Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]

Net periodic benefit cost for the UK Plan included the following components for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

	2012			2011			2010
Service cost	$	19		$	19		$	15
Interest cost	85			92			89
Expected return on plan assets	(104		)	(115		)	(102		)
Net amortization	43			37			30
Net periodic benefit cost	$	43		$	33		$	32

Net periodic benefit cost for the plans included the following components for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

	Pension									Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
Service cost	$	25		$	28		$	29		$	11		$	11		$	10
Interest cost	98			102			105			36			41			42
Expected return on plan assets	(119		)	(118		)	(114		)	(43		)	(43		)	(43		)
Net amortization	37			20			12			1			16			13
Net periodic benefit cost	$	41		$	32		$	32		$	5		$	25		$	22

Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

	Pension						Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	$	1,486		$	1,506		$	597		$	605
Employer contributions	114			126			10			30
Participant contributions	—			—			9			16
Actual return on plan assets	194			(13		)	78			—
Benefits paid	(139		)	(133		)	(44		)	(54		)
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	$	1,655		$	1,486		$	650		$	597

The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

	2012			2011
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	$	1,759		$	1,633
Employer contributions	79			79
Participant contributions	3			4
Actual return on plan assets	147			141
Benefits paid	(80		)	(85		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	88			(13		)
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	$	1,996		$	1,759

Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]

The following table is a reconciliation of the benefit obligation for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

	2012			2011
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	1,773		$	1,655
Service cost	19			19
Interest cost	85			92
Participant contributions	3			4
Actuarial loss	157			101
Benefits paid	(80		)	(85		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	90			(13		)
Benefit obligation, end of year	$	2,047		$	1,773
Accumulated benefit obligation, end of year	$	1,826		$	1,587

The following table is a reconciliation of the benefit obligations for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

	Pension						Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	2,090		$	1,974		$	773		$	770
Service cost	25			28			11			11
Interest cost	98			102			36			41
Participant contributions	—			—			9			16
Plan amendments	—			(4		)	—			(72		)
Actuarial loss	163			123			60			58
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy	(139		)	(133		)	(44		)	(51		)
Benefit obligation, end of year	$	2,237		$	2,090		$	845		$	773
Accumulated benefit obligation, end of year	$	2,211		$	2,060

Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 are as follows (in millions):

	Pension						Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	$	1,655		$	1,486		$	650		$	597
Less - Benefit obligation, end of year	2,237			2,090			845			773
Funded status	$	(582	)	$	(604	)	$	(195	)	$	(176	)
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Other assets	$	—		$	—		$	13		$	15
Other current liabilities	(12		)	(12		)	—			—
Other long-term liabilities	(570		)	(592		)	(208		)	(191		)
Amounts recognized	$	(582	)	$	(604	)	$	(195	)	$	(176	)

The funded status of the UK Plan and the amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 are as follows (in millions):

	2012			2011
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	$	1,996		$	1,759
Less - Benefit obligation, end of year	2,047			1,773
Funded status	$	(51	)	$	(14	)
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets-Other long-term liabilities	$	(51	)	$	(14	)

Net Periodic Benefit Costs Not Yet Recognized [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation of the amounts not yet recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows (in millions):

							Accumulated
							Other
	Regulatory			Regulatory			Comprehensive
	Asset			Liability			Loss			Total
Pension
Balance, December 31, 2010	$	447		$	(1	)	$	9		$	455
Net loss arising during the year	246			1			8			255
Prior service credit arising during the year	(4		)	—			—			(4		)
Net amortization	(20		)	—			—			(20		)
Total	222			1			8			231
Balance, December 31, 2011	669			—			17			686
Net loss arising during the year	79			—			9			88
Net amortization	(36		)	—			(1		)	(37		)
Total	43			—			8			51
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	712		$	—		$	25		$	737

							Accumulated
							Other
	Regulatory			Regulatory			Comprehensive
	Asset			Liability			Loss			Total
Other Postretirement
Balance, December 31, 2010	$	165		$	(22	)	$	—		$	143
Net loss arising during the year	86			12			1			99
Prior service credit arising during the year	(61		)	(3		)	(1		)	(65		)
Reduction in net transition obligation	(8		)	—			—			(8		)
Net amortization	(17		)	1			—			(16		)
Total	—			10			—			10
Balance, December 31, 2011	165			(12		)	—			153
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	24			(2		)	—			22
Net amortization	(1		)	1			—			—
Total	23			(1		)	—			22
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	188		$	(13	)	$	—		$	175

The portion of the funded status of the UK Plan not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost as of December 31 is as follows (in millions):

