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Pension and Postretirement Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Pension and Postretirement Benefits

9. Pension and Postretirement Benefits

DP&L sponsors a traditional defined benefit pension plan for most of the employees of DPL and its subsidiaries. For collective bargaining employees, the defined benefits are based on a specific dollar amount per year of service. For all other employees (management employees), the traditional defined benefit pension plan is based primarily on compensation and years of service. As of December 31, 2010, this traditional pension plan was closed to new management employees. A participant is 100% vested in all amounts credited to his or her account upon the completion of five vesting years, as defined in The Dayton Power and Light Company Retirement Income Plan, or the participant's death or disability. If a participant's employment is terminated, other than by death or disability, prior to such participant becoming 100% vested in his or her account, the account shall be forfeited as of the date of termination.

Almost all management employees beginning employment on or after January 1, 2011 participate in a cash balance pension plan. Similar to the traditional pension plan for management employees, the cash balance benefits are based on compensation and years of service. A participant shall become 100% vested in all amounts credited to his or her account upon the completion of three vesting years, as defined in The Dayton Power and Light Company Retirement Income Plan or the participant's death or disability. If a participant's employment is terminated, other than by death or disability, prior to such participant becoming 100% vested in his or her account, the account shall be forfeited as of the date of termination. Vested benefits in the cash balance plan are fully portable upon termination of employment.

In addition, we have a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for certain active and retired key executives. Benefits under this SERP have been frozen and no additional benefits can be earned. The SERP was replaced by the DPL Inc. Supplemental Executive Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (SEDCRP) effective January 1, 2006. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors designates the eligible employees. Pursuant to the SEDCRP, we provide a supplemental retirement benefit to participants by crediting an account established for each participant in accordance with the Plan requirements. We designate as hypothetical investment funds under the SEDCRP one or more of the investment funds provided under The Dayton Power and Light Company Employee Savings Plan. Each participant may change his or her hypothetical investment fund selection at specified times. If a participant does not elect a hypothetical investment fund(s), then we select the hypothetical investment fund(s) for such participant. We also have an unfunded liability related to agreements for retirement benefits of certain terminated and retired key executives. The unfunded liabilities for these agreements and the SEDCRP were $0.8 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Per the SEDCRP plan document, the balances in the SEDCRP, including earnings on contributions, were paid out to participants in December 2011. The SEDCRP continued and a contribution for 2011 was calculated in January 2012.

We generally fund pension plan benefits as accrued in accordance with the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and, in addition, make voluntary contributions from time to time. DP&L made discretionary contributions of $40.0 million and $40.0 million to the defined benefit plan during the period January 1, 2011 through November 27, 2011 and the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.

Qualified employees who retired prior to 1987 and their dependents are eligible for health care and life insurance benefits until their death, while qualified employees who retired after 1987 are eligible for life insurance benefits and partially subsidized health care. The partially subsidized health care is at the election of the employee, who pays the majority of the cost, and is available only from their retirement until they are covered by Medicare at age 65. We have funded a portion of the union-eligible benefits using a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association Trust.

Regulatory assets and liabilities are recorded for the portion of the under- or over-funded obligations related to the transmission and distribution areas of our electric business and for the changes in the funded status of the plan that arise during the year that are not recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. These regulatory assets and liabilities represent the regulated portion that would otherwise be charged or credited to AOCI. We have historically recorded these costs on the accrual basis and this is how these costs have been historically recovered through customer rates. This factor, combined with the historical precedents from the PUCO and FERC, make these costs probable of future rate recovery.

3The following tables set forth our pension and postretirement benefit plans' obligations and assets recorded on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. The amounts presented in the following tables for pension include the collective bargaining plan formula, traditional management plan formula and cash balance plan formula and the SERP in the aggregate. The amounts presented for postretirement include both health and life insurance benefits.

$ in millions         Pension        
    Successor     Predecessor    
    November 28,              
    2011     January 1, 2011        
    through     through   Year ended  
    December 31,     November 27,   December  
Change in Benefit Obligation   2011     2011   31, 2010  
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 365.0   $ 333.8   $ 323.9  
Service cost   0.5     4.5     4.8  
Interest cost   1.5     15.5     17.7  
Plan amendments   -     7.2     -  
Actuarial (gain) / loss   -     21.6     8.0  
Benefits paid   (1.8 )   (17.6 )   (20.6 )
Benefit obligation at end of period   365.2     365.0     333.8  
 
Change in Plan Assets                  
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period   335.8     291.8     243.4  
Actual return / (loss) on plan assets   1.9     21.2     28.6  
Contributions to plan assets   -     40.4     40.4  
Benefits paid   (1.8 )   (17.6 )   (20.6 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of period   335.9     335.8     291.8  
 
Funded status of plan $ (29.3 ) $ (29.2 ) $ (42.0 )
 
$ in millions         Postretirement        
    Successor     Predecessor    
    November 28,              
    2011     January 1, 2011        
    through     through   Year ended  
    December 31,     November 27,   December  
Change in Benefit Obligation   2011     2011   31, 2010  
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 21.9   $ 23.7   $ 26.2  
Service cost   -     0.1     0.1  
Interest cost   0.1     0.9     1.2  
Plan amendments   -     -     -  
Actuarial (gain) / loss   (0.1 )   (1.3 )   (2.0 )
Benefits paid   (0.2 )   (1.8 )   (2.0 )
Medicare Part D Reimbursement   -     0.3     0.2  
Benefit obligation at end of period   21.7     21.9     23.7  
 
Change in Plan Assets                  
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period   4.5     4.8     5.0  
Actual return / (loss) on plan assets   -     0.2     0.3  
Contributions to plan assets   0.2     1.3     1.5  
Benefits paid   (0.2 )   (1.8 )   (2.0 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of period   4.5     4.5     4.8  
 
