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Retirement Benefits (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Weighted average rates assumed in actuarial calculations used to determine both benefit obligations as of measurement date and net periodic costs for pension and other postretirement benefit plans
Actuarial Assumptions
The weighted average rates assumed in the actuarial calculations used to determine both the benefit obligations as of the measurement date and the net periodic costs for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the following year are presented below. Net periodic benefit costs were calculated in 2010 for the 2011 plan year using discount rates for the pension plans and the other postretirement benefit plans of 5.52% and 5.40%, respectively, and an annual salary increase of 3.84%.
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Discount rate:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
5.02
%
 
4.26
%
 
4.98
%
Other postretirement benefit plans
4.85

 
4.05

 
4.88

Annual salary increase
3.59

 
3.59

 
3.84

Long-term return on plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
8.20

 
8.20

 
8.45

Other postretirement benefit plans
7.13

 
7.29

 
7.39

Effect of 1% annual increase or decrease in assumed medical care cost on APBO and service and interest cost components
An annual increase or decrease in the assumed medical care cost trend rate of 1% would affect the APBO and the service and interest cost components at December 31, 2013 as follows:
 
1 Percent
Increase
 
1 Percent
Decrease
 
(in millions)
Benefit obligation
$
103

 
$
(88
)
Service and interest costs
5

 
(4
)
Changes in projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets
Changes in the projected benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
9,302

 
$
8,079

Service cost
232

 
198

Interest cost
389

 
393

Benefits paid
(357
)
 
(336
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(703
)
 
968

Balance at end of year
8,863

 
9,302

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
7,953

 
6,800

Actual return on plan assets
1,098

 
1,010

Employer contributions
39

 
479

Benefits paid
(357
)
 
(336
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
8,733

 
7,953

Accrued liability
$
(130
)
 
$
(1,349
)
Amounts related to defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with estimated amortization
Presented below are the amounts included in accumulated OCI and regulatory assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
Prior Service Cost
 
Net (Gain) Loss
 
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
Accumulated OCI
$
5

 
$
59

Regulatory assets
75

 
1,575

Total
$
80

 
$
1,634

Balance at December 31, 2012:
 
 
 
Accumulated OCI
$
7

 
$
118

Regulatory assets
100

 
2,913

Total
$
107

 
$
3,031

Estimated amortization in net periodic pension cost in 2014:
 
 
 
Accumulated OCI
$
1

 
$
4

Regulatory assets
25

 
106

Total
$
26

 
$
110

Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balances of regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities related to defined benefit pension plans
The components of OCI and the changes in the balance of regulatory assets related to the defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:
 
Accumulated
OCI
 
Regulatory Assets
 
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
109

 
$
2,614

Net loss
21

 
519

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service costs
(1
)
 
(29
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)
(4
)
 
(91
)
Total reclassification adjustments
(5
)
 
(120
)
Total change
16

 
399

Balance at December 31, 2012
$
125

 
$
3,013

Net gain
(52
)
 
(1,145
)
Change in prior service costs

 
1

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service costs
(1
)
 
(26
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)
(8
)
 
(192
)
Total reclassification adjustments
(9
)
 
(218
)
Total change
(61
)
 
(1,362
)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
64

 
$
1,651

Estimated pension benefit payments
At December 31, 2013, estimated benefit payments were as follows:
 
Benefit Payments
 
(in millions)
2014
$
399

2015
422

2016
446

2017
471

2018
492

2019 to 2023
2,795

Changes in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations (APBO) and in fair value of plan assets
Changes in the APBO and in the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
1,872

 
$
1,787

Service cost
24

 
21

Interest cost
74

 
85

Benefits paid
(94
)
 
(99
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(200
)
 
71

Retiree drug subsidy
6

 
7

Balance at end of year
1,682

 
1,872

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
821

 
765

Actual return on plan assets
129

 
93

Employer contributions
39

 
55

Benefits paid
(88
)
 
(92
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
901

 
821

Accrued liability
$
(781
)
 
$
(1,051
)
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income and regulatory assets related to other postretirement benefit plans
Presented below are the amounts included in accumulated OCI and net regulatory assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the other postretirement benefit plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic other postretirement benefit cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
Prior Service
Cost
 
Net (Gain)
Loss
 
Transition
Obligation
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated OCI
$

 
$
1

 
$

Net regulatory assets (liabilities)
9

 
64

 

