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Pension Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits

Note E — Pension Benefits

Con Edison maintains a tax-qualified, non-contributory pension plan that covers substantially all employees of CECONY and O&R and certain employees of Con Edison’s competitive energy businesses. The plan is designed to comply with the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In addition, Con Edison maintains additional non-qualified supplemental pension plans.

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of the Companies’ net periodic benefit costs for 2012, 2011, and 2010 were as follows:

 

     Con Edison     CECONY  
(Millions of Dollars)       2012             2011             2010             2012             2011             2010      

Service cost – including administrative expenses

  $ 237      $ 190      $ 168      $ 220      $ 177      $ 157   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

    547        560        556        513        524        521   

Expected return on plan assets

    (705     (734     (704     (670     (698     (670

Recognition of net actuarial loss

    709        530        425        670        501        401   

Recognition of prior service costs

    8        8        8        6        6        6   

NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST

  $ 796      $ 554      $ 453      $ 739      $ 510      $ 415   

Amortization of regulatory asset*

    2        2        2        2        2        2   

TOTAL PERIODIC BENEFIT COST

  $ 798      $ 556      $ 455      $ 741      $ 512      $ 417   

Cost capitalized

    (277     (185     (157     (260     (172     (146

Reconciliation to rate level

    (8     (65     (115     (12     (68     (113

Cost charged to operating expenses

  $ 513      $ 306      $ 183      $ 469      $ 272      $ 158   

 

* Relates to an increase in CECONY’s pension obligation of $45 million from a 1999 special retirement program.

Funded Status

The funded status at December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was as follows:

 

     Con Edison     CECONY  
(Millions of Dollars)   2012     2011     2010     2012     2011     2010  

CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION

           

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

  $ 11,825      $ 10,307      $ 9,408      $ 11,072      $ 9,653      $ 8,803   

Service cost – excluding administrative expenses

    224        186        160        209        174        149   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

    547        560        556        513        524        521   

Plan amendments

    -        -        6        -        -        -   

Net actuarial loss

    1,323        1,251        636        1,255        1,166        607   

Benefits paid

    (513     (479     (459     (477     (445     (427

PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF YEAR

  $ 13,406      $ 11,825      $ 10,307      $ 12,572      $ 11,072      $ 9,653   

CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS

           

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

  $ 7,800      $ 7,721      $ 6,877      $ 7,406      $ 7,340      $ 6,544   

Actual return on plan assets

    1,094        37        888        1,040        33        846   

Employer contributions

    785        542        443        729        498        404   

Benefits paid

    (513     (479     (459     (477     (445     (427

Administrative expenses

    (31     (21     (28     (30     (20     (27

FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR

  $ 9,135      $ 7,800      $ 7,721      $ 8,668      $ 7,406      $ 7,340   

FUNDED STATUS

  $ (4,271   $ (4,025   $ (2,586   $ (3,904   $ (3,666   $ (2,313

Unrecognized net loss

  $ 5,594      $ 5,351      $ 3,915      $ 5,297      $ 5,063      $ 3,716   

Unrecognized prior service costs

    23        30        38        10        16        22   

Accumulated benefit obligation

    11,911        10,595        9,319        11,116        9,876        8,694   

 

The increase in the pension plan’s projected benefit obligation was a primary driver in the increased pension liability at Con Edison and CECONY of $246 million and $238 million, respectively, compared with December 31, 2011. For Con Edison, this increase in pension liability resulted in an increase to regulatory assets of $233 million for unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs associated with the Utilities consistent with the accounting rules for regulated operations and a debit to OCI of $1 million (net of taxes) for the unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs associated with the competitive energy businesses and O&R’s New Jersey and Pennsylvania utility subsidiaries.

 

For CECONY, the increase in pension liability resulted in an increase to regulatory assets of $225 million for unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs consistent with the accounting rules for regulated operations and a debit to OCI of $1 million (net of taxes) for unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs associated with the competitive energy businesses.