Funded status of plan $ (17.2 ) $ (17.4 ) $ (18.9 )

 

 

$ in millions   Pension     Postretirement  
    Successor   Predecessor     Successor   Predecessor  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Amounts Recognized in the                        
Balance Sheets at December 31                        
 
Current liabilities $ (1.3 ) $ (0.4 ) $ (0.6 ) $ (0.6 )
Noncurrent liabilities   (27.9 )   (41.6 )   (16.6 )   (18.3 )
Net asset / (liability) at December 31 $ (29.2 ) $ (42.0 ) $ (17.2 ) $ (18.9 )
 
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other                        
Comprehensive Income, Regulatory Assets and                        
Regulatory Liabilities, pre-tax                        
 
Components:                        
Prior service cost / (credit) $ 12.5   $ 16.8   $ 0.7   $ 0.9  
Net actuarial loss / (gain)   78.7     125.4     (6.4 )   (7.6 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income, regulatory                        
assets and regulatory liabilities, pre-tax $ 91.2   $ 142.2   $ (5.7 ) $ (6.7 )
 
Recorded as:                        
Regulatory asset $ 91.2   $ 80.0   $ 0.5   $ 0.5  
Regulatory liability   -     -     (6.2 )   (6.1 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income   -     62.2     -     (1.1 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income, regulatory                        
assets and regulatory liabilities, pre-tax $ 91.2   $ 142.2   $ (5.7 ) $ (6.7 )

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for our defined benefit pension plans was $355.5 million and $325.1 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The net periodic benefit cost (income) of the pension and postretirement benefit plans were:

    Successor   Predecessor  
  November 28, 2011   January 1, 2011              
  through   through     Years ended December 31,  
$ in millions December 31, 2011   November 27, 2011     2010     2009  
Service cost $ 0.5   $ 4.5   $ 4.8   $ 3.6  
Interest cost   1.5   15.5     17.7     18.1  
Expected return on assets (a)   (2.0 ) (22.5 )   (22.4 )   (22.5 )
Amortization of unrecognized:                        
Actuarial (gain) / loss   0.4     7.6     7.2     4.4  
Prior service cost   0.1     2.0     3.7     3.4  
Net periodic benefit cost before adjustments $ 0.5   $ 7.1   $ 11.0   $ 7.0  
 
(a) For purposes of calculating the expected return on pension plan assets, under GAAP, the market-related value                
of assets (MRVA) is used. GAAP requires that the difference between actual plan asset returns and estimated plan                
asset returns be amortized into the MRVA equally over a period not to exceed five years. We use a methodology                
under which we include the difference between actual and estimated asset returns in the MRVA equally over a                
three year period. The MRVA used in the calculation of expected return on pension plan assets was approximately                
$317 million in 2011, $274 million in 2010, and $275 million in 2009.                        
 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost / (Income) - Postretirement                        
    Successor   Predecessor  
  November 28, 2011   January 1, 2011              
  through   through     Years ended December 31,  
$ in millions December 31, 2011   November 27, 2011     2010     2009  
Service cost $ -   $ 0.1   $ 0.1   $ -  
Interest cost   0.1     0.9     1.2     1.5  
Expected return on assets (a)   -     (0.3 )   (0.3 )   (0.4 )
Amortization of unrecognized:                        
Actuarial (gain) / loss   -     (1.0 )   (1.1 )   (0.7 )
Prior service cost   (0.1 )   0.1     0.1     0.1  
Net periodic benefit cost / (income) before adjustments $ -   $ (0.2 ) $ -   $ 0.5  

 

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligation Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities

Pension   Successor     Predecessor  
    November 28, 2011     January 1, 2011              
    through     through     Years ended December 31,  
$ in millions   December 31, 2011     November 27, 2011     2010     2009  
Net actuarial (gain) / loss $ -   $ (38.7 ) $ 1.9   $ 5.3  
Prior service cost / (credit)   -     (2.2 )   -     7.2  
Reversal of amortization item:                        
Net actuarial (gain) / loss   (0.4 )   (7.6 )   (7.2 )   (4.4 )
Prior service cost / (credit)   (0.1 )   (2.0 )   (3.7 )   (3.4 )
Transition (asset) / obligation   -     -     -     -  
 
Total recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income,                        
Regulatory assets and Regulatory liabilities $ (0.5 ) $ (50.5 ) $ (9.0 ) $ 4.7  
 
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and Accumulated                        
other comprehensive income, Regulatory assets and                        
Regulatory liabilities $ (0.5 ) $ (43.4 ) $ 2.0   $ 11.7  
 
Postretirement   Successor     Predecessor  
    November 28, 2011     January 1, 2011              
    through     through     Years ended December 31,  
$ in millions   December 31, 2011     November 27, 2011     2010     2009  
Net actuarial (gain) / loss $ -   $ 0.2   $ (1.9 ) $ 0.3  
Prior service cost / (credit)   (0.1 )   (0.1 )   -     1.1  
Reversal of amortization item:                        
Net actuarial (gain) / loss   -     1.0     1.1     0.7  
Prior service cost / (credit)   0.1     (0.1 )   (0.1 )   (0.1 )
Transition (asset) / obligation   -     -     -     -  
 
Total recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income,                        
Regulatory assets and Regulatory liabilities $ -   $ 1.0   $ (0.9 ) $ 2.0  
 
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and Accumulated                        
other comprehensive income, Regulatory assets and                        
Regulatory liabilities $ -   $ 0.8   $ (0.9 ) $ 2.5  

 

Estimated amounts that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive income, Regulatory assets and Regulatory liabilities into net periodic benefit costs during 2012 are:

$ in millions   Pension   Postretiremen  
Net actuarial (gain) / loss $ 4.9 $ 0.1  
Prior service cost / (credit)   1.6   (0.8 )

 

Our expected return on plan asset assumptions, used to determine benefit obligations, are based on historical long-term rates of return on investments, which use the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. Current market factors, such as inflation and interest rates, as well as asset diversification and portfolio rebalancing, are evaluated when long-term capital market assumptions are determined. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed to verify reasonableness and appropriateness.

