EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of net periodic benefit cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

	Three months ended   March 31,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,860		$	3,640
Interest cost	2,795			2,525
Expected return on plan assets	(5,191		)	(4,840		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	908			1,039
Amortization of prior service cost	5			8
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	2,377		$	2,372
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	341		$	318
Interest cost	570			554
Expected return on plan assets	(1,078		)	(1,056		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	343			374
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,789		)	(2,835		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,613	)	$	(2,645	)