$—			$—			($5,056	)		($4,335	)		($6,505	)		($4,702	)
Net loss	40,272			—			—			9,304			6,485			22,772			10,297
		$27,276			$—			$—			$4,248			$2,150			$16,267			$5,595
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($10,359	)		($19,390	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			31,577			35,001			—			—			—			—
		$—			$21,218			$15,611			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$290,613			$191,877			$196,352			$94,570			$69,316			$133,602			$60,526
Service cost	9,089			7,521			7,796			3,093			1,689			3,651			3,293
Interest cost	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Actuarial loss	13,256			5,818			16,215			1,625			3,240			2,645			2,861
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331			779			908			434			396			644			170
Balance at end of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$164,846			$—			$—			$54,452			$53,418			$105,181			$32,012
Actual return on plan assets	18,219			—			—			5,874			4,691			10,869			3,419
Employer contributions	24,386			7,598			11,035			6,555			4,405			4,852			5,987
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($7,546	)		($9,152	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(121,290		)	(200,441		)	(210,865		)	(37,557		)	(15,549		)	(26,290		)	(28,460		)
Total funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($2,146	)		$—			$—			($566	)		$114			($1,709	)		($246	)
Net loss	129,484			—			—			41,855			26,502			61,077			29,773
		$127,338			$—			$—			$41,289			$26,616			$59,368			$29,527
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($2,687	)		($1,095	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			77,113			83,795			—			—			—			—
		$—			$74,426			$82,700			$—			$—			$—			$—

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $54.5 million in 2013, $26.5 million in 2012, and $24.0 million in 2011.  In 2013, 2012, and 2011 Entergy recognized $33.0 million, $6.3 million, and $4.6 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.  The projected benefit obligation was $154.3 million and $199.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $131.4 million and $180.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Entergy’s non-qualified, non-current pension liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $127.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively; and its current liability was $26.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  The unamortized transition asset, prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($59.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $81.2 million at December 31, 2012) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2012).

The Registrant Subsidiaries (except System Energy) participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2013, 2012, and 2011, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$448		$151		$12		$192		$92		$1,001
2012		$464		$158		$12		$183		$79		$648
2011		$498		$167		$14		$190		$65		$763

Included in the 2013 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $415 thousand for Entergy Texas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2012 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $38 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2011 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $41 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$4,162		$2,511		$50		$1,752		$434		$7,910
2012		$4,323		$2,909		$116		$1,841		$457		$9,732

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,765		$2,510		$50		$1,528		$387		$7,496
2012		$3,856		$2,899		$116		$1,590		$427		$9,127

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($367	)		($262	)		($6	)		($118	)		($20	)		($786	)
Non-current liabilities	(3,795		)	(2,249		)	(44		)	(1,634		)	(414		)	(7,124		)
Total funded status		($4,162	)		($2,511	)		($50	)		($1,752	)		($434	)		($7,910	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$1,979			$422			($87	)		$637			($18	)		($1,631	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$57			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($209	)		($257	)		($17	)		($118	)		($25	)		($853	)
Non-current liabilities	(4,114		)	(2,652		)	(99		)	(1,723		)	(432		)	(8,879		)
Total funded status		($4,323	)		($2,909	)		($116	)		($1,841	)		($457	)		($9,732	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$2,359			$679			($29	)		$800			$88			($465	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$102			$—			$—			$—			$—

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2013:

	Qualified Pension Costs			Other Postretirement Costs			Non-Qualified Pension Costs			Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost		($1,866	)		$12,925			($503	)		$10,556
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	(1,304		)	1,797			(178		)	315
Amortization of loss	(43,971		)	(21,590		)	(2,569		)	(68,130		)
Settlement loss	—			—			(11,612		)	(11,612		)
		($47,141	)		($6,868	)		($14,862	)		($68,871	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		($1	)		$942			$—			$941
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			91			—			91
Amortization of loss	(3,039		)	(4,598		)	(7		)	(7,644		)
		($3,040	)		($3,565	)		($7	)		($6,612	)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		$—			$508			$—			$508
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			41			—			41
Amortization of loss	—			(5,050		)	—			(5,050		)
		$—			($4,501	)		$—			($4,501	)

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana recover other postretirement benefit costs on a pay as you go basis and record the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also requires that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  Entergy determines the MRV of pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns.  For other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy uses fair value when determining MRV.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes, and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. Target asset allocations adjust dynamically based on the funded status of the pension plans.  The following targets and ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.  The target asset allocation range below for pension shows the ranges within which the allocation may adjust based on funded status, with the expectation that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension funded status increases.  The target and range asset allocation for postretirement assets reflects changes made in 2012 as recommended in the latest optimization study

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the target asset allocation and ranges are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	45%	34%	to	53%	46%	44%
International Equity Securities	20%	16%	to	24%	20%	20%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	31%	to	41%	33%	35%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable						Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	34%	to	44%	40%	38%	39%	34%	to	44%	39%	39%
International Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	26%	28%	26%	21%	to	31%	27%	27%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on current assets and expected return available for reinvestment.  The time period reflected is a long dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other trust assets (as described above), with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

• Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-     inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

• Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Pension Trust

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$6,847	(b)		$6,038	(a)		$—		$12,885
Common	915,996		(b)	—			—		915,996
Common collective trusts	—			1,753,958		(c)	—		1,753,958
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	180,718		(b)	152,915		(a)	—		333,633
Corporate debt instruments	—			464,652		(a)	—		464,652
Registered investment companies	316,863		(d)	486,748		(e)	—		803,611
Other	—			129,169		(f)	—		129,169
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,886		(g)	—		36,886
Total investments		$1,420,424			$3,030,366			$—		$4,450,790
Cash									280
Other pending transactions									8,081
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(29,914		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$4,429,237

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$861	(b)		$5,906	(a)		$—		$6,767
Common	787,132		(b)	—			—		787,132
Common collective trusts	—			1,620,315		(c)	—		1,620,315
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	161,593		(b)	150,068		(a)	—		311,661
Corporate debt instruments	—			429,813		(a)	—		429,813
Registered investment companies	50,029		(d)	483,509		(e)	—		533,538
Other	—			111,001		(f)	—		111,001
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,252		(g)	—		36,252
Total investments		$999,615			$2,836,864			$—		$3,836,479
Cash									571
Other pending transactions									4,594
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(8,784		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$3,832,860

Other Postretirement Trusts

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$356,700	(c)		$—		$356,700
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	40,808		(b)	43,471		(a)	—		84,279
Corporate debt instruments	—			50,563		(a)	—		50,563
Registered investment companies	4,163		(d)	—			—		4,163
Other	—			43,458		(f)	—		43,458
Total investments		$44,971			$494,192			$—		$539,163
Other pending transactions									773
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									29,914
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$569,850

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$314,478	(c)		$—		$314,478
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	36,392		(b)	43,398		(a)	—		79,790
Corporate debt instruments	—			42,163		(a)	—		42,163
Registered investment companies	3,229		(d)	—			—		3,229
Other	—			39,846		(f)	—		39,846
Total investments		$39,621			$439,885			$—		$479,506
Other pending transactions									158
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									8,784
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$488,448

(a) Certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b) Common stocks, treasury notes and bonds, and certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c) The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of the common collective trusts estimate fair value.

(d) The registered investment company is a money market mutual fund with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share.

(e) The registered investment company holds investments in domestic and international bond markets and estimates fair value using net asset value per share.

(f) The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g) The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$1,107,023		$1,161,448
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$530,974		$559,190
Entergy Louisiana		$697,945		$735,376
Entergy Mississippi		$318,941		$336,099
Entergy New Orleans		$150,239		$157,233
Entergy Texas		$332,484		$350,351
System Energy		$247,807		$251,378

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension		Non-Qualified Pension		Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)		Estimated Future Medicare Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$232,876		$26,817		$84,038		$5,372
2015		$246,217		$11,687		$79,244		$426
2016		$261,255		$10,242		$80,842		$478
2017		$276,451		$10,522		$82,974		$536
2018		$293,163		$13,421		$87,575		$1,769
2019 - 2023		$1,773,632		$66,317		$485,409		$11,725

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$60,456		$23,039		$34,740		$16,920		$6,615		$18,583		$10,523
2015		$61,587		$24,260		$35,623		$17,669		$7,008		$19,137		$10,883
2016		$63,083		$25,556		$36,833		$18,515		$7,437		$19,744		$11,463
2017		$64,418		$27,111		$38,247		$19,298		$7,941		$20,402		$11,851
2018		$66,281		$28,962		$39,914		$20,237		$8,582		$21,140		$12,615
2019 - 2023		$375,976		$177,010		$229,821		$114,462		$51,610		$118,750		$77,880

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$367		$262		$6		$119		$20		$786
2015		$345		$240		$6		$115		$20		$701
2016		$299		$233		$6		$108		$20		$775
2017		$299		$279		$6		$105		$20		$690
2018		$279		$212		$5		$99		$19		$657
2019 - 2023		$1,916		$932		$21		$648		$223		$2,951

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$17,122		$9,385		$10,967		$4,814		$5,044		$7,540		$2,858
2015		$15,513		$8,899		$10,049		$4,267		$4,475		$6,818		$2,783
2016		$15,523		$9,137		$10,162		$4,340		$4,448		$6,934		$2,786
2017		$15,554		$9,403		$10,289		$4,447		$4,423		$7,079		$2,875
2018		$15,987		$9,912		$10,796		$4,767		$4,502		$7,471		$2,984
2019 - 2023		$82,455		$55,934		$59,068		$25,819		$21,707		$40,067		$16,928

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$1,241		$582		$718		$462		$387		$563		$130
2015		$68		$32		$39		$25		$20		$30		$8
2016		$74		$35		$43		$27		$20		$32		$9
2017		$81		$38		$46		$29		$21		$34		$10
2018		$354		$165		$199		$123		$85		$141		$51
2019 - 2023		$2,252		$1,061		$1,235		$742		$455		$816		$379

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $74.1 million to other postretirement plans in 2014.  The expected 2014 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The required pension contributions will not be known with more certainty until the January 1, 2014 valuations are completed by April 1, 2014.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2014:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions		$93,591		$31,342		$52,885		$21,604		$10,482		$18,482		$21,257
Other Postretirement Contributions		$25,567		$9,385		$10,967		$—		$—		$4,645		$864

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	5.04%-5.26% Blended 5.14%	4.31% - 4.50% Blended 4.36%
Other postretirement	5.05%	4.36%
Non-qualified pension	4.29%	3.37%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2013,  2012, and 2011 were as follows:

	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	4.31% - 4.50%	5.10% - 5.20%	5.60% - 5.70%
Other postretirement	4.36%	5.10%	5.50%
Non-qualified pension	3.37%	4.40%	4.90%
Weighted-average rate of increase   in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%	4.23%
Expected long-term rate of   return on plan assets:
Pension assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	8.50%	8.50%	7.75%
Other postretirement taxable assets	6.50%	6.50%	5.50%

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit transition obligations were amortized over 20 years ending in 2012.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s December 31, 2013 APBO was 7.25% for pre-65 retirees and 7.00% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s 2013 Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost was 7.50% for pre-65 retirees and 7.25% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees.

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects: 

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase /(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Corporation and its   subsidiaries		$173,530		$23,366		($143,969	)		($18,781	)

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees:

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase/(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$27,205		$3,275		($22,483	)		($2,622	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$21,873		$2,792		($17,958	)		($2,219	)
Entergy Louisiana		$18,025		$2,514		($15,012	)		($2,031	)
Entergy Mississippi		$8,235		$1,072		($6,819	)		($858	)
Entergy New Orleans		$4,995		$562		($4,242	)		($461	)
Entergy Texas		$13,439		$1,483		($11,170	)		($1,189	)
System Energy		$7,022		$1,064		($5,746	)		($847	)

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 became law.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit cost under Medicare (Part D), which started in 2006, as well as a federal subsidy to employers who provide a retiree prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2013 and 2012 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation by $53.7 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and reduced the 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit cost by $25.4 million, $31.2 million, and $33.0 million, respectively.  In 2013, Entergy received $3.3 million in Medicare subsidies for prescription drug claims.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies and the actual subsidies received for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	Increase/(Decrease) In Thousands
Impact on 12/31/2013 APBO		($9,639	)		($4,875	)		($5,580	)		($3,060	)		($1,769	)		($3,324	)		($1,973	)
Impact on 12/31/2012 APBO		($62,877	)		($32,055	)		($36,015	)		($19,507	)		($10,902	)		($21,164	)		($13,586	)
Impact on 2013 other postretirement benefit cost		($4,732	)		($2,988	)		($3,025	)		($1,503	)		($729	)		($1,045	)		($1,093	)
Impact on 2012 other postretirement benefit cost		($5,791	)		($3,660	)		($3,643	)		($1,799	)		($995	)		($1,321	)		($1,400	)
Impact on 2011 other postretirement benefit cost		($6,309	)		($3,923	)		($3,889	)		($2,016	)		($1,170	)		($1,528	)		($1,403	)
Medicare subsidies received in 2013		$737			$410			$513			$245			$194			$334			$105

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and its subsidiaries. The employing Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions for all non-bargaining and certain bargaining employees to the System Savings Plan in an amount equal to 70% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The 70% match is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IV (established in 2002), the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007), and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and its subsidiaries.  

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $44.5 million in 2013, $43.7 million in 2012, and $42.6 million in 2011.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2013, 2012, and 2011 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,351		$1,906		$2,393		$1,954		$769		$1,616
2012		$3,223		$1,842		$2,327		$1,875		$740		$1,601
2011		$3,183		$1,804		$2,260		$1,894		$725		$1,613

Entergy Arkansas [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Non-Bargaining Employees,” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees.”  The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in two of these plans: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees.”  Except for the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, the pension plans are noncontributory and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during the final years before retirement.  The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III includes a mandatory employee contribution of 3% of earnings during the first 10 years of plan participation, and allows voluntary contributions from 1% to 10% of earnings for a limited group of employees.

The assets of the seven qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts of the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled in the master trust, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating pension plans.  The fair value of the trust assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

Further, within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment income and contributions, and decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/(loss) (i.e. interest and dividends, realized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension costs in accordance with contribution guidelines established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$172,280			$150,763			$121,961
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263,296			260,929			236,992
Expected return on assets	(328,227		)	(317,423		)	(301,276		)
Amortization of prior service cost	2,125			2,733			3,350
Recognized net loss	213,194			167,279			92,977
Curtailment loss	16,318			—			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—			—
Net periodic pension costs		$352,125			$264,281			$154,004
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		($894,150	)		$552,303			$1,045,624
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,125		)	(2,733		)	(3,350		)
Acceleration of prior service cost to curtailment	(1,307		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss	(213,194		)	(167,279		)	(92,977		)
Total	(1,110,776		)	382,291			949,297
Total recognized as net periodic pension (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($758,651	)		$646,572			$1,103,301
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year:
Prior service cost		$1,600			$2,268			$2,733
Net loss		$146,958			$219,805			$169,064

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States  Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$25,229			$14,258			$17,044			$7,295			$3,264			$6,475			$7,242
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Expected return on assets	(66,951		)	(34,982		)	(41,948		)	(21,139		)	(9,117		)	(22,277		)	(17,249		)
Amortization of prior service cost	23			9			83			10			2			6			9
Recognized net loss	49,517			23,374			34,107			13,189			7,878			13,302			9,560
Curtailment loss	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Net pension cost		$69,013			$31,013			$49,316			$16,283			$10,413			$16,223			$13,702
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain		($177,105	)		($98,610	)		($123,234	)		($52,525	)		($25,419	)		($55,772	)		($35,511	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(23		)	(9		)	(83		)	(10		)	(2		)	(6		)	(9		)
Amortization of net loss	(49,517		)	(23,374		)	(34,107		)	(13,189		)	(7,878		)	(13,302		)	(9,560		)
Total		($226,645	)		($121,993	)		($157,424	)		($65,724	)		($33,299	)		($69,080	)		($45,080	)
Total recognized as net periodic pension income regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($157,632	)		($90,980	)		($108,108	)		($49,441	)		($22,886	)		($52,857	)		($31,378	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$2
Net loss		$35,984			$15,935			$24,360			$9,421			$5,802			$9,363			$9,510

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$22,169			$12,273			$14,675			$6,410			$2,824			$5,684			$5,920
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Expected return on assets	(65,763		)	(34,370		)	(40,836		)	(20,945		)	(8,860		)	(22,325		)	(16,436		)
Amortization of prior service cost	200			19			208			30			7			15			13
Recognized net loss	40,772			16,173			28,197			10,532			6,878			10,179			9,001
Net pension cost		$53,064			$19,774			$37,445			$12,306			$8,457			$10,376			$11,485
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$105,133			$77,207			$76,163			$27,106			$14,282			$28,745			$10,266
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(200		)	(19		)	(208		)	(30		)	(7		)	(15		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	(40,772		)	(16,173		)	(28,197		)	(10,532		)	(6,878		)	(10,179		)	(9,001		)
Total		$64,161			$61,015			$47,758			$16,544			$7,397			$18,551			$1,252
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$117,225			$80,789			$85,203			$28,850			$15,854			$28,927			$12,737
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$23			$9			$83			$10			$2			$6			$10
Net loss		$50,175			$23,731			$34,906			$13,375			$8,046			$13,494			$9,717

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$18,072			$9,848			$11,543			$5,308			$2,242			$4,788			$4,941
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	51,965			23,713			32,636			15,637			7,050			15,971			11,758
Expected return on assets	(62,434		)	(33,358		)	(38,866		)	(20,152		)	(8,455		)	(22,005		)	(15,138		)
Amortization of prior service cost	459			79			280			152			35			65			16
Recognized net loss	25,681			9,118			17,990			6,717			4,666			5,579			5,284
Net pension cost		$33,743			$9,400			$23,583			$7,662			$5,538			$4,398			$6,861
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$217,989			$102,329			$137,100			$56,714			$29,297			$64,662			$52,876
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(459		)	(79		)	(280		)	(152		)	(35		)	(65		)	(16		)
Amortization of net loss	(25,681		)	(9,118		)	(17,990		)	(6,717		)	(4,666		)	(5,579		)	(5,284		)
Total		$191,849			$93,132			$118,830			$49,845			$24,596			$59,018			$47,576
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$225,592			$102,532			$142,413			$57,507			$30,134			$63,416			$54,437
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$200			$19			$208			$30			$7			$15			$13
Net loss		$41,309			$16,295			$28,486			$10,667			$6,935			$10,261			$9,135

Qualified PensionObligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$6,096,639			$5,187,635
Service cost	172,280			150,763
Interest cost	263,296			260,929
Curtailment	15,011			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990		)	693,017
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Balance at end of year		$5,770,999			$6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$3,832,860			$3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386			458,137
Employer contributions	163,367			170,512
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$4,429,237			$3,832,860
Funded status		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$5,027			$308
Net loss	1,494,117			2,352,234
		$1,499,144			$2,352,542
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		$1,292			$9,444
Net loss	383,920			633,146
		$385,212			$642,590

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Service cost	25,229			14,258			17,044			7,295			3,264			6,475			7,242
Interest cost	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Curtailment	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Actuarial gain	(110,943		)	(64,119		)	(80,794		)	(31,684		)	(16,276		)	(33,792		)	(23,882		)
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Balance at end of year		$1,192,640			$579,862			$761,350			$345,824			$163,707			$356,080			$270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Actual return on plan assets	133,113			69,473			84,388			41,980			18,259			44,257			28,878
Employer contributions	35,382			11,550			21,152			8,152			4,175			6,880			8,305
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$896,295			$469,295			$561,892			$281,837			$122,960			$295,751			$196,328
Funded status		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service credit		$—			$—			($1	)		$—			$—			$—			($4	)
Net loss	457,485			178,990			299,740			120,290			69,856			120,619			121,327
	$	457,485		$	178,990		$	299,739		$	120,290		$	69,856		$	120,619		$	121,323
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	—			25,437			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$25,437			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,116,572			$512,432			$704,748			$326,377			$151,966			$337,669			$258,268
Service cost	22,169			12,273			14,675			6,410			2,824			5,684			5,920
Interest cost	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Actuarial loss	134,691			92,275			93,817			36,329			18,000			38,328			13,691
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Balance at end of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$707,275			$366,555			$432,418			$223,981			$94,202			$237,438			$147,091
Actual return on plan assets	95,321			49,438			58,489			30,169			12,578			31,909			19,860
Employer contributions	37,163			13,569			28,816			9,665			5,811			9,091			9,771
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Funded status		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$23			$8			$83			$10			$2			$7			$6
Net loss	683,790			283,847			456,800			185,903			103,072			189,589			166,276
		$683,813			$283,855			$456,883			$185,913			$103,074			$189,596			$166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Prior service cost		$—			$1			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			42,414			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$42,415			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  Substantially all employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement benefit plans.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  At January 1, 1993, the actuarially determined accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) earned by retirees and active employees was estimated to be approximately $241.4 million for Entergy (other than the former Entergy Gulf States) and $128 million for the former Entergy Gulf States (now split into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas).  Such obligations were being amortized over a 20-year period that began in 1993 and ended in 2012.  For the most part, the Registrant Subsidiaries recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs from customers and are required to contribute the other postretirement benefits collected in rates to an external trust.

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  Entergy Arkansas began recovery in 1998, pursuant to an APSC order.  This order also allowed Entergy Arkansas to amortize a regulatory asset (representing the difference between other postretirement benefit costs and cash expenditures for other postretirement benefits incurred from 1993 through 1997) over a 15-year period that began in January 1998 and ended in December 2012.

The LPSC ordered Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted.

Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in bank-administered master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Other postretirement benefit changes

In December 2013, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits which include, among other things, elimination of other postretirement benefits for employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014 and setting a dollar limit cap on Entergy's contribution to retiree medical costs, effective 2019 for those employees who commence their Entergy retirement benefits on or after January 1, 2015. In accordance with accounting standards, certain of the other postretirement benefit changes have been reflected in the December 31, 2013 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Other post retirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$74,654			$68,883			$59,340
Interest cost on APBO	79,453			82,561			74,522
Expected return on assets	(40,323		)	(34,503		)	(29,477		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			3,177			3,183
Amortization of prior service credit	(14,904		)	(18,163		)	(14,070		)
Recognized net loss	44,178			36,448			21,192
Curtailment loss	12,729			—			—
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$155,787			$138,403			$114,690
Other changes in plan assets and benefit  obligations recognized as a regulatory asset  and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period		($116,571	)		$—			($29,507	)
Net (gain)/loss	(405,976		)	92,584			236,594
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	—			(3,177		)	(3,183		)
Amortization of prior service credit	14,904			18,163			14,070
Acceleration of prior service credit due to curtailment	1,989			—			—
Amortization of net loss	(44,178		)	(36,448		)	(21,192		)
Total		($549,832	)		$71,122			$196,782
Total recognized as net periodic benefit cost,  regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($394,045	)		$209,525			$311,472
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic  benefit cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$—			$—			$3,177
Prior service credit		($31,589	)		($13,336	)		($18,163	)
Net loss		$11,197			$45,217			$43,127

Total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,619			$7,910			$8,541			$3,246			$1,752			$3,760			$3,580
Interest cost on APBO	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Expected return on assets	(16,843		)	—			—			(5,335		)	(4,101		)	(9,391		)	(3,350		)
Amortization of prior credit	(689		)	(942		)	(508		)	(204		)	(24		)	(501		)	(126		)
Recognized net loss	7,976			4,598			5,050			2,534			1,509			3,744			1,896
Curtailment loss	4,517			1,546			1,848			596			354			1,436			760
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,125			$22,076			$24,341			$5,126			$2,625			$5,124			$5,705
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for the period		($11,617	)		($8,705	)		($18,844	)		($4,714	)		($4,469	)		($5,359	)		($4,591	)
Net loss		($81,236	)		($40,938	)		($43,743	)		($30,018	)		($18,508	)		($34,562	)		($17,579	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	689			942			508			204			24			501			126
Acceleration of prior service credit/(cost) due to curtailment	78			91			41			20			(4		)	62			9
Amortization of net loss	(7,976		)	(4,598		)	(5,050		)	(2,534		)	(1,509		)	(3,744		)	(1,896		)
Total		($100,062	)		($53,208	)		($67,088	)		($37,042	)		($24,466	)		($43,102	)		($23,931	)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($81,937	)		($31,132	)		($42,747	)		($31,916	)		($21,841	)		($37,978	)		($18,226	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service credit		($2,441	)		($2,236	)		($3,376	)		($918	)		($709	)		($1,301	)		($824	)
Net loss		$1,267			$1,212			$1,511			$149			$56			$800			$464

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,089			$7,521			$7,796			$3,093			$1,689			$3,651			$3,293
Interest cost on APBO	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Expected return on assets	(14,029		)	—			—			(4,521		)	(3,711		)	(8,415		)	(2,601		)
Amortization of transition obligation	820			238			382			351			1,189			187			8
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(63		)
Recognized net loss	8,305			4,737			4,359			2,920			1,559			4,320			1,970
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,107			$21,262			$22,071			$6,420			$4,186			$5,965			$5,635
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$9,066			$5,818			$16,215			$271			$2,260			$191			$2,043
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(820		)	(238		)	(382		)	(351		)	(1,189		)	(187		)	(8		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			63
Amortization of net loss	(8,305		)	(4,737		)	(4,359		)	(2,920		)	(1,559		)	(4,320		)	(1,970		)
Total		$471			$1,667			$11,721			($2,861	)		($526	)		($3,888	)		$128
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$18,578			$22,929			$33,792			$3,559			$3,660			$2,077			$5,763
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($62	)
Net loss		$8,163			$4,693			$5,149			$2,650			$1,587			$3,905			$1,915

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$8,053			$6,158			$6,540			$2,632			$1,448			$3,074			$2,642
Interest cost on APBO	13,742			8,298			8,767			4,370			3,225			5,945			2,666
Expected return on assets	(11,528		)	—			—			(3,906		)	(3,200		)	(7,496		)	(2,115		)
Amortization of transition obligation	821			239			383			352			1,190			187			9
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(589		)
Recognized net loss	6,436			2,896			2,793			2,160			968			2,803			1,477
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$16,994			$16,767			$18,236			$5,469			$3,669			$4,085			$4,090
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		$32,241			$28,721			$24,837			$12,598			$8,946			$23,125			$8,499
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(821		)	(239		)	(383		)	(352		)	(1,190		)	(187		)	(9		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			589
Amortization of net loss	(6,436		)	(2,896		)	(2,793		)	(2,160		)	(968		)	(2,803		)	(1,477		)
Total		$25,514			$26,410			$21,908			$10,225			$6,750			$20,563			$7,602
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$42,508			$43,177			$40,144			$15,694			$10,419			$24,648			$11,692
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$820			$238			$382			$351			$1,189			$187			$8
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($63	)
Net loss		$8,365			$4,778			$4,398			$2,926			$1,562			$4,329			$1,994

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$1,846,922			$1,652,369
Service cost	74,654			68,883
Interest cost	79,453			82,561
Plan amendments	(116,571		)	—
Curtailment	14,718			—
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004		)	102,833
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310			5,999
Balance at end of year		$1,461,910			$1,846,922
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$488,448			$427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314			44,752
Employer contributions	75,660			82,247
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$569,850			$488,448
Funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		($40,602	)		($33,813	)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458		)	(1,324,661		)
Total funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	(93,332		)	(5,307		)
Net loss	165,270			367,519
		$71,938			$362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	(60,988		)	(49,335		)
Net loss	107,996			355,900
		$47,008			$306,565

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Service cost	9,619			7,910			8,541			3,246			1,752			3,760			3,580
Interest cost	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Plan amendments	(11,617		)	(8,705		)	(18,844		)	(4,714		)	(4,469		)	(5,359		)	(4,591		)
Curtailment	4,595			1,637			1,889			616			350			1,498			769
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Actuarial gain	(67,253		)	(40,941		)	(43,747		)	(25,527		)	(13,739		)	(26,048		)	(14,639		)
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737			410			513			245			194			334			105
Balance at end of year		$250,734			$170,302			$168,764			$74,539			$57,874			$115,418			$53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Actual return on plan assets	30,830			—			—			9,826			8,870			17,905			6,292
Employer contributions	21,015			6,960			9,015			4,785			2,567			4,846			5,387
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$231,663			$—			$—			$73,438			$66,539			$131,618			$48,101
Funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($8,803	)		($10,249	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(19,071		)	(161,499		)	(158,515		)	(1,101		)	8,665			16,200			(4,950		)
Total funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($12,996	)		$—			$—			($5,056	)		($4,335	)		($6,505	)		($4,702	)
Net loss	40,272			—			—			9,304			6,485			22,772			10,297
		$27,276			$—			$—			$4,248			$2,150			$16,267			$5,595
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($10,359	)		($19,390	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			31,577			35,001			—			—			—			—
		$—			$21,218			$15,611			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$290,613			$191,877			$196,352			$94,570			$69,316			$133,602			$60,526
Service cost	9,089			7,521			7,796			3,093			1,689			3,651			3,293
Interest cost	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Actuarial loss	13,256			5,818			16,215			1,625			3,240			2,645			2,861
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331			779			908			434			396			644			170
Balance at end of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$164,846			$—			$—			$54,452			$53,418			$105,181			$32,012
Actual return on plan assets	18,219			—			—			5,874			4,691			10,869			3,419
Employer contributions	24,386			7,598			11,035			6,555			4,405			4,852			5,987
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($7,546	)		($9,152	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(121,290		)	(200,441		)	(210,865		)	(37,557		)	(15,549		)	(26,290		)	(28,460		)
Total funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($2,146	)		$—			$—			($566	)		$114			($1,709	)		($246	)
Net loss	129,484			—			—			41,855			26,502			61,077			29,773
		$127,338			$—			$—			$41,289			$26,616			$59,368			$29,527
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($2,687	)		($1,095	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			77,113			83,795			—			—			—			—
		$—			$74,426			$82,700			$—			$—			$—			$—

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $54.5 million in 2013, $26.5 million in 2012, and $24.0 million in 2011.  In 2013, 2012, and 2011 Entergy recognized $33.0 million, $6.3 million, and $4.6 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.  The projected benefit obligation was $154.3 million and $199.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $131.4 million and $180.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Entergy’s non-qualified, non-current pension liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $127.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively; and its current liability was $26.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  The unamortized transition asset, prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($59.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $81.2 million at December 31, 2012) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2012).