A portion of the unrecognized net loss and prior service cost for the pension plan, equal to $837 million and $5 million, respectively, will be recognized from accumulated OCI and the regulatory asset into net periodic benefit cost over the next year for Con Edison. Included in these amounts are $792 million and $4 million, respectively, for CECONY.

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, Con Edison’s investments include $164 million and $129 million, respectively, held in external trust accounts for benefit payments pursuant to the supplemental retirement plans. Included in these amounts for CECONY were $148 million and $120 million, respectively. See Note P. The accumulated benefit obligations for the supplemental retirement plans for Con Edison and CECONY were $231 million and $193 million as of December 31, 2012 and $208 million and $171 million as of December 31, 2011, respectively.

Assumptions

The actuarial assumptions were as follows:

 

     2012     2011     2010  

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

     

Discount rate

    4.10     4.70     5.60

Rate of compensation increase

     

– CECONY

    4.35     4.35     4.35

– O&R

    4.25     4.25     4.25

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:

     

Discount rate

    4.70     5.60     6.05

Expected return on plan assets

    8.00     8.50     8.50

Rate of compensation increase

     

– CECONY

    4.35     4.35     4.00

– O&R

    4.25     4.25     4.00

The expected return assumption reflects anticipated returns on the plan’s current and future assets. The Companies’ expected return was based on an evaluation of the current environment, market and economic outlook, relationships between the economy and asset class performance patterns, and recent and long-term trends in asset class performance. The projections were based on the plan’s target asset allocation.

Discount Rate Assumption

To determine the assumed discount rate, the Companies use a model that produces a yield curve based on yields on selected highly rated (Aa or higher by either Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) or Standard & Poor’s) corporate bonds. Bonds with insufficient liquidity, bonds with questionable pricing information and bonds that are not representative of the overall market are excluded from consideration. For example, the bonds used in the model cannot be callable, they must have a price between 50 and 200, the yield must lie between 1 percent and 20 percent, and the amount of the bond issue outstanding must be in excess of $50 million. The spot rates defined by the yield curve and the plan’s projected benefit payments are used to develop a weighted average discount rate.

Expected Benefit Payments

Based on current assumptions, the Companies expect to make the following benefit payments over the next ten years:

 

(Millions of Dollars)   2013     2014     2015     2016     2017     2018-2022  

Con Edison

  $ 554      $ 582      $ 608      $ 634      $ 659      $ 3,635   

CECONY

    517        542        567        591        614        3,394   

Expected Contributions

Based on estimates as of December 31, 2012, the Companies expect to make contributions to the pension plan during 2013 of $893 million (of which $834 million is to be contributed by CECONY). The Companies’ policy is to fund their accounting cost to the extent tax deductible.

Plan Assets

The asset allocations for the pension plan at the end of 2012, 2011, and 2010, and the target allocation for 2013 are as follows:

 

     Target
Allocation Range
    Plan Assets at December 31  
Asset Category   2013       2012         2011         2010    

Equity Securities

    55% - 65%        60     61     67

Debt Securities

    27% - 33%        31     32     28

Real Estate

    8% - 12%        9     7     5

Total

    100%        100     100     100

Con Edison has established a pension trust for the investment of assets to be used for the exclusive purpose of providing retirement benefits to participants and beneficiaries and payment of plan expenses.

 

Pursuant to resolutions adopted by Con Edison’s Board of Directors, the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Committee) has general oversight responsibility for Con Edison’s pension and other employee benefit plans. The pension plan’s named fiduciaries have been granted the authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the plans, including overall responsibility for the investment of assets in the trust and the power to appoint and terminate investment managers.

The investment objectives of the Con Edison pension plan are to maintain a level and form of assets adequate to meet benefit obligations to participants, to achieve the expected long-term total return on the trust assets within a prudent level of risk and maintain a level of volatility that is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s expected contribution and expense or the Company’s ability to meet plan obligations. The assets of the plan have no significant concentration of risk in one country (other than the United States), industry or entity.

