EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Pension and Other Postemployment Benefit Plans (OPEB)

The components of the net periodic cost for pension benefits, including the Company's Pension Equalization Plan, and OPEB costs (principally health care and life insurance) for employees and covered dependents were as follows:

	Pension						OPEB
	Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(Thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	1,344		$	1,194		$	896		$	836
Interest cost	2,206			2,094			1,283			1,211
Expected return on plan assets	(3,171		)	(2,872		)	(686		)	(618		)
Recognized actuarial loss	1,254			986			724			653
Prior service cost amortization	11			12			6			19
Recognized net initial obligation	—			—			89			89
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,644		$	1,414		$	2,312		$	2,190

The Company does not expect to be required to make additional contributions to fund the pension plans over the next three fiscal years based on current actuarial assumptions; however, funding requirements are uncertain and can depend significantly on changes in actuarial assumptions, returns on plan assets, interest rates and changes in the demographics of eligible employees and covered dependents. In addition, as in the past, the Company may elect to make contributions in excess of the minimum required amount to the plans. NJR made a discretionary contribution of $20 million to the pension plans in December 2011. It is anticipated that the annual funding level to the OPEB plans will range from $5 million to $6 million over the next five years. Additional contributions may be made based on market conditions and various assumptions.