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Postretirement Benefit Plans
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]  
Postretirement Benefit Plans

NOTE 9. POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

We sponsor a number of pension and retiree health and life insurance benefit plans. Principal pension plans are the GE Pension Plan and the GE Supplementary Pension Plan. Principal retiree benefit plans provide health and life insurance benefits to certain eligible participants and these participants share in the cost of the healthcare benefits. Other pension plans include the U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans with pension assets or obligations greater than $50 million. Smaller pension plans and other retiree benefit plans are not material individually or in the aggregate.

EFFECT ON OPERATIONS OF PENSION PLANS
Principal pension plans
Three months ended March 31
(In millions) 20152014
Service cost for benefits earned$361 $318
Prior service cost amortization 52 54
Expected return on plan assets(825)(801)
Interest cost on benefit obligations 695 686
Net actuarial loss amortization 825 641
Curtailment loss 71(a) -
Pension plans cost$1,179 $898

(a) Curtailment loss resulting from the GE Capital Exit Plan.

Other pension plans
Three months ended March 31
(In millions) 20152014
Service cost for benefits earned$105 $114
Prior service cost amortization - 1
Expected return on plan assets(209)(197)
Interest cost on benefit obligations 133 146
Net actuarial loss amortization 74 49
Pension plans cost$103 $113

EFFECT ON OPERATIONS OF PRINCIPAL RETIREE HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE PLANS
Principal retiree health
and life insurance plans
Three months ended March 31
(In millions)20152014
Service cost for benefits earned$41$44
Prior service cost amortization3398
Expected return on plan assets(12)(12)
Interest cost on benefit obligations101110
Net actuarial loss (gain) amortization1(43)
Curtailment loss4(a)-
Retiree benefit plans cost$168$197

(a) Curtailment loss resulting from the GE Capital Exit Plan.