The strategic asset allocation is intended to meet the objectives of the pension plan by diversifying its funds across asset classes, investment styles and fund managers. An asset/liability study typically is conducted every few years to determine whether the current strategic asset allocation continues to represent the appropriate balance of expected risk and reward for the plan to meet expected liabilities. Each study considers the investment risk of the asset allocation and determines the optimal asset allocation for the plan. The target asset allocation for 2013 reflects the results of such a study conducted in 2011.

Individual fund managers operate under written guidelines provided by Con Edison, which cover such areas as investment objectives, performance measurement, permissible investments, investment restrictions, trading and execution, and communication and reporting requirements. Con Edison management regularly monitors, and the named fiduciaries review and report to the Committee regarding, asset class performance, total fund performance, and compliance with asset allocation guidelines. Management changes fund managers and rebalances the portfolio as appropriate. At the direction of the named fiduciaries, such changes are reported to the Committee.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below under a three-level hierarchy established by the accounting rules which define the levels within the hierarchy as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Consists of fair value measurements whose value is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 – Consists of fair value measurements whose value is based on significant other observable inputs.

 

   

Level 3 – Consists of fair value measurements whose value is based on significant unobservable inputs.

 

The fair values of the pension plan assets at December 31, 2012 by asset category are as follows:

 

(Millions of Dollars)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

U.S. Equity(a)

  $ 2,637      $ -      $ -      $ 2,637   

International Equity(b)

    2,242        753        -        2,995   

Private Equity(c)

    -        -        20        20   

U.S. Government Issues(d)

    -        1,626        -        1,626   

Corporate Bonds(e)

    -        993        -        993   

Structured Assets(f)

    -        30        -        30   

Other Fixed Income(g)

    -        123        -        123   

Real Estate(h)

    -        -        833        833   

Cash and Cash Equivalents(i)

    83        328        -        411   

Futures(j)

    210        -        -        210   

Total investments

  $ 5,172      $ 3,853      $ 853      $ 9,878   

Funds for retiree health benefits(k)

    (185     (137     (31     (353

Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits)

  $ 4,987      $ 3,716      $ 822      $ 9,525   

Pending activities(l)

                            (390

Total fair value of plan net assets

                          $ 9,135   

 

(a) U.S. Equity includes both actively- and passively-managed assets with investments in domestic equity index funds and actively-managed small-capitalization equities.
(b) International Equity includes international equity index funds and actively-managed international equities.
(c) Private Equity consists of global equity funds that are not exchange-traded.
(d) U.S. Government Issues include agency and treasury securities.
(e) Corporate Bonds consist of debt issued by various corporations.
(f) Structured Assets include commercial-mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(g) Other Fixed Income includes municipal bonds, sovereign debt and regional governments.
(h) Real Estate investments include real estate funds based on appraised values that are broadly diversified by geography and property type.
(i) Cash and Cash Equivalents include short term investments, money markets, foreign currency and cash collateral.
(j) Futures consist of exchange-traded financial contracts encompassing U.S. Equity, International Equity and U.S. Government indices.
(k) The Companies set aside funds for retiree health benefits through a separate account within the pension trust, as permitted under Section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In accordance with the Code, the plan’s investments in the 401(h) account may not be used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than providing health benefits for retirees. The net assets held in the 401(h) account are calculated based on a pro-rata percentage allocation of the net assets in the pension plan. The related obligations for health benefits are not included in the pension plan’s obligations and are included in the Companies’ other postretirement benefit obligation. See Note F.
(l) Pending activities include security purchases and sales that have not settled, interest and dividends that have not been received and reflects adjustments for available estimates at year end.