Total
$
9

 
$
65

 
$

Balance at December 31, 2012:
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated OCI
$

 
$
7

 
$

Net regulatory assets (liabilities)
13

 
342

 
5

Total
$
13

 
$
349

 
$
5

Estimated amortization as net periodic postretirement benefit cost in 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated OCI
$

 
$

 
$

Net regulatory assets (liabilities)
4

 
2

 

Total
$
4

 
$
2

 
$

Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balance of regulatory assets related to other postretirement benefit plans
The components of OCI, along with the changes in the balance of net regulatory assets (liabilities), related to the other postretirement benefit plans for the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:
 
Accumulated
OCI
 
Net Regulatory
Assets (Liabilities)
 
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
6

 
$
345

Net loss
1

 
35

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
Amortization of transition obligation

 
(10
)
Amortization of prior service costs

 
(4
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)

 
(6
)
Total reclassification adjustments

 
(20
)
Total change
1

 
15

Balance at December 31, 2012
$
7

 
$
360

Net gain
(6
)
 
(266
)
Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
Amortization of transition obligation

 
(5
)
Amortization of prior service costs

 
(4
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)

 
(12
)
Total reclassification adjustments

 
(21
)
Total change
(6
)
 
(287
)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
1

 
$
73

Summary of estimation of future benefit payments and subsidy receipts based on assumptions used to measure accumulated benefit obligation for postretirement plans
Estimated benefit payments are reduced by drug subsidy receipts expected as a result of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 as follows:
 
Benefit Payments
 
Subsidy Receipts
 
Total
 
(in millions)
2014
$
110

 
$
(9
)
 
$
101

2015
115

 
(10
)
 
105

2016
120

 
(11
)
 
109

2017
124

 
(13
)
 
111

2018
130

 
(14
)
 
116

2019 to 2023
654

 
(75
)
 
579

Composition of benefit plan assets along with targeted mix of assets
The composition of the Company's pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, along with the targeted mix of assets for each plan, is presented below:
 
Target
 
2013
 
2012
Pension plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
26
%
 
31
%
 
28
%
International equity
25

 
25

 
24

Fixed income
23

 
23

 
27

Special situations
3

 
1

 
1

Real estate investments
14

 
14

 
13

Private equity
9

 
6

 
7

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Other postretirement benefit plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
40
%
 
40
%
 
38
%
International equity
21

 
25

 
24

Domestic fixed income
25

 
24

 
28

Global fixed income
4

 
4

 
3

Special situations
1

 

 

Real estate investments
6

 
5

 
5

Private equity
3

 
2

 
2

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Pension Plans [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Amounts recognized in balance sheets related to benefit plans
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's pension plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Prepaid pension costs
$
419

 
$

Other regulatory assets, deferred
1,651

 
3,013

Other current liabilities
(40
)
 
(37
)
Employee benefit obligations
(509
)
 
(1,312
)
Accumulated OCI
64

 
125

Components of net periodic benefit cost
Components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
232

 
$
198

 
$
184

Interest cost
389

 
393

 
389

Expected return on plan assets
(603
)
 
(581
)
 
(607
)
Recognized net loss
200

 
95

 
21

Net amortization
27

 
30

 
32

Net periodic pension cost
$
245

 
$
135

 
$
19

Fair values of benefit plan assets
The fair values of pension plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below. These fair value measurements exclude cash, receivables related to investment income, pending investments sales, and payables related to pending investment purchases. Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
1,433

 
$
839

 
$

 
$
2,272

International equity*
1,101

 
1,018

 

 
2,119

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
599

 

 
599

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
156

 

 
156

Corporate bonds

 
978

 

 
978

Pooled funds

 
471

 

 
471

Cash equivalents and other
1

 
223

 

 
224

Real estate investments
260

 

 
1,000

 
1,260

Private equity

 

 
571

 
571

Total
$
2,795

 
$
4,284

 
$
1,571

 
$
8,650

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
Total
$
2,795

 
$
4,281

 
$
1,571

 
$
8,647

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
1,163

 
$
670

 
$

 
$
1,833

International equity*
912

 
979

 

 
1,891

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
516

 

 
516

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
127

 

 
127

Corporate bonds

 
876

 
3

 
879

Pooled funds

 
399

 

 
399

Cash equivalents and other
5

 
548

 

 
553

Real estate investments
258

 

 
841

 
1,099

Private equity

 