For the Successor period in 2011 and continuing in 2012, we have decreased our expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption from 8.00% to 7.00% for pension plan assets. We are maintaining our expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption at approximately 6.00% for postretirement benefit plan assets. These expected returns are based primarily on portfolio investment allocation. There can be no assurance of our ability to generate these rates of return in the future.

Our overall discount rate was evaluated in relation to the Hewitt Top Quartile Yield Curve which represents a portfolio of top-quartile AA-rated bonds used to settle pension obligations. Peer data and historical returns were also reviewed to verify the reasonableness and appropriateness of our discount rate used in the calculation of benefit obligations and expense.

The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations during 2011, 2010 and 2009 were:

Benefit Obligation Assumptions Pension   Postretirement  
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  
Discount rate for obligations 4.88 % 5.31 % 5.75 % 4.17 % 4.96 % 5.35 %
Rate of compensation increases 3.94 % 3.94 % 4.44 % N/A   N/A   N/A  
 
 
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost (income) for the years ended      
December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were:                      
 
Net Periodic Benefit                        
Cost / (Income) Assumptions Pension   Postretirement  
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  
Discount rate (Predecessor/Successor) 5.31% / 4.88%   5.75 % 6.25 % 4.96% / 4.62%   5.35 % 6.25 %
Expected rate of return on plan assets                        
(Predecessor/Successor) 8.00% / 7.00%   8.50 % 8.50 % 6.00% / 6.00%   6.00 % 6.00 %
Rate of compensation increases                        
(Predecessor/Successor) 3.94% / 3.94%   4.44 % 5.44 % N/A   N/A   N/A  
 
 
The assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:      
 
Health Care Cost Assumptions Expense   Benefit Obligations  
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  
Pre - age 65                        
Current health care cost trend rate 8.50 % 9.50 % 9.50 % 8.50 % 8.50 % 9.50 %
Year trend reaches ultimate                        
(Predecessor/Successor) 2018/2019   2015   2014   2019   2018   2015  
 
Post - age 65                        
Current health care cost trend rate 8.00 % 9.00 % 9.00 % 8.00 % 8.00 % 9.00 %
Year trend reaches ultimate                        
(Predecessor/Successor) 2017/2018   2014   2013   2018   2017   2014  
 
Ultimate health care cost trend rate 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 %

 

The assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on the net periodic postretirement benefit cost and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:

Effect of Change in Health Care Cost Trend Rate   One-percent   One-percent  
$ in millions   increase   decrease  
 
Service cost plus interest cost $ - $ -  
Benefit obligation $ 0.9 $ (0.8 )

 

Benefit payments, which reflect future service, are expected to be paid as follows:

Estimated Future Benefit Payments and Medicare Part D Reimbursements

$ in millions   Pension   Postretirement
 
2012 $ 23.1 $ 2.6
2013 $ 22.7 $ 2.5
2014 $ 23.2 $ 2.4
2015 $ 23.8 $ 2.2
2016 $ 24.0 $ 2.1
2017 - 2021 $ 124.4 $ 8.2

 

We expect to make contributions of $1.4 million to our SERP in 2012 to cover benefit payments. We also expect to contribute $2.3 million to our other postretirement benefit plans in 2012 to cover benefit payments.

The Pension Protection Act (the Act) of 2006 contained new requirements for our single employer defined benefit pension plan. In addition to establishing a 100% funding target for plan years beginning after December 31, 2008, the Act also limits some benefits if the funded status of pension plans drops below certain thresholds. Among other restrictions under the Act, if the funded status of a plan falls below a predetermined ratio of 80%, lump-sum payments to new retirees are limited to 50% of amounts that otherwise would have been paid and new benefit improvements may not go into effect. For the 2011 plan year, the funded status of our defined benefit pension plan as calculated under the requirements of the Act was 104.37% and is estimated to be 104.37% until the 2012 status is certified in September 2012 for the 2012 plan year. The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 (WRERA), which was signed into law on December 23, 2008, grants plan sponsors certain relief from funding requirements and benefit restrictions of the Act.

Plan Assets

Plan assets are invested using a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equity securities, debt securities and other investments are used to preserve asset values, diversify risk and achieve our target investment return benchmark. Investment strategies and asset allocations are based on careful consideration of plan liabilities, the plan's funded status and our financial condition. Investment performance and asset allocation are measured and monitored on an ongoing basis.

Plan assets are managed in a balanced portfolio comprised of two major components: an equity portion and a fixed income portion. The expected role of Plan equity investments is to maximize the long-term real growth of Plan assets, while the role of fixed income investments is to generate current income, provide for more stable periodic returns and provide some protection against a prolonged decline in the market value of Plan equity investments.

Long-term strategic asset allocation guidelines are determined by management and take into account the Plan's long-term objectives as well as its short-term constraints. The target allocations for plan assets are 30-80% for equity securities, 30-65% for fixed income securities, 0-10% for cash and 0-25% for alternative investments. Equity securities include U.S. and international equity, while fixed income securities include long-duration and high-yield bond funds and emerging market debt funds. Other types of investments include investments in hedge funds and private equity funds that follow several different strategies.

