Retirement Benefits (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension Plans and Postretirement Plans

	000000	000000	000000	000000	000000
Pension Plans	Southern Company	Alabama Power	Georgia Power	Gulf Power	Mississippi   Power
	(in millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Service cost	$   50	$ 11	$ 15	$   2	$ 2
Interest cost	98	23	35	4	5
Expected return on plan assets	(145)	(40)	(55)	(6)	(6)
Net amortization	31	8	11	1	1
Net cost (income)	$   34	$   2	$   6	$   1	$ 2
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Service cost	$   46	$ 11	$ 14	$   2	$ 2
Interest cost	98	24	36	4	4
Expected return on plan assets	(152)	(43)	(59)	(7)	(6)
Net amortization	13	3	5	1	1
Net cost (income)	$     5	$  (5)	$   (4)	$—	$ 1
Postretirement Benefits	Southern Company	Alabama Power	Georgia Power	Gulf Power	Mississippi   Power
	(in millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Service cost	$   5	$ 1	$   1	$—	$—
Interest cost	21	5	9	1	1
Expected return on plan assets	(15)	(6)	(7)	—	—
Net amortization	5	2	3	—	—
Net cost (income)	$ 16	$ 2	$   6	$  1	$  1
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Service cost	$   5	$ 1	$   2	$—	$—
Interest cost	23	6	10	1	1
Expected return on plan assets	(16)	(6)	(8)	—	—
Net amortization	5	2	3	—	—
Net cost (income)	$ 17	$ 3	$   7	$1	$  1