Benefit Plans

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]

Benefit Plans

NOTE 12. Benefit Plans

BB&T provides various benefit plans to substantially all employees, including employees of acquired entities. Employees of acquired entities generally participate in existing BB&T plans after consummation of the business combinations. The plans of acquired institutions are typically merged into the BB&T plans after consummation of the mergers, and, under these circumstances, credit is usually given to these employees for years of service at the acquired institution for vesting and eligibility purposes.

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost recognized for BB&T’s pension plans:
			Qualified Plan				Nonqualified Plans
			Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
			2012		2011		2012		2011
			(Dollars in millions)
	Service cost		$	29	$	26	$	2	$	2
	Interest cost			25		23		3		2
	Estimated return on plan assets			(49)		(49)		―		―
	Amortization and other			17		7		1		1
		Net periodic benefit cost	$	22	$	7	$	6	$	5

BB&T makes contributions to the qualified pension plan in amounts between the minimum required for funding standard accounts and the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes.Management is not required to, and currently has no plans to, make a contribution to the qualified pension plan in 2012; however, such a contribution may be made later in 2012, if deemed appropriate.