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

Fair Value Measurements for Pension Plan Assets at December 31, 2011 (Successor)

        Quoted Prices in        
    Market Value at   Active Markets   Significant   Significant
Asset Category   December 31,   for Identical   Observable   Unobservable
$ in millions   2011   Assets   Inputs   Inputs
        (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
Equity Securities (a)                
Small/Mid Cap Equity $ 16.2 $ - $ 16.2 $ -
Large Cap Equity   54.5   -   54.5   -
International Equity   34.2   -   34.2   -
Total Equity Securities   104.9   -   104.9   -
 
Debt Securities (b)                
Emerging Markets Debt   -   -   -   -
Fixed Income   -   -   -   -
High Yield Bond   -   -   -   -
Long Duration Fund   130.8   -   130.8   -
Total Debt Securities   130.8   -   130.8   -
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (c)                
Cash   28.0   28.0   -   -
 
Other Investments (d)                
Limited Partnership Interest   0.8   -   -   0.8
Common Collective Fund   71.4   -   -   71.4
Total Other Investments   72.2   -   -   72.2
 
Total Pension Plan Assets $ 335.9 $ 28.0 $ 235.7 $ 72.2

 

(a) This category includes investments in equity securities of large, small and medium sized companies and equity securities of foreign companies including those in developing countries. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(b) This category includes investments in investment-grade fixed-income instruments that are designed to mirror the term of the pension assets and generally have a tenor between 10 and 30 years. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(c) This category comprises cash held to pay beneficiaries and the proceeds received from the DPL Inc. Common Stock, which was cashed-out at $30/share. The fair value of cash equals its book value. (Subsequent to the measurement date, the proceeds from the DPL Inc. Common Stock were invested in the other various investments.) (d) This category represents a private equity fund that specializes in management buyouts and a hedge fund of funds made up of 30+ different hedge fund managers diversified over eight different hedge strategies. The fair value of the private equity fund is determined by the General Partner based on the performance of the individual companies. The fair value of the hedge fund is valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2010 by asset category are as follows:

Fair Value Measurements for Pension Plan Assets at December 31, 2010 (Predecessor)

        Quoted Prices in        
    Market Value at   Active Markets   Significant   Significant
Asset Category   December 31,   for Identical   Observable   Unobservable
$ in millions   2010   Assets   Inputs   Inputs
        (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
Equity Securities (a)                
Small/Mid Cap Equity $ 15.2 $ - $ 15.2 $ -
Large Cap Equity   49.4   -   49.4   -
DPL Inc. Common Stock   23.8   23.8   -   -
International Equity   31.5   -   31.5   -
Total Equity Securities   119.9   23.8   96.1   -
 
Debt Securities (b)                
Emerging Markets Debt   5.2   -   5.2   -
Fixed Income   39.0   -   39.0    
High Yield Bond   8.2   -   8.2   -
Long Duration Fund   58.9   -   58.9   -
Total Debt Securities   111.3   -   111.3   -
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (c)                
Cash   0.4   0.4   -   -
 
Other Investments (d)                
Limited Partnership Interest   2.8   -   -   2.8
Common Collective Fund   57.4   -   -   57.4
Total Other Investments   60.2   -   -   60.2
 
Total Pension Plan Assets $ 291.8 $ 24.2 $ 207.4 $ 60.2

 

(a) This category includes investments in equity securities of large, small and medium sized companies and equity securities of foreign companies including those in developing countries. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund except for the DPL common stock which is valued using the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange.

(b) This category includes investments in investment-grade fixed-income instruments, U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities of emerging market issuers and high yield fixed-income securities that are rated below investment grade. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(c) This category comprises cash held to pay beneficiaries. The fair value of cash equals its book value.

(d) This category represents a private equity fund that specializes in management buyouts and a hedge fund of funds made up of 30+ different hedge fund managers diversified over eight different hedge strategies. The fair value of the private equity fund is determined by the General Partner based on the performance of the individual companies. The fair value of the hedge fund is valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

The change in the fair value for the pension assets valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) was due to the following:

Fair Value Measurements of Pension Assets Using Significant Unobservable Inputs  
(Level 3)
  Limited   Common  
  Partnership   Collective  
$ in millions Interest   Fund  
2010 (Predecessor):            
Beginning balance January 1, 2010 $ 3.1   $ 50.6  
Actual return on plan assets:            
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date   0.1     0.8  
Relating to assets sold during the period   -     -  
Purchases, sales, and settlements   (0.4 )   6.0  
Transfers in and / or out of Level 3   -     -  
Ending balance at December 31, 2010 $ 2.8   $ 57.4  
 
January 1, 2011 through November 27, 2011 (Predecessor):            
Beginning balance January 1, 2011 $ 2.8   $ 57.4  
Actual return on plan assets:            
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date   (0.8 )   (1.5 )
Relating to assets sold during the period   -     -  
Purchases, sales, and settlements   (1.1 )   15.4  
Transfers in and / or out of Level 3   -     -  
Ending balance at November 27, 2011   0.9     71.3  
 
November 28, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (Successor):            
Beginning balance November 28, 2011 $ 0.9   $ 71.3  
Actual return on plan assets:            
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date   -     0.1  
Relating to assets sold during the period   -     -  
Purchases, sales, and settlements   (0.1 )   -  
Transfers in and / or out of Level 3   -     -  
Ending balance at December 31, 2011 $ 0.8   $ 71.4  

 

The fair values of our other postretirement benefit plan assets at December 31, 2011 by asset category are as follows:

Fair Value Measurements for Postretirement Plan Assets at December 31, 2011 (Successor)
 
    Market Quoted Prices in Significant   Significant
Asset Category   Value at Active Markets for Observable Unobservable
$ in millions   12/31/11 Identical Assets   Inputs   Inputs
        (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
 
JP Morgan Core Bond Fund (a) $ 4.5 $ - $ 4.5 $ -

 

(a) This category includes investments in U.S. government obligations and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

