Employment Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

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 September 30,
Net Cost	2012			2011
Service cost	$	10		$	8
Interest cost	25			26
Expected return on plan assets	(30		)	(30		)
Amortization of net loss	3			—
Net cost recognized	$	8		$	4



	Pension Benefits
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
Net Cost	2012			2011
Service cost	$	29		$	24
Interest cost	75			77
Expected return on plan assets	(89		)	(90		)
Amortization of net loss	8			—
Net cost recognized	$	23		$	11



	Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,
Net Cost	2012		2011
Interest cost	$	4	$	4
Net cost recognized	$	4	$	4



	Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
Net Cost	2012		2011
Service cost	$	1	$	1
Interest cost	10		11
Amortization of net loss	1		—
Net cost recognized	$	12	$	12

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.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

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+ Details