 
593

 
593

Total
$
2,338

 
$
4,115

 
$
1,437

 
$
7,890


*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
Changes in fair value measurement of the level 3 items in benefit plan assets
Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the pension plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance
$
841

 
$
593

 
$
782

 
$
582

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
74

 
8

 
56

 
1

Related to investments sold during the year
30

 
51

 
3

 
41

Total return on investments
104

 
59

 
59

 
42

Purchases, sales, and settlements
55

 
(81
)
 

 
(31
)
Ending balance
$
1,000

 
$
571

 
$
841

 
$
593

Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Amounts recognized in balance sheets related to benefit plans
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's other postretirement benefit plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Other regulatory assets, deferred
$
109

 
$
360

Other current liabilities
(4
)
 
(3
)
Employee benefit obligations
(777
)
 
(1,048
)
Other regulatory liabilities, deferred
(36
)
 

Accumulated OCI
1

 
7

Components of net periodic benefit cost
Components of the other postretirement benefit plans' net periodic cost were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
24

 
$
21

 
$
21

Interest cost
74

 
85

 
92

Expected return on plan assets
(56
)
 
(60
)
 
(64
)
Net amortization
21

 
20

 
20

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
$
63

 
$
66

 
$
69

Fair values of benefit plan assets
Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
Total 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
157

 
$
45

 
$

 
$
202

International equity*
39

 
82

 

 
121

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
34

 

 
34

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
6

 

 
6

Corporate bonds

 
35

 

 
35

Pooled funds

 
46

 

 
46

Cash equivalents and other

 
19

 

 
19

Trust-owned life insurance

 
369

 

 
369

Real estate investments
10

 

 
36

 
46

Private equity

 

 
20

 
20

Total
$
206

 
$
636

 
$
56

 
$
898

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
140

 
$
43

 
$

 
$
183

International equity*
33

 
75

 

 
108

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
24

 

 
24

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
4

 

 
4

Corporate bonds

 
31

 

 
31

Pooled funds

 
42

 

 
42

Cash equivalents and other

 
44

 

 
44

Trust-owned life insurance

 
320

 

 
320

Real estate investments
10

 

 
30

 
40

Private equity

 

 
21

 
21

Total
$
183

 
$
583

 
$
51

 
$
817


*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
Changes in fair value measurement of the level 3 items in benefit plan assets
Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the other postretirement benefit plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance
$
30

 
$
21

 
$
30

 
$
23

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
3

 

 

 

Related to investments sold during the year
1

 
2

 

 
1

Total return on investments
4

 
2

 

 
1

Purchases, sales, and settlements
2

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
Ending balance
$
36

 
$
20

 
$
30

 
$
21

Alabama Power [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Weighted average rates assumed in actuarial calculations used to determine both benefit obligations as of measurement date and net periodic costs for pension and other postretirement benefit plans
Net periodic benefit costs were calculated in 2010 for the 2011 plan year using discount rates for the pension plans and the other postretirement benefit plans of 5.52% and 5.41%, respectively, and an annual salary increase of 3.84%.
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Discount rate:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
5.02
%
 
4.27
%
 
4.98
%
Other postretirement benefit plans
4.86

 
4.06

 
4.88

Annual salary increase
3.59

 
3.59

 
3.84

Long-term return on plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
8.20

 
8.20

 
8.45

Other postretirement benefit plans
7.36

 
7.19

 
7.39

Effect of 1% annual increase or decrease in assumed medical care cost on APBO and service and interest cost components
An annual increase or decrease in the assumed medical care cost trend rate of 1% would affect the APBO and the service and interest cost components at December 31, 2013 as follows:
 
1 Percent
Increase
 
1 Percent
Decrease
 
(in millions)
Benefit obligation
$
26

 
$
(22
)
Service and interest costs
1

 
(1
)
Changes in projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets
Changes in the projected benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
2,218

 
$
1,932

Service cost
52

 
44

Interest cost
93

 
94

Benefits paid
(93
)
 
(90
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(158
)
 
238

Balance at end of year
2,112

 
2,218

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
2,077

 
1,885

Actual return on plan assets
285

 
274

Employer contributions
9

 
8

Benefits paid
(93
)
 
(90
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
2,278

 
2,077

Prepaid pension costs (accrued liability)
$
166

 
$
(141
)
Amounts recognized in balance sheets related to benefit plans
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's other postretirement benefit plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Other regulatory assets, deferred
$
6

 
$
89

Other regulatory liabilities, deferred
(21
)
 