The fair values of our other postretirement benefit plan assets at December 31, 2010 by asset category are as follows:

Fair Value Measurements for Postretirement Plan Assets at December 31, 2010 (Predecessor)
 
    Market Quoted Prices in Significant   Significant
Asset Category   Value at Active Markets for Observable Unobservable
$ in millions   12/31/10 Identical Assets   Inputs   Inputs
        (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
 
JP Morgan Core Bond Fund (a) $ 4.8 $ - $ 4.8 $ -

 

(a) This category includes investments in U.S. government obligations and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

DP&L [Member]
 
Pension and Postretirement Benefits

8. Pension and Postretirement Benefits

DP&L sponsors a traditional defined benefit pension plan for substantially all employees of DPL. For collective bargaining employees, the defined benefits are based on a specific dollar amount per year of service. For all other employees (management employees), the traditional defined benefit pension plan is based primarily on compensation and years of service. As of December 31, 2010, this traditional pension plan was closed to new management employees. A participant is 100% vested in all amounts credited to his or her account upon the completion of five vesting years, as defined in The Dayton Power and Light Company Retirement Income Plan, or the participants death or disability. If a participants employment is terminated, other than by death or disability, prior to such participant becoming 100% vested in his or her account, the account shall be forfeited as of the date of termination.

All DP&L management employees beginning employment on or after January 1, 2011 are enrolled in a cash balance pension plan. Similar to the traditional defined benefit pension plan for management employees, the cash balance benefits are based on compensation and years of service. A participant shall become 100% vested in all amounts credited to his or her account upon the completion of three vesting years, as defined in The Dayton Power and Light Company Retirement Income Plan or the participants death or disability. If a participants employment is terminated, other than by death or disability, prior to such participant becoming 100% vested in his or her account, the account shall be forfeited as of the date of termination. Vested benefits in the cash balance plan are fully portable upon termination of employment.

In addition, we have a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for certain active and retired key executives. Benefits under this SERP have been frozen and no additional benefits can be earned. The SERP was replaced by the DPL Inc. Supplemental Executive Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (SEDCRP) effective January 7, 2006. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors designates the eligible employees. Pursuant to the SEDCRP, we provide a supplemental retirement benefit to participants by crediting an account established for each participant in accordance with the Plan requirements. We designate as hypothetical investment funds under the SEDCRP one or more of the investment funds provided under The Dayton Power and Light Company Employee Savings Plan. Each participant may change his or her hypothetical investment fund selection at specified times. If a participant does not elect a hypothetical investment fund(s), then we select the hypothetical investment fund(s) for such participant. Wealso have an unfunded liability related to agreements for retirement benefits of certain terminated and retired key executives. The unfunded liabilities for these agreements and the SEDCRP were $0.8 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Per the SEDCRP plan document, the balances in the SEDCRP, including earnings on contributions, were paid out to participants in December 2011. The SEDCRP continued and a contribution for 2011 was calculated in January 2012.

We generally fund pension plan benefits as accrued in accordance with the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and, in addition, make voluntary contributions from time to time. DP&L made discretionary contributions of $40.0 million and $40.0 million to the defined benefit plan during the period January 1, 2011 through November 27, 2011 and the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.

Qualified employees who retired prior to 1987 and their dependents are eligible for health care and life insurance benefits until their death, while qualified employees who retired after 1987 are eligible for life insurance benefits and partially subsidized health care. The partially subsidized health care is at the election of the employee, who pays the majority of the cost, and is available only from their retirement until they are covered by Medicare at age 65. We have funded a portion of the union-eligible benefits using a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association Trust.

 

Regulatory assets and liabilities are recorded for the portion of the under- or over-funded obligations related to the transmission and distribution areas of our electric business and for the changes in the funded status of the plan that arise during the year that are not recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. These regulatory assets and liabilities represent the regulated portion that would otherwise be charged or credited to AOCI. We have historically recorded these costs on the accrual basis and this is how these costs have been historically recovered. This factor, combined with the historical precedents from the PUCO and FERC, make these costs probable of future rate recovery.

 

The following tables set forth our pension and postretirement benefit plans obligations and assets recorded on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. The amounts presented in the following tables for pension include the collective bargaining plan formula, traditional management plan formula and cash balance plan formula and the SERP in the aggregate. The amounts presented for postretirement include both health and life insurance benefits.

$ in millions   Pension  
 
    Years ended December 31,  
Change in Benefit Obligation   2011     2010  
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 333.8   $ 323.9  
Service cost   5.0     4.8  
Interest cost   17.0     17.7  
Plan amendments   7.2     -  
Actuarial (gain) / loss   21.6     8.0  
Benefits paid   (19.4 )   (20.6 )
Medicare Part D Reimbursement   -     -  
Benefit obligation at end of period   365.2     333.8  
 
Change in Plan Assets            
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period   291.8     243.4  
Actual return / (loss) on plan assets   23.1     28.6  
Contributions to plan assets   40.4     40.4  
Benefits paid   (19.4 )   (20.6 )
Medicare reimbursements   -     -  
Fair value of plan assets at end of period   335.9     291.8  
 
Funded status of plan $ (29.3 ) $ (42.0 )

 

$ in millions   Postretirement  
 
    Years ended December 31,  
Change in Benefit Obligation   2011     2010  
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 23.7   $ 26.2  
Service cost   0.1     0.1  
Interest cost   1.0     1.2  
Plan amendments   (1.3 )   -  
Actuarial (gain) / loss   (2.0 )   (2.0 )
Benefits paid   0.2     (2.0 )
Medicare Part D Reimbursement   -     0.2  
Benefit obligation at end of period   21.7     23.7  
 
