EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS [Abstract]

Components of net periodic benefit cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost for Employers Mutual's pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,425,478		$	3,369,584
Interest cost		1,910,241			2,200,125
Expected return on plan assets		(4,287,616	)		(3,731,361	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		1,466,085			1,668,760
Amortization of prior service cost		12,582			72,788
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	2,526,770		$	3,579,896
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	1,574,979		$	1,537,530
Interest cost		1,542,971			1,634,210
Expected return on plan assets		(907,750	)		(804,794	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		923,505			1,002,154
Amortization of prior service credit		(622,781	)		(532,814	)
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	2,510,924		$	2,836,286