The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending net balances for assets at December 31, 2012 classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

(Millions of Dollars)   Beginning
Balance as of
January 1, 2012
    Assets Still Held
at Reporting Date –
Unrealized
Gains/(Losses)
    Assets Sold
During the
Period – Realized
Gains
    Purchases
Sales and
Settlements
    Transfer
in/(out) of
Level 3
    Ending
Balance as of
December 31,
2012
 

Real Estate

  $ 572      $ 48      $ 1      $ 212      $ -      $ 833   

Private Equity

    -        1        -        19        -        20   

Corporate Bonds

    94        -        -        (33     (61     -   

Structured Assets

    13        -        (6     -        (7     -   

Other Fixed Income

    29        -        -        (6     (23     -   

Total investments

  $ 708      $ 49      $ (5   $ 192      $ (91   $ 853   

Funds for retiree health benefits

    (28     (2     -        (4     3        (31

Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits)

  $ 680      $ 47      $ (5   $ 188      $ (88   $ 822   

The fair values of the pension plan assets at December 31, 2011 by asset category are as follows:

 

(Millions of Dollars)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

U.S. Equity(a)

  $ 2,467      $ -      $ -      $ 2,467   

International Equity(b)

    1,850        637        -        2,487   

U.S. Government Issues(c)

    -        1,570        -        1,570   

Corporate Bonds(d)

    -        668        94        762   

Structured Assets(e)

    -        -        13        13   

Other Fixed Income(f)

    -        67        29        96   

Real Estate(g)

    -        -        572        572   

Cash and Cash Equivalents(h)

    13        395        -        408   

Futures(i)

    93        48        -        141   

Total investments

  $ 4,423      $ 3,385      $ 708      $ 8,516   

Funds for retiree health benefits(j)

    (174     (134     (28     (336

Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits)

  $ 4,249      $ 3,251      $ 680      $ 8,180   

Pending activities(k)

                            (380

Total fair value of plan net assets

                          $ 7,800   

 

(a) U.S. Equity includes both actively- and passively-managed assets with investments in domestic equity index funds and actively-managed small-capitalization equities.
(b) International Equity includes international equity index funds and actively-managed international equities.
(c) U.S. Government Issues include agency and treasury securities.
(d) Corporate Bonds classified as Level 3 include 144A illiquid securities.
(e) Structured Assets include commercial-mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(f) Other Fixed Income includes municipal bonds, sovereign debt and regional governments.
(g) Real Estate investments include real estate funds based on appraised values that are broadly diversified by geography and property type.
(h) Cash and Cash Equivalents include short term investments, money markets, foreign currency and cash collateral.
(i) Futures consist of exchange-traded financial contracts encompassing U.S. equity, International equity and U.S. Government indices.
(j) The Companies set aside funds for retiree health benefits through a separate account within the pension trust, as permitted under Section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In accordance with the Code, the plan’s investments in the 401(h) account may not be used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than providing health benefits for retirees. The net assets held in the 401(h) account are calculated based on a pro-rata percentage allocation of the net assets in the pension plan. The related obligations for health benefits are not included in the pension plan’s obligations and are included in the Companies’ other postretirement benefit obligation. See Note F.
(k) Pending activities include security purchases and sales that have not settled, interest and dividends that have not been received and reflects adjustments for available estimates at year end.

 

The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending net balances for assets at December 31, 2011 classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

(Millions of Dollars)   Beginning
Balance as of
January 1, 2011
    Assets Still Held
at Reporting Date  –
Unrealized
Gains/(Losses)
    Assets Sold
During the
Period – Realized
Gains
    Purchases
Sales and
Settlements
    Ending
Balance as of
December 31,
2011
 

Real Estate

  $ 398      $ 65      $ -      $ 109      $ 572   

Corporate Bonds

    129        (9     11        (37     94   

Other Fixed Income

    66        (1     3        (39     29   

Structured Assets

    87        (1     2        (75     13   

Total investments

  $ 680      $ 54      $ 16      $ (42   $ 708   

Funds for retiree health benefits

    (30     3        1        (2     (28

Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits)

  $ 650      $ 57      $ 17      $ (44   $ 680   

 

The Companies also offer a defined contribution savings plan that covers substantially all employees and made contributions to the plan as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31  
(Millions of Dollars)   2012     2011     2010  

Con Edison

  $ 23      $ 23      $ 19   

CECONY

    21        21        17   
CECONY [Member]
 
Pension Benefits

Note E — Pension Benefits

Con Edison maintains a tax-qualified, non-contributory pension plan that covers substantially all employees of CECONY and O&R and certain employees of Con Edison’s competitive energy businesses. The plan is designed to comply with the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In addition, Con Edison maintains additional non-qualified supplemental pension plans.