Change in Plan Assets            
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period   4.8     5.0  
Actual return / (loss) on plan assets   0.2     0.3  
Contributions to plan assets   1.5     1.5  
Benefits paid   (2.0 )   (2.0 )
Medicare reimbursements   -     -  
Fair value of plan assets at end of period   4.5     4.8  
 
Funded status of plan $ (17.2 ) $ (18.9 )

 

 

$ in millions   Pension       Postretirement  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Amounts Recognized in the                        
Balance Sheets at December 31                        
 
Current liabilities $ (1.3 ) $ (0.4 ) $ (0.6 ) $ (0.6 )
Noncurrent liabilities   (27.9 )   (41.6 )   (16.6 )   (18.3 )
Net asset / (liability) at December 31 $ (29.2 ) $ (42.0 ) $ (17.2 ) $ (18.9 )
 
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other                        
Comprehensive Income, Regulatory Assets and                        
Regulatory Liabilities, pre-tax                        
 
Components:                        
Prior service cost / (credit) $ 21.9   $ 16.8   $ 0.9   $ 0.9  
Net actuarial loss / (gain)   140.2     125.4     (7.7 )   (7.6 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income, regulatory                        
assets and regulatory liabilities, pre-tax $ 162.1   $ 142.2   $ (6.8 ) $ (6.7 )
 
Recorded as:                        
Regulatory asset $ 91.1   $ 80.0   $ 1.0   $ 0.5  
Regulatory liability   -     -     (6.6 )   (6.1 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income   71.0     62.2     (1.2 )   (1.1 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income, regulatory                        
assets and regulatory liabilities, pre-tax $ 162.1   $ 142.2   $ (6.8 ) $ (6.7 )

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for our defined benefit pension plans was $355.5 million and $325.1million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The net periodic benefit cost (income) of the pension and postretirement benefit plans were:

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost / (Income) - Pension                  
    Years Ended December 31,  
$ in millions   2011     2010     2009  
Service cost $ 5.0   $ 4.8   $ 3.6  
Interest cost   17.0     17.7     18.1  
Expected return on assets (a)   (24.5 )   (22.4 )   (22.5 )
Amortization of unrecognized:                  
Actuarial (gain) / loss   8.0     7.2     4.4  
Prior service cost   2.1     3.7     3.4  
Net periodic benefit cost / (income) before adjustments $ 7.6   $ 11.0   $ 7.0  

 

(a) For purposes of calculating the expected return on pension plan assets, under GAAP, the market-related value of assets (MRVA) is used. GAAP requires that the difference between actual plan asset returns and estimated plan asset returns be amortized into the MRVA equally over a period not to exceed five years. We use a methodology under which we include the difference between actual and estimated asset returns in the MRVA equally over a three year period. The MRVA used in the calculation of expected return on pension plan assets was approximately $317 million in 2011, $274 million in 2010, and $275 million in 2009.

Net Periodic Benefit Cost / (Income) - Postretirement                  
    Years Ended December 31,  
$ in millions   2011     2010     2009  
Service cost $ 0.1   $ 0.1   $ -  
Interest cost   1.0     1.2     1.5  
Expected return on assets   (0.3 )   (0.3 )   (0.4 )
Amortization of unrecognized:                  
Actuarial (gain) / loss   (1.1 )   (1.1 )   (0.7 )
Prior service cost   0.1     0.1     0.1  
Net periodic benefit cost / (income) before adjustments $ (0.2 ) $ -   $ 0.5  

 

 

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligation Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities

Pension
$ in millions
Years ended December 31,
2011 2010 2009
Net actuarial (gain) / loss $ 22.8   $ 1.9   $ 5.3  
Prior service cost / (credit)   7.1     -     7.2  
Reversal of amortization item:                  
Net actuarial (gain) / loss   (8.0 )   (7.2 )   (4.4 )
Prior service cost / (credit)   (2.0 )   (3.7 )   (3.4 )
Transition (asset) / obligation   -     -     -  
 
Total recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income,                  
Regulatory assets and Regulatory liabilities $ 19.9   $ (9.0 ) $ 4.7  
 
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and Accumulated                  
other comprehensive income, Regulatory assets and                  
Regulatory liabilities $ 27.5   $ 2.0   $ 11.7  

 

Postretirement
$ in millions
Years ended December 31,
2011 2010 2009
Net actuarial (gain) / loss $ (1.3 ) $ (1.9 ) $ 0.3  
Prior service cost / (credit)   -     -     1.1  
Reversal of amortization item:                  
Net actuarial (gain) / loss   1.2     1.1     0.7  
Prior service cost / (credit)   (0.1 )   (0.1 )   (0.1 )
Transition (asset) / obligation   -     -     -  
 
Total recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income,                  
Regulatory assets and Regulatory liabilities $ (0.2 ) $ (0.9 ) $ 2.0  
 
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and Accumulated                  
other comprehensive income, Regulatory assets and                  
Regulatory liabilities $ (0.4 ) $ (0.9 ) $ 2.5  

 

Estimated amounts that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive income, Regulatory assets and Regulatory liabilities into net periodic benefit costs during 2012 are:

$ in millions Pension Postretirement
Net actuarial (gain) / loss $ 8.7 $ 0.1  
Prior service cost / (credit)   2.8   (0.9 )

 

Our expected return on plan asset assumptions, used to determine benefit obligations, are based on historical long-term rates of return on investments, which use the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. Current market factors, such as inflation and interest rates, as well as asset diversification and portfolio rebalancing, are evaluated when long-term capital market assumptions are determined. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed to verify reasonableness and appropriateness.

For 2012, we have decreased our expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption from 8.00% to 7.00% for pension plan assets. We are maintaining our expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption at approximately 6.00% for postretirement benefit plan assets. These expected returns are based primarily on portfolio investment allocation. There can be no assurance of our ability to generate these rates of return in the future.