Employee benefit obligations
(42
)
 
(147
)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's pension plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Prepaid pension costs
$
276

 
$

Other regulatory assets, deferred
476

 
822

Other current liabilities
(9
)
 
(8
)
Employee benefit obligations
(101
)
 
(133
)
Amounts related to defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with estimated amortization
Presented below are the amounts included in net regulatory assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the other postretirement benefit plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic other postretirement benefit cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
Estimated
Amortization
in 2014
 
(in millions)
Prior service cost
$
19

 
$
22

 
$
4

Net (gain) loss
(34
)
 
67

 

Net regulatory assets (liabilities)
$
(15
)
 
$
89

 
 
Presented below are the amounts included in regulatory assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
2013
 
2012
 
Estimated
Amortization
in 2014
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Prior service cost
$
19

 
$
26

 
$
7

Net (gain) loss
457

 
796

 
31

Regulatory assets
$
476

 
$
822

 
 
Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balances of regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities related to defined benefit pension plans
The changes in the balance of regulatory assets related to the defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:

2013
2012

(in millions)
Regulatory assets:




Beginning balance
$
822

$
727

Net (gain) loss
(287
)
125

Reclassification adjustments:


Amortization of prior service costs
(7
)
(7
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)
(52
)
(23
)
Total reclassification adjustments
(59
)
(30
)
Total change
(346
)
95

Ending balance
$
476

$
822

The changes in the balance of net regulatory assets (liabilities) related to the other postretirement benefit plans for the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:
 

2013
2012

(in millions)
Net regulatory assets (liabilities):



Beginning balance
$
89

$
96

Net gain
(99
)
(1
)
Reclassification adjustments:


Amortization of transition obligation

(2
)
Amortization of prior service costs
(3
)
(4
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)
(2
)

Total reclassification adjustments
(5
)
(6
)
Total change
(104
)
(7
)
Ending balance
$
(15
)
$
89

Components of net periodic benefit cost
Components of net periodic pension cost (income) were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
52

 
$
44

 
$
43

Interest cost
93

 
94

 
96

Expected return on plan assets
(157
)
 
(162
)
 
(173
)
Recognized net (gain) loss
52

 
23

 
4

Net amortization
7

 
7

 
9

Net periodic pension cost (income)
$
47

 
$
6

 
$
(21
)
Components of the other postretirement benefit plans' net periodic cost were as follows:
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
6

 
$
5

 
$
5

Interest cost
19

 
22

 
24

Expected return on plan assets
(23
)
 
(23
)
 
(25
)
Net amortization
5

 
6

 
7

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
$
7

 
$
10

 
$
11

Estimated pension benefit payments
At December 31, 2013, estimated benefit payments were as follows:
 
Benefit Payments
 
(in millions)
2014
$
104

2015
108

2016
113

2017
118

2018
122

2019 to 2023
669

Future benefit payments, including prescription drug benefits, reflect expected future service and are estimated based on assumptions used to measure the APBO for the other postretirement benefit plans. Estimated benefit payments are reduced by drug subsidy receipts expected as a result of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 as follows:
 
Benefit Payments
 
Subsidy Receipts
 
Total
 
(in millions)
2014
$
30

 
$
(3
)
 
$
27

2015
31

 
(3
)
 
28

2016
31

 
(3
)
 
28

2017
33

 
(4
)
 
29

2018
33

 
(4
)
 
29

2019 to 2023
164

 
(22
)
 
142

Changes in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations (APBO) and in fair value of plan assets
Changes in the APBO and in the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
490

 
$
470

Service cost
6

 
5

Interest cost
19

 
22

Benefits paid
(24
)
 
(24
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(62
)
 
15

Retiree drug subsidy
2

 
2

Balance at end of year
431

 
490

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
343

 
315

Actual return on plan assets
61

 
39

Employer contributions
7

 
11

Benefits paid
(22
)
 
(22
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
389

 
343

Accrued liability
$
(42
)
 
$
(147
)
Composition of benefit plan assets along with targeted mix of assets
The composition of the Company's pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, along with the targeted mix of assets for each plan, is presented below:
 
 
Target
 
2013
 
2012
Pension plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
26
%
 
31
%
 
28
%
International equity
25

 
25

 
24

Fixed income
23

 
23

 
27

Special situations
3

 
1

 
1

Real estate investments
14

 
14

 
13

Private equity
9

 
6

 
7

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Other postretirement benefit plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
44
%
 