The Registrant Subsidiaries (except System Energy) participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2013, 2012, and 2011, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$448		$151		$12		$192		$92		$1,001
2012		$464		$158		$12		$183		$79		$648
2011		$498		$167		$14		$190		$65		$763

Included in the 2013 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $415 thousand for Entergy Texas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2012 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $38 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2011 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $41 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$4,162		$2,511		$50		$1,752		$434		$7,910
2012		$4,323		$2,909		$116		$1,841		$457		$9,732

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,765		$2,510		$50		$1,528		$387		$7,496
2012		$3,856		$2,899		$116		$1,590		$427		$9,127

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($367	)		($262	)		($6	)		($118	)		($20	)		($786	)
Non-current liabilities	(3,795		)	(2,249		)	(44		)	(1,634		)	(414		)	(7,124		)
Total funded status		($4,162	)		($2,511	)		($50	)		($1,752	)		($434	)		($7,910	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$1,979			$422			($87	)		$637			($18	)		($1,631	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$57			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($209	)		($257	)		($17	)		($118	)		($25	)		($853	)
Non-current liabilities	(4,114		)	(2,652		)	(99		)	(1,723		)	(432		)	(8,879		)
Total funded status		($4,323	)		($2,909	)		($116	)		($1,841	)		($457	)		($9,732	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$2,359			$679			($29	)		$800			$88			($465	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$102			$—			$—			$—			$—

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2013:

	Qualified Pension Costs			Other Postretirement Costs			Non-Qualified Pension Costs			Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost		($1,866	)		$12,925			($503	)		$10,556
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	(1,304		)	1,797			(178		)	315
Amortization of loss	(43,971		)	(21,590		)	(2,569		)	(68,130		)
Settlement loss	—			—			(11,612		)	(11,612		)
		($47,141	)		($6,868	)		($14,862	)		($68,871	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		($1	)		$942			$—			$941
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			91			—			91
Amortization of loss	(3,039		)	(4,598		)	(7		)	(7,644		)
		($3,040	)		($3,565	)		($7	)		($6,612	)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		$—			$508			$—			$508
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			41			—			41
Amortization of loss	—			(5,050		)	—			(5,050		)
		$—			($4,501	)		$—			($4,501	)

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana recover other postretirement benefit costs on a pay as you go basis and record the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also requires that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  Entergy determines the MRV of pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns.  For other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy uses fair value when determining MRV.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes, and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. Target asset allocations adjust dynamically based on the funded status of the pension plans.  The following targets and ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.  The target asset allocation range below for pension shows the ranges within which the allocation may adjust based on funded status, with the expectation that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension funded status increases.  The target and range asset allocation for postretirement assets reflects changes made in 2012 as recommended in the latest optimization study

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the target asset allocation and ranges are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	45%	34%	to	53%	46%	44%
International Equity Securities	20%	16%	to	24%	20%	20%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	31%	to	41%	33%	35%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable						Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	34%	to	44%	40%	38%	39%	34%	to	44%	39%	39%
International Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	26%	28%	26%	21%	to	31%	27%	27%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on current assets and expected return available for reinvestment.  The time period reflected is a long dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other trust assets (as described above), with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

• Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-     inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

• Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Pension Trust

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$6,847	(b)		$6,038	(a)		$—		$12,885
Common	915,996		(b)	—			—		915,996
Common collective trusts	—			1,753,958		(c)	—		1,753,958
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	180,718		(b)	152,915		(a)	—		333,633
Corporate debt instruments	—			464,652		(a)	—		464,652
Registered investment companies	316,863		(d)	486,748		(e)	—		803,611
Other	—			129,169		(f)	—		129,169
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,886		(g)	—		36,886
Total investments		$1,420,424			$3,030,366			$—		$4,450,790
Cash									280
Other pending transactions									8,081
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(29,914		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$4,429,237

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$861	(b)		$5,906	(a)		$—		$6,767
Common	787,132		(b)	—			—		787,132
Common collective trusts	—			1,620,315		(c)	—		1,620,315
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	161,593		(b)	150,068		(a)	—		311,661
Corporate debt instruments	—			429,813		(a)	—		429,813
Registered investment companies	50,029		(d)	483,509		(e)	—		533,538
Other	—			111,001		(f)	—		111,001
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,252		(g)	—		36,252
Total investments		$999,615			$2,836,864			$—		$3,836,479
Cash									571
Other pending transactions									4,594
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(8,784		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$3,832,860

Other Postretirement Trusts

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$356,700	(c)		$—		$356,700
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	40,808		(b)	43,471		(a)	—		84,279
Corporate debt instruments	—			50,563		(a)	—		50,563
Registered investment companies	4,163		(d)	—			—		4,163
Other	—			43,458		(f)	—		43,458
Total investments		$44,971			$494,192			$—		$539,163
Other pending transactions									773
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									29,914
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$569,850

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$314,478	(c)		$—		$314,478
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	36,392		(b)	43,398		(a)	—		79,790
Corporate debt instruments	—			42,163		(a)	—		42,163
Registered investment companies	3,229		(d)	—			—		3,229
Other	—			39,846		(f)	—		39,846
Total investments		$39,621			$439,885			$—		$479,506
Other pending transactions									158
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									8,784
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$488,448

(a) Certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b) Common stocks, treasury notes and bonds, and certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c) The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of the common collective trusts estimate fair value.

(d) The registered investment company is a money market mutual fund with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share.

(e) The registered investment company holds investments in domestic and international bond markets and estimates fair value using net asset value per share.

(f) The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g) The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$1,107,023		$1,161,448
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$530,974		$559,190
Entergy Louisiana		$697,945		$735,376
Entergy Mississippi		$318,941		$336,099
Entergy New Orleans		$150,239		$157,233
Entergy Texas		$332,484		$350,351
System Energy		$247,807		$251,378

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension		Non-Qualified Pension		Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)		Estimated Future Medicare Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$232,876		$26,817		$84,038		$5,372
2015		$246,217		$11,687		$79,244		$426
2016		$261,255		$10,242		$80,842		$478
2017		$276,451		$10,522		$82,974		$536
2018		$293,163		$13,421		$87,575		$1,769
2019 - 2023		$1,773,632		$66,317		$485,409		$11,725

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$60,456		$23,039		$34,740		$16,920		$6,615		$18,583		$10,523
2015		$61,587		$24,260		$35,623		$17,669		$7,008		$19,137		$10,883
2016		$63,083		$25,556		$36,833		$18,515		$7,437		$19,744		$11,463
2017		$64,418		$27,111		$38,247		$19,298		$7,941		$20,402		$11,851
2018		$66,281		$28,962		$39,914		$20,237		$8,582		$21,140		$12,615
2019 - 2023		$375,976		$177,010		$229,821		$114,462		$51,610		$118,750		$77,880

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$367		$262		$6		$119		$20		$786
2015		$345		$240		$6		$115		$20		$701
2016		$299		$233		$6		$108		$20		$775
2017		$299		$279		$6		$105		$20		$690
2018		$279		$212		$5		$99		$19		$657
2019 - 2023		$1,916		$932		$21		$648		$223		$2,951

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$17,122		$9,385		$10,967		$4,814		$5,044		$7,540		$2,858
2015		$15,513		$8,899		$10,049		$4,267		$4,475		$6,818		$2,783
2016		$15,523		$9,137		$10,162		$4,340		$4,448		$6,934		$2,786
2017		$15,554		$9,403		$10,289		$4,447		$4,423		$7,079		$2,875
2018		$15,987		$9,912		$10,796		$4,767		$4,502		$7,471		$2,984
2019 - 2023		$82,455		$55,934		$59,068		$25,819		$21,707		$40,067		$16,928

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$1,241		$582		$718		$462		$387		$563		$130
2015		$68		$32		$39		$25		$20		$30		$8
2016		$74		$35		$43		$27		$20		$32		$9
2017		$81		$38		$46		$29		$21		$34		$10
2018		$354		$165		$199		$123		$85		$141		$51
2019 - 2023		$2,252		$1,061		$1,235		$742		$455		$816		$379

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $74.1 million to other postretirement plans in 2014.  The expected 2014 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The required pension contributions will not be known with more certainty until the January 1, 2014 valuations are completed by April 1, 2014.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2014:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions		$93,591		$31,342		$52,885		$21,604		$10,482		$18,482		$21,257
Other Postretirement Contributions		$25,567		$9,385		$10,967		$—		$—		$4,645		$864

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	5.04%-5.26% Blended 5.14%	4.31% - 4.50% Blended 4.36%
Other postretirement	5.05%	4.36%
Non-qualified pension	4.29%	3.37%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2013,  2012, and 2011 were as follows:

	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	4.31% - 4.50%	5.10% - 5.20%	5.60% - 5.70%
Other postretirement	4.36%	5.10%	5.50%
Non-qualified pension	3.37%	4.40%	4.90%
Weighted-average rate of increase   in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%	4.23%
Expected long-term rate of   return on plan assets:
Pension assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	8.50%	8.50%	7.75%
Other postretirement taxable assets	6.50%	6.50%	5.50%

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit transition obligations were amortized over 20 years ending in 2012.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s December 31, 2013 APBO was 7.25% for pre-65 retirees and 7.00% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s 2013 Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost was 7.50% for pre-65 retirees and 7.25% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees.

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects: 

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase /(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Corporation and its   subsidiaries		$173,530		$23,366		($143,969	)		($18,781	)

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees:

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase/(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$27,205		$3,275		($22,483	)		($2,622	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$21,873		$2,792		($17,958	)		($2,219	)
Entergy Louisiana		$18,025		$2,514		($15,012	)		($2,031	)
Entergy Mississippi		$8,235		$1,072		($6,819	)		($858	)
Entergy New Orleans		$4,995		$562		($4,242	)		($461	)
Entergy Texas		$13,439		$1,483		($11,170	)		($1,189	)
System Energy		$7,022		$1,064		($5,746	)		($847	)

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 became law.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit cost under Medicare (Part D), which started in 2006, as well as a federal subsidy to employers who provide a retiree prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2013 and 2012 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation by $53.7 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and reduced the 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit cost by $25.4 million, $31.2 million, and $33.0 million, respectively.  In 2013, Entergy received $3.3 million in Medicare subsidies for prescription drug claims.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies and the actual subsidies received for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	Increase/(Decrease) In Thousands
Impact on 12/31/2013 APBO		($9,639	)		($4,875	)		($5,580	)		($3,060	)		($1,769	)		($3,324	)		($1,973	)
Impact on 12/31/2012 APBO		($62,877	)		($32,055	)		($36,015	)		($19,507	)		($10,902	)		($21,164	)		($13,586	)
Impact on 2013 other postretirement benefit cost		($4,732	)		($2,988	)		($3,025	)		($1,503	)		($729	)		($1,045	)		($1,093	)
Impact on 2012 other postretirement benefit cost		($5,791	)		($3,660	)		($3,643	)		($1,799	)		($995	)		($1,321	)		($1,400	)
Impact on 2011 other postretirement benefit cost		($6,309	)		($3,923	)		($3,889	)		($2,016	)		($1,170	)		($1,528	)		($1,403	)
Medicare subsidies received in 2013		$737			$410			$513			$245			$194			$334			$105

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and its subsidiaries. The employing Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions for all non-bargaining and certain bargaining employees to the System Savings Plan in an amount equal to 70% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The 70% match is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IV (established in 2002), the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007), and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and its subsidiaries.  

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $44.5 million in 2013, $43.7 million in 2012, and $42.6 million in 2011.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2013, 2012, and 2011 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,351		$1,906		$2,393		$1,954		$769		$1,616
2012		$3,223		$1,842		$2,327		$1,875		$740		$1,601
2011		$3,183		$1,804		$2,260		$1,894		$725		$1,613

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Non-Bargaining Employees,” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees.”  The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in two of these plans: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees.”  Except for the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, the pension plans are noncontributory and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during the final years before retirement.  The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III includes a mandatory employee contribution of 3% of earnings during the first 10 years of plan participation, and allows voluntary contributions from 1% to 10% of earnings for a limited group of employees.

The assets of the seven qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts of the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled in the master trust, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating pension plans.  The fair value of the trust assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

Further, within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment income and contributions, and decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/(loss) (i.e. interest and dividends, realized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension costs in accordance with contribution guidelines established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$172,280			$150,763			$121,961
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263,296			260,929			236,992
Expected return on assets	(328,227		)	(317,423		)	(301,276		)
Amortization of prior service cost	2,125			2,733			3,350
Recognized net loss	213,194			167,279			92,977
Curtailment loss	16,318			—			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—			—
Net periodic pension costs		$352,125			$264,281			$154,004
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		($894,150	)		$552,303			$1,045,624
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,125		)	(2,733		)	(3,350		)
Acceleration of prior service cost to curtailment	(1,307		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss	(213,194		)	(167,279		)	(92,977		)
Total	(1,110,776		)	382,291			949,297
Total recognized as net periodic pension (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($758,651	)		$646,572			$1,103,301
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year:
Prior service cost		$1,600			$2,268			$2,733
Net loss		$146,958			$219,805			$169,064

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States  Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$25,229			$14,258			$17,044			$7,295			$3,264			$6,475			$7,242
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Expected return on assets	(66,951		)	(34,982		)	(41,948		)	(21,139		)	(9,117		)	(22,277		)	(17,249		)
Amortization of prior service cost	23			9			83			10			2			6			9
Recognized net loss	49,517			23,374			34,107			13,189			7,878			13,302			9,560
Curtailment loss	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Net pension cost		$69,013			$31,013			$49,316			$16,283			$10,413			$16,223			$13,702
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain		($177,105	)		($98,610	)		($123,234	)		($52,525	)		($25,419	)		($55,772	)		($35,511	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(23		)	(9		)	(83		)	(10		)	(2		)	(6		)	(9		)
Amortization of net loss	(49,517		)	(23,374		)	(34,107		)	(13,189		)	(7,878		)	(13,302		)	(9,560		)
Total		($226,645	)		($121,993	)		($157,424	)		($65,724	)		($33,299	)		($69,080	)		($45,080	)
Total recognized as net periodic pension income regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($157,632	)		($90,980	)		($108,108	)		($49,441	)		($22,886	)		($52,857	)		($31,378	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$2
Net loss		$35,984			$15,935			$24,360			$9,421			$5,802			$9,363			$9,510

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$22,169			$12,273			$14,675			$6,410			$2,824			$5,684			$5,920
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Expected return on assets	(65,763		)	(34,370		)	(40,836		)	(20,945		)	(8,860		)	(22,325		)	(16,436		)
Amortization of prior service cost	200			19			208			30			7			15			13
Recognized net loss	40,772			16,173			28,197			10,532			6,878			10,179			9,001
Net pension cost		$53,064			$19,774			$37,445			$12,306			$8,457			$10,376			$11,485
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$105,133			$77,207			$76,163			$27,106			$14,282			$28,745			$10,266
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(200		)	(19		)	(208		)	(30		)	(7		)	(15		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	(40,772		)	(16,173		)	(28,197		)	(10,532		)	(6,878		)	(10,179		)	(9,001		)
Total		$64,161			$61,015			$47,758			$16,544			$7,397			$18,551			$1,252
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$117,225			$80,789			$85,203			$28,850			$15,854			$28,927			$12,737
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$23			$9			$83			$10			$2			$6			$10
Net loss		$50,175			$23,731			$34,906			$13,375			$8,046			$13,494			$9,717

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$18,072			$9,848			$11,543			$5,308			$2,242			$4,788			$4,941
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	51,965			23,713			32,636			15,637			7,050			15,971			11,758
Expected return on assets	(62,434		)	(33,358		)	(38,866		)	(20,152		)	(8,455		)	(22,005		)	(15,138		)
Amortization of prior service cost	459			79			280			152			35			65			16
Recognized net loss	25,681			9,118			17,990			6,717			4,666			5,579			5,284
Net pension cost		$33,743			$9,400			$23,583			$7,662			$5,538			$4,398			$6,861
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$217,989			$102,329			$137,100			$56,714			$29,297			$64,662			$52,876
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(459		)	(79		)	(280		)	(152		)	(35		)	(65		)	(16		)
Amortization of net loss	(25,681		)	(9,118		)	(17,990		)	(6,717		)	(4,666		)	(5,579		)	(5,284		)
Total		$191,849			$93,132			$118,830			$49,845			$24,596			$59,018			$47,576
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$225,592			$102,532			$142,413			$57,507			$30,134			$63,416			$54,437
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$200			$19			$208			$30			$7			$15			$13
Net loss		$41,309			$16,295			$28,486			$10,667			$6,935			$10,261			$9,135

Qualified PensionObligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$6,096,639			$5,187,635
Service cost	172,280			150,763
Interest cost	263,296			260,929
Curtailment	15,011			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990		)	693,017
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Balance at end of year		$5,770,999			$6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$3,832,860			$3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386			458,137
Employer contributions	163,367			170,512
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$4,429,237			$3,832,860
Funded status		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$5,027			$308
Net loss	1,494,117			2,352,234
		$1,499,144			$2,352,542
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		$1,292			$9,444
Net loss	383,920			633,146
		$385,212			$642,590

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Service cost	25,229			14,258			17,044			7,295			3,264			6,475			7,242
Interest cost	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Curtailment	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Actuarial gain	(110,943		)	(64,119		)	(80,794		)	(31,684		)	(16,276		)	(33,792		)	(23,882		)
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Balance at end of year		$1,192,640			$579,862			$761,350			$345,824			$163,707			$356,080			$270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Actual return on plan assets	133,113			69,473			84,388			41,980			18,259			44,257			28,878
Employer contributions	35,382			11,550			21,152			8,152			4,175			6,880			8,305
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$896,295			$469,295			$561,892			$281,837			$122,960			$295,751			$196,328
Funded status		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service credit		$—			$—			($1	)		$—			$—			$—			($4	)
Net loss	457,485			178,990			299,740			120,290			69,856			120,619			121,327
	$	457,485		$	178,990		$	299,739		$	120,290		$	69,856		$	120,619		$	121,323
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	—			25,437			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$25,437			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,116,572			$512,432			$704,748			$326,377			$151,966			$337,669			$258,268
Service cost	22,169			12,273			14,675			6,410			2,824			5,684			5,920
Interest cost	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Actuarial loss	134,691			92,275			93,817			36,329			18,000			38,328			13,691
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Balance at end of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$707,275			$366,555			$432,418			$223,981			$94,202			$237,438			$147,091
Actual return on plan assets	95,321			49,438			58,489			30,169			12,578			31,909			19,860
Employer contributions	37,163			13,569			28,816			9,665			5,811			9,091			9,771
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Funded status		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$23			$8			$83			$10			$2			$7			$6
Net loss	683,790			283,847			456,800			185,903			103,072			189,589			166,276
		$683,813			$283,855			$456,883			$185,913			$103,074			$189,596			$166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Prior service cost		$—			$1			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			42,414			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$42,415			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  Substantially all employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement benefit plans.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  At January 1, 1993, the actuarially determined accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) earned by retirees and active employees was estimated to be approximately $241.4 million for Entergy (other than the former Entergy Gulf States) and $128 million for the former Entergy Gulf States (now split into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas).  Such obligations were being amortized over a 20-year period that began in 1993 and ended in 2012.  For the most part, the Registrant Subsidiaries recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs from customers and are required to contribute the other postretirement benefits collected in rates to an external trust.

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  Entergy Arkansas began recovery in 1998, pursuant to an APSC order.  This order also allowed Entergy Arkansas to amortize a regulatory asset (representing the difference between other postretirement benefit costs and cash expenditures for other postretirement benefits incurred from 1993 through 1997) over a 15-year period that began in January 1998 and ended in December 2012.

The LPSC ordered Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted.

Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in bank-administered master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Other postretirement benefit changes

In December 2013, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits which include, among other things, elimination of other postretirement benefits for employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014 and setting a dollar limit cap on Entergy's contribution to retiree medical costs, effective 2019 for those employees who commence their Entergy retirement benefits on or after January 1, 2015. In accordance with accounting standards, certain of the other postretirement benefit changes have been reflected in the December 31, 2013 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Other post retirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$74,654			$68,883			$59,340
Interest cost on APBO	79,453			82,561			74,522
Expected return on assets	(40,323		)	(34,503		)	(29,477		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			3,177			3,183
Amortization of prior service credit	(14,904		)	(18,163		)	(14,070		)
Recognized net loss	44,178			36,448			21,192
Curtailment loss	12,729			—			—
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$155,787			$138,403			$114,690
Other changes in plan assets and benefit  obligations recognized as a regulatory asset  and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period		($116,571	)		$—			($29,507	)
Net (gain)/loss	(405,976		)	92,584			236,594
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	—			(3,177		)	(3,183		)
Amortization of prior service credit	14,904			18,163			14,070
Acceleration of prior service credit due to curtailment	1,989			—			—
Amortization of net loss	(44,178		)	(36,448		)	(21,192		)
Total		($549,832	)		$71,122			$196,782
Total recognized as net periodic benefit cost,  regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($394,045	)		$209,525			$311,472
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic  benefit cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$—			$—			$3,177
Prior service credit		($31,589	)		($13,336	)		($18,163	)
Net loss		$11,197			$45,217			$43,127

Total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,619			$7,910			$8,541			$3,246			$1,752			$3,760			$3,580
Interest cost on APBO	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Expected return on assets	(16,843		)	—			—			(5,335		)	(4,101		)	(9,391		)	(3,350		)
Amortization of prior credit	(689		)	(942		)	(508		)	(204		)	(24		)	(501		)	(126		)
Recognized net loss	7,976			4,598			5,050			2,534			1,509			3,744			1,896
Curtailment loss	4,517			1,546			1,848			596			354			1,436			760
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,125			$22,076			$24,341			$5,126			$2,625			$5,124			$5,705
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for the period		($11,617	)		($8,705	)		($18,844	)		($4,714	)		($4,469	)		($5,359	)		($4,591	)
Net loss		($81,236	)		($40,938	)		($43,743	)		($30,018	)		($18,508	)		($34,562	)		($17,579	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	689			942			508			204			24			501			126
Acceleration of prior service credit/(cost) due to curtailment	78			91			41			20			(4		)	62			9
Amortization of net loss	(7,976		)	(4,598		)	(5,050		)	(2,534		)	(1,509		)	(3,744		)	(1,896		)
Total		($100,062	)		($53,208	)		($67,088	)		($37,042	)		($24,466	)		($43,102	)		($23,931	)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($81,937	)		($31,132	)		($42,747	)		($31,916	)		($21,841	)		($37,978	)		($18,226	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service credit		($2,441	)		($2,236	)		($3,376	)		($918	)		($709	)		($1,301	)		($824	)
Net loss		$1,267			$1,212			$1,511			$149			$56			$800			$464

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,089			$7,521			$7,796			$3,093			$1,689			$3,651			$3,293
Interest cost on APBO	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Expected return on assets	(14,029		)	—			—			(4,521		)	(3,711		)	(8,415		)	(2,601		)
Amortization of transition obligation	820			238			382			351			1,189			187			8
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(63		)
Recognized net loss	8,305			4,737			4,359			2,920			1,559			4,320			1,970
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,107			$21,262			$22,071			$6,420			$4,186			$5,965			$5,635
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$9,066			$5,818			$16,215			$271			$2,260			$191			$2,043
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(820		)	(238		)	(382		)	(351		)	(1,189		)	(187		)	(8		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			63
Amortization of net loss	(8,305		)	(4,737		)	(4,359		)	(2,920		)	(1,559		)	(4,320		)	(1,970		)
Total		$471			$1,667			$11,721			($2,861	)		($526	)		($3,888	)		$128
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$18,578			$22,929			$33,792			$3,559			$3,660			$2,077			$5,763
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($62	)
Net loss		$8,163			$4,693			$5,149			$2,650			$1,587			$3,905			$1,915

