Employee Benefit Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

Note 7. Employee Benefit Plans

Net periodic benefit cost is as follows:

		Pension Benefits
		Three months				Six months
		ended June 30,				ended June 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
			(Millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	11	$	9	$	22	$	19
	Interest cost		13		14		26		28
	Expected return on plan assets		(15)		(16)		(30)		(32)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		15		14		30		27
	Net actuarial loss from settlements		-		2		-		2
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	24	$	23	$	48	$	44
		Other Postretirement Benefits
		Three months				Six months
		ended June 30,				ended June 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
			(Millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	-	$	-	$	1	$	1
	Interest cost		3		3		6		6
	Expected return on plan assets		(2)		(2)		(4)		(4)
	Amortization of prior service credit		(2)		(1)		(4)		(3)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		1		1		3		4
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	-	$	1	$	2	$	4

Amortization of prior service credit and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost for our other postretirement benefit plans associated with Transco and Northwest Pipeline are recorded to net regulatory assets instead of other comprehensive income (loss).

	Amounts recognized in net regulatory assets include:
		Three months				Six months
		ended June 30,				ended June 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
			(Millions)
Amortization of prior service credit		$	(2)	$	-	$	(3)	$	(2)
Amortization of net actuarial loss			1		1		2		3

During the six months ended June 30,2013, we contributed $46million to our pension plans and $4million to our other postretirement benefit plans. We presently anticipate makingadditional contributions of approximately $46millionto our pension plans andapproximately $4millionto our other postretirement benefit plans in the remainder of 2013.