	2012		2011
Net loss	$	757	$	653
Prior service cost	2		3
Total	$	759	$	656

The portion of the funded status of the plans not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost as of December 31 is as follows (in millions):

	Pension						Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Net loss	$	775		$	734		$	265		$	254
Prior service credit	(33		)	(41		)	(93		)	(104		)
Regulatory deferrals	(5		)	(7		)	3			3
Total	$	737		$	686		$	175		$	153

A reconciliation of the amounts not yet recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, for the years ended December 31 is as follows (in millions):

	2012			2011
Balance, beginning of year	$	656		$	624
Net loss arising during the year	113			74
Net amortization	(43		)	(37		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	33			(5		)
Total	103			32
Balance, end of year	$	759		$	656

Defined Benefit Plans, Amounts To Be Recognized In Following Year [Table Text Block]

The net loss, prior service credit and regulatory deferrals that will be amortized in 2013 into net periodic benefit cost are estimated to be as follows (in millions):

	Net		Prior Service			Regulatory
	Loss		Credit			Deferrals			Total
Pension	$	67	$	(7	)	$	(1	)	$	59
Other postretirement	18		(13		)	1			6
Total	$	85	$	(20	)	$	—		$	65

Plan Assumptions [Table Text Block]

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost were as follows:

	Pension						Other Postretirement
	2012		2011		2010		2012		2011		2010
Benefit obligations as of December 31:
PacifiCorp-sponsored plans
Discount rate	4.05	%	4.90	%	5.35	%	4.10	%	4.95	%	5.45	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	N/A		N/A		N/A
MidAmerican Energy-sponsored plans
Discount rate	4.00	%	4.75	%	5.50	%	3.75	%	4.75	%	5.50	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	N/A		N/A		N/A
Net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
PacifiCorp-sponsored plans
Discount rate	4.90	%	5.35	%	5.80	%	4.95	%	5.45	%	5.85	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.50	%	7.50	%	7.75	%	7.50	%	7.50	%	7.75	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.00	%	N/A		N/A		N/A
MidAmerican Energy-sponsored plans
Discount rate	4.75	%	5.50	%	6.00	%	4.75	%	5.50	%	6.00	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.50	%	7.50	%	7.50	%	7.50	%	7.50	%	7.50	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.00	%	N/A		N/A		N/A

	2012		2011
Assumed healthcare cost trend rates as of December 31:
PacifiCorp-sponsored plans
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year	8.00	%	8.50	%
Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to	5.00	%	5.00	%
Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain at	2018		2016
MidAmerican Energy-sponsored plans
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year	8.00	%	7.40	%
Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to	5.00	%	5.00	%
Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain at	2018		2016

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost were as follows:

	2012		2011		2010
Benefit obligations as of December 31:
Discount rate	4.40	%	4.80	%	5.50	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.80	%	2.80	%	3.20	%
Rate of future price inflation	2.80	%	2.80	%	3.20	%
Net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
Discount rate	4.80	%	5.50	%	5.70	%
Expected return on plan assets	6.10	%	6.80	%	6.60	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.80	%	3.20	%	2.75	%
Rate of future price inflation	2.80	%	3.20	%	3.20	%

Plan Assumptions

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost were as follows:

	2012		2011		2010
Benefit obligations as of December 31:
Discount rate	4.40	%	4.80	%	5.50	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.80	%	2.80	%	3.20	%
Rate of future price inflation	2.80	%	2.80	%	3.20	%
Net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
Discount rate	4.80	%	5.50	%	5.70	%
Expected return on plan assets	6.10	%	6.80	%	6.60	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.80	%	3.20	%	2.75	%
Rate of future price inflation	2.80	%	3.20	%	3.20	%

Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]

A one percentage-point change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects (in millions):

	One Percentage-Point
	Increase		Decrease
Increase (decrease) in:
Total service and interest cost	$	3	$	(2	)
Other postretirement benefit obligation	49		(39		)

Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

The expected benefit payments to participants in the Company's pension and other postretirement benefit plans for 2013 through 2017 and for the five years thereafter are summarized below (in millions):

	Projected Benefit
	Payments
			Other
	Pension		Postretirement
2013	$	153	$	51
2014	158		52
2015	160		53
2016	164		56
2017	164		59
2018-22	792		299

Employer contributions to the UK Plan are expected to be £51 million during 2013. The expected benefit payments to participants in the UK Plan for 2013 through 2017 and for the five years thereafter, using the foreign currency exchange rate as of December 31, 2012, are summarized below (in millions):

2013	$	84
2014	86
2015	88
2016	90
2017	93
2018-2022	498

Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The target allocations (percentage of plan assets) for the UK Plan assets are as follows as of December 31, 2012:

	%
Debt securities(1)	50-55
Equity securities(1)	35-40
Real estate funds	5-15

(1) For purposes of target allocation percentages and consistent with the plans' investment policy, investment funds have been allocated based on the underlying investments in debt and equity securities.