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$8,053			$6,158			$6,540			$2,632			$1,448			$3,074			$2,642
Interest cost on APBO	13,742			8,298			8,767			4,370			3,225			5,945			2,666
Expected return on assets	(11,528		)	—			—			(3,906		)	(3,200		)	(7,496		)	(2,115		)
Amortization of transition obligation	821			239			383			352			1,190			187			9
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(589		)
Recognized net loss	6,436			2,896			2,793			2,160			968			2,803			1,477
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$16,994			$16,767			$18,236			$5,469			$3,669			$4,085			$4,090
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		$32,241			$28,721			$24,837			$12,598			$8,946			$23,125			$8,499
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(821		)	(239		)	(383		)	(352		)	(1,190		)	(187		)	(9		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			589
Amortization of net loss	(6,436		)	(2,896		)	(2,793		)	(2,160		)	(968		)	(2,803		)	(1,477		)
Total		$25,514			$26,410			$21,908			$10,225			$6,750			$20,563			$7,602
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$42,508			$43,177			$40,144			$15,694			$10,419			$24,648			$11,692
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$820			$238			$382			$351			$1,189			$187			$8
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($63	)
Net loss		$8,365			$4,778			$4,398			$2,926			$1,562			$4,329			$1,994

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$1,846,922			$1,652,369
Service cost	74,654			68,883
Interest cost	79,453			82,561
Plan amendments	(116,571		)	—
Curtailment	14,718			—
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004		)	102,833
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310			5,999
Balance at end of year		$1,461,910			$1,846,922
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$488,448			$427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314			44,752
Employer contributions	75,660			82,247
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$569,850			$488,448
Funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		($40,602	)		($33,813	)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458		)	(1,324,661		)
Total funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	(93,332		)	(5,307		)
Net loss	165,270			367,519
		$71,938			$362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	(60,988		)	(49,335		)
Net loss	107,996			355,900
		$47,008			$306,565

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Service cost	9,619			7,910			8,541			3,246			1,752			3,760			3,580
Interest cost	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Plan amendments	(11,617		)	(8,705		)	(18,844		)	(4,714		)	(4,469		)	(5,359		)	(4,591		)
Curtailment	4,595			1,637			1,889			616			350			1,498			769
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Actuarial gain	(67,253		)	(40,941		)	(43,747		)	(25,527		)	(13,739		)	(26,048		)	(14,639		)
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737			410			513			245			194			334			105
Balance at end of year		$250,734			$170,302			$168,764			$74,539			$57,874			$115,418			$53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Actual return on plan assets	30,830			—			—			9,826			8,870			17,905			6,292
Employer contributions	21,015			6,960			9,015			4,785			2,567			4,846			5,387
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$231,663			$—			$—			$73,438			$66,539			$131,618			$48,101
Funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($8,803	)		($10,249	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(19,071		)	(161,499		)	(158,515		)	(1,101		)	8,665			16,200			(4,950		)
Total funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($12,996	)		$—			$—			($5,056	)		($4,335	)		($6,505	)		($4,702	)
Net loss	40,272			—			—			9,304			6,485			22,772			10,297
		$27,276			$—			$—			$4,248			$2,150			$16,267			$5,595
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($10,359	)		($19,390	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			31,577			35,001			—			—			—			—
		$—			$21,218			$15,611			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$290,613			$191,877			$196,352			$94,570			$69,316			$133,602			$60,526
Service cost	9,089			7,521			7,796			3,093			1,689			3,651			3,293
Interest cost	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Actuarial loss	13,256			5,818			16,215			1,625			3,240			2,645			2,861
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331			779			908			434			396			644			170
Balance at end of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$164,846			$—			$—			$54,452			$53,418			$105,181			$32,012
Actual return on plan assets	18,219			—			—			5,874			4,691			10,869			3,419
Employer contributions	24,386			7,598			11,035			6,555			4,405			4,852			5,987
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($7,546	)		($9,152	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(121,290		)	(200,441		)	(210,865		)	(37,557		)	(15,549		)	(26,290		)	(28,460		)
Total funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($2,146	)		$—			$—			($566	)		$114			($1,709	)		($246	)
Net loss	129,484			—			—			41,855			26,502			61,077			29,773
		$127,338			$—			$—			$41,289			$26,616			$59,368			$29,527
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($2,687	)		($1,095	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			77,113			83,795			—			—			—			—
		$—			$74,426			$82,700			$—			$—			$—			$—

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $54.5 million in 2013, $26.5 million in 2012, and $24.0 million in 2011.  In 2013, 2012, and 2011 Entergy recognized $33.0 million, $6.3 million, and $4.6 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.  The projected benefit obligation was $154.3 million and $199.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $131.4 million and $180.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Entergy’s non-qualified, non-current pension liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $127.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively; and its current liability was $26.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  The unamortized transition asset, prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($59.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $81.2 million at December 31, 2012) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2012).

The Registrant Subsidiaries (except System Energy) participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2013, 2012, and 2011, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$448		$151		$12		$192		$92		$1,001
2012		$464		$158		$12		$183		$79		$648
2011		$498		$167		$14		$190		$65		$763

Included in the 2013 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $415 thousand for Entergy Texas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2012 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $38 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2011 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $41 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$4,162		$2,511		$50		$1,752		$434		$7,910
2012		$4,323		$2,909		$116		$1,841		$457		$9,732

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,765		$2,510		$50		$1,528		$387		$7,496
2012		$3,856		$2,899		$116		$1,590		$427		$9,127

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($367	)		($262	)		($6	)		($118	)		($20	)		($786	)
Non-current liabilities	(3,795		)	(2,249		)	(44		)	(1,634		)	(414		)	(7,124		)
Total funded status		($4,162	)		($2,511	)		($50	)		($1,752	)		($434	)		($7,910	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$1,979			$422			($87	)		$637			($18	)		($1,631	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$57			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($209	)		($257	)		($17	)		($118	)		($25	)		($853	)
Non-current liabilities	(4,114		)	(2,652		)	(99		)	(1,723		)	(432		)	(8,879		)
Total funded status		($4,323	)		($2,909	)		($116	)		($1,841	)		($457	)		($9,732	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$2,359			$679			($29	)		$800			$88			($465	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$102			$—			$—			$—			$—

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2013:

	Qualified Pension Costs			Other Postretirement Costs			Non-Qualified Pension Costs			Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost		($1,866	)		$12,925			($503	)		$10,556
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	(1,304		)	1,797			(178		)	315
Amortization of loss	(43,971		)	(21,590		)	(2,569		)	(68,130		)
Settlement loss	—			—			(11,612		)	(11,612		)
		($47,141	)		($6,868	)		($14,862	)		($68,871	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		($1	)		$942			$—			$941
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			91			—			91
Amortization of loss	(3,039		)	(4,598		)	(7		)	(7,644		)
		($3,040	)		($3,565	)		($7	)		($6,612	)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		$—			$508			$—			$508
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			41			—			41
Amortization of loss	—			(5,050		)	—			(5,050		)
		$—			($4,501	)		$—			($4,501	)

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana recover other postretirement benefit costs on a pay as you go basis and record the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also requires that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  Entergy determines the MRV of pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns.  For other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy uses fair value when determining MRV.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes, and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. Target asset allocations adjust dynamically based on the funded status of the pension plans.  The following targets and ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.  The target asset allocation range below for pension shows the ranges within which the allocation may adjust based on funded status, with the expectation that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension funded status increases.  The target and range asset allocation for postretirement assets reflects changes made in 2012 as recommended in the latest optimization study

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the target asset allocation and ranges are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	45%	34%	to	53%	46%	44%
International Equity Securities	20%	16%	to	24%	20%	20%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	31%	to	41%	33%	35%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable						Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	34%	to	44%	40%	38%	39%	34%	to	44%	39%	39%
International Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	26%	28%	26%	21%	to	31%	27%	27%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on current assets and expected return available for reinvestment.  The time period reflected is a long dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other trust assets (as described above), with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

• Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-     inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

• Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Pension Trust

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$6,847	(b)		$6,038	(a)		$—		$12,885
Common	915,996		(b)	—			—		915,996
Common collective trusts	—			1,753,958		(c)	—		1,753,958
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	180,718		(b)	152,915		(a)	—		333,633
Corporate debt instruments	—			464,652		(a)	—		464,652
Registered investment companies	316,863		(d)	486,748		(e)	—		803,611
Other	—			129,169		(f)	—		129,169
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,886		(g)	—		36,886
Total investments		$1,420,424			$3,030,366			$—		$4,450,790
Cash									280
Other pending transactions									8,081
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(29,914		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$4,429,237

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$861	(b)		$5,906	(a)		$—		$6,767
Common	787,132		(b)	—			—		787,132
Common collective trusts	—			1,620,315		(c)	—		1,620,315
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	161,593		(b)	150,068		(a)	—		311,661
Corporate debt instruments	—			429,813		(a)	—		429,813
Registered investment companies	50,029		(d)	483,509		(e)	—		533,538
Other	—			111,001		(f)	—		111,001
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,252		(g)	—		36,252
Total investments		$999,615			$2,836,864			$—		$3,836,479
Cash									571
Other pending transactions									4,594
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(8,784		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$3,832,860

Other Postretirement Trusts

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$356,700	(c)		$—		$356,700
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	40,808		(b)	43,471		(a)	—		84,279
Corporate debt instruments	—			50,563		(a)	—		50,563
Registered investment companies	4,163		(d)	—			—		4,163
Other	—			43,458		(f)	—		43,458
Total investments		$44,971			$494,192			$—		$539,163
Other pending transactions									773
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									29,914
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$569,850

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$314,478	(c)		$—		$314,478
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	36,392		(b)	43,398		(a)	—		79,790
Corporate debt instruments	—			42,163		(a)	—		42,163
Registered investment companies	3,229		(d)	—			—		3,229
Other	—			39,846		(f)	—		39,846
Total investments		$39,621			$439,885			$—		$479,506
Other pending transactions									158
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									8,784
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$488,448

(a) Certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b) Common stocks, treasury notes and bonds, and certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c) The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of the common collective trusts estimate fair value.

(d) The registered investment company is a money market mutual fund with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share.

(e) The registered investment company holds investments in domestic and international bond markets and estimates fair value using net asset value per share.

(f) The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g) The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$1,107,023		$1,161,448
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$530,974		$559,190
Entergy Louisiana		$697,945		$735,376
Entergy Mississippi		$318,941		$336,099
Entergy New Orleans		$150,239		$157,233
Entergy Texas		$332,484		$350,351
System Energy		$247,807		$251,378

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension		Non-Qualified Pension		Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)		Estimated Future Medicare Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$232,876		$26,817		$84,038		$5,372
2015		$246,217		$11,687		$79,244		$426
2016		$261,255		$10,242		$80,842		$478
2017		$276,451		$10,522		$82,974		$536
2018		$293,163		$13,421		$87,575		$1,769
2019 - 2023		$1,773,632		$66,317		$485,409		$11,725

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$60,456		$23,039		$34,740		$16,920		$6,615		$18,583		$10,523
2015		$61,587		$24,260		$35,623		$17,669		$7,008		$19,137		$10,883
2016		$63,083		$25,556		$36,833		$18,515		$7,437		$19,744		$11,463
2017		$64,418		$27,111		$38,247		$19,298		$7,941		$20,402		$11,851
2018		$66,281		$28,962		$39,914		$20,237		$8,582		$21,140		$12,615
2019 - 2023		$375,976		$177,010		$229,821		$114,462		$51,610		$118,750		$77,880

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$367		$262		$6		$119		$20		$786
2015		$345		$240		$6		$115		$20		$701
2016		$299		$233		$6		$108		$20		$775
2017		$299		$279		$6		$105		$20		$690
2018		$279		$212		$5		$99		$19		$657
2019 - 2023		$1,916		$932		$21		$648		$223		$2,951

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$17,122		$9,385		$10,967		$4,814		$5,044		$7,540		$2,858
2015		$15,513		$8,899		$10,049		$4,267		$4,475		$6,818		$2,783
2016		$15,523		$9,137		$10,162		$4,340		$4,448		$6,934		$2,786
2017		$15,554		$9,403		$10,289		$4,447		$4,423		$7,079		$2,875
2018		$15,987		$9,912		$10,796		$4,767		$4,502		$7,471		$2,984
2019 - 2023		$82,455		$55,934		$59,068		$25,819		$21,707		$40,067		$16,928

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$1,241		$582		$718		$462		$387		$563		$130
2015		$68		$32		$39		$25		$20		$30		$8
2016		$74		$35		$43		$27		$20		$32		$9
2017		$81		$38		$46		$29		$21		$34		$10
2018		$354		$165		$199		$123		$85		$141		$51
2019 - 2023		$2,252		$1,061		$1,235		$742		$455		$816		$379

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $74.1 million to other postretirement plans in 2014.  The expected 2014 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The required pension contributions will not be known with more certainty until the January 1, 2014 valuations are completed by April 1, 2014.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2014:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions		$93,591		$31,342		$52,885		$21,604		$10,482		$18,482		$21,257
Other Postretirement Contributions		$25,567		$9,385		$10,967		$—		$—		$4,645		$864

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	5.04%-5.26% Blended 5.14%	4.31% - 4.50% Blended 4.36%
Other postretirement	5.05%	4.36%
Non-qualified pension	4.29%	3.37%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2013,  2012, and 2011 were as follows:

	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	4.31% - 4.50%	5.10% - 5.20%	5.60% - 5.70%
Other postretirement	4.36%	5.10%	5.50%
Non-qualified pension	3.37%	4.40%	4.90%
Weighted-average rate of increase   in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%	4.23%
Expected long-term rate of   return on plan assets:
Pension assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	8.50%	8.50%	7.75%
Other postretirement taxable assets	6.50%	6.50%	5.50%

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit transition obligations were amortized over 20 years ending in 2012.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s December 31, 2013 APBO was 7.25% for pre-65 retirees and 7.00% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s 2013 Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost was 7.50% for pre-65 retirees and 7.25% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees.

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects: 

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase /(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Corporation and its   subsidiaries		$173,530		$23,366		($143,969	)		($18,781	)

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees:

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase/(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$27,205		$3,275		($22,483	)		($2,622	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$21,873		$2,792		($17,958	)		($2,219	)
Entergy Louisiana		$18,025		$2,514		($15,012	)		($2,031	)
Entergy Mississippi		$8,235		$1,072		($6,819	)		($858	)
Entergy New Orleans		$4,995		$562		($4,242	)		($461	)
Entergy Texas		$13,439		$1,483		($11,170	)		($1,189	)
System Energy		$7,022		$1,064		($5,746	)		($847	)

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 became law.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit cost under Medicare (Part D), which started in 2006, as well as a federal subsidy to employers who provide a retiree prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2013 and 2012 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation by $53.7 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and reduced the 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit cost by $25.4 million, $31.2 million, and $33.0 million, respectively.  In 2013, Entergy received $3.3 million in Medicare subsidies for prescription drug claims.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies and the actual subsidies received for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	Increase/(Decrease) In Thousands
Impact on 12/31/2013 APBO		($9,639	)		($4,875	)		($5,580	)		($3,060	)		($1,769	)		($3,324	)		($1,973	)
Impact on 12/31/2012 APBO		($62,877	)		($32,055	)		($36,015	)		($19,507	)		($10,902	)		($21,164	)		($13,586	)
Impact on 2013 other postretirement benefit cost		($4,732	)		($2,988	)		($3,025	)		($1,503	)		($729	)		($1,045	)		($1,093	)
Impact on 2012 other postretirement benefit cost		($5,791	)		($3,660	)		($3,643	)		($1,799	)		($995	)		($1,321	)		($1,400	)
Impact on 2011 other postretirement benefit cost		($6,309	)		($3,923	)		($3,889	)		($2,016	)		($1,170	)		($1,528	)		($1,403	)
Medicare subsidies received in 2013		$737			$410			$513			$245			$194			$334			$105

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and its subsidiaries. The employing Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions for all non-bargaining and certain bargaining employees to the System Savings Plan in an amount equal to 70% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The 70% match is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IV (established in 2002), the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007), and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and its subsidiaries.  

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $44.5 million in 2013, $43.7 million in 2012, and $42.6 million in 2011.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2013, 2012, and 2011 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,351		$1,906		$2,393		$1,954		$769		$1,616
2012		$3,223		$1,842		$2,327		$1,875		$740		$1,601
2011		$3,183		$1,804		$2,260		$1,894		$725		$1,613

Entergy Louisiana [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Non-Bargaining Employees,” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees.”  The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in two of these plans: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees.”  Except for the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, the pension plans are noncontributory and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during the final years before retirement.  The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III includes a mandatory employee contribution of 3% of earnings during the first 10 years of plan participation, and allows voluntary contributions from 1% to 10% of earnings for a limited group of employees.

The assets of the seven qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts of the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled in the master trust, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating pension plans.  The fair value of the trust assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

Further, within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment income and contributions, and decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/(loss) (i.e. interest and dividends, realized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension costs in accordance with contribution guidelines established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$172,280			$150,763			$121,961
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263,296			260,929			236,992
Expected return on assets	(328,227		)	(317,423		)	(301,276		)
Amortization of prior service cost	2,125			2,733			3,350
Recognized net loss	213,194			167,279			92,977
Curtailment loss	16,318			—			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—			—
Net periodic pension costs		$352,125			$264,281			$154,004
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		($894,150	)		$552,303			$1,045,624
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,125		)	(2,733		)	(3,350		)
Acceleration of prior service cost to curtailment	(1,307		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss	(213,194		)	(167,279		)	(92,977		)
Total	(1,110,776		)	382,291			949,297
Total recognized as net periodic pension (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($758,651	)		$646,572			$1,103,301
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year:
Prior service cost		$1,600			$2,268			$2,733
Net loss		$146,958			$219,805			$169,064

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States  Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$25,229			$14,258			$17,044			$7,295			$3,264			$6,475			$7,242
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Expected return on assets	(66,951		)	(34,982		)	(41,948		)	(21,139		)	(9,117		)	(22,277		)	(17,249		)
Amortization of prior service cost	23			9			83			10			2			6			9
Recognized net loss	49,517			23,374			34,107			13,189			7,878			13,302			9,560
Curtailment loss	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Net pension cost		$69,013			$31,013			$49,316			$16,283			$10,413			$16,223			$13,702
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain		($177,105	)		($98,610	)		($123,234	)		($52,525	)		($25,419	)		($55,772	)		($35,511	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(23		)	(9		)	(83		)	(10		)	(2		)	(6		)	(9		)
Amortization of net loss	(49,517		)	(23,374		)	(34,107		)	(13,189		)	(7,878		)	(13,302		)	(9,560		)
Total		($226,645	)		($121,993	)		($157,424	)		($65,724	)		($33,299	)		($69,080	)		($45,080	)
Total recognized as net periodic pension income regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($157,632	)		($90,980	)		($108,108	)		($49,441	)		($22,886	)		($52,857	)		($31,378	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$2
Net loss		$35,984			$15,935			$24,360			$9,421			$5,802			$9,363			$9,510

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$22,169			$12,273			$14,675			$6,410			$2,824			$5,684			$5,920
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Expected return on assets	(65,763		)	(34,370		)	(40,836		)	(20,945		)	(8,860		)	(22,325		)	(16,436		)
Amortization of prior service cost	200			19			208			30			7			15			13
Recognized net loss	40,772			16,173			28,197			10,532			6,878			10,179			9,001
Net pension cost		$53,064			$19,774			$37,445			$12,306			$8,457			$10,376			$11,485
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$105,133			$77,207			$76,163			$27,106			$14,282			$28,745			$10,266
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(200		)	(19		)	(208		)	(30		)	(7		)	(15		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	(40,772		)	(16,173		)	(28,197		)	(10,532		)	(6,878		)	(10,179		)	(9,001		)
Total		$64,161			$61,015			$47,758			$16,544			$7,397			$18,551			$1,252
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$117,225			$80,789			$85,203			$28,850			$15,854			$28,927			$12,737
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$23			$9			$83			$10			$2			$6			$10
Net loss		$50,175			$23,731			$34,906			$13,375			$8,046			$13,494			$9,717

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$18,072			$9,848			$11,543			$5,308			$2,242			$4,788			$4,941
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	51,965			23,713			32,636			15,637			7,050			15,971			11,758
Expected return on assets	(62,434		)	(33,358		)	(38,866		)	(20,152		)	(8,455		)	(22,005		)	(15,138		)
Amortization of prior service cost	459			79			280			152			35			65			16
Recognized net loss	25,681			9,118			17,990			6,717			4,666			5,579			5,284
Net pension cost		$33,743			$9,400			$23,583			$7,662			$5,538			$4,398			$6,861
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$217,989			$102,329			$137,100			$56,714			$29,297			$64,662			$52,876
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(459		)	(79		)	(280		)	(152		)	(35		)	(65		)	(16		)
Amortization of net loss	(25,681		)	(9,118		)	(17,990		)	(6,717		)	(4,666		)	(5,579		)	(5,284		)
Total		$191,849			$93,132			$118,830			$49,845			$24,596			$59,018			$47,576
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$225,592			$102,532			$142,413			$57,507			$30,134			$63,416			$54,437
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$200			$19			$208			$30			$7			$15			$13
Net loss		$41,309			$16,295			$28,486			$10,667			$6,935			$10,261			$9,135

Qualified PensionObligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$6,096,639			$5,187,635
Service cost	172,280			150,763
Interest cost	263,296			260,929
Curtailment	15,011			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990		)	693,017
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Balance at end of year		$5,770,999			$6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$3,832,860			$3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386			458,137
Employer contributions	163,367			170,512
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$4,429,237			$3,832,860
Funded status		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$5,027			$308
Net loss	1,494,117			2,352,234
		$1,499,144			$2,352,542
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		$1,292			$9,444
Net loss	383,920			633,146
		$385,212			$642,590

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Service cost	25,229			14,258			17,044			7,295			3,264			6,475			7,242
Interest cost	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Curtailment	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Actuarial gain	(110,943		)	(64,119		)	(80,794		)	(31,684		)	(16,276		)	(33,792		)	(23,882		)
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Balance at end of year		$1,192,640			$579,862			$761,350			$345,824			$163,707			$356,080			$270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Actual return on plan assets	133,113			69,473			84,388			41,980			18,259			44,257			28,878
Employer contributions	35,382			11,550			21,152			8,152			4,175			6,880			8,305
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$896,295			$469,295			$561,892			$281,837			$122,960			$295,751			$196,328
Funded status		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service credit		$—			$—			($1	)		$—			$—			$—			($4	)
Net loss	457,485			178,990			299,740			120,290			69,856			120,619			121,327
	$	457,485		$	178,990		$	299,739		$	120,290		$	69,856		$	120,619		$	121,323
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	—			25,437			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$25,437			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,116,572			$512,432			$704,748			$326,377			$151,966			$337,669			$258,268
Service cost	22,169			12,273			14,675			6,410			2,824			5,684			5,920
Interest cost	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Actuarial loss	134,691			92,275			93,817			36,329			18,000			38,328			13,691
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Balance at end of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$707,275			$366,555			$432,418			$223,981			$94,202			$237,438			$147,091
Actual return on plan assets	95,321			49,438			58,489			30,169			12,578			31,909			19,860
Employer contributions	37,163			13,569			28,816			9,665			5,811			9,091			9,771
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Funded status		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$23			$8			$83			$10			$2			$7			$6
Net loss	683,790			283,847			456,800			185,903			103,072			189,589			166,276
		$683,813			$283,855			$456,883			$185,913			$103,074			$189,596			$166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Prior service cost		$—			$1			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			42,414			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$42,415			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  Substantially all employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement benefit plans.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  At January 1, 1993, the actuarially determined accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) earned by retirees and active employees was estimated to be approximately $241.4 million for Entergy (other than the former Entergy Gulf States) and $128 million for the former Entergy Gulf States (now split into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas).  Such obligations were being amortized over a 20-year period that began in 1993 and ended in 2012.  For the most part, the Registrant Subsidiaries recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs from customers and are required to contribute the other postretirement benefits collected in rates to an external trust.

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  Entergy Arkansas began recovery in 1998, pursuant to an APSC order.  This order also allowed Entergy Arkansas to amortize a regulatory asset (representing the difference between other postretirement benefit costs and cash expenditures for other postretirement benefits incurred from 1993 through 1997) over a 15-year period that began in January 1998 and ended in December 2012.

The LPSC ordered Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted.

Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in bank-administered master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Other postretirement benefit changes

In December 2013, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits which include, among other things, elimination of other postretirement benefits for employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014 and setting a dollar limit cap on Entergy's contribution to retiree medical costs, effective 2019 for those employees who commence their Entergy retirement benefits on or after January 1, 2015. In accordance with accounting standards, certain of the other postretirement benefit changes have been reflected in the December 31, 2013 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Other post retirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$74,654			$68,883			$59,340
Interest cost on APBO	79,453			82,561			74,522
Expected return on assets	(40,323		)	(34,503		)	(29,477		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			3,177			3,183
Amortization of prior service credit	(14,904		)	(18,163		)	(14,070		)
Recognized net loss	44,178			36,448			21,192
Curtailment loss	12,729			—			—
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$155,787			$138,403			$114,690
Other changes in plan assets and benefit  obligations recognized as a regulatory asset  and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period		($116,571	)		$—			($29,507	)
Net (gain)/loss	(405,976		)	92,584			236,594
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	—			(3,177		)	(3,183		)
Amortization of prior service credit	14,904			18,163			14,070
Acceleration of prior service credit due to curtailment	1,989			—			—
Amortization of net loss	(44,178		)	(36,448		)	(21,192		)
Total		($549,832	)		$71,122			$196,782
Total recognized as net periodic benefit cost,  regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($394,045	)		$209,525			$311,472
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic  benefit cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$—			$—			$3,177
Prior service credit		($31,589	)		($13,336	)		($18,163	)
Net loss		$11,197			$45,217			$43,127

Total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,619			$7,910			$8,541			$3,246			$1,752			$3,760			$3,580
Interest cost on APBO	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Expected return on assets	(16,843		)	—			—			(5,335		)	(4,101		)	(9,391		)	(3,350		)
Amortization of prior credit	(689		)	(942		)	(508		)	(204		)	(24		)	(501		)	(126		)
Recognized net loss	7,976			4,598			5,050			2,534			1,509			3,744			1,896
Curtailment loss	4,517			1,546			1,848			596			354			1,436			760
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,125			$22,076			$24,341			$5,126			$2,625			$5,124			$5,705
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for the period		($11,617	)		($8,705	)		($18,844	)		($4,714	)		($4,469	)		($5,359	)		($4,591	)
Net loss		($81,236	)		($40,938	)		($43,743	)		($30,018	)		($18,508	)		($34,562	)		($17,579	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	689			942			508			204			24			501			126
Acceleration of prior service credit/(cost) due to curtailment	78			91			41			20			(4		)	62			9
Amortization of net loss	(7,976		)	(4,598		)	(5,050		)	(2,534		)	(1,509		)	(3,744		)	(1,896		)
Total		($100,062	)		($53,208	)		($67,088	)		($37,042	)		($24,466	)		($43,102	)		($23,931	)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($81,937	)		($31,132	)		($42,747	)		($31,916	)		($21,841	)		($37,978	)		($18,226	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service credit		($2,441	)		($2,236	)		($3,376	)		($918	)		($709	)		($1,301	)		($824	)
Net loss		$1,267			$1,212			$1,511			$149			$56			$800			$464

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,089			$7,521			$7,796			$3,093			$1,689			$3,651			$3,293
Interest cost on APBO	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Expected return on assets	(14,029		)	—			—			(4,521		)	(3,711		)	(8,415		)	(2,601		)
Amortization of transition obligation	820			238			382			351			1,189			187			8
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(63		)
Recognized net loss	8,305			4,737			4,359			2,920			1,559			4,320			1,970
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,107			$21,262			$22,071			$6,420			$4,186			$5,965			$5,635
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$9,066			$5,818			$16,215			$271			$2,260			$191			$2,043
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(820		)	(238		)	(382		)	(351		)	(1,189		)	(187		)	(8		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			63
Amortization of net loss	(8,305		)	(4,737		)	(4,359		)	(2,920		)	(1,559		)	(4,320		)	(1,970		)
Total		$471			$1,667			$11,721			($2,861	)		($526	)		($3,888	)		$128
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$18,578			$22,929			$33,792			$3,559			$3,660			$2,077			$5,763
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($62	)
Net loss		$8,163			$4,693			$5,149			$2,650			$1,587			$3,905			$1,915

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$8,053			$6,158			$6,540			$2,632			$1,448			$3,074			$2,642
Interest cost on APBO	13,742			8,298			8,767			4,370			3,225			5,945			2,666
Expected return on assets	(11,528		)	—			—			(3,906		)	(3,200		)	(7,496		)	(2,115		)
Amortization of transition obligation	821			239			383			352			1,190			187			9
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(589		)
Recognized net loss	6,436			2,896			2,793			2,160			968			2,803			1,477
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$16,994			$16,767			$18,236			$5,469			$3,669			$4,085			$4,090
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		$32,241			$28,721			$24,837			$12,598			$8,946			$23,125			$8,499
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(821		)	(239		)	(383		)	(352		)	(1,190		)	(187		)	(9		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			589
Amortization of net loss	(6,436		)	(2,896		)	(2,793		)	(2,160		)	(968		)	(2,803		)	(1,477		)
Total		$25,514			$26,410			$21,908			$10,225			$6,750			$20,563			$7,602
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$42,508			$43,177			$40,144			$15,694			$10,419			$24,648			$11,692
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$820			$238			$382			$351			$1,189			$187			$8
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($63	)
Net loss		$8,365			$4,778			$4,398			$2,926			$1,562			$4,329			$1,994

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$1,846,922			$1,652,369
Service cost	74,654			68,883
Interest cost	79,453			82,561
Plan amendments	(116,571		)	—
Curtailment	14,718			—
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004		)	102,833
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310			5,999
Balance at end of year		$1,461,910			$1,846,922
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$488,448			$427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314			44,752
Employer contributions	75,660			82,247
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$569,850			$488,448
Funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		($40,602	)		($33,813	)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458		)	(1,324,661		)
Total funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	(93,332		)	(5,307		)
Net loss	165,270			367,519
		$71,938			$362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	(60,988		)	(49,335		)
Net loss	107,996			355,900
		$47,008			$306,565

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Service cost	9,619			7,910			8,541			3,246			1,752			3,760			3,580
Interest cost	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Plan amendments	(11,617		)	(8,705		)	(18,844		)	(4,714		)	(4,469		)	(5,359		)	(4,591		)
Curtailment	4,595			1,637			1,889			616			350			1,498			769
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Actuarial gain	(67,253		)	(40,941		)	(43,747		)	(25,527		)	(13,739		)	(26,048		)	(14,639		)
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737			410			513			245			194			334			105
Balance at end of year		$250,734			$170,302			$168,764			$74,539			$57,874			$115,418			$53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Actual return on plan assets	30,830			—			—			9,826			8,870			17,905			6,292
Employer contributions	21,015			6,960			9,015			4,785			2,567			4,846			5,387
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$231,663			$—			$—			$73,438			$66,539			$131,618			$48,101
Funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($8,803	)		($10,249	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(19,071		)	(161,499		)	(158,515		)	(1,101		)	8,665			16,200			(4,950		)
Total funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($12,996	)		$—			$—			($5,056	)		($4,335	)		($6,505	)		($4,702	)
Net loss	40,272			—			—			9,304			6,485			22,772			10,297
		$27,276			$—			$—			$4,248			$2,150			$16,267			$5,595
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($10,359	)		($19,390	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			31,577			35,001			—			—			—			—
		$—			$21,218			$15,611			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$290,613			$191,877			$196,352			$94,570			$69,316			$133,602			$60,526
Service cost	9,089			7,521			7,796			3,093			1,689			3,651			3,293
Interest cost	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Actuarial loss	13,256			5,818			16,215			1,625			3,240			2,645			2,861
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331			779			908			434			396			644			170
Balance at end of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$164,846			$—			$—			$54,452			$53,418			$105,181			$32,012
Actual return on plan assets	18,219			—			—			5,874			4,691			10,869			3,419
Employer contributions	24,386			7,598			11,035			6,555			4,405			4,852			5,987
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($7,546	)		($9,152	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(121,290		)	(200,441		)	(210,865		)	(37,557		)	(15,549		)	(26,290		)	(28,460		)
Total funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($2,146	)		$—			$—			($566	)		$114			($1,709	)		($246	)
Net loss	129,484			—			—			41,855			26,502			61,077			29,773
		$127,338			$—			$—			$41,289			$26,616			$59,368			$29,527
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($2,687	)		($1,095	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			77,113			83,795			—			—			—			—
		$—			$74,426			$82,700			$—			$—			$—			$—

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $54.5 million in 2013, $26.5 million in 2012, and $24.0 million in 2011.  In 2013, 2012, and 2011 Entergy recognized $33.0 million, $6.3 million, and $4.6 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.  The projected benefit obligation was $154.3 million and $199.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $131.4 million and $180.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Entergy’s non-qualified, non-current pension liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $127.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively; and its current liability was $26.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  The unamortized transition asset, prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($59.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $81.2 million at December 31, 2012) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2012).

The Registrant Subsidiaries (except System Energy) participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2013, 2012, and 2011, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$448		$151		$12		$192		$92		$1,001
2012		$464		$158		$12		$183		$79		$648
2011		$498		$167		$14		$190		$65		$763

Included in the 2013 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $415 thousand for Entergy Texas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2012 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $38 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2011 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $41 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$4,162		$2,511		$50		$1,752		$434		$7,910
2012		$4,323		$2,909		$116		$1,841		$457		$9,732

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,765		$2,510		$50		$1,528		$387		$7,496
2012		$3,856		$2,899		$116		$1,590		$427		$9,127

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($367	)		($262	)		($6	)		($118	)		($20	)		($786	)
Non-current liabilities	(3,795		)	(2,249		)	(44		)	(1,634		)	(414		)	(7,124		)
Total funded status		($4,162	)		($2,511	)		($50	)		($1,752	)		($434	)		($7,910	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$1,979			$422			($87	)		$637			($18	)		($1,631	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$57			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($209	)		($257	)		($17	)		($118	)		($25	)		($853	)
Non-current liabilities	(4,114		)	(2,652		)	(99		)	(1,723		)	(432		)	(8,879		)
Total funded status		($4,323	)		($2,909	)		($116	)		($1,841	)		($457	)		($9,732	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$2,359			$679			($29	)		$800			$88			($465	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$102			$—			$—			$—			$—

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2013:

	Qualified Pension Costs			Other Postretirement Costs			Non-Qualified Pension Costs			Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost		($1,866	)		$12,925			($503	)		$10,556
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	(1,304		)	1,797			(178		)	315
Amortization of loss	(43,971		)	(21,590		)	(2,569		)	(68,130		)
Settlement loss	—			—			(11,612		)	(11,612		)
		($47,141	)		($6,868	)		($14,862	)		($68,871	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		($1	)		$942			$—			$941
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			91			—			91
Amortization of loss	(3,039		)	(4,598		)	(7		)	(7,644		)
		($3,040	)		($3,565	)		($7	)		($6,612	)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		$—			$508			$—			$508
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			41			—			41
Amortization of loss	—			(5,050		)	—			(5,050		)
		$—			($4,501	)		$—			($4,501	)

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana recover other postretirement benefit costs on a pay as you go basis and record the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also requires that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  Entergy determines the MRV of pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns.  For other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy uses fair value when determining MRV.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes, and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. Target asset allocations adjust dynamically based on the funded status of the pension plans.  The following targets and ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.  The target asset allocation range below for pension shows the ranges within which the allocation may adjust based on funded status, with the expectation that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension funded status increases.  The target and range asset allocation for postretirement assets reflects changes made in 2012 as recommended in the latest optimization study

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the target asset allocation and ranges are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	45%	34%	to	53%	46%	44%
International Equity Securities	20%	16%	to	24%	20%	20%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	31%	to	41%	33%	35%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable						Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	34%	to	44%	40%	38%	39%	34%	to	44%	39%	39%
International Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	26%	28%	26%	21%	to	31%	27%	27%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on current assets and expected return available for reinvestment.  The time period reflected is a long dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other trust assets (as described above), with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

• Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-     inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

• Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Pension Trust

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$6,847	(b)		$6,038	(a)		$—		$12,885
Common	915,996		(b)	—			—		915,996
Common collective trusts	—			1,753,958		(c)	—		1,753,958
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	180,718		(b)	152,915		(a)	—		333,633
Corporate debt instruments	—			464,652		(a)	—		464,652
Registered investment companies	316,863		(d)	486,748		(e)	—		803,611
Other	—			129,169		(f)	—		129,169
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,886		(g)	—		36,886
Total investments		$1,420,424			$3,030,366			$—		$4,450,790
Cash									280
Other pending transactions									8,081
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(29,914		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$4,429,237

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$861	(b)		$5,906	(a)		$—		$6,767
Common	787,132		(b)	—			—		787,132
Common collective trusts	—			1,620,315		(c)	—		1,620,315
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	161,593		(b)	150,068		(a)	—		311,661
Corporate debt instruments	—			429,813		(a)	—		429,813
Registered investment companies	50,029		(d)	483,509		(e)	—		533,538
Other	—			111,001		(f)	—		111,001
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,252		(g)	—		36,252
Total investments		$999,615			$2,836,864			$—		$3,836,479
Cash									571
Other pending transactions									4,594
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(8,784		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$3,832,860

Other Postretirement Trusts

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$356,700	(c)		$—		$356,700
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	40,808		(b)	43,471		(a)	—		84,279
Corporate debt instruments	—			50,563		(a)	—		50,563
Registered investment companies	4,163		(d)	—			—		4,163
Other	—			43,458		(f)	—		43,458
Total investments		$44,971			$494,192			$—		$539,163
Other pending transactions									773
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									29,914
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$569,850

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$314,478	(c)		$—		$314,478
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	36,392		(b)	43,398		(a)	—		79,790
Corporate debt instruments	—			42,163		(a)	—		42,163
Registered investment companies	3,229		(d)	—			—		3,229
Other	—			39,846		(f)	—		39,846
Total investments		$39,621			$439,885			$—		$479,506
Other pending transactions									158
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									8,784
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$488,448

(a) Certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b) Common stocks, treasury notes and bonds, and certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c) The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of the common collective trusts estimate fair value.

(d) The registered investment company is a money market mutual fund with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share.

(e) The registered investment company holds investments in domestic and international bond markets and estimates fair value using net asset value per share.

(f) The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g) The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$1,107,023		$1,161,448
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$530,974		$559,190
Entergy Louisiana		$697,945		$735,376
Entergy Mississippi		$318,941		$336,099
Entergy New Orleans		$150,239		$157,233
Entergy Texas		$332,484		$350,351
System Energy		$247,807		$251,378

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension		Non-Qualified Pension		Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)		Estimated Future Medicare Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$232,876		$26,817		$84,038		$5,372
2015		$246,217		$11,687		$79,244		$426
2016		$261,255		$10,242		$80,842		$478
2017		$276,451		$10,522		$82,974		$536
2018		$293,163		$13,421		$87,575		$1,769
2019 - 2023		$1,773,632		$66,317		$485,409		$11,725

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$60,456		$23,039		$34,740		$16,920		$6,615		$18,583		$10,523
2015		$61,587		$24,260		$35,623		$17,669		$7,008		$19,137		$10,883
2016		$63,083		$25,556		$36,833		$18,515		$7,437		$19,744		$11,463
2017		$64,418		$27,111		$38,247		$19,298		$7,941		$20,402		$11,851
2018		$66,281		$28,962		$39,914		$20,237		$8,582		$21,140		$12,615
2019 - 2023		$375,976		$177,010		$229,821		$114,462		$51,610		$118,750		$77,880

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$367		$262		$6		$119		$20		$786
2015		$345		$240		$6		$115		$20		$701
2016		$299		$233		$6		$108		$20		$775
2017		$299		$279		$6		$105		$20		$690
2018		$279		$212		$5		$99		$19		$657
2019 - 2023		$1,916		$932		$21		$648		$223		$2,951

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$17,122		$9,385		$10,967		$4,814		$5,044		$7,540		$2,858
2015		$15,513		$8,899		$10,049		$4,267		$4,475		$6,818		$2,783
2016		$15,523		$9,137		$10,162		$4,340		$4,448		$6,934		$2,786
2017		$15,554		$9,403		$10,289		$4,447		$4,423		$7,079		$2,875
2018		$15,987		$9,912		$10,796		$4,767		$4,502		$7,471		$2,984
2019 - 2023		$82,455		$55,934		$59,068		$25,819		$21,707		$40,067		$16,928

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$1,241		$582		$718		$462		$387		$563		$130
2015		$68		$32		$39		$25		$20		$30		$8
2016		$74		$35		$43		$27		$20		$32		$9
2017		$81		$38		$46		$29		$21		$34		$10
2018		$354		$165		$199		$123		$85		$141		$51
2019 - 2023		$2,252		$1,061		$1,235		$742		$455		$816		$379

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $74.1 million to other postretirement plans in 2014.  The expected 2014 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The required pension contributions will not be known with more certainty until the January 1, 2014 valuations are completed by April 1, 2014.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2014:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions		$93,591		$31,342		$52,885		$21,604		$10,482		$18,482		$21,257
Other Postretirement Contributions		$25,567		$9,385		$10,967		$—		$—		$4,645		$864

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	5.04%-5.26% Blended 5.14%	4.31% - 4.50% Blended 4.36%
Other postretirement	5.05%	4.36%
Non-qualified pension	4.29%	3.37%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2013,  2012, and 2011 were as follows:

	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	4.31% - 4.50%	5.10% - 5.20%	5.60% - 5.70%
Other postretirement	4.36%	5.10%	5.50%
Non-qualified pension	3.37%	4.40%	4.90%
Weighted-average rate of increase   in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%	4.23%
Expected long-term rate of   return on plan assets:
Pension assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	8.50%	8.50%	7.75%
Other postretirement taxable assets	6.50%	6.50%	5.50%

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit transition obligations were amortized over 20 years ending in 2012.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s December 31, 2013 APBO was 7.25% for pre-65 retirees and 7.00% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s 2013 Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost was 7.50% for pre-65 retirees and 7.25% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees.

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects: 

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase /(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Corporation and its   subsidiaries		$173,530		$23,366		($143,969	)		($18,781	)

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees:

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase/(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$27,205		$3,275		($22,483	)		($2,622	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$21,873		$2,792		($17,958	)		($2,219	)
Entergy Louisiana		$18,025		$2,514		($15,012	)		($2,031	)
Entergy Mississippi		$8,235		$1,072		($6,819	)		($858	)
Entergy New Orleans		$4,995		$562		($4,242	)		($461	)
Entergy Texas		$13,439		$1,483		($11,170	)		($1,189	)
System Energy		$7,022		$1,064		($5,746	)		($847	)

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 became law.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit cost under Medicare (Part D), which started in 2006, as well as a federal subsidy to employers who provide a retiree prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2013 and 2012 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation by $53.7 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and reduced the 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit cost by $25.4 million, $31.2 million, and $33.0 million, respectively.  In 2013, Entergy received $3.3 million in Medicare subsidies for prescription drug claims.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies and the actual subsidies received for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	Increase/(Decrease) In Thousands
Impact on 12/31/2013 APBO		($9,639	)		($4,875	)		($5,580	)		($3,060	)		($1,769	)		($3,324	)		($1,973	)
Impact on 12/31/2012 APBO		($62,877	)		($32,055	)		($36,015	)		($19,507	)		($10,902	)		($21,164	)		($13,586	)
Impact on 2013 other postretirement benefit cost		($4,732	)		($2,988	)		($3,025	)		($1,503	)		($729	)		($1,045	)		($1,093	)
Impact on 2012 other postretirement benefit cost		($5,791	)		($3,660	)		($3,643	)		($1,799	)		($995	)		($1,321	)		($1,400	)
Impact on 2011 other postretirement benefit cost		($6,309	)		($3,923	)		($3,889	)		($2,016	)		($1,170	)		($1,528	)		($1,403	)
Medicare subsidies received in 2013		$737			$410			$513			$245			$194			$334			$105

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and its subsidiaries. The employing Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions for all non-bargaining and certain bargaining employees to the System Savings Plan in an amount equal to 70% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The 70% match is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IV (established in 2002), the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007), and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and its subsidiaries.  

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $44.5 million in 2013, $43.7 million in 2012, and $42.6 million in 2011.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2013, 2012, and 2011 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,351		$1,906		$2,393		$1,954		$769		$1,616
2012		$3,223		$1,842		$2,327		$1,875		$740		$1,601
2011		$3,183		$1,804		$2,260		$1,894		$725		$1,613

Entergy Mississippi [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Non-Bargaining Employees,” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees.”  The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in two of these plans: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees.”  Except for the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, the pension plans are noncontributory and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during the final years before retirement.  The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III includes a mandatory employee contribution of 3% of earnings during the first 10 years of plan participation, and allows voluntary contributions from 1% to 10% of earnings for a limited group of employees.

The assets of the seven qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts of the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled in the master trust, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating pension plans.  The fair value of the trust assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

Further, within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment income and contributions, and decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/(loss) (i.e. interest and dividends, realized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension costs in accordance with contribution guidelines established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$172,280			$150,763			$121,961
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263,296			260,929			236,992
Expected return on assets	(328,227		)	(317,423		)	(301,276		)
Amortization of prior service cost	2,125			2,733			3,350
Recognized net loss	213,194			167,279			92,977
Curtailment loss	16,318			—			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—			—
Net periodic pension costs		$352,125			$264,281			$154,004
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		($894,150	)		$552,303			$1,045,624
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,125		)	(2,733		)	(3,350		)
Acceleration of prior service cost to curtailment	(1,307		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss	(213,194		)	(167,279		)	(92,977		)
Total	(1,110,776		)	382,291			949,297
Total recognized as net periodic pension (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($758,651	)		$646,572			$1,103,301
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year:
Prior service cost		$1,600			$2,268			$2,733
Net loss		$146,958			$219,805			$169,064

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States  Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$25,229			$14,258			$17,044			$7,295			$3,264			$6,475			$7,242
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Expected return on assets	(66,951		)	(34,982		)	(41,948		)	(21,139		)	(9,117		)	(22,277		)	(17,249		)
Amortization of prior service cost	23			9			83			10			2			6			9
Recognized net loss	49,517			23,374			34,107			13,189			7,878			13,302			9,560
Curtailment loss	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Net pension cost		$69,013			$31,013			$49,316			$16,283			$10,413			$16,223			$13,702
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain		($177,105	)		($98,610	)		($123,234	)		($52,525	)		($25,419	)		($55,772	)		($35,511	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(23		)	(9		)	(83		)	(10		)	(2		)	(6		)	(9		)
Amortization of net loss	(49,517		)	(23,374		)	(34,107		)	(13,189		)	(7,878		)	(13,302		)	(9,560		)
Total		($226,645	)		($121,993	)		($157,424	)		($65,724	)		($33,299	)		($69,080	)		($45,080	)
Total recognized as net periodic pension income regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($157,632	)		($90,980	)		($108,108	)		($49,441	)		($22,886	)		($52,857	)		($31,378	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$2
Net loss		$35,984			$15,935			$24,360			$9,421			$5,802			$9,363			$9,510

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$22,169			$12,273			$14,675			$6,410			$2,824			$5,684			$5,920
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Expected return on assets	(65,763		)	(34,370		)	(40,836		)	(20,945		)	(8,860		)	(22,325		)	(16,436		)
Amortization of prior service cost	200			19			208			30			7			15			13
Recognized net loss	40,772			16,173			28,197			10,532			6,878			10,179			9,001
Net pension cost		$53,064			$19,774			$37,445			$12,306			$8,457			$10,376			$11,485
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$105,133			$77,207			$76,163			$27,106			$14,282			$28,745			$10,266
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(200		)	(19		)	(208		)	(30		)	(7		)	(15		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	(40,772		)	(16,173		)	(28,197		)	(10,532		)	(6,878		)	(10,179		)	(9,001		)
Total		$64,161			$61,015			$47,758			$16,544			$7,397			$18,551			$1,252
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$117,225			$80,789			$85,203			$28,850			$15,854			$28,927			$12,737
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$23			$9			$83			$10			$2			$6			$10
Net loss		$50,175			$23,731			$34,906			$13,375			$8,046			$13,494			$9,717

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$18,072			$9,848			$11,543			$5,308			$2,242			$4,788			$4,941
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	51,965			23,713			32,636			15,637			7,050			15,971			11,758
Expected return on assets	(62,434		)	(33,358		)	(38,866		)	(20,152		)	(8,455		)	(22,005		)	(15,138		)
Amortization of prior service cost	459			79			280			152			35			65			16
Recognized net loss	25,681			9,118			17,990			6,717			4,666			5,579			5,284
Net pension cost		$33,743			$9,400			$23,583			$7,662			$5,538			$4,398			$6,861
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$217,989			$102,329			$137,100			$56,714			$29,297			$64,662			$52,876
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(459		)	(79		)	(280		)	(152		)	(35		)	(65		)	(16		)
Amortization of net loss	(25,681		)	(9,118		)	(17,990		)	(6,717		)	(4,666		)	(5,579		)	(5,284		)
Total		$191,849			$93,132			$118,830			$49,845			$24,596			$59,018			$47,576
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$225,592			$102,532			$142,413			$57,507			$30,134			$63,416			$54,437
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$200			$19			$208			$30			$7			$15			$13
Net loss		$41,309			$16,295			$28,486			$10,667			$6,935			$10,261			$9,135

Qualified PensionObligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$6,096,639			$5,187,635
Service cost	172,280			150,763
Interest cost	263,296			260,929
Curtailment	15,011			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990		)	693,017
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Balance at end of year		$5,770,999			$6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$3,832,860			$3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386			458,137
Employer contributions	163,367			170,512
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$4,429,237			$3,832,860
Funded status		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$5,027			$308
Net loss	1,494,117			2,352,234
		$1,499,144			$2,352,542
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		$1,292			$9,444
Net loss	383,920			633,146
		$385,212			$642,590

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Service cost	25,229			14,258			17,044			7,295			3,264			6,475			7,242
Interest cost	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Curtailment	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Actuarial gain	(110,943		)	(64,119		)	(80,794		)	(31,684		)	(16,276		)	(33,792		)	(23,882		)
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Balance at end of year		$1,192,640			$579,862			$761,350			$345,824			$163,707			$356,080			$270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Actual return on plan assets	133,113			69,473			84,388			41,980			18,259			44,257			28,878
Employer contributions	35,382			11,550			21,152			8,152			4,175			6,880			8,305
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$896,295			$469,295			$561,892			$281,837			$122,960			$295,751			$196,328
Funded status		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service credit		$—			$—			($1	)		$—			$—			$—			($4	)
Net loss	457,485			178,990			299,740			120,290			69,856			120,619			121,327
	$	457,485		$	178,990		$	299,739		$	120,290		$	69,856		$	120,619		$	121,323
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	—			25,437			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$25,437			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,116,572			$512,432			$704,748			$326,377			$151,966			$337,669			$258,268
Service cost	22,169			12,273			14,675			6,410			2,824			5,684			5,920
Interest cost	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Actuarial loss	134,691			92,275			93,817			36,329			18,000			38,328			13,691
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Balance at end of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$707,275			$366,555			$432,418			$223,981			$94,202			$237,438			$147,091
Actual return on plan assets	95,321			49,438			58,489			30,169			12,578			31,909			19,860
Employer contributions	37,163			13,569			28,816			9,665			5,811			9,091			9,771
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Funded status		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$23			$8			$83			$10			$2			$7			$6
Net loss	683,790			283,847			456,800			185,903			103,072			189,589			166,276
		$683,813			$283,855			$456,883			$185,913			$103,074			$189,596			$166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Prior service cost		$—			$1			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			42,414			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$42,415			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  Substantially all employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement benefit plans.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  At January 1, 1993, the actuarially determined accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) earned by retirees and active employees was estimated to be approximately $241.4 million for Entergy (other than the former Entergy Gulf States) and $128 million for the former Entergy Gulf States (now split into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas).  Such obligations were being amortized over a 20-year period that began in 1993 and ended in 2012.  For the most part, the Registrant Subsidiaries recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs from customers and are required to contribute the other postretirement benefits collected in rates to an external trust.

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  Entergy Arkansas began recovery in 1998, pursuant to an APSC order.  This order also allowed Entergy Arkansas to amortize a regulatory asset (representing the difference between other postretirement benefit costs and cash expenditures for other postretirement benefits incurred from 1993 through 1997) over a 15-year period that began in January 1998 and ended in December 2012.

The LPSC ordered Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted.

Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in bank-administered master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Other postretirement benefit changes

In December 2013, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits which include, among other things, elimination of other postretirement benefits for employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014 and setting a dollar limit cap on Entergy's contribution to retiree medical costs, effective 2019 for those employees who commence their Entergy retirement benefits on or after January 1, 2015. In accordance with accounting standards, certain of the other postretirement benefit changes have been reflected in the December 31, 2013 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Other post retirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$74,654			$68,883			$59,340
Interest cost on APBO	79,453			82,561			74,522
Expected return on assets	(40,323		)	(34,503		)	(29,477		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			3,177			3,183
Amortization of prior service credit	(14,904		)	(18,163		)	(14,070		)
Recognized net loss	44,178			36,448			21,192
Curtailment loss	12,729			—			—
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$155,787			$138,403			$114,690
Other changes in plan assets and benefit  obligations recognized as a regulatory asset  and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period		($116,571	)		$—			($29,507	)
Net (gain)/loss	(405,976		)	92,584			236,594
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	—			(3,177		)	(3,183		)
Amortization of prior service credit	14,904			18,163			14,070
Acceleration of prior service credit due to curtailment	1,989			—			—
Amortization of net loss	(44,178		)	(36,448		)	(21,192		)
Total		($549,832	)		$71,122			$196,782
Total recognized as net periodic benefit cost,  regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($394,045	)		$209,525			$311,472
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic  benefit cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$—			$—			$3,177
Prior service credit		($31,589	)		($13,336	)		($18,163	)
Net loss		$11,197			$45,217			$43,127

Total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,619			$7,910			$8,541			$3,246			$1,752			$3,760			$3,580
Interest cost on APBO	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Expected return on assets	(16,843		)	—			—			(5,335		)	(4,101		)	(9,391		)	(3,350		)
Amortization of prior credit	(689		)	(942		)	(508		)	(204		)	(24		)	(501		)	(126		)
Recognized net loss	7,976			4,598			5,050			2,534			1,509			3,744			1,896
Curtailment loss	4,517			1,546			1,848			596			354			1,436			760
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,125			$22,076			$24,341			$5,126			$2,625			$5,124			$5,705
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for the period		($11,617	)		($8,705	)		($18,844	)		($4,714	)		($4,469	)		($5,359	)		($4,591	)
Net loss		($81,236	)		($40,938	)		($43,743	)		($30,018	)		($18,508	)		($34,562	)		($17,579	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	689			942			508			204			24			501			126
Acceleration of prior service credit/(cost) due to curtailment	78			91			41			20			(4		)	62			9
Amortization of net loss	(7,976		)	(4,598		)	(5,050		)	(2,534		)	(1,509		)	(3,744		)	(1,896		)
Total		($100,062	)		($53,208	)		($67,088	)		($37,042	)		($24,466	)		($43,102	)		($23,931	)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($81,937	)		($31,132	)		($42,747	)		($31,916	)		($21,841	)		($37,978	)		($18,226	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service credit		($2,441	)		($2,236	)		($3,376	)		($918	)		($709	)		($1,301	)		($824	)
Net loss		$1,267			$1,212			$1,511			$149			$56			$800			$464

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,089			$7,521			$7,796			$3,093			$1,689			$3,651			$3,293
Interest cost on APBO	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Expected return on assets	(14,029		)	—			—			(4,521		)	(3,711		)	(8,415		)	(2,601		)
Amortization of transition obligation	820			238			382			351			1,189			187			8
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(63		)
Recognized net loss	8,305			4,737			4,359			2,920			1,559			4,320			1,970
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,107			$21,262			$22,071			$6,420			$4,186			$5,965			$5,635
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$9,066			$5,818			$16,215			$271			$2,260			$191			$2,043
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(820		)	(238		)	(382		)	(351		)	(1,189		)	(187		)	(8		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			63
Amortization of net loss	(8,305		)	(4,737		)	(4,359		)	(2,920		)	(1,559		)	(4,320		)	(1,970		)
Total		$471			$1,667			$11,721			($2,861	)		($526	)		($3,888	)		$128
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$18,578			$22,929			$33,792			$3,559			$3,660			$2,077			$5,763
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($62	)
Net loss		$8,163			$4,693			$5,149			$2,650			$1,587			$3,905			$1,915

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$8,053			$6,158			$6,540			$2,632			$1,448			$3,074			$2,642
Interest cost on APBO	13,742			8,298			8,767			4,370			3,225			5,945			2,666
Expected return on assets	(11,528		)	—			—			(3,906		)	(3,200		)	(7,496		)	(2,115		)
Amortization of transition obligation	821			239			383			352			1,190			187			9
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(589		)
Recognized net loss	6,436			2,896			2,793			2,160			968			2,803			1,477
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$16,994			$16,767			$18,236			$5,469			$3,669			$4,085			$4,090
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		$32,241			$28,721			$24,837			$12,598			$8,946			$23,125			$8,499
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(821		)	(239		)	(383		)	(352		)	(1,190		)	(187		)	(9		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			589
Amortization of net loss	(6,436		)	(2,896		)	(2,793		)	(2,160		)	(968		)	(2,803		)	(1,477		)
Total		$25,514			$26,410			$21,908			$10,225			$6,750			$20,563			$7,602
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$42,508			$43,177			$40,144			$15,694			$10,419			$24,648			$11,692
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$820			$238			$382			$351			$1,189			$187			$8
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($63	)
Net loss		$8,365			$4,778			$4,398			$2,926			$1,562			$4,329			$1,994

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$1,846,922			$1,652,369
Service cost	74,654			68,883
Interest cost	79,453			82,561
Plan amendments	(116,571		)	—
Curtailment	14,718			—
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004		)	102,833
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310			5,999
Balance at end of year		$1,461,910			$1,846,922
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$488,448			$427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314			44,752
Employer contributions	75,660			82,247
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$569,850			$488,448
Funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		($40,602	)		($33,813	)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458		)	(1,324,661		)
Total funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	(93,332		)	(5,307		)
Net loss	165,270			367,519
		$71,938			$362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	(60,988		)	(49,335		)
Net loss	107,996			355,900
		$47,008			$306,565

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Service cost	9,619			7,910			8,541			3,246			1,752			3,760			3,580
Interest cost	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Plan amendments	(11,617		)	(8,705		)	(18,844		)	(4,714		)	(4,469		)	(5,359		)	(4,591		)
Curtailment	4,595			1,637			1,889			616			350			1,498			769
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Actuarial gain	(67,253		)	(40,941		)	(43,747		)	(25,527		)	(13,739		)	(26,048		)	(14,639		)
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737			410			513			245			194			334			105
Balance at end of year		$250,734			$170,302			$168,764			$74,539			$57,874			$115,418			$53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Actual return on plan assets	30,830			—			—			9,826			8,870			17,905			6,292
Employer contributions	21,015			6,960			9,015			4,785			2,567			4,846			5,387
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$231,663			$—			$—			$73,438			$66,539			$131,618			$48,101
Funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($8,803	)		($10,249	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(19,071		)	(161,499		)	(158,515		)	(1,101		)	8,665			16,200			(4,950		)
Total funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($12,996	)		$—			$—			($5,056	)		($4,335	)		($6,505	)		($4,702	)
Net loss	40,272			—			—			9,304			6,485			22,772			10,297
		$27,276			$—			$—			$4,248			$2,150			$16,267			$5,595
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($10,359	)		($19,390	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			31,577			35,001			—			—			—			—
		$—			$21,218			$15,611			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$290,613			$191,877			$196,352			$94,570			$69,316			$133,602			$60,526
Service cost	9,089			7,521			7,796			3,093			1,689			3,651			3,293
Interest cost	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Actuarial loss	13,256			5,818			16,215			1,625			3,240			2,645			2,861
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331			779			908			434			396			644			170
Balance at end of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$164,846			$—			$—			$54,452			$53,418			$105,181			$32,012
Actual return on plan assets	18,219			—			—			5,874			4,691			10,869			3,419
Employer contributions	24,386			7,598			11,035			6,555			4,405			4,852			5,987
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($7,546	)		($9,152	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(121,290		)	(200,441		)	(210,865		)	(37,557		)	(15,549		)	(26,290		)	(28,460		)
Total funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($2,146	)		$—			$—			($566	)		$114			($1,709	)		($246	)
Net loss	129,484			—			—			41,855			26,502			61,077			29,773
		$127,338			$—			$—			$41,289			$26,616			$59,368			$29,527
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($2,687	)		($1,095	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			77,113			83,795			—			—			—			—
		$—			$74,426			$82,700			$—			$—			$—			$—

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $54.5 million in 2013, $26.5 million in 2012, and $24.0 million in 2011.  In 2013, 2012, and 2011 Entergy recognized $33.0 million, $6.3 million, and $4.6 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.  The projected benefit obligation was $154.3 million and $199.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $131.4 million and $180.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Entergy’s non-qualified, non-current pension liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $127.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively; and its current liability was $26.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  The unamortized transition asset, prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($59.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $81.2 million at December 31, 2012) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2012).

The Registrant Subsidiaries (except System Energy) participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2013, 2012, and 2011, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$448		$151		$12		$192		$92		$1,001
2012		$464		$158		$12		$183		$79		$648
2011		$498		$167		$14		$190		$65		$763

Included in the 2013 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $415 thousand for Entergy Texas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2012 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $38 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2011 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $41 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$4,162		$2,511		$50		$1,752		$434		$7,910
2012		$4,323		$2,909		$116		$1,841		$457		$9,732

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,765		$2,510		$50		$1,528		$387		$7,496
2012		$3,856		$2,899		$116		$1,590		$427		$9,127

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($367	)		($262	)		($6	)		($118	)		($20	)		($786	)
Non-current liabilities	(3,795		)	(2,249		)	(44		)	(1,634		)	(414		)	(7,124		)
Total funded status		($4,162	)		($2,511	)		($50	)		($1,752	)		($434	)		($7,910	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$1,979			$422			($87	)		$637			($18	)		($1,631	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$57			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($209	)		($257	)		($17	)		($118	)		($25	)		($853	)
Non-current liabilities	(4,114		)	(2,652		)	(99		)	(1,723		)	(432		)	(8,879		)
Total funded status		($4,323	)		($2,909	)		($116	)		($1,841	)		($457	)		($9,732	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$2,359			$679			($29	)		$800			$88			($465	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$102			$—			$—			$—			$—

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2013:

	Qualified Pension Costs			Other Postretirement Costs			Non-Qualified Pension Costs			Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost		($1,866	)		$12,925			($503	)		$10,556
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	(1,304		)	1,797			(178		)	315
Amortization of loss	(43,971		)	(21,590		)	(2,569		)	(68,130		)
Settlement loss	—			—			(11,612		)	(11,612		)
		($47,141	)		($6,868	)		($14,862	)		($68,871	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		($1	)		$942			$—			$941
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			91			—			91
Amortization of loss	(3,039		)	(4,598		)	(7		)	(7,644		)
		($3,040	)		($3,565	)		($7	)		($6,612	)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		$—			$508			$—			$508
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			41			—			41
Amortization of loss	—			(5,050		)	—			(5,050		)
		$—			($4,501	)		$—			($4,501	)

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana recover other postretirement benefit costs on a pay as you go basis and record the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also requires that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  Entergy determines the MRV of pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns.  For other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy uses fair value when determining MRV.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes, and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. Target asset allocations adjust dynamically based on the funded status of the pension plans.  The following targets and ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.  The target asset allocation range below for pension shows the ranges within which the allocation may adjust based on funded status, with the expectation that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension funded status increases.  The target and range asset allocation for postretirement assets reflects changes made in 2012 as recommended in the latest optimization study

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the target asset allocation and ranges are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	45%	34%	to	53%	46%	44%
International Equity Securities	20%	16%	to	24%	20%	20%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	31%	to	41%	33%	35%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable						Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	34%	to	44%	40%	38%	39%	34%	to	44%	39%	39%
International Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	26%	28%	26%	21%	to	31%	27%	27%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on current assets and expected return available for reinvestment.  The time period reflected is a long dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other trust assets (as described above), with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

• Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-     inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

• Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Pension Trust

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$6,847	(b)		$6,038	(a)		$—		$12,885
Common	915,996		(b)	—			—		915,996
Common collective trusts	—			1,753,958		(c)	—		1,753,958
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	180,718		(b)	152,915		(a)	—		333,633
Corporate debt instruments	—			464,652		(a)	—		464,652
Registered investment companies	316,863		(d)	486,748		(e)	—		803,611
Other	—			129,169		(f)	—		129,169
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,886		(g)	—		36,886
Total investments		$1,420,424			$3,030,366			$—		$4,450,790
Cash									280
Other pending transactions									8,081
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(29,914		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$4,429,237

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$861	(b)		$5,906	(a)		$—		$6,767
Common	787,132		(b)	—			—		787,132
Common collective trusts	—			1,620,315		(c)	—		1,620,315
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	161,593		(b)	150,068		(a)	—		311,661
Corporate debt instruments	—			429,813		(a)	—		429,813
Registered investment companies	50,029		(d)	483,509		(e)	—		533,538
Other	—			111,001		(f)	—		111,001
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,252		(g)	—		36,252
Total investments		$999,615			$2,836,864			$—		$3,836,479
Cash									571
Other pending transactions									4,594
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(8,784		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$3,832,860

Other Postretirement Trusts

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$356,700	(c)		$—		$356,700
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	40,808		(b)	43,471		(a)	—		84,279
Corporate debt instruments	—			50,563		(a)	—		50,563
Registered investment companies	4,163		(d)	—			—		4,163
Other	—			43,458		(f)	—		43,458
Total investments		$44,971			$494,192			$—		$539,163
Other pending transactions									773
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									29,914
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$569,850

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$314,478	(c)		$—		$314,478
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	36,392		(b)	43,398		(a)	—		79,790
Corporate debt instruments	—			42,163		(a)	—		42,163
Registered investment companies	3,229		(d)	—			—		3,229
Other	—			39,846		(f)	—		39,846
Total investments		$39,621			$439,885			$—		$479,506
Other pending transactions									158
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									8,784
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$488,448

(a) Certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b) Common stocks, treasury notes and bonds, and certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c) The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of the common collective trusts estimate fair value.

(d) The registered investment company is a money market mutual fund with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share.

(e) The registered investment company holds investments in domestic and international bond markets and estimates fair value using net asset value per share.

(f) The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g) The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$1,107,023		$1,161,448
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$530,974		$559,190
Entergy Louisiana		$697,945		$735,376
Entergy Mississippi		$318,941		$336,099
Entergy New Orleans		$150,239		$157,233
Entergy Texas		$332,484		$350,351
System Energy		$247,807		$251,378

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension		Non-Qualified Pension		Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)		Estimated Future Medicare Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$232,876		$26,817		$84,038		$5,372
2015		$246,217		$11,687		$79,244		$426
2016		$261,255		$10,242		$80,842		$478
2017		$276,451		$10,522		$82,974		$536
2018		$293,163		$13,421		$87,575		$1,769
2019 - 2023		$1,773,632		$66,317		$485,409		$11,725

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$60,456		$23,039		$34,740		$16,920		$6,615		$18,583		$10,523
2015		$61,587		$24,260		$35,623		$17,669		$7,008		$19,137		$10,883
2016		$63,083		$25,556		$36,833		$18,515		$7,437		$19,744		$11,463
2017		$64,418		$27,111		$38,247		$19,298		$7,941		$20,402		$11,851
2018		$66,281		$28,962		$39,914		$20,237		$8,582		$21,140		$12,615
2019 - 2023		$375,976		$177,010		$229,821		$114,462		$51,610		$118,750		$77,880

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$367		$262		$6		$119		$20		$786
2015		$345		$240		$6		$115		$20		$701
2016		$299		$233		$6		$108		$20		$775
2017		$299		$279		$6		$105		$20		$690
2018		$279		$212		$5		$99		$19		$657
2019 - 2023		$1,916		$932		$21		$648		$223		$2,951

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$17,122		$9,385		$10,967		$4,814		$5,044		$7,540		$2,858
2015		$15,513		$8,899		$10,049		$4,267		$4,475		$6,818		$2,783
2016		$15,523		$9,137		$10,162		$4,340		$4,448		$6,934		$2,786
2017		$15,554		$9,403		$10,289		$4,447		$4,423		$7,079		$2,875
2018		$15,987		$9,912		$10,796		$4,767		$4,502		$7,471		$2,984
2019 - 2023		$82,455		$55,934		$59,068		$25,819		$21,707		$40,067		$16,928

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$1,241		$582		$718		$462		$387		$563		$130
2015		$68		$32		$39		$25		$20		$30		$8
2016		$74		$35		$43		$27		$20		$32		$9
2017		$81		$38		$46		$29		$21		$34		$10
2018		$354		$165		$199		$123		$85		$141		$51
2019 - 2023		$2,252		$1,061		$1,235		$742		$455		$816		$379

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $74.1 million to other postretirement plans in 2014.  The expected 2014 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The required pension contributions will not be known with more certainty until the January 1, 2014 valuations are completed by April 1, 2014.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2014:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions		$93,591		$31,342		$52,885		$21,604		$10,482		$18,482		$21,257
Other Postretirement Contributions		$25,567		$9,385		$10,967		$—		$—		$4,645		$864

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	5.04%-5.26% Blended 5.14%	4.31% - 4.50% Blended 4.36%
Other postretirement	5.05%	4.36%
Non-qualified pension	4.29%	3.37%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2013,  2012, and 2011 were as follows:

	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	4.31% - 4.50%	5.10% - 5.20%	5.60% - 5.70%
Other postretirement	4.36%	5.10%	5.50%
Non-qualified pension	3.37%	4.40%	4.90%
Weighted-average rate of increase   in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%	4.23%
Expected long-term rate of   return on plan assets:
Pension assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	8.50%	8.50%	7.75%
Other postretirement taxable assets	6.50%	6.50%	5.50%

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit transition obligations were amortized over 20 years ending in 2012.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s December 31, 2013 APBO was 7.25% for pre-65 retirees and 7.00% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s 2013 Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost was 7.50% for pre-65 retirees and 7.25% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees.

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects: 

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase /(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Corporation and its   subsidiaries		$173,530		$23,366		($143,969	)		($18,781	)

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees:

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase/(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$27,205		$3,275		($22,483	)		($2,622	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$21,873		$2,792		($17,958	)		($2,219	)
Entergy Louisiana		$18,025		$2,514		($15,012	)		($2,031	)
Entergy Mississippi		$8,235		$1,072		($6,819	)		($858	)
Entergy New Orleans		$4,995		$562		($4,242	)		($461	)
Entergy Texas		$13,439		$1,483		($11,170	)		($1,189	)
System Energy		$7,022		$1,064		($5,746	)		($847	)

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 became law.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit cost under Medicare (Part D), which started in 2006, as well as a federal subsidy to employers who provide a retiree prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2013 and 2012 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation by $53.7 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and reduced the 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit cost by $25.4 million, $31.2 million, and $33.0 million, respectively.  In 2013, Entergy received $3.3 million in Medicare subsidies for prescription drug claims.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies and the actual subsidies received for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	Increase/(Decrease) In Thousands
Impact on 12/31/2013 APBO		($9,639	)		($4,875	)		($5,580	)		($3,060	)		($1,769	)		($3,324	)		($1,973	)
Impact on 12/31/2012 APBO		($62,877	)		($32,055	)		($36,015	)		($19,507	)		($10,902	)		($21,164	)		($13,586	)
Impact on 2013 other postretirement benefit cost		($4,732	)		($2,988	)		($3,025	)		($1,503	)		($729	)		($1,045	)		($1,093	)
Impact on 2012 other postretirement benefit cost		($5,791	)		($3,660	)		($3,643	)		($1,799	)		($995	)		($1,321	)		($1,400	)
Impact on 2011 other postretirement benefit cost		($6,309	)		($3,923	)		($3,889	)		($2,016	)		($1,170	)		($1,528	)		($1,403	)
Medicare subsidies received in 2013		$737			$410			$513			$245			$194			$334			$105

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and its subsidiaries. The employing Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions for all non-bargaining and certain bargaining employees to the System Savings Plan in an amount equal to 70% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The 70% match is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IV (established in 2002), the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007), and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and its subsidiaries.  

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $44.5 million in 2013, $43.7 million in 2012, and $42.6 million in 2011.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2013, 2012, and 2011 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,351		$1,906		$2,393		$1,954		$769		$1,616
2012		$3,223		$1,842		$2,327		$1,875		$740		$1,601
2011		$3,183		$1,804		$2,260		$1,894		$725		$1,613

Entergy New Orleans [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Non-Bargaining Employees,” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees.”  The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in two of these plans: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees.”  Except for the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, the pension plans are noncontributory and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during the final years before retirement.  The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III includes a mandatory employee contribution of 3% of earnings during the first 10 years of plan participation, and allows voluntary contributions from 1% to 10% of earnings for a limited group of employees.

The assets of the seven qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts of the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled in the master trust, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating pension plans.  The fair value of the trust assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

Further, within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment income and contributions, and decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/(loss) (i.e. interest and dividends, realized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension costs in accordance with contribution guidelines established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$172,280			$150,763			$121,961
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263,296			260,929			236,992
Expected return on assets	(328,227		)	(317,423		)	(301,276		)
Amortization of prior service cost	2,125			2,733			3,350
Recognized net loss	213,194			167,279			92,977
Curtailment loss	16,318			—			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—			—
Net periodic pension costs		$352,125			$264,281			$154,004
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		($894,150	)		$552,303			$1,045,624
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,125		)	(2,733		)	(3,350		)
Acceleration of prior service cost to curtailment	(1,307		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss	(213,194		)	(167,279		)	(92,977		)
Total	(1,110,776		)	382,291			949,297
Total recognized as net periodic pension (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($758,651	)		$646,572			$1,103,301
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year:
Prior service cost		$1,600			$2,268			$2,733
Net loss		$146,958			$219,805			$169,064

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States  Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$25,229			$14,258			$17,044			$7,295			$3,264			$6,475			$7,242
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Expected return on assets	(66,951		)	(34,982		)	(41,948		)	(21,139		)	(9,117		)	(22,277		)	(17,249		)
Amortization of prior service cost	23			9			83			10			2			6			9
Recognized net loss	49,517			23,374			34,107			13,189			7,878			13,302			9,560
Curtailment loss	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Net pension cost		$69,013			$31,013			$49,316			$16,283			$10,413			$16,223			$13,702
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain		($177,105	)		($98,610	)		($123,234	)		($52,525	)		($25,419	)		($55,772	)		($35,511	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(23		)	(9		)	(83		)	(10		)	(2		)	(6		)	(9		)
Amortization of net loss	(49,517		)	(23,374		)	(34,107		)	(13,189		)	(7,878		)	(13,302		)	(9,560		)
Total		($226,645	)		($121,993	)		($157,424	)		($65,724	)		($33,299	)		($69,080	)		($45,080	)
Total recognized as net periodic pension income regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($157,632	)		($90,980	)		($108,108	)		($49,441	)		($22,886	)		($52,857	)		($31,378	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$2
Net loss		$35,984			$15,935			$24,360			$9,421			$5,802			$9,363			$9,510

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$22,169			$12,273			$14,675			$6,410			$2,824			$5,684			$5,920
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Expected return on assets	(65,763		)	(34,370		)	(40,836		)	(20,945		)	(8,860		)	(22,325		)	(16,436		)
Amortization of prior service cost	200			19			208			30			7			15			13
Recognized net loss	40,772			16,173			28,197			10,532			6,878			10,179			9,001
Net pension cost		$53,064			$19,774			$37,445			$12,306			$8,457			$10,376			$11,485
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$105,133			$77,207			$76,163			$27,106			$14,282			$28,745			$10,266
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(200		)	(19		)	(208		)	(30		)	(7		)	(15		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	(40,772		)	(16,173		)	(28,197		)	(10,532		)	(6,878		)	(10,179		)	(9,001		)
Total		$64,161			$61,015			$47,758			$16,544			$7,397			$18,551			$1,252
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$117,225			$80,789			$85,203			$28,850			$15,854			$28,927			$12,737
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$23			$9			$83			$10			$2			$6			$10
Net loss		$50,175			$23,731			$34,906			$13,375			$8,046			$13,494			$9,717

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$18,072			$9,848			$11,543			$5,308			$2,242			$4,788			$4,941
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	51,965			23,713			32,636			15,637			7,050			15,971			11,758
Expected return on assets	(62,434		)	(33,358		)	(38,866		)	(20,152		)	(8,455		)	(22,005		)	(15,138		)
Amortization of prior service cost	459			79			280			152			35			65			16
Recognized net loss	25,681			9,118			17,990			6,717			4,666			5,579			5,284
Net pension cost		$33,743			$9,400			$23,583			$7,662			$5,538			$4,398			$6,861
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$217,989			$102,329			$137,100			$56,714			$29,297			$64,662			$52,876
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(459		)	(79		)	(280		)	(152		)	(35		)	(65		)	(16		)
Amortization of net loss	(25,681		)	(9,118		)	(17,990		)	(6,717		)	(4,666		)	(5,579		)	(5,284		)
Total		$191,849			$93,132			$118,830			$49,845			$24,596			$59,018			$47,576
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$225,592			$102,532			$142,413			$57,507			$30,134			$63,416			$54,437
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$200			$19			$208			$30			$7			$15			$13
Net loss		$41,309			$16,295			$28,486			$10,667			$6,935			$10,261			$9,135

Qualified PensionObligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$6,096,639			$5,187,635
Service cost	172,280			150,763
Interest cost	263,296			260,929
Curtailment	15,011			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990		)	693,017
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Balance at end of year		$5,770,999			$6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$3,832,860			$3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386			458,137
Employer contributions	163,367			170,512
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$4,429,237			$3,832,860
Funded status		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$5,027			$308
Net loss	1,494,117			2,352,234
		$1,499,144			$2,352,542
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		$1,292			$9,444
Net loss	383,920			633,146
		$385,212			$642,590

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Service cost	25,229			14,258			17,044			7,295			3,264			6,475			7,242
Interest cost	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Curtailment	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Actuarial gain	(110,943		)	(64,119		)	(80,794		)	(31,684		)	(16,276		)	(33,792		)	(23,882		)
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Balance at end of year		$1,192,640			$579,862			$761,350			$345,824			$163,707			$356,080			$270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Actual return on plan assets	133,113			69,473			84,388			41,980			18,259			44,257			28,878
Employer contributions	35,382			11,550			21,152			8,152			4,175			6,880			8,305
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$896,295			$469,295			$561,892			$281,837			$122,960			$295,751			$196,328
Funded status		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service credit		$—			$—			($1	)		$—			$—			$—			($4	)
Net loss	457,485			178,990			299,740			120,290			69,856			120,619			121,327
	$	457,485		$	178,990		$	299,739		$	120,290		$	69,856		$	120,619		$	121,323
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	—			25,437			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$25,437			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,116,572			$512,432			$704,748			$326,377			$151,966			$337,669			$258,268
Service cost	22,169			12,273			14,675			6,410			2,824			5,684			5,920
Interest cost	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Actuarial loss	134,691			92,275			93,817			36,329			18,000			38,328			13,691
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Balance at end of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$707,275			$366,555			$432,418			$223,981			$94,202			$237,438			$147,091
Actual return on plan assets	95,321			49,438			58,489			30,169			12,578			31,909			19,860
Employer contributions	37,163			13,569			28,816			9,665			5,811			9,091			9,771
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Funded status		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$23			$8			$83			$10			$2			$7			$6
Net loss	683,790			283,847			456,800			185,903			103,072			189,589			166,276
		$683,813			$283,855			$456,883			$185,913			$103,074			$189,596			$166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Prior service cost		$—			$1			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			42,414			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$42,415			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  Substantially all employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement benefit plans.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  At January 1, 1993, the actuarially determined accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) earned by retirees and active employees was estimated to be approximately $241.4 million for Entergy (other than the former Entergy Gulf States) and $128 million for the former Entergy Gulf States (now split into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas).  Such obligations were being amortized over a 20-year period that began in 1993 and ended in 2012.  For the most part, the Registrant Subsidiaries recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs from customers and are required to contribute the other postretirement benefits collected in rates to an external trust.

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  Entergy Arkansas began recovery in 1998, pursuant to an APSC order.  This order also allowed Entergy Arkansas to amortize a regulatory asset (representing the difference between other postretirement benefit costs and cash expenditures for other postretirement benefits incurred from 1993 through 1997) over a 15-year period that began in January 1998 and ended in December 2012.

The LPSC ordered Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted.

Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in bank-administered master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Other postretirement benefit changes

In December 2013, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits which include, among other things, elimination of other postretirement benefits for employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014 and setting a dollar limit cap on Entergy's contribution to retiree medical costs, effective 2019 for those employees who commence their Entergy retirement benefits on or after January 1, 2015. In accordance with accounting standards, certain of the other postretirement benefit changes have been reflected in the December 31, 2013 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Other post retirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$74,654			$68,883			$59,340
Interest cost on APBO	79,453			82,561			74,522
Expected return on assets	(40,323		)	(34,503		)	(29,477		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			3,177			3,183
Amortization of prior service credit	(14,904		)	(18,163		)	(14,070		)
Recognized net loss	44,178			36,448			21,192
Curtailment loss	12,729			—			—
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$155,787			$138,403			$114,690
Other changes in plan assets and benefit  obligations recognized as a regulatory asset  and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period		($116,571	)		$—			($29,507	)
Net (gain)/loss	(405,976		)	92,584			236,594
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	—			(3,177		)	(3,183		)
Amortization of prior service credit	14,904			18,163			14,070
Acceleration of prior service credit due to curtailment	1,989			—			—
Amortization of net loss	(44,178		)	(36,448		)	(21,192		)
Total		($549,832	)		$71,122			$196,782
Total recognized as net periodic benefit cost,  regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($394,045	)		$209,525			$311,472
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic  benefit cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$—			$—			$3,177
Prior service credit		($31,589	)		($13,336	)		($18,163	)
Net loss		$11,197			$45,217			$43,127

Total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,619			$7,910			$8,541			$3,246			$1,752			$3,760			$3,580
Interest cost on APBO	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Expected return on assets	(16,843		)	—			—			(5,335		)	(4,101		)	(9,391		)	(3,350		)
Amortization of prior credit	(689		)	(942		)	(508		)	(204		)	(24		)	(501		)	(126		)
Recognized net loss	7,976			4,598			5,050			2,534			1,509			3,744			1,896
Curtailment loss	4,517			1,546			1,848			596			354			1,436			760
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,125			$22,076			$24,341			$5,126			$2,625			$5,124			$5,705
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for the period		($11,617	)		($8,705	)		($18,844	)		($4,714	)		($4,469	)		($5,359	)		($4,591	)
Net loss		($81,236	)		($40,938	)		($43,743	)		($30,018	)		($18,508	)		($34,562	)		($17,579	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	689			942			508			204			24			501			126
Acceleration of prior service credit/(cost) due to curtailment	78			91			41			20			(4		)	62			9
Amortization of net loss	(7,976		)	(4,598		)	(5,050		)	(2,534		)	(1,509		)	(3,744		)	(1,896		)
Total		($100,062	)		($53,208	)		($67,088	)		($37,042	)		($24,466	)		($43,102	)		($23,931	)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($81,937	)		($31,132	)		($42,747	)		($31,916	)		($21,841	)		($37,978	)		($18,226	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service credit		($2,441	)		($2,236	)		($3,376	)		($918	)		($709	)		($1,301	)		($824	)
Net loss		$1,267			$1,212			$1,511			$149			$56			$800			$464

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,089			$7,521			$7,796			$3,093			$1,689			$3,651			$3,293
Interest cost on APBO	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Expected return on assets	(14,029		)	—			—			(4,521		)	(3,711		)	(8,415		)	(2,601		)
Amortization of transition obligation	820			238			382			351			1,189			187			8
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(63		)
Recognized net loss	8,305			4,737			4,359			2,920			1,559			4,320			1,970
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,107			$21,262			$22,071			$6,420			$4,186			$5,965			$5,635
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$9,066			$5,818			$16,215			$271			$2,260			$191			$2,043
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(820		)	(238		)	(382		)	(351		)	(1,189		)	(187		)	(8		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			63
Amortization of net loss	(8,305		)	(4,737		)	(4,359		)	(2,920		)	(1,559		)	(4,320		)	(1,970		)
Total		$471			$1,667			$11,721			($2,861	)		($526	)		($3,888	)		$128
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$18,578			$22,929			$33,792			$3,559			$3,660			$2,077			$5,763
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($62	)
Net loss		$8,163			$4,693			$5,149			$2,650			$1,587			$3,905			$1,915

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$8,053			$6,158			$6,540			$2,632			$1,448			$3,074			$2,642
Interest cost on APBO	13,742			8,298			8,767			4,370			3,225			5,945			2,666
Expected return on assets	(11,528		)	—			—			(3,906		)	(3,200		)	(7,496		)	(2,115		)
Amortization of transition obligation	821			239			383			352			1,190			187			9
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(589		)
Recognized net loss	6,436			2,896			2,793			2,160			968			2,803			1,477
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$16,994			$16,767			$18,236			$5,469			$3,669			$4,085			$4,090
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		$32,241			$28,721			$24,837			$12,598			$8,946			$23,125			$8,499
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(821		)	(239		)	(383		)	(352		)	(1,190		)	(187		)	(9		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			589
Amortization of net loss	(6,436		)	(2,896		)	(2,793		)	(2,160		)	(968		)	(2,803		)	(1,477		)
Total		$25,514			$26,410			$21,908			$10,225			$6,750			$20,563			$7,602
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$42,508			$43,177			$40,144			$15,694			$10,419			$24,648			$11,692
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$820			$238			$382			$351			$1,189			$187			$8
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($63	)
Net loss		$8,365			$4,778			$4,398			$2,926			$1,562			$4,329			$1,994

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$1,846,922			$1,652,369
Service cost	74,654			68,883
Interest cost	79,453			82,561
Plan amendments	(116,571		)	—
Curtailment	14,718			—
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004		)	102,833
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310			5,999
Balance at end of year		$1,461,910			$1,846,922
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$488,448			$427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314			44,752
Employer contributions	75,660			82,247
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$569,850			$488,448
Funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		($40,602	)		($33,813	)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458		)	(1,324,661		)
Total funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	(93,332		)	(5,307		)
Net loss	165,270			367,519
		$71,938			$362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	(60,988		)	(49,335		)
Net loss	107,996			355,900
		$47,008			$306,565

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Service cost	9,619			7,910			8,541			3,246			1,752			3,760			3,580
Interest cost	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Plan amendments	(11,617		)	(8,705		)	(18,844		)	(4,714		)	(4,469		)	(5,359		)	(4,591		)
Curtailment	4,595			1,637			1,889			616			350			1,498			769
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Actuarial gain	(67,253		)	(40,941		)	(43,747		)	(25,527		)	(13,739		)	(26,048		)	(14,639		)
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737			410			513			245			194			334			105
Balance at end of year		$250,734			$170,302			$168,764			$74,539			$57,874			$115,418			$53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Actual return on plan assets	30,830			—			—			9,826			8,870			17,905			6,292
Employer contributions	21,015			6,960			9,015			4,785			2,567			4,846			5,387
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$231,663			$—			$—			$73,438			$66,539			$131,618			$48,101
Funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($8,803	)		($10,249	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(19,071		)	(161,499		)	(158,515		)	(1,101		)	8,665			16,200			(4,950		)
Total funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($12,996	)		$—			$—			($5,056	)		($4,335	)		($6,505	)		($4,702	)
Net loss	40,272			—			—			9,304			6,485			22,772			10,297
		$27,276			$—			$—			$4,248			$2,150			$16,267			$5,595
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($10,359	)		($19,390	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			31,577			35,001			—			—			—			—
		$—			$21,218			$15,611			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$290,613			$191,877			$196,352			$94,570			$69,316			$133,602			$60,526
Service cost	9,089			7,521			7,796			3,093			1,689			3,651			3,293
Interest cost	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Actuarial loss	13,256			5,818			16,215			1,625			3,240			2,645			2,861
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331			779			908			434			396			644			170
Balance at end of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$164,846			$—			$—			$54,452			$53,418			$105,181			$32,012
Actual return on plan assets	18,219			—			—			5,874			4,691			10,869			3,419
Employer contributions	24,386			7,598			11,035			6,555			4,405			4,852			5,987
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($7,546	)		($9,152	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(121,290		)	(200,441		)	(210,865		)	(37,557		)	(15,549		)	(26,290		)	(28,460		)
Total funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($2,146	)		$—			$—			($566	)		$114			($1,709	)		($246	)
Net loss	129,484			—			—			41,855			26,502			61,077			29,773
		$127,338			$—			$—			$41,289			$26,616			$59,368			$29,527
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($2,687	)		($1,095	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			77,113			83,795			—			—			—			—
		$—			$74,426			$82,700			$—			$—			$—			$—

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $54.5 million in 2013, $26.5 million in 2012, and $24.0 million in 2011.  In 2013, 2012, and 2011 Entergy recognized $33.0 million, $6.3 million, and $4.6 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.  The projected benefit obligation was $154.3 million and $199.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $131.4 million and $180.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Entergy’s non-qualified, non-current pension liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $127.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively; and its current liability was $26.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  The unamortized transition asset, prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($59.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $81.2 million at December 31, 2012) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2012).

The Registrant Subsidiaries (except System Energy) participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2013, 2012, and 2011, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$448		$151		$12		$192		$92		$1,001
2012		$464		$158		$12		$183		$79		$648
2011		$498		$167		$14		$190		$65		$763

Included in the 2013 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $415 thousand for Entergy Texas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2012 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $38 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2011 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $41 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$4,162		$2,511		$50		$1,752		$434		$7,910
2012		$4,323		$2,909		$116		$1,841		$457		$9,732

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,765		$2,510		$50		$1,528		$387		$7,496
2012		$3,856		$2,899		$116		$1,590		$427		$9,127

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($367	)		($262	)		($6	)		($118	)		($20	)		($786	)
Non-current liabilities	(3,795		)	(2,249		)	(44		)	(1,634		)	(414		)	(7,124		)
Total funded status		($4,162	)		($2,511	)		($50	)		($1,752	)		($434	)		($7,910	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$1,979			$422			($87	)		$637			($18	)		($1,631	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$57			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($209	)		($257	)		($17	)		($118	)		($25	)		($853	)
Non-current liabilities	(4,114		)	(2,652		)	(99		)	(1,723		)	(432		)	(8,879		)
Total funded status		($4,323	)		($2,909	)		($116	)		($1,841	)		($457	)		($9,732	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$2,359			$679			($29	)		$800			$88			($465	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$102			$—			$—			$—			$—

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2013:

	Qualified Pension Costs			Other Postretirement Costs			Non-Qualified Pension Costs			Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost		($1,866	)		$12,925			($503	)		$10,556
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	(1,304		)	1,797			(178		)	315
Amortization of loss	(43,971		)	(21,590		)	(2,569		)	(68,130		)
Settlement loss	—			—			(11,612		)	(11,612		)
		($47,141	)		($6,868	)		($14,862	)		($68,871	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		($1	)		$942			$—			$941
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			91			—			91
Amortization of loss	(3,039		)	(4,598		)	(7		)	(7,644		)
		($3,040	)		($3,565	)		($7	)		($6,612	)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		$—			$508			$—			$508
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			41			—			41
Amortization of loss	—			(5,050		)	—			(5,050		)
		$—			($4,501	)		$—			($4,501	)

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana recover other postretirement benefit costs on a pay as you go basis and record the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also requires that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  Entergy determines the MRV of pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns.  For other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy uses fair value when determining MRV.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes, and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. Target asset allocations adjust dynamically based on the funded status of the pension plans.  The following targets and ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.  The target asset allocation range below for pension shows the ranges within which the allocation may adjust based on funded status, with the expectation that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension funded status increases.  The target and range asset allocation for postretirement assets reflects changes made in 2012 as recommended in the latest optimization study

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the target asset allocation and ranges are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	45%	34%	to	53%	46%	44%
International Equity Securities	20%	16%	to	24%	20%	20%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	31%	to	41%	33%	35%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable						Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	34%	to	44%	40%	38%	39%	34%	to	44%	39%	39%
International Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	26%	28%	26%	21%	to	31%	27%	27%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on current assets and expected return available for reinvestment.  The time period reflected is a long dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other trust assets (as described above), with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

• Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-     inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

• Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Pension Trust

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$6,847	(b)		$6,038	(a)		$—		$12,885
Common	915,996		(b)	—			—		915,996
Common collective trusts	—			1,753,958		(c)	—		1,753,958
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	180,718		(b)	152,915		(a)	—		333,633
Corporate debt instruments	—			464,652		(a)	—		464,652
Registered investment companies	316,863		(d)	486,748		(e)	—		803,611
Other	—			129,169		(f)	—		129,169
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,886		(g)	—		36,886
Total investments		$1,420,424			$3,030,366			$—		$4,450,790
Cash									280
Other pending transactions									8,081
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(29,914		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$4,429,237

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$861	(b)		$5,906	(a)		$—		$6,767
Common	787,132		(b)	—			—		787,132
Common collective trusts	—			1,620,315		(c)	—		1,620,315
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	161,593		(b)	150,068		(a)	—		311,661
Corporate debt instruments	—			429,813		(a)	—		429,813
Registered investment companies	50,029		(d)	483,509		(e)	—		533,538
Other	—			111,001		(f)	—		111,001
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,252		(g)	—		36,252
Total investments		$999,615			$2,836,864			$—		$3,836,479
Cash									571
Other pending transactions									4,594
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(8,784		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$3,832,860

Other Postretirement Trusts

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$356,700	(c)		$—		$356,700
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	40,808		(b)	43,471		(a)	—		84,279
Corporate debt instruments	—			50,563		(a)	—		50,563
Registered investment companies	4,163		(d)	—			—		4,163
Other	—			43,458		(f)	—		43,458
Total investments		$44,971			$494,192			$—		$539,163
Other pending transactions									773
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									29,914
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$569,850

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$314,478	(c)		$—		$314,478
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	36,392		(b)	43,398		(a)	—		79,790
Corporate debt instruments	—			42,163		(a)	—		42,163
Registered investment companies	3,229		(d)	—			—		3,229
Other	—			39,846		(f)	—		39,846
Total investments		$39,621			$439,885			$—		$479,506
Other pending transactions									158
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									8,784
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$488,448

(a) Certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b) Common stocks, treasury notes and bonds, and certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c) The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of the common collective trusts estimate fair value.

(d) The registered investment company is a money market mutual fund with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share.

(e) The registered investment company holds investments in domestic and international bond markets and estimates fair value using net asset value per share.

(f) The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g) The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$1,107,023		$1,161,448
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$530,974		$559,190
Entergy Louisiana		$697,945		$735,376
Entergy Mississippi		$318,941		$336,099
Entergy New Orleans		$150,239		$157,233
Entergy Texas		$332,484		$350,351
System Energy		$247,807		$251,378

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension		Non-Qualified Pension		Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)		Estimated Future Medicare Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$232,876		$26,817		$84,038		$5,372
2015		$246,217		$11,687		$79,244		$426
2016		$261,255		$10,242		$80,842		$478
2017		$276,451		$10,522		$82,974		$536
2018		$293,163		$13,421		$87,575		$1,769
2019 - 2023		$1,773,632		$66,317		$485,409		$11,725

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$60,456		$23,039		$34,740		$16,920		$6,615		$18,583		$10,523
2015		$61,587		$24,260		$35,623		$17,669		$7,008		$19,137		$10,883
2016		$63,083		$25,556		$36,833		$18,515		$7,437		$19,744		$11,463
2017		$64,418		$27,111		$38,247		$19,298		$7,941		$20,402		$11,851
2018		$66,281		$28,962		$39,914		$20,237		$8,582		$21,140		$12,615
2019 - 2023		$375,976		$177,010		$229,821		$114,462		$51,610		$118,750		$77,880

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$367		$262		$6		$119		$20		$786
2015		$345		$240		$6		$115		$20		$701
2016		$299		$233		$6		$108		$20		$775
2017		$299		$279		$6		$105		$20		$690
2018		$279		$212		$5		$99		$19		$657
2019 - 2023		$1,916		$932		$21		$648		$223		$2,951

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$17,122		$9,385		$10,967		$4,814		$5,044		$7,540		$2,858
2015		$15,513		$8,899		$10,049		$4,267		$4,475		$6,818		$2,783
2016		$15,523		$9,137		$10,162		$4,340		$4,448		$6,934		$2,786
2017		$15,554		$9,403		$10,289		$4,447		$4,423		$7,079		$2,875
2018		$15,987		$9,912		$10,796		$4,767		$4,502		$7,471		$2,984
2019 - 2023		$82,455		$55,934		$59,068		$25,819		$21,707		$40,067		$16,928

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$1,241		$582		$718		$462		$387		$563		$130
2015		$68		$32		$39		$25		$20		$30		$8
2016		$74		$35		$43		$27		$20		$32		$9
2017		$81		$38		$46		$29		$21		$34		$10
2018		$354		$165		$199		$123		$85		$141		$51
2019 - 2023		$2,252		$1,061		$1,235		$742		$455		$816		$379

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $74.1 million to other postretirement plans in 2014.  The expected 2014 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The required pension contributions will not be known with more certainty until the January 1, 2014 valuations are completed by April 1, 2014.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2014:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions		$93,591		$31,342		$52,885		$21,604		$10,482		$18,482		$21,257
Other Postretirement Contributions		$25,567		$9,385		$10,967		$—		$—		$4,645		$864

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	5.04%-5.26% Blended 5.14%	4.31% - 4.50% Blended 4.36%
Other postretirement	5.05%	4.36%
Non-qualified pension	4.29%	3.37%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2013,  2012, and 2011 were as follows:

	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	4.31% - 4.50%	5.10% - 5.20%	5.60% - 5.70%
Other postretirement	4.36%	5.10%	5.50%
Non-qualified pension	3.37%	4.40%	4.90%
Weighted-average rate of increase   in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%	4.23%
Expected long-term rate of   return on plan assets:
Pension assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	8.50%	8.50%	7.75%
Other postretirement taxable assets	6.50%	6.50%	5.50%

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit transition obligations were amortized over 20 years ending in 2012.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s December 31, 2013 APBO was 7.25% for pre-65 retirees and 7.00% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s 2013 Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost was 7.50% for pre-65 retirees and 7.25% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees.

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects: 

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase /(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Corporation and its   subsidiaries		$173,530		$23,366		($143,969	)		($18,781	)

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees:

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase/(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$27,205		$3,275		($22,483	)		($2,622	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$21,873		$2,792		($17,958	)		($2,219	)
Entergy Louisiana		$18,025		$2,514		($15,012	)		($2,031	)
Entergy Mississippi		$8,235		$1,072		($6,819	)		($858	)
Entergy New Orleans		$4,995		$562		($4,242	)		($461	)
Entergy Texas		$13,439		$1,483		($11,170	)		($1,189	)
System Energy		$7,022		$1,064		($5,746	)		($847	)

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 became law.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit cost under Medicare (Part D), which started in 2006, as well as a federal subsidy to employers who provide a retiree prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2013 and 2012 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation by $53.7 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and reduced the 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit cost by $25.4 million, $31.2 million, and $33.0 million, respectively.  In 2013, Entergy received $3.3 million in Medicare subsidies for prescription drug claims.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies and the actual subsidies received for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	Increase/(Decrease) In Thousands
Impact on 12/31/2013 APBO		($9,639	)		($4,875	)		($5,580	)		($3,060	)		($1,769	)		($3,324	)		($1,973	)
Impact on 12/31/2012 APBO		($62,877	)		($32,055	)		($36,015	)		($19,507	)		($10,902	)		($21,164	)		($13,586	)
Impact on 2013 other postretirement benefit cost		($4,732	)		($2,988	)		($3,025	)		($1,503	)		($729	)		($1,045	)		($1,093	)
Impact on 2012 other postretirement benefit cost		($5,791	)		($3,660	)		($3,643	)		($1,799	)		($995	)		($1,321	)		($1,400	)
Impact on 2011 other postretirement benefit cost		($6,309	)		($3,923	)		($3,889	)		($2,016	)		($1,170	)		($1,528	)		($1,403	)
Medicare subsidies received in 2013		$737			$410			$513			$245			$194			$334			$105

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and its subsidiaries. The employing Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions for all non-bargaining and certain bargaining employees to the System Savings Plan in an amount equal to 70% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The 70% match is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IV (established in 2002), the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007), and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and its subsidiaries.  

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $44.5 million in 2013, $43.7 million in 2012, and $42.6 million in 2011.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2013, 2012, and 2011 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,351		$1,906		$2,393		$1,954		$769		$1,616
2012		$3,223		$1,842		$2,327		$1,875		$740		$1,601
2011		$3,183		$1,804		$2,260		$1,894		$725		$1,613

Entergy Texas [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Non-Bargaining Employees,” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees.”  The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in two of these plans: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees.”  Except for the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, the pension plans are noncontributory and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during the final years before retirement.  The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III includes a mandatory employee contribution of 3% of earnings during the first 10 years of plan participation, and allows voluntary contributions from 1% to 10% of earnings for a limited group of employees.

The assets of the seven qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts of the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled in the master trust, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating pension plans.  The fair value of the trust assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

Further, within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment income and contributions, and decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/(loss) (i.e. interest and dividends, realized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension costs in accordance with contribution guidelines established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$172,280			$150,763			$121,961
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263,296			260,929			236,992
Expected return on assets	(328,227		)	(317,423		)	(301,276		)
Amortization of prior service cost	2,125			2,733			3,350
Recognized net loss	213,194			167,279			92,977
Curtailment loss	16,318			—			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—			—
Net periodic pension costs		$352,125			$264,281			$154,004
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		($894,150	)		$552,303			$1,045,624
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,125		)	(2,733		)	(3,350		)
Acceleration of prior service cost to curtailment	(1,307		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss	(213,194		)	(167,279		)	(92,977		)
Total	(1,110,776		)	382,291			949,297
Total recognized as net periodic pension (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($758,651	)		$646,572			$1,103,301
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year:
Prior service cost		$1,600			$2,268			$2,733
Net loss		$146,958			$219,805			$169,064

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States  Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$25,229			$14,258			$17,044			$7,295			$3,264			$6,475			$7,242
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Expected return on assets	(66,951		)	(34,982		)	(41,948		)	(21,139		)	(9,117		)	(22,277		)	(17,249		)
Amortization of prior service cost	23			9			83			10			2			6			9
Recognized net loss	49,517			23,374			34,107			13,189			7,878			13,302			9,560
Curtailment loss	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Net pension cost		$69,013			$31,013			$49,316			$16,283			$10,413			$16,223			$13,702
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain		($177,105	)		($98,610	)		($123,234	)		($52,525	)		($25,419	)		($55,772	)		($35,511	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(23		)	(9		)	(83		)	(10		)	(2		)	(6		)	(9		)
Amortization of net loss	(49,517		)	(23,374		)	(34,107		)	(13,189		)	(7,878		)	(13,302		)	(9,560		)
Total		($226,645	)		($121,993	)		($157,424	)		($65,724	)		($33,299	)		($69,080	)		($45,080	)
Total recognized as net periodic pension income regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($157,632	)		($90,980	)		($108,108	)		($49,441	)		($22,886	)		($52,857	)		($31,378	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$2
Net loss		$35,984			$15,935			$24,360			$9,421			$5,802			$9,363			$9,510

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$22,169			$12,273			$14,675			$6,410			$2,824			$5,684			$5,920
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Expected return on assets	(65,763		)	(34,370		)	(40,836		)	(20,945		)	(8,860		)	(22,325		)	(16,436		)
Amortization of prior service cost	200			19			208			30			7			15			13
Recognized net loss	40,772			16,173			28,197			10,532			6,878			10,179			9,001
Net pension cost		$53,064			$19,774			$37,445			$12,306			$8,457			$10,376			$11,485
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$105,133			$77,207			$76,163			$27,106			$14,282			$28,745			$10,266
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(200		)	(19		)	(208		)	(30		)	(7		)	(15		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	(40,772		)	(16,173		)	(28,197		)	(10,532		)	(6,878		)	(10,179		)	(9,001		)
Total		$64,161			$61,015			$47,758			$16,544			$7,397			$18,551			$1,252
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$117,225			$80,789			$85,203			$28,850			$15,854			$28,927			$12,737
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$23			$9			$83			$10			$2			$6			$10
Net loss		$50,175			$23,731			$34,906			$13,375			$8,046			$13,494			$9,717

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$18,072			$9,848			$11,543			$5,308			$2,242			$4,788			$4,941
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	51,965			23,713			32,636			15,637			7,050			15,971			11,758
Expected return on assets	(62,434		)	(33,358		)	(38,866		)	(20,152		)	(8,455		)	(22,005		)	(15,138		)
Amortization of prior service cost	459			79			280			152			35			65			16
Recognized net loss	25,681			9,118			17,990			6,717			4,666			5,579			5,284
Net pension cost		$33,743			$9,400			$23,583			$7,662			$5,538			$4,398			$6,861
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$217,989			$102,329			$137,100			$56,714			$29,297			$64,662			$52,876
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(459		)	(79		)	(280		)	(152		)	(35		)	(65		)	(16		)
Amortization of net loss	(25,681		)	(9,118		)	(17,990		)	(6,717		)	(4,666		)	(5,579		)	(5,284		)
Total		$191,849			$93,132			$118,830			$49,845			$24,596			$59,018			$47,576
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$225,592			$102,532			$142,413			$57,507			$30,134			$63,416			$54,437
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$200			$19			$208			$30			$7			$15			$13
Net loss		$41,309			$16,295			$28,486			$10,667			$6,935			$10,261			$9,135

Qualified PensionObligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$6,096,639			$5,187,635
Service cost	172,280			150,763
Interest cost	263,296			260,929
Curtailment	15,011			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990		)	693,017
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Balance at end of year		$5,770,999			$6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$3,832,860			$3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386			458,137
Employer contributions	163,367			170,512
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$4,429,237			$3,832,860
Funded status		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$5,027			$308
Net loss	1,494,117			2,352,234
		$1,499,144			$2,352,542
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		$1,292			$9,444
Net loss	383,920			633,146
		$385,212			$642,590

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Service cost	25,229			14,258			17,044			7,295			3,264			6,475			7,242
Interest cost	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Curtailment	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Actuarial gain	(110,943		)	(64,119		)	(80,794		)	(31,684		)	(16,276		)	(33,792		)	(23,882		)
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Balance at end of year		$1,192,640			$579,862			$761,350			$345,824			$163,707			$356,080			$270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Actual return on plan assets	133,113			69,473			84,388			41,980			18,259			44,257			28,878
Employer contributions	35,382			11,550			21,152			8,152			4,175			6,880			8,305
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$896,295			$469,295			$561,892			$281,837			$122,960			$295,751			$196,328
Funded status		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service credit		$—			$—			($1	)		$—			$—			$—			($4	)
Net loss	457,485			178,990			299,740			120,290			69,856			120,619			121,327
	$	457,485		$	178,990		$	299,739		$	120,290		$	69,856		$	120,619		$	121,323
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	—			25,437			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$25,437			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,116,572			$512,432			$704,748			$326,377			$151,966			$337,669			$258,268
Service cost	22,169			12,273			14,675			6,410			2,824			5,684			5,920
Interest cost	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Actuarial loss	134,691			92,275			93,817			36,329			18,000			38,328			13,691
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Balance at end of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$707,275			$366,555			$432,418			$223,981			$94,202			$237,438			$147,091
Actual return on plan assets	95,321			49,438			58,489			30,169			12,578			31,909			19,860
Employer contributions	37,163			13,569			28,816			9,665			5,811			9,091			9,771
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Funded status		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$23			$8			$83			$10			$2			$7			$6
Net loss	683,790			283,847			456,800			185,903			103,072			189,589			166,276
		$683,813			$283,855			$456,883			$185,913			$103,074			$189,596			$166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Prior service cost		$—			$1			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			42,414			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$42,415			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  Substantially all employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement benefit plans.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  At January 1, 1993, the actuarially determined accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) earned by retirees and active employees was estimated to be approximately $241.4 million for Entergy (other than the former Entergy Gulf States) and $128 million for the former Entergy Gulf States (now split into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas).  Such obligations were being amortized over a 20-year period that began in 1993 and ended in 2012.  For the most part, the Registrant Subsidiaries recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs from customers and are required to contribute the other postretirement benefits collected in rates to an external trust.