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of the Companies’ net periodic benefit costs for 2012, 2011, and 2010 were as follows:

 

     Con Edison     CECONY  
(Millions of Dollars)       2012             2011             2010             2012             2011             2010      

Service cost – including administrative expenses

  $ 237      $ 190      $ 168      $ 220      $ 177      $ 157   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

    547        560        556        513        524        521   

Expected return on plan assets

    (705     (734     (704     (670     (698     (670

Recognition of net actuarial loss

    709        530        425        670        501        401   

Recognition of prior service costs

    8        8        8        6        6        6   

NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST

  $ 796      $ 554      $ 453      $ 739      $ 510      $ 415   

Amortization of regulatory asset*

    2        2        2        2        2        2   

TOTAL PERIODIC BENEFIT COST

  $ 798      $ 556      $ 455      $ 741      $ 512      $ 417   

Cost capitalized

    (277     (185     (157     (260     (172     (146

Reconciliation to rate level

    (8     (65     (115     (12     (68     (113

Cost charged to operating expenses

  $ 513      $ 306      $ 183      $ 469      $ 272      $ 158   

 

* Relates to an increase in CECONY’s pension obligation of $45 million from a 1999 special retirement program.

Funded Status

The funded status at December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was as follows:

 

     Con Edison     CECONY  
(Millions of Dollars)   2012     2011     2010     2012     2011     2010  

CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION

           

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

  $ 11,825      $ 10,307      $ 9,408      $ 11,072      $ 9,653      $ 8,803   

Service cost – excluding administrative expenses

    224        186        160        209        174        149   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

    547        560        556        513        524        521   

Plan amendments

    -        -        6        -        -        -   

Net actuarial loss

    1,323        1,251        636        1,255        1,166        607   

Benefits paid

    (513     (479     (459     (477     (445     (427

PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF YEAR

  $ 13,406      $ 11,825      $ 10,307      $ 12,572      $ 11,072      $ 9,653   

CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS

           

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

  $ 7,800      $ 7,721      $ 6,877      $ 7,406      $ 7,340      $ 6,544   

Actual return on plan assets

    1,094        37        888        1,040        33        846   

Employer contributions

    785        542        443        729        498        404   

Benefits paid

    (513     (479     (459     (477     (445     (427

Administrative expenses

    (31     (21     (28     (30     (20     (27

FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR

  $ 9,135      $ 7,800      $ 7,721      $ 8,668      $ 7,406      $ 7,340   

FUNDED STATUS

  $ (4,271   $ (4,025   $ (2,586   $ (3,904   $ (3,666   $ (2,313

Unrecognized net loss

  $ 5,594      $ 5,351      $ 3,915      $ 5,297      $ 5,063      $ 3,716   

Unrecognized prior service costs

    23        30        38        10        16        22   

Accumulated benefit obligation

    11,911        10,595        9,319        11,116        9,876        8,694   

 

The increase in the pension plan’s projected benefit obligation was a primary driver in the increased pension liability at Con Edison and CECONY of $246 million and $238 million, respectively, compared with December 31, 2011. For Con Edison, this increase in pension liability resulted in an increase to regulatory assets of $233 million for unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs associated with the Utilities consistent with the accounting rules for regulated operations and a debit to OCI of $1 million (net of taxes) for the unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs associated with the competitive energy businesses and O&R’s New Jersey and Pennsylvania utility subsidiaries.

 

For CECONY, the increase in pension liability resulted in an increase to regulatory assets of $225 million for unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs consistent with the accounting rules for regulated operations and a debit to OCI of $1 million (net of taxes) for unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs associated with the competitive energy businesses.

