XML 31 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Retirement Plans (Projected Benefit Obligation) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 1,672,707us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets $ 1,216,525us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets  
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet [Abstract]      
Pension and other postretirement benefits - current (123,794)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities (111,713)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities  
Pension and other postretirement benefits (1,140,677)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent (725,333)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent  
Pension Benefits [Member]      
Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO) [Roll Forward]      
PBO at beginning of year 1,668,726us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,944,731us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
PBO for plans of the Connecticut operations at contracted discount rate 342,667us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Actuarial adjustment to PBO for plans of the Connecticut operations 4,933ftr_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialAdjustmentForPboForPlansOfConnecticutOperations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Service cost 41,649us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
47,651us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
43,688us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Interest cost 80,476us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
75,812us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
78,027us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Actuarial (gain)/loss 182,074us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(180,709)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Benefits paid (110,237)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(54,151)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Settlements   (164,608)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanSettlementsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
PBO at end of year 2,210,288us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,668,726us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,944,731us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]      
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 1,216,525us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,253,666us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Fair value of plan assets for the Connecticut operations as of acquisition date 342,667us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Actual return on plan assets 140,514us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
119,328us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Employer contributions, net of transfers 83,238us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
62,290us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Benefits paid (110,237)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(54,151)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Settlements   (164,608)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanSettlementsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 1,672,707us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,216,525us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,253,666us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Funded status (537,581)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(452,201)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet [Abstract]      
Pension and other postretirement benefits - current (101,557)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(100,205)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits (436,024)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(351,996)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 532,268us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
411,432us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]      
Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO) [Roll Forward]      
PBO at beginning of year 385,623us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
438,550us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
PBO for plans of the Connecticut operations at contracted discount rate 210,732us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Service cost 10,799us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
12,533us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
10,812us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Interest cost 21,739us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
17,241us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
17,842us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Plan participants' contributions 5,010us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4,293us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Actuarial (gain)/loss 114,997us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(67,547)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Benefits paid (19,310)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(19,447)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Plan change (2,627)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfPlanAmendmentOnAccumulatedBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
PBO at end of year 726,963us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
385,623us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
438,550us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]      
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 2,307us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
5,055us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Actual return on plan assets (104)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(122)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Plan participant's contributions 5,010us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4,293us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Employer contributions, net of transfers 12,170us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
12,528us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Benefits paid (19,310)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(19,447)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 73us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2,307us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
5,055us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Funded status (726,890)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(383,316)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet [Abstract]      
Pension and other postretirement benefits - current (22,237)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(11,508)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits (704,653)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(371,808)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ 118,750us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
$ 5,230us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember