Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Other Postretirement Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

Total Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of the Companies’ total periodic other postretirement benefit cost/(credit) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	Con Edison		CECONY
(Millions of Dollars)	2021	2020	2021	2020
Service cost - including administrative expenses	$7	$5	$5	$4
Interest cost on projected other postretirement benefit obligation	8	9	7	8
Expected return on plan assets	(17)	(16)	(14)	(14)
Recognition of net actuarial loss	6	27	5	27
Recognition of prior service credit	(1)	(1)	—	(1)
TOTAL PERIODIC OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT COST	$3	$24	$3	$24
Cost capitalized	(3)	(2)	(2)	(1)
Reconciliation to rate level	—	(22)	(2)	(24)
Total expense/(credit) recognized	$—	$—	$(1)	$(1)

For information about the presentation of the components of other postretirement benefit costs, see Note E.

Expected Contributions

Based on estimates as of March 31, 2021, the Companies expect to make a contribution of $2 million (all of which is to be made by CECONY) to the other postretirement benefit plans in 2021. The Companies' policy is to fund the total periodic benefit cost of the plans to the extent tax deductible.