Our overall discount rate was evaluated in relation to the 2011 Hewitt Top Quartile Yield Curve which represents a portfolio of top-quartile AA-rated bonds used to settle pension obligations. Peer data and

 

historical returns were also reviewed to verify the reasonableness and appropriateness of our discount rate used in the calculation of benefit obligations and expense.

The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations during 2011, 2010 and 2009 were:

Benefit Obligation Assumptions Pension Postretirement
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  
Discount rate for obligations 4.88 % 5.32 % 5.75 % 4.17 % 4.96 % 5.35 %
Rate of compensation increases 3.94 % 3.94 % 4.44 % N/A   N/A   N/A  

 

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost (income) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were:

Net Periodic Benefit                        
Cost / (Income) Assumptions Pension Postretirement
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  
Discount rate 4.88 % 5.75 % 6.25 % 4.62 % 5.35 % 6.25 %
Expected rate of return on plan assets 8.00 % 8.50 % 8.50 % 6.00 % 6.00 % 6.00 %
Rate of compensation increases 3.94 % 4.44 % 5.44 % N/A   N/A   N/A  

 

The assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

Health Care Cost Assumptions Expense Benefit Obligations
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  
Pre - age 65                        
Current health care cost trend rate 8.50 % 9.50 % 9.50 % 8.50 % 8.50 % 9.50 %
Year trend reaches ultimate 2018   2015   2014   2019   2018   2015  
 
Post - age 65                        
Current health care cost trend rate 8.00 % 9.00 % 9.00 % 8.00 % 8.00 % 9.00 %
Year trend reaches ultimate 2017   2014   2013   2018   2017   2014  
 
Ultimate health care cost trend rate 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 %

 

The assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on the net periodic postretirement benefit cost and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:

Effect of Change in Health Care Cost Trend Rate
$ in millions
One-percent
increase
One-percent
decrease
 
Service cost plus interest cost $ - $ -  
Benefit obligation $ 0.9 $ (0.8 )

 

Benefit payments, which reflect future service, are expected to be paid as follows:

 

 


Estimated Future Benefit Payments and Medicare Part D Reimbursements
$ in millions Pension Postretirement
 
2012 $ 23.1 $ 2.6
2013   22.7   2.5
2014   23.2   2.4
2015   23.8   2.2
2016   24.0   2.1
2017 - 2021   124.4   8.2

 

We expect to make contributions of $1.4 million to our SERP in 2012 to cover benefit payments. We also expect to contribute $2.3 million to our other postretirement benefit plans in 2012 to cover benefit payments.

The Pension Protection Act (the Act) of 2006 contained new requirements for our single employer defined benefit pension plan. In addition to establishing a 100% funding target for plan years beginning after December 31, 2008, the Act also limits some benefits if the funded status of pension plans drops below certain thresholds. Among other restrictions under the Act, if the funded status of a plan falls below a predetermined ratio of 80%, lump-sum payments to new retirees are limited to 50% of amounts that otherwise would have been paid and new benefit improvements may not go into effect. For the 2011 plan year, the funded status of our defined benefit pension plan as calculated under the requirements of the Act was 104.37% and is estimated to be 104.37% until the 2012 status is certified in September 2012 for the 2012 plan year. The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 (WRERA), which was signed into law on December 23, 2008, grants plan sponsors certain relief from funding requirements and benefit restrictions of the Act.

Plan Assets

Plan assets are invested using a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equity securities, debt securities and other investments are used to preserve asset values, diversify risk and achieve our target investment return benchmark. Investment strategies and asset allocations are based on careful consideration of plan liabilities, the plan's funded status and our financial condition. Investment performance and asset allocation are measured and monitored on an ongoing basis.

Plan assets are managed in a balanced portfolio comprised of two major components: an equity portion and a fixed income portion. The expected role of Plan equity investments is to maximize the long-term real growth of Plan assets, while the role of fixed income investments is to generate current income, provide for more stable periodic returns and provide some protection against a prolonged decline in the market value of Plan equity investments.

Long-term strategic asset allocation guidelines are determined by management and take into account the Plans long-term objectives as well as its short-term constraints. The target allocations for plan assets are 30-80% for equity securities, 30-65% for fixed income securities, 0-10% for cash and 0-25% for alternative investments. Equity securities include U.S. and international equity, while fixed income securities include long-duration and high-yield bond funds and emerging market debt funds. Other types of investments include investments in hedge funds and private equity funds that follow several different strategies.

 

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

Fair Value Measurements for Pension Plan Assets at December 31, 2011

Asset Category
$ in millions
Market Value at
December 31,
2011
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     

 

(Level 1)

  (Level 2)   (Level 3)
Equity Securities (a)                
Small/Mid Cap Equity $ 16.2 $ - $ 16.2 $ -
Large Cap Equity   54.5   -   54.5   -
International Equity   34.2   -   34.2   -
Total Equity Securities   104.9   -   104.9   -
 
Debt Securities (b)                
Emerging Markets Debt   -   -   -   -
Fixed Income   -   -   -   -
High Yield Bond   -   -   -   -
Long Duration Fund   130.8   -   130.8   -
Total Debt Securities   130.8   -   130.8   -
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (c)                
Cash   28.0   28.0   -   -
 
Other Investments (d)                
Limited Partnership Interest   0.8   -   -   0.8
Common Collective Fund   71.4   -   -   71.4
Total Other Investments   72.2   -   -   72.2
 
Total Pension Plan Assets $ 335.9 $ 28.0 $ 235.7 $ 72.2

 

(a) This category includes investments in equity securities of large, small and medium sized companies and equity securities of foreign companies including those in developing countries. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(b) This category includes investments in investment-grade fixed-income instruments that are designed to mirror the term of the pension assets and generally have a tenor between 10 and 30 years. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(c) This category comprises cash held to pay beneficiaries and the proceeds received from the DPL Inc Common Stock, which was cashed out at $30/share. The fair value of cash equals its book value. (Subsequent to the measurement date, the proceeds from the DPL Inc. Common Stock were invested in the other various investments.)

