Retirement Benefits and Trusteed Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Defined Benefit Plan, Assets for Plan Benefits [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND TRUSTEED ASSETS

The following table details the components of net periodic benefit costs for pension benefits and other postretirement benefits (in millions):

	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Three Months Ended September 30
Service cost	$	20		$	15		$	15		$	14
Interest cost	51			51			29			28
Expected return on plan assets	(61		)	(62		)	(23		)	(24		)
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss	48			41			21			12
Prior service cost (credit)	—			—			(6		)	(7		)
Net transition liability	—			—			—			1
Net periodic benefit cost	$	58		$	45		$	36		$	24

	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Nine Months Ended September 30
Service cost	$	61		$	52		$	51		$	48
Interest cost	153			152			90			90
Expected return on plan assets	(183		)	(185		)	(69		)	(71		)
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss	133			107			60			42
Prior service cost (credit)	—			2			(20		)	(20		)
Net transition liability	—			—			1			2
Settlements	2			2			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	166		$	130		$	113		$	91

Pension and Other Postretirement Contributions

The Company contributed $100 million to its pension plans, including a contribution of DTE Energy common stock of $80 million in the second quarter of 2012, consisting of approximately 1.3 million shares valued at an average price of $59.94 per share. At the discretion of management, and depending upon financial market conditions, the Company may make up to an additional $120 million contribution to its pension plans in 2012.

In January 2012, the Company contributed $140 million to its other postretirement benefit plans. At the discretion of management, the Company may make up to an additional $120 million contribution to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2012.

Plan Amendment

During August 2012, the Company adopted an amendment to the DTE Energy Comprehensive Retiree Group Health Care Plan. The amendment will implement changes effective January 1, 2013 to the Medicare supplemental coverage provided to eligible retired employees and their covered spouses and dependents. The impact of the amendment was not significant and did not trigger an interim re-measurement of the Plan for the quarter ended September 30, 3012.