A portion of the unrecognized net loss and prior service cost for the pension plan, equal to $837 million and $5 million, respectively, will be recognized from accumulated OCI and the regulatory asset into net periodic benefit cost over the next year for Con Edison. Included in these amounts are $792 million and $4 million, respectively, for CECONY.

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, Con Edison’s investments include $164 million and $129 million, respectively, held in external trust accounts for benefit payments pursuant to the supplemental retirement plans. Included in these amounts for CECONY were $148 million and $120 million, respectively. See Note P. The accumulated benefit obligations for the supplemental retirement plans for Con Edison and CECONY were $231 million and $193 million as of December 31, 2012 and $208 million and $171 million as of December 31, 2011, respectively.

Assumptions

The actuarial assumptions were as follows:

 

     2012     2011     2010  

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

     

Discount rate

    4.10     4.70     5.60

Rate of compensation increase

     

– CECONY

    4.35     4.35     4.35

– O&R

    4.25     4.25     4.25

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:

     

Discount rate

    4.70     5.60     6.05

Expected return on plan assets

    8.00     8.50     8.50

Rate of compensation increase

     

– CECONY

    4.35     4.35     4.00

– O&R

    4.25     4.25     4.00

The expected return assumption reflects anticipated returns on the plan’s current and future assets. The Companies’ expected return was based on an evaluation of the current environment, market and economic outlook, relationships between the economy and asset class performance patterns, and recent and long-term trends in asset class performance. The projections were based on the plan’s target asset allocation.

Discount Rate Assumption

To determine the assumed discount rate, the Companies use a model that produces a yield curve based on yields on selected highly rated (Aa or higher by either Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) or Standard & Poor’s) corporate bonds. Bonds with insufficient liquidity, bonds with questionable pricing information and bonds that are not representative of the overall market are excluded from consideration. For example, the bonds used in the model cannot be callable, they must have a price between 50 and 200, the yield must lie between 1 percent and 20 percent, and the amount of the bond issue outstanding must be in excess of $50 million. The spot rates defined by the yield curve and the plan’s projected benefit payments are used to develop a weighted average discount rate.

Expected Benefit Payments

Based on current assumptions, the Companies expect to make the following benefit payments over the next ten years:

 

(Millions of Dollars)   2013     2014     2015     2016     2017     2018-2022  

Con Edison

  $ 554      $ 582      $ 608      $ 634      $ 659      $ 3,635   

CECONY

    517        542        567        591        614        3,394   

Expected Contributions

Based on estimates as of December 31, 2012, the Companies expect to make contributions to the pension plan during 2013 of $893 million (of which $834 million is to be contributed by CECONY). The Companies’ policy is to fund their accounting cost to the extent tax deductible.

Plan Assets

The asset allocations for the pension plan at the end of 2012, 2011, and 2010, and the target allocation for 2013 are as follows:

 

     Target
Allocation Range
    Plan Assets at December 31  
Asset Category   2013       2012         2011         2010    

Equity Securities

    55% - 65%        60     61     67

Debt Securities

    27% - 33%        31     32     28

Real Estate

    8% - 12%        9     7     5

Total

    100%        100     100     100

Con Edison has established a pension trust for the investment of assets to be used for the exclusive purpose of providing retirement benefits to participants and beneficiaries and payment of plan expenses.

 

Pursuant to resolutions adopted by Con Edison’s Board of Directors, the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Committee) has general oversight responsibility for Con Edison’s pension and other employee benefit plans. The pension plan’s named fiduciaries have been granted the authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the plans, including overall responsibility for the investment of assets in the trust and the power to appoint and terminate investment managers.

The investment objectives of the Con Edison pension plan are to maintain a level and form of assets adequate to meet benefit obligations to participants, to achieve the expected long-term total return on the trust assets within a prudent level of risk and maintain a level of volatility that is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s expected contribution and expense or the Company’s ability to meet plan obligations. The assets of the plan have no significant concentration of risk in one country (other than the United States), industry or entity.