(d) This category represents a private equity fund that specializes in management buyouts and a hedge fund of funds made up of 30+ different hedge fund managers diversified over eight different hedge strategies. The fair value of the private equity fund is determined by the General Partner based on the performance of the individual companies. The fair value of the hedge fund is valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

 

The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2010 by asset category are as follows:

Fair Value Measurements for Pension Plan Assets at December 31, 2010

Asset Category
$ in millions
Market Value at
December 31,
2010
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
        (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
Equity Securities (a)                
Small/Mid Cap Equity $ 15.2 $ - $ 15.2 $ -
Large Cap Equity   49.4   -   49.4   -
DPL Inc. Common Stock   23.8   23.8   -   -
International Equity   31.5   -   31.5   -
Total Equity Securities   119.9   23.8   96.1   -
 
Debt Securities (b)                
Emerging Markets Debt   5.2   -   5.2   -
Fixed Income   39.0   -   39.0   -
High Yield Bond   8.2   -   8.2   -
Long Duration Fund   58.9   -   58.9   -
Total Debt Securities   111.3   -   111.3   -
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (c)                
Cash   0.4   0.4   -   -
 
Other Investments (d)                
Limited Partnership Interest   2.8   -   -   2.8
Common Collective Fund   57.4   -   -   57.4
Total Other Investments   60.2   -   -   60.2
 
Total Pension Plan Assets $ 291.8 $ 24.2 $ 207.4 $ 60.2

 

(a) This category includes investments in equity securities of large, small and medium sized companies and equity securities of foreign companies including those in developing countries. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund except for the DPL common stock which is valued using the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange.

(b) This category includes investments in investment-grade fixed-income instruments, U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities of emerging market issuers and high yield fixed-income securities that are rated below investment grade. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(c) This category comprises cash held to pay beneficiaries. The fair value of cash equals its book value.

(d) This category represents a private equity fund that specializes in management buyouts and a hedge fund of funds made up of 30+ different hedge fund managers diversified over eight different hedge strategies. The fair value of the private equity fund is determined by the General Partner based on the performance of the individual companies. The fair value of the hedge fund is valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

 

The change in the fair value for the pension assets valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) was due to the following:

Fair Value Measurements of Pension Assets Using Significant Unobservable Inputs  
(Level 3)

$ in millions Limited
Partnership
Interest
Common
Collective
Fund
Ending balance at December 31, 2009 $ 3.1   $ 50.6  
Actual return on plan assets:            
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date   0.1     0.8  
Relating to assets sold during the period   -     -  
Purchases, sales, and settlements   (0.4 )   6.0  
Transfers in and / or out of Level 3   -     -  
Ending balance at December 31, 2010 $ 2.8   $ 57.4  
 
Actual return on plan assets:            
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date $ (0.8 ) $ (1.4 )
Relating to assets sold during the period   -     -  
Purchases, sales and settlements   (1.2 )   15.4  
Transfers in and / or out of Level 3   -     -  
Ending balance at December 31, 2011 $ 0.8   $ 71.4  

 

The fair values of our other postretirement benefit plan assets at December 31, 2011 by asset category are as follows:

Fair Value Measurements for Postretirement Plan Assets at December 31, 2011

Asset Category
$ in millions
Market Value at
December 31,
2011
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
        (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
 
JP Morgan Core Bond Fund (a) $ 4.5 $ - $ 4.5 $ -

 

(a) This category includes investments in U.S. government obligations and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

The fair values of our other postretirement benefit plan assets at December 31, 2010 by asset category are as follows:

Fair Value Measurements for Postretirement Plan Assets at December 31, 2010

Asset Category
$ in millions
Market Value at
December 31,
2010
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
        (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
 
JP Morgan Core Bond Fund (a) $ 4.8 $ - $ 4.8 $ -

 

 

(a) This category includes investments in U.S. government obligations and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

During October 1992, our Board of Directors approved the formation of a Company-sponsored ESOP to fund matching contributions to DP&Ls 401(k) retirement savings plan and certain other payments to eligible full-time employees. ESOP shares used to fund matching contributions to DP&Ls 401(k) vested after either two or three years of service in accordance with the match formula effective for the respective plan match year; other compensation shares awarded vested immediately. In 1992, the Plan entered into a $90 million loan agreement with DPL in order to purchase shares of DPL common stock in the open market. The leveraged ESOP was funded by an exempt loan, which was secured by the ESOP shares. As debt service payments were made on the loan, shares were released on a pro rata basis. The term loan agreement provided for principal and interest on the loan to be paid prior to October 9, 2007, with the right to extend the loan for an additional ten years. In 2007, the maturity date was extended to October 7, 2017. Effective January 1, 2009, the interest on the loan was amended to a fixed rate of 2.06%, payable annually. Dividends received by the ESOP were used to repay the principal and interest on the ESOP loan to DPL. Dividends on the allocated shares were charged to retained earnings and the share value of these dividends was allocated to participants.

During December 2011, the ESOP Plan was terminated and participant balances were transferred to one of the two DP&L sponsored defined contribution 401(k) plans. On December 5, 2011, the ESOP Trust paid the total outstanding principal and interest of $68 million on the loan with DPL, using the merger proceeds from DPL common stock held within the ESOP suspense account.

Compensation expense recorded, based on the fair value of the shares committed to be released, amounted to zero from November 28, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (successor), $4.8 million from January 1, 2011 through November 27, 2011 (predecessor), $6.7 million in 2010 and $4.0 million in 2009.