The target allocations (percentage of plan assets) for the Company's pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets are as follows as of December 31, 2012:

		Other
	Pension(1)	Postretirement(1)
	%	%
PacifiCorp:
Debt securities(2)	33-37	33-37
Equity securities(2)	53-57	61-65
Limited partnership interests	8-12	1-3
Other	0-1	0-1
MidAmerican Energy:
Debt securities(2)	20-30	25-35
Equity securities(2)	65-75	60-80
Real estate funds	2-8	0
Other	0-5	0-5

(1) PacifiCorp's retirement plan trust includes a separate account that is used to fund benefits for the other postretirement plan. In addition to this separate account, the assets for the other postretirement benefit plans are held in Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association ("VEBA") Trusts, each of which has its own investment allocation strategies. Target allocations for the other postretirement benefit plan include the separate account of the retirement plan trust and the VEBA trusts.

(2) For purposes of target allocation percentages and consistent with the plans' investment policy, investment funds have been allocated based on the underlying investments in debt and equity securities.

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the fair value of plan assets, by major category, for the Company's defined benefit pension plans (in millions):

	Input Levels for Fair Value Measurements(1)
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
As of December 31, 2012
Cash equivalents	$	1	$	19	$	—	$	20
Debt securities:
United States government obligations	67		—		—		67
International government obligations	—		67		—		67
Corporate obligations	—		95		—		95
Municipal obligations	—		12		—		12
Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations	—		63		—		63
Equity securities:
United States companies	520		—		—		520
International companies	7		—		—		7
Investment funds(2)	213		469		—		682
Limited partnership interests(3)	—		—		96		96
Real estate funds	—		—		26		26
Total	$	808	$	725	$	122	$	1,655
As of December 31, 2011
Cash equivalents	$	—	$	18	$	—	$	18
Debt securities:
United States government obligations	27		—		—		27
International government obligations	—		73		—		73
Corporate obligations	—		92		—		92
Municipal obligations	—		12		—		12
Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations	—		80		—		80
Equity securities:
United States companies	481		—		—		481
International companies	7		—		—		7
Investment funds(2)	180		421		—		601
Limited partnership interests(3)	—		—		71		71
Real estate funds	—		—		24		24
Total	$	695	$	696	$	95	$	1,486

(1) Refer to Note 15 for additional discussion regarding the three levels of the fair value hierarchy.

(2) Investment funds are comprised of mutual funds and collective trust funds. These funds consist of equity and debt securities of approximately 68% and 32%, respectively, for 2012 and 69% and 31%, respectively, for 2011. Additionally, these funds are invested in United States and international securities of approximately 62% and 38%, respectively, for 2012 and 66% and 34%, respectively, for 2011.

(3) Limited partnership interests include several funds that invest primarily in buyout, growth equity and venture capital.

The following table presents the fair value of plan assets, by major category, for the Company's defined benefit other postretirement plans (in millions):

	Input Levels for Fair Value Measurements(1)
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
As of December 31, 2012
Cash equivalents	$	6	$	—	$	—	$	6
Debt securities:
United States government obligations	8		—		—		8
International government obligations	—		5		—		5
Corporate obligations	—		14		—		14
Municipal obligations	—		33		—		33
Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations	—		17		—		17
Equity securities:
United States companies	239		—		—		239
International companies	3		—		—		3
Investment funds(2)	215		103		—		318
Limited partnership interests(3)	—		—		7		7
Total	$	471	$	172	$	7	$	650
As of December 31, 2011
Cash equivalents	$	9	$	—	$	—	$	9
Debt securities:
United States government obligations	8		—		—		8
International government obligations	—		5		—		5
Corporate obligations	—		12		—		12
Municipal obligations	—		31		—		31
Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations	—		15		—		15
Equity securities:
United States companies	219		—		—		219
International companies	2		—		—		2
Investment funds(2)	196		94		—		290
Limited partnership interests(3)	—		—		6		6
Total	$	434	$	157	$	6	$	597

(1) Refer to Note 15 for additional discussion regarding the three levels of the fair value hierarchy.

(2) Investment funds are comprised of mutual funds and collective trust funds. These funds consist of equity and debt securities of approximately 56% and 44%, respectively, for 2012 and 56% and 44%, respectively, for 2011. Additionally, these funds are invested in United States and international securities of approximately 63% and 37%, respectively, for 2012 and 67% and 33%, respectively, for 2011.