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  Entergy Arkansas began recovery in 1998, pursuant to an APSC order.  This order also allowed Entergy Arkansas to amortize a regulatory asset (representing the difference between other postretirement benefit costs and cash expenditures for other postretirement benefits incurred from 1993 through 1997) over a 15-year period that began in January 1998 and ended in December 2012.

The LPSC ordered Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted.

Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in bank-administered master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Other postretirement benefit changes

In December 2013, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits which include, among other things, elimination of other postretirement benefits for employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014 and setting a dollar limit cap on Entergy's contribution to retiree medical costs, effective 2019 for those employees who commence their Entergy retirement benefits on or after January 1, 2015. In accordance with accounting standards, certain of the other postretirement benefit changes have been reflected in the December 31, 2013 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Other post retirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$74,654			$68,883			$59,340
Interest cost on APBO	79,453			82,561			74,522
Expected return on assets	(40,323		)	(34,503		)	(29,477		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			3,177			3,183
Amortization of prior service credit	(14,904		)	(18,163		)	(14,070		)
Recognized net loss	44,178			36,448			21,192
Curtailment loss	12,729			—			—
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$155,787			$138,403			$114,690
Other changes in plan assets and benefit  obligations recognized as a regulatory asset  and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period		($116,571	)		$—			($29,507	)
Net (gain)/loss	(405,976		)	92,584			236,594
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	—			(3,177		)	(3,183		)
Amortization of prior service credit	14,904			18,163			14,070
Acceleration of prior service credit due to curtailment	1,989			—			—
Amortization of net loss	(44,178		)	(36,448		)	(21,192		)
Total		($549,832	)		$71,122			$196,782
Total recognized as net periodic benefit cost,  regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($394,045	)		$209,525			$311,472
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic  benefit cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$—			$—			$3,177
Prior service credit		($31,589	)		($13,336	)		($18,163	)
Net loss		$11,197			$45,217			$43,127

Total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,619			$7,910			$8,541			$3,246			$1,752			$3,760			$3,580
Interest cost on APBO	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Expected return on assets	(16,843		)	—			—			(5,335		)	(4,101		)	(9,391		)	(3,350		)
Amortization of prior credit	(689		)	(942		)	(508		)	(204		)	(24		)	(501		)	(126		)
Recognized net loss	7,976			4,598			5,050			2,534			1,509			3,744			1,896
Curtailment loss	4,517			1,546			1,848			596			354			1,436			760
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,125			$22,076			$24,341			$5,126			$2,625			$5,124			$5,705
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for the period		($11,617	)		($8,705	)		($18,844	)		($4,714	)		($4,469	)		($5,359	)		($4,591	)
Net loss		($81,236	)		($40,938	)		($43,743	)		($30,018	)		($18,508	)		($34,562	)		($17,579	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	689			942			508			204			24			501			126
Acceleration of prior service credit/(cost) due to curtailment	78			91			41			20			(4		)	62			9
Amortization of net loss	(7,976		)	(4,598		)	(5,050		)	(2,534		)	(1,509		)	(3,744		)	(1,896		)
Total		($100,062	)		($53,208	)		($67,088	)		($37,042	)		($24,466	)		($43,102	)		($23,931	)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($81,937	)		($31,132	)		($42,747	)		($31,916	)		($21,841	)		($37,978	)		($18,226	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service credit		($2,441	)		($2,236	)		($3,376	)		($918	)		($709	)		($1,301	)		($824	)
Net loss		$1,267			$1,212			$1,511			$149			$56			$800			$464

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,089			$7,521			$7,796			$3,093			$1,689			$3,651			$3,293
Interest cost on APBO	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Expected return on assets	(14,029		)	—			—			(4,521		)	(3,711		)	(8,415		)	(2,601		)
Amortization of transition obligation	820			238			382			351			1,189			187			8
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(63		)
Recognized net loss	8,305			4,737			4,359			2,920			1,559			4,320			1,970
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,107			$21,262			$22,071			$6,420			$4,186			$5,965			$5,635
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$9,066			$5,818			$16,215			$271			$2,260			$191			$2,043
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(820		)	(238		)	(382		)	(351		)	(1,189		)	(187		)	(8		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			63
Amortization of net loss	(8,305		)	(4,737		)	(4,359		)	(2,920		)	(1,559		)	(4,320		)	(1,970		)
Total		$471			$1,667			$11,721			($2,861	)		($526	)		($3,888	)		$128
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$18,578			$22,929			$33,792			$3,559			$3,660			$2,077			$5,763
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($62	)
Net loss		$8,163			$4,693			$5,149			$2,650			$1,587			$3,905			$1,915

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$8,053			$6,158			$6,540			$2,632			$1,448			$3,074			$2,642
Interest cost on APBO	13,742			8,298			8,767			4,370			3,225			5,945			2,666
Expected return on assets	(11,528		)	—			—			(3,906		)	(3,200		)	(7,496		)	(2,115		)
Amortization of transition obligation	821			239			383			352			1,190			187			9
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(589		)
Recognized net loss	6,436			2,896			2,793			2,160			968			2,803			1,477
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$16,994			$16,767			$18,236			$5,469			$3,669			$4,085			$4,090
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		$32,241			$28,721			$24,837			$12,598			$8,946			$23,125			$8,499
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(821		)	(239		)	(383		)	(352		)	(1,190		)	(187		)	(9		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			589
Amortization of net loss	(6,436		)	(2,896		)	(2,793		)	(2,160		)	(968		)	(2,803		)	(1,477		)
Total		$25,514			$26,410			$21,908			$10,225			$6,750			$20,563			$7,602
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$42,508			$43,177			$40,144			$15,694			$10,419			$24,648			$11,692
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$820			$238			$382			$351			$1,189			$187			$8
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($63	)
Net loss		$8,365			$4,778			$4,398			$2,926			$1,562			$4,329			$1,994

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$1,846,922			$1,652,369
Service cost	74,654			68,883
Interest cost	79,453			82,561
Plan amendments	(116,571		)	—
Curtailment	14,718			—
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004		)	102,833
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310			5,999
Balance at end of year		$1,461,910			$1,846,922
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$488,448			$427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314			44,752
Employer contributions	75,660			82,247
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$569,850			$488,448
Funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		($40,602	)		($33,813	)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458		)	(1,324,661		)
Total funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	(93,332		)	(5,307		)
Net loss	165,270			367,519
		$71,938			$362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	(60,988		)	(49,335		)
Net loss	107,996			355,900
		$47,008			$306,565

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Service cost	9,619			7,910			8,541			3,246			1,752			3,760			3,580
Interest cost	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Plan amendments	(11,617		)	(8,705		)	(18,844		)	(4,714		)	(4,469		)	(5,359		)	(4,591		)
Curtailment	4,595			1,637			1,889			616			350			1,498			769
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Actuarial gain	(67,253		)	(40,941		)	(43,747		)	(25,527		)	(13,739		)	(26,048		)	(14,639		)
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737			410			513			245			194			334			105
Balance at end of year		$250,734			$170,302			$168,764			$74,539			$57,874			$115,418			$53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Actual return on plan assets	30,830			—			—			9,826			8,870			17,905			6,292
Employer contributions	21,015			6,960			9,015			4,785			2,567			4,846			5,387
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$231,663			$—			$—			$73,438			$66,539			$131,618			$48,101
Funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($8,803	)		($10,249	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(19,071		)	(161,499		)	(158,515		)	(1,101		)	8,665			16,200			(4,950		)
Total funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($12,996	)		$—			$—			($5,056	)		($4,335	)		($6,505	)		($4,702	)
Net loss	40,272			—			—			9,304			6,485			22,772			10,297
		$27,276			$—			$—			$4,248			$2,150			$16,267			$5,595
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($10,359	)		($19,390	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			31,577			35,001			—			—			—			—
		$—			$21,218			$15,611			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$290,613			$191,877			$196,352			$94,570			$69,316			$133,602			$60,526
Service cost	9,089			7,521			7,796			3,093			1,689			3,651			3,293
Interest cost	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Actuarial loss	13,256			5,818			16,215			1,625			3,240			2,645			2,861
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331			779			908			434			396			644			170
Balance at end of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$164,846			$—			$—			$54,452			$53,418			$105,181			$32,012
Actual return on plan assets	18,219			—			—			5,874			4,691			10,869			3,419
Employer contributions	24,386			7,598			11,035			6,555			4,405			4,852			5,987
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($7,546	)		($9,152	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(121,290		)	(200,441		)	(210,865		)	(37,557		)	(15,549		)	(26,290		)	(28,460		)
Total funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($2,146	)		$—			$—			($566	)		$114			($1,709	)		($246	)
Net loss	129,484			—			—			41,855			26,502			61,077			29,773
		$127,338			$—			$—			$41,289			$26,616			$59,368			$29,527
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($2,687	)		($1,095	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			77,113			83,795			—			—			—			—
		$—			$74,426			$82,700			$—			$—			$—			$—

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $54.5 million in 2013, $26.5 million in 2012, and $24.0 million in 2011.  In 2013, 2012, and 2011 Entergy recognized $33.0 million, $6.3 million, and $4.6 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.  The projected benefit obligation was $154.3 million and $199.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $131.4 million and $180.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Entergy’s non-qualified, non-current pension liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $127.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively; and its current liability was $26.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  The unamortized transition asset, prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($59.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $81.2 million at December 31, 2012) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2012).

The Registrant Subsidiaries (except System Energy) participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2013, 2012, and 2011, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$448		$151		$12		$192		$92		$1,001
2012		$464		$158		$12		$183		$79		$648
2011		$498		$167		$14		$190		$65		$763

Included in the 2013 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $415 thousand for Entergy Texas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2012 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $38 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2011 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $41 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$4,162		$2,511		$50		$1,752		$434		$7,910
2012		$4,323		$2,909		$116		$1,841		$457		$9,732

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,765		$2,510		$50		$1,528		$387		$7,496
2012		$3,856		$2,899		$116		$1,590		$427		$9,127

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($367	)		($262	)		($6	)		($118	)		($20	)		($786	)
Non-current liabilities	(3,795		)	(2,249		)	(44		)	(1,634		)	(414		)	(7,124		)
Total funded status		($4,162	)		($2,511	)		($50	)		($1,752	)		($434	)		($7,910	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$1,979			$422			($87	)		$637			($18	)		($1,631	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$57			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($209	)		($257	)		($17	)		($118	)		($25	)		($853	)
Non-current liabilities	(4,114		)	(2,652		)	(99		)	(1,723		)	(432		)	(8,879		)
Total funded status		($4,323	)		($2,909	)		($116	)		($1,841	)		($457	)		($9,732	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$2,359			$679			($29	)		$800			$88			($465	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$102			$—			$—			$—			$—

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2013:

	Qualified Pension Costs			Other Postretirement Costs			Non-Qualified Pension Costs			Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost		($1,866	)		$12,925			($503	)		$10,556
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	(1,304		)	1,797			(178		)	315
Amortization of loss	(43,971		)	(21,590		)	(2,569		)	(68,130		)
Settlement loss	—			—			(11,612		)	(11,612		)
		($47,141	)		($6,868	)		($14,862	)		($68,871	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		($1	)		$942			$—			$941
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			91			—			91
Amortization of loss	(3,039		)	(4,598		)	(7		)	(7,644		)
		($3,040	)		($3,565	)		($7	)		($6,612	)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		$—			$508			$—			$508
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			41			—			41
Amortization of loss	—			(5,050		)	—			(5,050		)
		$—			($4,501	)		$—			($4,501	)

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana recover other postretirement benefit costs on a pay as you go basis and record the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also requires that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  Entergy determines the MRV of pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns.  For other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy uses fair value when determining MRV.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes, and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. Target asset allocations adjust dynamically based on the funded status of the pension plans.  The following targets and ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.  The target asset allocation range below for pension shows the ranges within which the allocation may adjust based on funded status, with the expectation that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension funded status increases.  The target and range asset allocation for postretirement assets reflects changes made in 2012 as recommended in the latest optimization study

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the target asset allocation and ranges are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	45%	34%	to	53%	46%	44%
International Equity Securities	20%	16%	to	24%	20%	20%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	31%	to	41%	33%	35%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable						Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	34%	to	44%	40%	38%	39%	34%	to	44%	39%	39%
International Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	26%	28%	26%	21%	to	31%	27%	27%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on current assets and expected return available for reinvestment.  The time period reflected is a long dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other trust assets (as described above), with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

• Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-     inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

• Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Pension Trust

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$6,847	(b)		$6,038	(a)		$—		$12,885
Common	915,996		(b)	—			—		915,996
Common collective trusts	—			1,753,958		(c)	—		1,753,958
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	180,718		(b)	152,915		(a)	—		333,633
Corporate debt instruments	—			464,652		(a)	—		464,652
Registered investment companies	316,863		(d)	486,748		(e)	—		803,611
Other	—			129,169		(f)	—		129,169
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,886		(g)	—		36,886
Total investments		$1,420,424			$3,030,366			$—		$4,450,790
Cash									280
Other pending transactions									8,081
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(29,914		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$4,429,237

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$861	(b)		$5,906	(a)		$—		$6,767
Common	787,132		(b)	—			—		787,132
Common collective trusts	—			1,620,315		(c)	—		1,620,315
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	161,593		(b)	150,068		(a)	—		311,661
Corporate debt instruments	—			429,813		(a)	—		429,813
Registered investment companies	50,029		(d)	483,509		(e)	—		533,538
Other	—			111,001		(f)	—		111,001
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,252		(g)	—		36,252
Total investments		$999,615			$2,836,864			$—		$3,836,479
Cash									571
Other pending transactions									4,594
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(8,784		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$3,832,860

Other Postretirement Trusts

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$356,700	(c)		$—		$356,700
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	40,808		(b)	43,471		(a)	—		84,279
Corporate debt instruments	—			50,563		(a)	—		50,563
Registered investment companies	4,163		(d)	—			—		4,163
Other	—			43,458		(f)	—		43,458
Total investments		$44,971			$494,192			$—		$539,163
Other pending transactions									773
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									29,914
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$569,850

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$314,478	(c)		$—		$314,478
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	36,392		(b)	43,398		(a)	—		79,790
Corporate debt instruments	—			42,163		(a)	—		42,163
Registered investment companies	3,229		(d)	—			—		3,229
Other	—			39,846		(f)	—		39,846
Total investments		$39,621			$439,885			$—		$479,506
Other pending transactions									158
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									8,784
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$488,448

(a) Certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b) Common stocks, treasury notes and bonds, and certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c) The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of the common collective trusts estimate fair value.

(d) The registered investment company is a money market mutual fund with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share.

(e) The registered investment company holds investments in domestic and international bond markets and estimates fair value using net asset value per share.

(f) The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g) The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$1,107,023		$1,161,448
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$530,974		$559,190
Entergy Louisiana		$697,945		$735,376
Entergy Mississippi		$318,941		$336,099
Entergy New Orleans		$150,239		$157,233
Entergy Texas		$332,484		$350,351
System Energy		$247,807		$251,378

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension		Non-Qualified Pension		Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)		Estimated Future Medicare Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$232,876		$26,817		$84,038		$5,372
2015		$246,217		$11,687		$79,244		$426
2016		$261,255		$10,242		$80,842		$478
2017		$276,451		$10,522		$82,974		$536
2018		$293,163		$13,421		$87,575		$1,769
2019 - 2023		$1,773,632		$66,317		$485,409		$11,725

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$60,456		$23,039		$34,740		$16,920		$6,615		$18,583		$10,523
2015		$61,587		$24,260		$35,623		$17,669		$7,008		$19,137		$10,883
2016		$63,083		$25,556		$36,833		$18,515		$7,437		$19,744		$11,463
2017		$64,418		$27,111		$38,247		$19,298		$7,941		$20,402		$11,851
2018		$66,281		$28,962		$39,914		$20,237		$8,582		$21,140		$12,615
2019 - 2023		$375,976		$177,010		$229,821		$114,462		$51,610		$118,750		$77,880

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$367		$262		$6		$119		$20		$786
2015		$345		$240		$6		$115		$20		$701
2016		$299		$233		$6		$108		$20		$775
2017		$299		$279		$6		$105		$20		$690
2018		$279		$212		$5		$99		$19		$657
2019 - 2023		$1,916		$932		$21		$648		$223		$2,951

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$17,122		$9,385		$10,967		$4,814		$5,044		$7,540		$2,858
2015		$15,513		$8,899		$10,049		$4,267		$4,475		$6,818		$2,783
2016		$15,523		$9,137		$10,162		$4,340		$4,448		$6,934		$2,786
2017		$15,554		$9,403		$10,289		$4,447		$4,423		$7,079		$2,875
2018		$15,987		$9,912		$10,796		$4,767		$4,502		$7,471		$2,984
2019 - 2023		$82,455		$55,934		$59,068		$25,819		$21,707		$40,067		$16,928

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$1,241		$582		$718		$462		$387		$563		$130
2015		$68		$32		$39		$25		$20		$30		$8
2016		$74		$35		$43		$27		$20		$32		$9
2017		$81		$38		$46		$29		$21		$34		$10
2018		$354		$165		$199		$123		$85		$141		$51
2019 - 2023		$2,252		$1,061		$1,235		$742		$455		$816		$379

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $74.1 million to other postretirement plans in 2014.  The expected 2014 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The required pension contributions will not be known with more certainty until the January 1, 2014 valuations are completed by April 1, 2014.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2014:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions		$93,591		$31,342		$52,885		$21,604		$10,482		$18,482		$21,257
Other Postretirement Contributions		$25,567		$9,385		$10,967		$—		$—		$4,645		$864

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	5.04%-5.26% Blended 5.14%	4.31% - 4.50% Blended 4.36%
Other postretirement	5.05%	4.36%
Non-qualified pension	4.29%	3.37%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2013,  2012, and 2011 were as follows:

	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	4.31% - 4.50%	5.10% - 5.20%	5.60% - 5.70%
Other postretirement	4.36%	5.10%	5.50%
Non-qualified pension	3.37%	4.40%	4.90%
Weighted-average rate of increase   in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%	4.23%
Expected long-term rate of   return on plan assets:
Pension assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	8.50%	8.50%	7.75%
Other postretirement taxable assets	6.50%	6.50%	5.50%

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit transition obligations were amortized over 20 years ending in 2012.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s December 31, 2013 APBO was 7.25% for pre-65 retirees and 7.00% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s 2013 Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost was 7.50% for pre-65 retirees and 7.25% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees.

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects: 

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase /(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Corporation and its   subsidiaries		$173,530		$23,366		($143,969	)		($18,781	)

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees:

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase/(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$27,205		$3,275		($22,483	)		($2,622	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$21,873		$2,792		($17,958	)		($2,219	)
Entergy Louisiana		$18,025		$2,514		($15,012	)		($2,031	)
Entergy Mississippi		$8,235		$1,072		($6,819	)		($858	)
Entergy New Orleans		$4,995		$562		($4,242	)		($461	)
Entergy Texas		$13,439		$1,483		($11,170	)		($1,189	)
System Energy		$7,022		$1,064		($5,746	)		($847	)

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 became law.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit cost under Medicare (Part D), which started in 2006, as well as a federal subsidy to employers who provide a retiree prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2013 and 2012 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation by $53.7 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and reduced the 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit cost by $25.4 million, $31.2 million, and $33.0 million, respectively.  In 2013, Entergy received $3.3 million in Medicare subsidies for prescription drug claims.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies and the actual subsidies received for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	Increase/(Decrease) In Thousands
Impact on 12/31/2013 APBO		($9,639	)		($4,875	)		($5,580	)		($3,060	)		($1,769	)		($3,324	)		($1,973	)
Impact on 12/31/2012 APBO		($62,877	)		($32,055	)		($36,015	)		($19,507	)		($10,902	)		($21,164	)		($13,586	)
Impact on 2013 other postretirement benefit cost		($4,732	)		($2,988	)		($3,025	)		($1,503	)		($729	)		($1,045	)		($1,093	)
Impact on 2012 other postretirement benefit cost		($5,791	)		($3,660	)		($3,643	)		($1,799	)		($995	)		($1,321	)		($1,400	)
Impact on 2011 other postretirement benefit cost		($6,309	)		($3,923	)		($3,889	)		($2,016	)		($1,170	)		($1,528	)		($1,403	)
Medicare subsidies received in 2013		$737			$410			$513			$245			$194			$334			$105

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and its subsidiaries. The employing Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions for all non-bargaining and certain bargaining employees to the System Savings Plan in an amount equal to 70% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The 70% match is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IV (established in 2002), the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007), and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and its subsidiaries.  

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $44.5 million in 2013, $43.7 million in 2012, and $42.6 million in 2011.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2013, 2012, and 2011 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,351		$1,906		$2,393		$1,954		$769		$1,616
2012		$3,223		$1,842		$2,327		$1,875		$740		$1,601
2011		$3,183		$1,804		$2,260		$1,894		$725		$1,613

System Energy [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III,” “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Non-Bargaining Employees,” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees.”  The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in two of these plans: “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees” and “Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees.”  Except for the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, the pension plans are noncontributory and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during the final years before retirement.  The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III includes a mandatory employee contribution of 3% of earnings during the first 10 years of plan participation, and allows voluntary contributions from 1% to 10% of earnings for a limited group of employees.

The assets of the seven qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts of the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled in the master trust, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating pension plans.  The fair value of the trust assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

Further, within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment income and contributions, and decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/(loss) (i.e. interest and dividends, realized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension costs in accordance with contribution guidelines established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$172,280			$150,763			$121,961
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263,296			260,929			236,992
Expected return on assets	(328,227		)	(317,423		)	(301,276		)
Amortization of prior service cost	2,125			2,733			3,350
Recognized net loss	213,194			167,279			92,977
Curtailment loss	16,318			—			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—			—
Net periodic pension costs		$352,125			$264,281			$154,004
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		($894,150	)		$552,303			$1,045,624
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,125		)	(2,733		)	(3,350		)
Acceleration of prior service cost to curtailment	(1,307		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss	(213,194		)	(167,279		)	(92,977		)
Total	(1,110,776		)	382,291			949,297
Total recognized as net periodic pension (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($758,651	)		$646,572			$1,103,301
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year:
Prior service cost		$1,600			$2,268			$2,733
Net loss		$146,958			$219,805			$169,064

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States  Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$25,229			$14,258			$17,044			$7,295			$3,264			$6,475			$7,242
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Expected return on assets	(66,951		)	(34,982		)	(41,948		)	(21,139		)	(9,117		)	(22,277		)	(17,249		)
Amortization of prior service cost	23			9			83			10			2			6			9
Recognized net loss	49,517			23,374			34,107			13,189			7,878			13,302			9,560
Curtailment loss	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Net pension cost		$69,013			$31,013			$49,316			$16,283			$10,413			$16,223			$13,702
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain		($177,105	)		($98,610	)		($123,234	)		($52,525	)		($25,419	)		($55,772	)		($35,511	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(23		)	(9		)	(83		)	(10		)	(2		)	(6		)	(9		)
Amortization of net loss	(49,517		)	(23,374		)	(34,107		)	(13,189		)	(7,878		)	(13,302		)	(9,560		)
Total		($226,645	)		($121,993	)		($157,424	)		($65,724	)		($33,299	)		($69,080	)		($45,080	)
Total recognized as net periodic pension income regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($157,632	)		($90,980	)		($108,108	)		($49,441	)		($22,886	)		($52,857	)		($31,378	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—			$2
Net loss		$35,984			$15,935			$24,360			$9,421			$5,802			$9,363			$9,510

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$22,169			$12,273			$14,675			$6,410			$2,824			$5,684			$5,920
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Expected return on assets	(65,763		)	(34,370		)	(40,836		)	(20,945		)	(8,860		)	(22,325		)	(16,436		)
Amortization of prior service cost	200			19			208			30			7			15			13
Recognized net loss	40,772			16,173			28,197			10,532			6,878			10,179			9,001
Net pension cost		$53,064			$19,774			$37,445			$12,306			$8,457			$10,376			$11,485
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$105,133			$77,207			$76,163			$27,106			$14,282			$28,745			$10,266
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(200		)	(19		)	(208		)	(30		)	(7		)	(15		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	(40,772		)	(16,173		)	(28,197		)	(10,532		)	(6,878		)	(10,179		)	(9,001		)
Total		$64,161			$61,015			$47,758			$16,544			$7,397			$18,551			$1,252
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$117,225			$80,789			$85,203			$28,850			$15,854			$28,927			$12,737
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$23			$9			$83			$10			$2			$6			$10
Net loss		$50,175			$23,731			$34,906			$13,375			$8,046			$13,494			$9,717

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$18,072			$9,848			$11,543			$5,308			$2,242			$4,788			$4,941
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	51,965			23,713			32,636			15,637			7,050			15,971			11,758
Expected return on assets	(62,434		)	(33,358		)	(38,866		)	(20,152		)	(8,455		)	(22,005		)	(15,138		)
Amortization of prior service cost	459			79			280			152			35			65			16
Recognized net loss	25,681			9,118			17,990			6,717			4,666			5,579			5,284
Net pension cost		$33,743			$9,400			$23,583			$7,662			$5,538			$4,398			$6,861
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$217,989			$102,329			$137,100			$56,714			$29,297			$64,662			$52,876
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	(459		)	(79		)	(280		)	(152		)	(35		)	(65		)	(16		)
Amortization of net loss	(25,681		)	(9,118		)	(17,990		)	(6,717		)	(4,666		)	(5,579		)	(5,284		)
Total		$191,849			$93,132			$118,830			$49,845			$24,596			$59,018			$47,576
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$225,592			$102,532			$142,413			$57,507			$30,134			$63,416			$54,437
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year
Prior service cost		$200			$19			$208			$30			$7			$15			$13
Net loss		$41,309			$16,295			$28,486			$10,667			$6,935			$10,261			$9,135

Qualified PensionObligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$6,096,639			$5,187,635
Service cost	172,280			150,763
Interest cost	263,296			260,929
Curtailment	15,011			—
Special termination benefit	13,139			—
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990		)	693,017
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Balance at end of year		$5,770,999			$6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$3,832,860			$3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386			458,137
Employer contributions	163,367			170,512
Employee contributions	598			789
Benefits paid	(217,974		)	(196,494		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$4,429,237			$3,832,860
Funded status		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities		($1,341,762	)		($2,263,779	)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$5,027			$308
Net loss	1,494,117			2,352,234
		$1,499,144			$2,352,542
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		$1,292			$9,444
Net loss	383,920			633,146
		$385,212			$642,590

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Service cost	25,229			14,258			17,044			7,295			3,264			6,475			7,242
Interest cost	54,473			26,741			34,857			15,802			7,462			16,303			12,170
Curtailment	4,938			805			3,542			767			343			1,559			—
Special termination benefit	1,784			808			1,631			359			581			855			1,970
Actuarial gain	(110,943		)	(64,119		)	(80,794		)	(31,684		)	(16,276		)	(33,792		)	(23,882		)
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Balance at end of year		$1,192,640			$579,862			$761,350			$345,824			$163,707			$356,080			$270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Actual return on plan assets	133,113			69,473			84,388			41,980			18,259			44,257			28,878
Employer contributions	35,382			11,550			21,152			8,152			4,175			6,880			8,305
Benefits paid	(57,727		)	(21,699		)	(32,675		)	(16,567		)	(6,252		)	(17,496		)	(9,552		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$896,295			$469,295			$561,892			$281,837			$122,960			$295,751			$196,328
Funded status		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($296,345	)		($110,567	)		($199,458	)		($63,987	)		($40,747	)		($60,329	)		($74,461	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service credit		$—			$—			($1	)		$—			$—			$—			($4	)
Net loss	457,485			178,990			299,740			120,290			69,856			120,619			121,327
	$	457,485		$	178,990		$	299,739		$	120,290		$	69,856		$	120,619		$	121,323
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	—			25,437			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$25,437			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at beginning of year		$1,116,572			$512,432			$704,748			$326,377			$151,966			$337,669			$258,268
Service cost	22,169			12,273			14,675			6,410			2,824			5,684			5,920
Interest cost	55,686			25,679			35,201			16,279			7,608			16,823			12,987
Actuarial loss	134,691			92,275			93,817			36,329			18,000			38,328			13,691
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Balance at end of year		$1,274,886			$623,068			$817,745			$369,852			$174,585			$382,176			$282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$707,275			$366,555			$432,418			$223,981			$94,202			$237,438			$147,091
Actual return on plan assets	95,321			49,438			58,489			30,169			12,578			31,909			19,860
Employer contributions	37,163			13,569			28,816			9,665			5,811			9,091			9,771
Benefits paid	(54,232		)	(19,591		)	(30,696		)	(15,543		)	(5,813		)	(16,328		)	(8,025		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$785,527			$409,971			$489,027			$248,272			$106,778			$262,110			$168,697
Funded status		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized in the  balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities		($489,359	)		($213,097	)		($328,718	)		($121,580	)		($67,807	)		($120,066	)		($114,144	)
Amounts recognized as  regulatory asset
Prior service cost		$23			$8			$83			$10			$2			$7			$6
Net loss	683,790			283,847			456,800			185,903			103,072			189,589			166,276
		$683,813			$283,855			$456,883			$185,913			$103,074			$189,596			$166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Prior service cost		$—			$1			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			42,414			—			—			—			—			—
		$—			$42,415			$—			$—			$—			$—			$—

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  Substantially all employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement benefit plans.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  At January 1, 1993, the actuarially determined accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) earned by retirees and active employees was estimated to be approximately $241.4 million for Entergy (other than the former Entergy Gulf States) and $128 million for the former Entergy Gulf States (now split into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas).  Such obligations were being amortized over a 20-year period that began in 1993 and ended in 2012.  For the most part, the Registrant Subsidiaries recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs from customers and are required to contribute the other postretirement benefits collected in rates to an external trust.

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  Entergy Arkansas began recovery in 1998, pursuant to an APSC order.  This order also allowed Entergy Arkansas to amortize a regulatory asset (representing the difference between other postretirement benefit costs and cash expenditures for other postretirement benefits incurred from 1993 through 1997) over a 15-year period that began in January 1998 and ended in December 2012.

The LPSC ordered Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted.

Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in bank-administered master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Other postretirement benefit changes

In December 2013, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits which include, among other things, elimination of other postretirement benefits for employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014 and setting a dollar limit cap on Entergy's contribution to retiree medical costs, effective 2019 for those employees who commence their Entergy retirement benefits on or after January 1, 2015. In accordance with accounting standards, certain of the other postretirement benefit changes have been reflected in the December 31, 2013 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2013			2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Other post retirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$74,654			$68,883			$59,340
Interest cost on APBO	79,453			82,561			74,522
Expected return on assets	(40,323		)	(34,503		)	(29,477		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			3,177			3,183
Amortization of prior service credit	(14,904		)	(18,163		)	(14,070		)
Recognized net loss	44,178			36,448			21,192
Curtailment loss	12,729			—			—
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$155,787			$138,403			$114,690
Other changes in plan assets and benefit  obligations recognized as a regulatory asset  and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period		($116,571	)		$—			($29,507	)
Net (gain)/loss	(405,976		)	92,584			236,594
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	—			(3,177		)	(3,183		)
Amortization of prior service credit	14,904			18,163			14,070
Acceleration of prior service credit due to curtailment	1,989			—			—
Amortization of net loss	(44,178		)	(36,448		)	(21,192		)
Total		($549,832	)		$71,122			$196,782
Total recognized as net periodic benefit cost,  regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($394,045	)		$209,525			$311,472
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic  benefit cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$—			$—			$3,177
Prior service credit		($31,589	)		($13,336	)		($18,163	)
Net loss		$11,197			$45,217			$43,127

Total 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,619			$7,910			$8,541			$3,246			$1,752			$3,760			$3,580
Interest cost on APBO	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Expected return on assets	(16,843		)	—			—			(5,335		)	(4,101		)	(9,391		)	(3,350		)
Amortization of prior credit	(689		)	(942		)	(508		)	(204		)	(24		)	(501		)	(126		)
Recognized net loss	7,976			4,598			5,050			2,534			1,509			3,744			1,896
Curtailment loss	4,517			1,546			1,848			596			354			1,436			760
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,125			$22,076			$24,341			$5,126			$2,625			$5,124			$5,705
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for the period		($11,617	)		($8,705	)		($18,844	)		($4,714	)		($4,469	)		($5,359	)		($4,591	)
Net loss		($81,236	)		($40,938	)		($43,743	)		($30,018	)		($18,508	)		($34,562	)		($17,579	)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	689			942			508			204			24			501			126
Acceleration of prior service credit/(cost) due to curtailment	78			91			41			20			(4		)	62			9
Amortization of net loss	(7,976		)	(4,598		)	(5,050		)	(2,534		)	(1,509		)	(3,744		)	(1,896		)
Total		($100,062	)		($53,208	)		($67,088	)		($37,042	)		($24,466	)		($43,102	)		($23,931	)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		($81,937	)		($31,132	)		($42,747	)		($31,916	)		($21,841	)		($37,978	)		($18,226	)
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service credit		($2,441	)		($2,236	)		($3,376	)		($918	)		($709	)		($1,301	)		($824	)
Net loss		$1,267			$1,212			$1,511			$149			$56			$800			$464

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$9,089			$7,521			$7,796			$3,093			$1,689			$3,651			$3,293
Interest cost on APBO	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Expected return on assets	(14,029		)	—			—			(4,521		)	(3,711		)	(8,415		)	(2,601		)
Amortization of transition obligation	820			238			382			351			1,189			187			8
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(63		)
Recognized net loss	8,305			4,737			4,359			2,920			1,559			4,320			1,970
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$18,107			$21,262			$22,071			$6,420			$4,186			$5,965			$5,635
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss		$9,066			$5,818			$16,215			$271			$2,260			$191			$2,043
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(820		)	(238		)	(382		)	(351		)	(1,189		)	(187		)	(8		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			63
Amortization of net loss	(8,305		)	(4,737		)	(4,359		)	(2,920		)	(1,559		)	(4,320		)	(1,970		)
Total		$471			$1,667			$11,721			($2,861	)		($526	)		($3,888	)		$128
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$18,578			$22,929			$33,792			$3,559			$3,660			$2,077			$5,763
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($62	)
Net loss		$8,163			$4,693			$5,149			$2,650			$1,587			$3,905			$1,915

2011	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$8,053			$6,158			$6,540			$2,632			$1,448			$3,074			$2,642
Interest cost on APBO	13,742			8,298			8,767			4,370			3,225			5,945			2,666
Expected return on assets	(11,528		)	—			—			(3,906		)	(3,200		)	(7,496		)	(2,115		)
Amortization of transition obligation	821			239			383			352			1,190			187			9
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(530		)	(824		)	(247		)	(139		)	38			(428		)	(589		)
Recognized net loss	6,436			2,896			2,793			2,160			968			2,803			1,477
Net other postretirement benefit cost		$16,994			$16,767			$18,236			$5,469			$3,669			$4,085			$4,090
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss		$32,241			$28,721			$24,837			$12,598			$8,946			$23,125			$8,499
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of transition obligation	(821		)	(239		)	(383		)	(352		)	(1,190		)	(187		)	(9		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	530			824			247			139			(38		)	428			589
Amortization of net loss	(6,436		)	(2,896		)	(2,793		)	(2,160		)	(968		)	(2,803		)	(1,477		)
Total		$25,514			$26,410			$21,908			$10,225			$6,750			$20,563			$7,602
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)		$42,508			$43,177			$40,144			$15,694			$10,419			$24,648			$11,692
Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost  in the following year
Transition obligation		$820			$238			$382			$351			$1,189			$187			$8
Prior service cost/(credit)		($530	)		($824	)		($247	)		($139	)		$38			($428	)		($63	)
Net loss		$8,365			$4,778			$4,398			$2,926			$1,562			$4,329			$1,994

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

	December 31,
	2013			2012
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$1,846,922			$1,652,369
Service cost	74,654			68,883
Interest cost	79,453			82,561
Plan amendments	(116,571		)	—
Curtailment	14,718			—
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004		)	102,833
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310			5,999
Balance at end of year		$1,461,910			$1,846,922
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$488,448			$427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314			44,752
Employer contributions	75,660			82,247
Plan participant contributions	19,141			18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713		)	(83,825		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$569,850			$488,448
Funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		($40,602	)		($33,813	)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458		)	(1,324,661		)
Total funded status		($892,060	)		($1,358,474	)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	(93,332		)	(5,307		)
Net loss	165,270			367,519
		$71,938			$362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	(60,988		)	(49,335		)
Net loss	107,996			355,900
		$47,008			$306,565

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Service cost	9,619			7,910			8,541			3,246			1,752			3,760			3,580
Interest cost	13,545			8,964			9,410			4,289			3,135			6,076			2,945
Plan amendments	(11,617		)	(8,705		)	(18,844		)	(4,714		)	(4,469		)	(5,359		)	(4,591		)
Curtailment	4,595			1,637			1,889			616			350			1,498			769
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Actuarial gain	(67,253		)	(40,941		)	(43,747		)	(25,527		)	(13,739		)	(26,048		)	(14,639		)
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737			410			513			245			194			334			105
Balance at end of year		$250,734			$170,302			$168,764			$74,539			$57,874			$115,418			$53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Actual return on plan assets	30,830			—			—			9,826			8,870			17,905			6,292
Employer contributions	21,015			6,960			9,015			4,785			2,567			4,846			5,387
Plan participant contributions	4,564			1,998			2,509			1,292			915			1,498			860
Benefits paid	(18,764		)	(8,958		)	(11,524		)	(5,416		)	(4,464		)	(8,455		)	(3,912		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$231,663			$—			$—			$73,438			$66,539			$131,618			$48,101
Funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($8,803	)		($10,249	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(19,071		)	(161,499		)	(158,515		)	(1,101		)	8,665			16,200			(4,950		)
Total funded status		($19,071	)		($170,302	)		($168,764	)		($1,101	)		$8,665			$16,200			($4,950	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($12,996	)		$—			$—			($5,056	)		($4,335	)		($6,505	)		($4,702	)
Net loss	40,272			—			—			9,304			6,485			22,772			10,297
		$27,276			$—			$—			$4,248			$2,150			$16,267			$5,595
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($10,359	)		($19,390	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			31,577			35,001			—			—			—			—
		$—			$21,218			$15,611			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year		$290,613			$191,877			$196,352			$94,570			$69,316			$133,602			$60,526
Service cost	9,089			7,521			7,796			3,093			1,689			3,651			3,293
Interest cost	14,452			9,590			9,781			4,716			3,422			6,650			3,028
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Actuarial loss	13,256			5,818			16,215			1,625			3,240			2,645			2,861
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331			779			908			434			396			644			170
Balance at end of year		$315,308			$207,987			$220,017			$100,508			$74,200			$142,114			$67,934
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		$164,846			$—			$—			$54,452			$53,418			$105,181			$32,012
Actual return on plan assets	18,219			—			—			5,874			4,691			10,869			3,419
Employer contributions	24,386			7,598			11,035			6,555			4,405			4,852			5,987
Plan participant contributions	4,440			1,945			2,725			1,269			742			1,526			820
Benefits paid	(17,873		)	(9,543		)	(13,760		)	(5,199		)	(4,605		)	(6,604		)	(2,764		)
Fair value of assets at end of year		$194,018			$—			$—			$62,951			$58,651			$115,824			$39,474
Funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities		$—			($7,546	)		($9,152	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Non-current liabilities	(121,290		)	(200,441		)	(210,865		)	(37,557		)	(15,549		)	(26,290		)	(28,460		)
Total funded status		($121,290	)		($207,987	)		($220,017	)		($37,557	)		($15,549	)		($26,290	)		($28,460	)
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)		($2,146	)		$—			$—			($566	)		$114			($1,709	)		($246	)
Net loss	129,484			—			—			41,855			26,502			61,077			29,773
		$127,338			$—			$—			$41,289			$26,616			$59,368			$29,527
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit		$—			($2,687	)		($1,095	)		$—			$—			$—			$—
Net loss	—			77,113			83,795			—			—			—			—
		$—			$74,426			$82,700			$—			$—			$—			$—

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $54.5 million in 2013, $26.5 million in 2012, and $24.0 million in 2011.  In 2013, 2012, and 2011 Entergy recognized $33.0 million, $6.3 million, and $4.6 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.  The projected benefit obligation was $154.3 million and $199.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $131.4 million and $180.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Entergy’s non-qualified, non-current pension liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $127.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively; and its current liability was $26.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  The unamortized transition asset, prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($59.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $81.2 million at December 31, 2012) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2012).

The Registrant Subsidiaries (except System Energy) participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2013, 2012, and 2011, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$448		$151		$12		$192		$92		$1,001
2012		$464		$158		$12		$183		$79		$648
2011		$498		$167		$14		$190		$65		$763

Included in the 2013 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $415 thousand for Entergy Texas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2012 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $38 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.  Included in the 2011 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $41 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$4,162		$2,511		$50		$1,752		$434		$7,910
2012		$4,323		$2,909		$116		$1,841		$457		$9,732

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,765		$2,510		$50		$1,528		$387		$7,496
2012		$3,856		$2,899		$116		$1,590		$427		$9,127

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

2013	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($367	)		($262	)		($6	)		($118	)		($20	)		($786	)
Non-current liabilities	(3,795		)	(2,249		)	(44		)	(1,634		)	(414		)	(7,124		)
Total funded status		($4,162	)		($2,511	)		($50	)		($1,752	)		($434	)		($7,910	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$1,979			$422			($87	)		$637			($18	)		($1,631	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$57			$—			$—			$—			$—

2012	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities		($209	)		($257	)		($17	)		($118	)		($25	)		($853	)
Non-current liabilities	(4,114		)	(2,652		)	(99		)	(1,723		)	(432		)	(8,879		)
Total funded status		($4,323	)		($2,909	)		($116	)		($1,841	)		($457	)		($9,732	)
Regulatory asset/(liability)		$2,359			$679			($29	)		$800			$88			($465	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)		$—			$102			$—			$—			$—			$—

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2013:

	Qualified Pension Costs			Other Postretirement Costs			Non-Qualified Pension Costs			Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost		($1,866	)		$12,925			($503	)		$10,556
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	(1,304		)	1,797			(178		)	315
Amortization of loss	(43,971		)	(21,590		)	(2,569		)	(68,130		)
Settlement loss	—			—			(11,612		)	(11,612		)
		($47,141	)		($6,868	)		($14,862	)		($68,871	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		($1	)		$942			$—			$941
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			91			—			91
Amortization of loss	(3,039		)	(4,598		)	(7		)	(7,644		)
		($3,040	)		($3,565	)		($7	)		($6,612	)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost		$—			$508			$—			$508
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	—			41			—			41
Amortization of loss	—			(5,050		)	—			(5,050		)
		$—			($4,501	)		$—			($4,501	)

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana recover other postretirement benefit costs on a pay as you go basis and record the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also requires that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  Entergy determines the MRV of pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns.  For other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy uses fair value when determining MRV.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes, and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. Target asset allocations adjust dynamically based on the funded status of the pension plans.  The following targets and ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.  The target asset allocation range below for pension shows the ranges within which the allocation may adjust based on funded status, with the expectation that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension funded status increases.  The target and range asset allocation for postretirement assets reflects changes made in 2012 as recommended in the latest optimization study

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the target asset allocation and ranges are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	45%	34%	to	53%	46%	44%
International Equity Securities	20%	16%	to	24%	20%	20%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	31%	to	41%	33%	35%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable						Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012	Target	Range			Actual 2013	Actual 2012
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	34%	to	44%	40%	38%	39%	34%	to	44%	39%	39%
International Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	26%	28%	26%	21%	to	31%	27%	27%
Fixed Income Securities	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%	35%	30%	to	40%	34%	34%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on current assets and expected return available for reinvestment.  The time period reflected is a long dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other trust assets (as described above), with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

• Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-     inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

• Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Pension Trust

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$6,847	(b)		$6,038	(a)		$—		$12,885
Common	915,996		(b)	—			—		915,996
Common collective trusts	—			1,753,958		(c)	—		1,753,958
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	180,718		(b)	152,915		(a)	—		333,633
Corporate debt instruments	—			464,652		(a)	—		464,652
Registered investment companies	316,863		(d)	486,748		(e)	—		803,611
Other	—			129,169		(f)	—		129,169
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,886		(g)	—		36,886
Total investments		$1,420,424			$3,030,366			$—		$4,450,790
Cash									280
Other pending transactions									8,081
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(29,914		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$4,429,237

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred		$861	(b)		$5,906	(a)		$—		$6,767
Common	787,132		(b)	—			—		787,132
Common collective trusts	—			1,620,315		(c)	—		1,620,315
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	161,593		(b)	150,068		(a)	—		311,661
Corporate debt instruments	—			429,813		(a)	—		429,813
Registered investment companies	50,029		(d)	483,509		(e)	—		533,538
Other	—			111,001		(f)	—		111,001
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—			36,252		(g)	—		36,252
Total investments		$999,615			$2,836,864			$—		$3,836,479
Cash									571
Other pending transactions									4,594
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments									(8,784		)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets										$3,832,860

Other Postretirement Trusts

2013	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$356,700	(c)		$—		$356,700
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	40,808		(b)	43,471		(a)	—		84,279
Corporate debt instruments	—			50,563		(a)	—		50,563
Registered investment companies	4,163		(d)	—			—		4,163
Other	—			43,458		(f)	—		43,458
Total investments		$44,971			$494,192			$—		$539,163
Other pending transactions									773
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									29,914
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$569,850

2012	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust		$—			$314,478	(c)		$—		$314,478
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	36,392		(b)	43,398		(a)	—		79,790
Corporate debt instruments	—			42,163		(a)	—		42,163
Registered investment companies	3,229		(d)	—			—		3,229
Other	—			39,846		(f)	—		39,846
Total investments		$39,621			$439,885			$—		$479,506
Other pending transactions									158
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust									8,784
Total fair value of other postretirement assets										$488,448

(a) Certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b) Common stocks, treasury notes and bonds, and certain preferred stocks and fixed income debt securities are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c) The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of the common collective trusts estimate fair value.

(d) The registered investment company is a money market mutual fund with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share.

(e) The registered investment company holds investments in domestic and international bond markets and estimates fair value using net asset value per share.

(f) The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g) The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$1,107,023		$1,161,448
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$530,974		$559,190
Entergy Louisiana		$697,945		$735,376
Entergy Mississippi		$318,941		$336,099
Entergy New Orleans		$150,239		$157,233
Entergy Texas		$332,484		$350,351
System Energy		$247,807		$251,378

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension		Non-Qualified Pension		Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)		Estimated Future Medicare Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$232,876		$26,817		$84,038		$5,372
2015		$246,217		$11,687		$79,244		$426
2016		$261,255		$10,242		$80,842		$478
2017		$276,451		$10,522		$82,974		$536
2018		$293,163		$13,421		$87,575		$1,769
2019 - 2023		$1,773,632		$66,317		$485,409		$11,725

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$60,456		$23,039		$34,740		$16,920		$6,615		$18,583		$10,523
2015		$61,587		$24,260		$35,623		$17,669		$7,008		$19,137		$10,883
2016		$63,083		$25,556		$36,833		$18,515		$7,437		$19,744		$11,463
2017		$64,418		$27,111		$38,247		$19,298		$7,941		$20,402		$11,851
2018		$66,281		$28,962		$39,914		$20,237		$8,582		$21,140		$12,615
2019 - 2023		$375,976		$177,010		$229,821		$114,462		$51,610		$118,750		$77,880

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$367		$262		$6		$119		$20		$786
2015		$345		$240		$6		$115		$20		$701
2016		$299		$233		$6		$108		$20		$775
2017		$299		$279		$6		$105		$20		$690
2018		$279		$212		$5		$99		$19		$657
2019 - 2023		$1,916		$932		$21		$648		$223		$2,951

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$17,122		$9,385		$10,967		$4,814		$5,044		$7,540		$2,858
2015		$15,513		$8,899		$10,049		$4,267		$4,475		$6,818		$2,783
2016		$15,523		$9,137		$10,162		$4,340		$4,448		$6,934		$2,786
2017		$15,554		$9,403		$10,289		$4,447		$4,423		$7,079		$2,875
2018		$15,987		$9,912		$10,796		$4,767		$4,502		$7,471		$2,984
2019 - 2023		$82,455		$55,934		$59,068		$25,819		$21,707		$40,067		$16,928

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2014		$1,241		$582		$718		$462		$387		$563		$130
2015		$68		$32		$39		$25		$20		$30		$8
2016		$74		$35		$43		$27		$20		$32		$9
2017		$81		$38		$46		$29		$21		$34		$10
2018		$354		$165		$199		$123		$85		$141		$51
2019 - 2023		$2,252		$1,061		$1,235		$742		$455		$816		$379

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $74.1 million to other postretirement plans in 2014.  The expected 2014 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The required pension contributions will not be known with more certainty until the January 1, 2014 valuations are completed by April 1, 2014.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2014:

	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas		System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions		$93,591		$31,342		$52,885		$21,604		$10,482		$18,482		$21,257
Other Postretirement Contributions		$25,567		$9,385		$10,967		$—		$—		$4,645		$864

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	5.04%-5.26% Blended 5.14%	4.31% - 4.50% Blended 4.36%
Other postretirement	5.05%	4.36%
Non-qualified pension	4.29%	3.37%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2013,  2012, and 2011 were as follows:

	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	4.31% - 4.50%	5.10% - 5.20%	5.60% - 5.70%
Other postretirement	4.36%	5.10%	5.50%
Non-qualified pension	3.37%	4.40%	4.90%
Weighted-average rate of increase   in future compensation levels	4.23%	4.23%	4.23%
Expected long-term rate of   return on plan assets:
Pension assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	8.50%	8.50%	7.75%
Other postretirement taxable assets	6.50%	6.50%	5.50%

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit transition obligations were amortized over 20 years ending in 2012.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s December 31, 2013 APBO was 7.25% for pre-65 retirees and 7.00% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring Entergy’s 2013 Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost was 7.50% for pre-65 retirees and 7.25% for post-65 retirees for 2013, gradually decreasing each successive year until it reaches 4.75% in 2022 and beyond for both pre-65 and post-65 retirees.

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects: 

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase /(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Corporation and its   subsidiaries		$173,530		$23,366		($143,969	)		($18,781	)

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2013 would have the following effects for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees:

	1 Percentage Point Increase				1 Percentage Point Decrease
2013	Impact on the APBO		Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost		Impact on the APBO			Impact on the sum of service costs and interest cost
	Increase/(Decrease) (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas		$27,205		$3,275		($22,483	)		($2,622	)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		$21,873		$2,792		($17,958	)		($2,219	)
Entergy Louisiana		$18,025		$2,514		($15,012	)		($2,031	)
Entergy Mississippi		$8,235		$1,072		($6,819	)		($858	)
Entergy New Orleans		$4,995		$562		($4,242	)		($461	)
Entergy Texas		$13,439		$1,483		($11,170	)		($1,189	)
System Energy		$7,022		$1,064		($5,746	)		($847	)

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 became law.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit cost under Medicare (Part D), which started in 2006, as well as a federal subsidy to employers who provide a retiree prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2013 and 2012 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation by $53.7 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and reduced the 2013, 2012, and 2011 other postretirement benefit cost by $25.4 million, $31.2 million, and $33.0 million, respectively.  In 2013, Entergy received $3.3 million in Medicare subsidies for prescription drug claims.

The actuarially estimated effect of future Medicare subsidies and the actual subsidies received for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas			Entergy Gulf States Louisiana			Entergy Louisiana			Entergy Mississippi			Entergy New Orleans			Entergy Texas			System Energy
	Increase/(Decrease) In Thousands
Impact on 12/31/2013 APBO		($9,639	)		($4,875	)		($5,580	)		($3,060	)		($1,769	)		($3,324	)		($1,973	)
Impact on 12/31/2012 APBO		($62,877	)		($32,055	)		($36,015	)		($19,507	)		($10,902	)		($21,164	)		($13,586	)
Impact on 2013 other postretirement benefit cost		($4,732	)		($2,988	)		($3,025	)		($1,503	)		($729	)		($1,045	)		($1,093	)
Impact on 2012 other postretirement benefit cost		($5,791	)		($3,660	)		($3,643	)		($1,799	)		($995	)		($1,321	)		($1,400	)
Impact on 2011 other postretirement benefit cost		($6,309	)		($3,923	)		($3,889	)		($2,016	)		($1,170	)		($1,528	)		($1,403	)
Medicare subsidies received in 2013		$737			$410			$513			$245			$194			$334			$105

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and its subsidiaries. The employing Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions for all non-bargaining and certain bargaining employees to the System Savings Plan in an amount equal to 70% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The 70% match is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IV (established in 2002), the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007), and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and its subsidiaries.  

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $44.5 million in 2013, $43.7 million in 2012, and $42.6 million in 2011.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2013, 2012, and 2011 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas		Entergy Gulf States Louisiana		Entergy Louisiana		Entergy Mississippi		Entergy New Orleans		Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2013		$3,351		$1,906		$2,393		$1,954		$769		$1,616
2012		$3,223		$1,842		$2,327		$1,875		$740		$1,601
2011		$3,183		$1,804		$2,260		$1,894		$725		$1,613