Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Other Postretirement Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

Total Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of the Companies’ total periodic other postretirement benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	Con Edison		CECONY
(Millions of Dollars)	2018	2017	2018	2017
Service cost	$5	$5	$3	$3
Interest cost on accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation	11	11	9	10
Expected return on plan assets	(18)	(17)	(16)	(15)
Recognition of net actuarial loss	2	1	1	(1)
Recognition of prior service cost	(2)	(4)	(1)	(3)
TOTAL PERIODIC OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT COST	$(2)	$(4)	$(4)	$(6)
Cost capitalized	(2)	2	(2)	2
Reconciliation to rate level	2	(1)	3	—
Cost charged to operating expenses	$(2)	$(3)	$(3)	$(4)

For information about the adoption of ASU 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” see Note E.

Contributions

Based on estimates as of March 31, 2018, Con Edison and CECONY expect to make a contribution of $6 million (substantially all of which is to be contributed by CECONY) to the other postretirement benefit plans in 2018. The Companies' policy is to fund the total periodic benefit cost of the plans to the extent tax deductible.