(3) Limited partnership interests include several funds that invest primarily in buyout, growth equity and venture capital.

The following table presents the fair value of the UK Plan assets, by major category, (in millions):

	Input Levels for Fair Value Measurements(1)
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
As of December 31, 2012
Cash equivalents	$	18	$	—	$	—	$	18
Debt securities:
United Kingdom government obligations	377		—		—		377
Other international government obligations	—		24		—		24
Corporate obligations	—		169		—		169
Investment funds(2)	115		1,130		—		1,245
Real estate funds	—		—		163		163
Total	$	510	$	1,323	$	163	$	1,996
As of December 31, 2011
Cash equivalents	$	9	$	—	$	—	$	9
Debt securities:
United Kingdom government obligations	360		—		—		360
Other international government obligations	—		26		—		26
Corporate obligations	—		139		—		139
Investment funds(2)	93		974		—		1,067
Real estate funds	—		—		158		158
Total	$	462	$	1,139	$	158	$	1,759

(1) Refer to Note 15 for additional discussion regarding the three levels of the fair value hierarchy.

(2) Investment funds are comprised of mutual funds and collective trust funds. These funds consist of equity and debt securities of approximately 40% and 60%, respectively, for 2012 and 45% and 55%, respectively, for 2011.

The following table presents the Company's assets and liabilities recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):

	Input Levels for Fair Value Measurements
	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Other(1)			Total
As of December 31, 2012
Assets:
Commodity derivatives	$	1		$	55		$	39		$	(47	)	$	48
Money market mutual funds(2)	589			—			—			—			589
Debt securities:
United States government obligations	104			—			—			—			104
International government obligations	—			1			—			—			1
Corporate obligations	—			32			—			—			32
Municipal obligations	—			4			—			—			4
Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations	—			6			—			—			6
Auction rate securities	—			—			41			—			41
Equity securities:
United States companies	187			—			—			—			187
International companies	677			—			—			—			677
Investment funds	71			—			—			—			71
	$	1,629		$	98		$	80		$	(47	)	$	1,760
Liabilities:
Commodity derivatives	$	(10	)	$	(313	)	$	(7	)	$	109		$	(221	)
Interest rate derivatives	—			(13		)	—			—			(13		)
	$	(10	)	$	(326	)	$	(7	)	$	109		$	(234	)

As of December 31, 2011
Assets:
Commodity derivatives	$	1		$	166		$	27		$	(147	)	$	47
Money market mutual funds(2)	164			—			—			—			164
Debt securities:
United States government obligations	89			—			—			—			89
International government obligations	—			1			—			—			1
Corporate obligations	—			30			—			—			30
Municipal obligations	—			12			—			—			12
Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations	—			7			—			—			7
Auction rate securities	—			—			35			—			35
Equity securities:
United States companies	166			—			—			—			166
International companies	489			—			—			—			489
Investment funds	64			—			—			—			64
	$	973		$	216		$	62		$	(147	)	$	1,104
Liabilities - commodity derivatives	$	(37	)	$	(598	)	$	(4	)	$	303		$	(336	)

(1) Represents netting under master netting arrangements and a net cash collateral receivable of $62 million and $156 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(2) Amounts are included in cash and cash equivalents; current investments and restricted cash and investments; and noncurrent investments and restricted cash and investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of these money market mutual funds approximates cost.

Level Three Defined Benefit Plan Assets Roll Forward [Table Text Block]

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the Company's plan assets measured at fair value using significant Level 3 inputs for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

						Other
	Pension					Postretirement-
	Limited			Real		Limited
	Partnership			Estate		Partnership
	Interests			Funds		Interests
Balance, December 31, 2009	$	80		$	15	$	8
Actual return on plan assets still held at December 31, 2010	10			2		—
Purchases, sales, distributions and settlements	(6		)	—		(1		)
Balance, December 31, 2010	84			17		7
Actual return on plan assets still held at December 31, 2011	7			4		1
Purchases, sales, distributions and settlements	(20		)	3		(2		)
Balance, December 31, 2011	71			24		6
Actual return on plan assets still held at December 31, 2012	7			2		1
Purchases, sales, distributions and settlements	18			—		—
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	96		$	26	$	7

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the UK Plan assets measured at fair valueusing significant Level 3 inputs for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

	Real Estate Funds
	2012			2011			2010
Beginning balance	$	158		$	148		$	133
Actual return on plan assets still held at period end	(3		)	11			19
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	8			(1		)	(4		)
Ending balance	$	163		$	158		$	148