The strategic asset allocation is intended to meet the objectives of the pension plan by diversifying its funds across asset classes, investment styles and fund managers. An asset/liability study typically is conducted every few years to determine whether the current strategic asset allocation continues to represent the appropriate balance of expected risk and reward for the plan to meet expected liabilities. Each study considers the investment risk of the asset allocation and determines the optimal asset allocation for the plan. The target asset allocation for 2013 reflects the results of such a study conducted in 2011.

Individual fund managers operate under written guidelines provided by Con Edison, which cover such areas as investment objectives, performance measurement, permissible investments, investment restrictions, trading and execution, and communication and reporting requirements. Con Edison management regularly monitors, and the named fiduciaries review and report to the Committee regarding, asset class performance, total fund performance, and compliance with asset allocation guidelines. Management changes fund managers and rebalances the portfolio as appropriate. At the direction of the named fiduciaries, such changes are reported to the Committee.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below under a three-level hierarchy established by the accounting rules which define the levels within the hierarchy as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Consists of fair value measurements whose value is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 – Consists of fair value measurements whose value is based on significant other observable inputs.

 

   

Level 3 – Consists of fair value measurements whose value is based on significant unobservable inputs.

 

The fair values of the pension plan assets at December 31, 2012 by asset category are as follows:

 

(Millions of Dollars)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

U.S. Equity(a)

  $ 2,637      $ -      $ -      $ 2,637   

International Equity(b)

    2,242        753        -        2,995   

Private Equity(c)

    -        -        20        20   

U.S. Government Issues(d)

    -        1,626        -        1,626   

Corporate Bonds(e)

    -        993        -        993   

Structured Assets(f)

    -        30        -        30   

Other Fixed Income(g)

    -        123        -        123   

Real Estate(h)

    -        -        833        833   

Cash and Cash Equivalents(i)

    83        328        -        411   

Futures(j)

    210        -        -        210   

Total investments

  $ 5,172      $ 3,853      $ 853      $ 9,878   

Funds for retiree health benefits(k)

    (185     (137     (31     (353

Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits)

  $ 4,987      $ 3,716      $ 822      $ 9,525   

Pending activities(l)

                            (390

Total fair value of plan net assets

                          $ 9,135   

 

(a) U.S. Equity includes both actively- and passively-managed assets with investments in domestic equity index funds and actively-managed small-capitalization equities.
(b) International Equity includes international equity index funds and actively-managed international equities.
(c) Private Equity consists of global equity funds that are not exchange-traded.
(d) U.S. Government Issues include agency and treasury securities.
(e) Corporate Bonds consist of debt issued by various corporations.
(f) Structured Assets include commercial-mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(g) Other Fixed Income includes municipal bonds, sovereign debt and regional governments.
(h) Real Estate investments include real estate funds based on appraised values that are broadly diversified by geography and property type.
(i) Cash and Cash Equivalents include short term investments, money markets, foreign currency and cash collateral.
(j) Futures consist of exchange-traded financial contracts encompassing U.S. Equity, International Equity and U.S. Government indices.
(k) The Companies set aside funds for retiree health benefits through a separate account within the pension trust, as permitted under Section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In accordance with the Code, the plan’s investments in the 401(h) account may not be used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than providing health benefits for retirees. The net assets held in the 401(h) account are calculated based on a pro-rata percentage allocation of the net assets in the pension plan. The related obligations for health benefits are not included in the pension plan’s obligations and are included in the Companies’ other postretirement benefit obligation. See Note F.
(l) Pending activities include security purchases and sales that have not settled, interest and dividends that have not been received and reflects adjustments for available estimates at year end.

