Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

11.	Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
							Postretirement Health Care Benefits
(Thousands of Dollars)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Service cost	$	5,497		$	4,454		$	823		$	998
Interest cost		12,624			12,914			6,142			7,235
Expected return on plan assets		(16,235	)		(16,962	)		(6,270	)		(6,969	)
Amortization of transition obligation		-			-			2,751			2,751
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		57			55			(1,288	)		(728	)
Amortization of net loss		8,305			6,749			2,604			2,283
Net periodic benefit cost		10,248			7,210			4,762			5,570
Additional cost recognized due to the effects of regulation		-			-			973			973
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting	$	10,248		$	7,210		$	5,735		$	6,543

In January 2012, contributions of $190.5 million were made across four of Xcel Energy's pension plans, of which $41.0 million was attributable to PSCo. Xcel Energy does not expect additional pension contributions during 2012.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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