Employment Benefit Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employment Benefit Plans

Employment Benefit Plans

Components of the net cost for the periods presented below for certain employee benefit plans were as follows (in millions):

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended June 30,
Net Cost	2012			2011
Service cost	$	9		$	8
Interest cost	25			25
Expected return on plan assets	(29		)	(30		)
Amortization of net loss	2			—
Net cost recognized	$	7		$	3

	Pension Benefits
	Six Months Ended June 30,
Net Cost	2012			2011
Service cost	$	19		$	16
Interest cost	50			51
Expected return on plan assets	(59		)	(60		)
Amortization of net loss	5			—
Net cost recognized	$	15		$	7

	Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits
	Three Months Ended June 30,
Net Cost	2012		2011
Service cost	$	1	$	1
Interest cost	3		3
Net cost recognized	$	4	$	4

	Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits
	Six Months Ended June 30,
Net Cost	2012		2011
Service cost	$	1	$	1
Interest cost	6		7
Amortization of net loss	1		—
Net cost recognized	$	8	$	8

The Company is not required to make contributions to the BNSF Retirement Plan in 2012; however, the Company made a discretionary contribution of $36 million in January 2012.