The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending net balances for assets at December 31, 2012 classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

(Millions of Dollars)   Beginning
Balance as of
January 1, 2012
    Assets Still Held
at Reporting Date –
Unrealized
Gains/(Losses)
    Assets Sold
During the
Period – Realized
Gains
    Purchases
Sales and
Settlements
    Transfer
in/(out) of
Level 3
    Ending
Balance as of
December 31,
2012
 

Real Estate

  $ 572      $ 48      $ 1      $ 212      $ -      $ 833   

Private Equity

    -        1        -        19        -        20   

Corporate Bonds

    94        -        -        (33     (61     -   

Structured Assets

    13        -        (6     -        (7     -   

Other Fixed Income

    29        -        -        (6     (23     -   

Total investments

  $ 708      $ 49      $ (5   $ 192      $ (91   $ 853   

Funds for retiree health benefits

    (28     (2     -        (4     3        (31

Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits)

  $ 680      $ 47      $ (5   $ 188      $ (88   $ 822   

The fair values of the pension plan assets at December 31, 2011 by asset category are as follows:

 

(Millions of Dollars)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

U.S. Equity(a)

  $ 2,467      $ -      $ -      $ 2,467   

International Equity(b)

    1,850        637        -        2,487   

U.S. Government Issues(c)

    -        1,570        -        1,570   

Corporate Bonds(d)

    -        668        94        762   

Structured Assets(e)

    -        -        13        13   

Other Fixed Income(f)

    -        67        29        96   

Real Estate(g)

    -        -        572        572   

Cash and Cash Equivalents(h)

    13        395        -        408   

Futures(i)

    93        48        -        141   

Total investments

  $ 4,423      $ 3,385      $ 708      $ 8,516   

Funds for retiree health benefits(j)

    (174     (134     (28     (336

Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits)

  $ 4,249      $ 3,251      $ 680      $ 8,180   

Pending activities(k)

                            (380

Total fair value of plan net assets

                          $ 7,800   

 

(a) U.S. Equity includes both actively- and passively-managed assets with investments in domestic equity index funds and actively-managed small-capitalization equities.
(b) International Equity includes international equity index funds and actively-managed international equities.
(c) U.S. Government Issues include agency and treasury securities.
(d) Corporate Bonds classified as Level 3 include 144A illiquid securities.
(e) Structured Assets include commercial-mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(f) Other Fixed Income includes municipal bonds, sovereign debt and regional governments.
(g) Real Estate investments include real estate funds based on appraised values that are broadly diversified by geography and property type.
(h) Cash and Cash Equivalents include short term investments, money markets, foreign currency and cash collateral.
(i) Futures consist of exchange-traded financial contracts encompassing U.S. equity, International equity and U.S. Government indices.
(j) The Companies set aside funds for retiree health benefits through a separate account within the pension trust, as permitted under Section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In accordance with the Code, the plan’s investments in the 401(h) account may not be used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than providing health benefits for retirees. The net assets held in the 401(h) account are calculated based on a pro-rata percentage allocation of the net assets in the pension plan. The related obligations for health benefits are not included in the pension plan’s obligations and are included in the Companies’ other postretirement benefit obligation. See Note F.
(k) Pending activities include security purchases and sales that have not settled, interest and dividends that have not been received and reflects adjustments for available estimates at year end.

 

The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending net balances for assets at December 31, 2011 classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

(Millions of Dollars)   Beginning
Balance as of
January 1, 2011
    Assets Still Held
at Reporting Date  –
Unrealized
Gains/(Losses)
    Assets Sold
During the
Period – Realized
Gains
    Purchases
Sales and
Settlements
    Ending
Balance as of
December 31,
2011
 

Real Estate

  $ 398      $ 65      $ -      $ 109      $ 572   

Corporate Bonds

    129        (9     11        (37     94   

Other Fixed Income

    66        (1     3        (39     29   

Structured Assets

    87        (1     2        (75     13   

Total investments

  $ 680      $ 54      $ 16      $ (42   $ 708   

Funds for retiree health benefits

    (30     3        1        (2     (28

Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits)

  $ 650      $ 57      $ 17      $ (44   $ 680   

 

The Companies also offer a defined contribution savings plan that covers substantially all employees and made contributions to the plan as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31  
(Millions of Dollars)   2012     2011     2010  

Con Edison

  $ 23      $ 23      $ 19   

CECONY

    21        21        17