Other Income (Loss), Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Other Income (Loss), Net [Abstract]

Other Income (Loss), Net

(9) Other Income (Loss), Net:

The components of other income (loss), net for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

($ in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Gain on expiration/settlement of customer advances, net	$	7,605	$	4,973	$	2,741
Litigation settlement proceeds		1,495		3,364		2,749
Split dollar life insurance policy settlement		-		4,454		-
Loss on retirement of debt, net		-		-		(45,939	)
Other, net		35		899		(678	)
Total other income (loss), net	$	9,135	$	13,690	$	(41,127	)

During 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recognized income of $7.6 million, $5.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, in connection with certain retained liabilities that have terminated, associated with customer advances for construction from our disposed water properties.

During 2011 and 2010, we recognized $1.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in settlement proceeds related to litigation arising from businesses that the Company exited several years ago.  During 2010, we recognized a gain of $4.5 million on the settlement of a split-dollar life insurance policy.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, we recognized a loss of $53.7 million on the early retirement of debt in connection with a $700.0 million debt tender offer. During 2009, we also recognized a $7.8 million gain as a result of repurchasing $396.7 million principal amount of debt. During 2009, we recorded litigation settlement proceeds of $2.7 million in connection with the Bangor, Maine legal matter.