47
%
 
46
%
International equity
20

 
20

 
20

Domestic fixed income
24

 
27

 
28

Special situations
1

 

 

Real estate investments
8

 
4

 
4

Private equity
3

 
2

 
2

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Fair values of benefit plan assets
Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
67

 
$
11

 
$

 
$
78

International equity*
14

 
13

 

 
27

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
17

 

 
17

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
2

 

 
2

Corporate bonds

 
12

 

 
12

Pooled funds

 
6

 

 
6

Cash equivalents and other

 
10

 

 
10

Trust-owned life insurance

 
211

 

 
211

Real estate investments
4

 

 
13

 
17

Private equity

 

 
7

 
7

Total
$
85

 
$
282

 
$
20

 
$
387

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
62

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
71

International equity*
12

 
13

 

 
25

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
7

 

 
7

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
2

 

 
2

Corporate bonds

 
11

 

 
11

Pooled funds

 
5

 

 
5

Cash equivalents and other

 
19

 

 
19

Trust-owned life insurance

 
178

 

 
178

Real estate investments
4

 

 
11

 
15

Private equity

 

 
8

 
8

Total
$
78

 
$
244

 
$
19

 
$
341

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
The fair values of pension plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below. These fair value measurements exclude cash, receivables related to investment income, pending investments sales, and payables related to pending investment purchases. Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
 (Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
374

 
$
219

 
$

 
$
593

International equity*
287

 
265

 

 
552

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
156

 

 
156

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
41

 

 
41

Corporate bonds

 
255

 

 
255

Pooled funds

 
123

 

 
123

Cash equivalents and other

 
58

 

 
58

Real estate investments
68

 

 
261

 
329

Private equity

 

 
149

 
149

Total
$
729

 
$
1,117

 
$
410

 
$
2,256

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Total
$
729

 
$
1,116

 
$
410

 
$
2,255

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
 (Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
304

 
$
175

 
$

 
$
479

International equity*
238

 
256

 

 
494

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
135

 

 
135

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
33

 

 
33

Corporate bonds

 
230

 
1

 
231

Pooled funds

 
104

 

 
104

Cash equivalents and other
1

 
143

 

 
144

Real estate investments
67

 

 
220

 
287

Private equity

 

 
155

 
155

Total
$
610

 
$
1,076

 
$
376

 
$
2,062

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
Changes in fair value measurement of the level 3 items in benefit plan assets
Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the pension plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance
$
220

 
$
155

 
$
217

 
$
161

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
19

 
2

 
2

 

Related to investments sold during the year
8

 
13

 
1

 
2

Total return on investments
27

 
15

 
3

 
2

Purchases, sales, and settlements
14

 
(21
)
 

 
(8
)
Ending balance
$
261

 
$
149

 
$
220

 
$
155

Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the other postretirement benefit plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance
$
11

 
$
8

 
$
11

 
$
8

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
1

 

 

 

Related to investments sold during the year

 

 

 

Total return on investments
1

 

 

 

Purchases, sales, and settlements
1

 
(1
)
 

 

Ending balance
$
13

 
$
7

 
$
11

 
$
8

Georgia Power [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Weighted average rates assumed in actuarial calculations used to determine both benefit obligations as of measurement date and net periodic costs for pension and other postretirement benefit plans
Net periodic benefit costs were calculated in 2010 for the 2011 plan year using discount rates for the pension plans and the other postretirement benefit plans of 5.52% and 5.40%, respectively, and an annual salary increase of 3.84%.
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Discount rate:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
5.02
%
 
4.27
%
 
4.98
%
Other postretirement benefit plans
4.85

 
4.04

 
4.87

Annual salary increase
3.59

 
3.59

 
3.84

Long-term return on plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
8.20

 
8.20

 
8.45

Other postretirement benefit plans
6.74

 
7.24

 
7.25

Effect of 1% annual increase or decrease in assumed medical care cost on APBO and service and interest cost components
An annual increase or decrease in the assumed medical care cost trend rate of 1% would affect the APBO and the service and interest cost components at December 31, 2013 as follows:
 
1 Percent
Increase
 
1 Percent
Decrease
 
(in millions)
Benefit obligation
$
51

 
$
(43
)
Service and interest costs
2

 
(2
)
Changes in projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets
Changes in the projected benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
3,312

 
$
2,909

Service cost
69

 
60

Interest cost
138

 
141

Benefits paid
(141
)
 
(136
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(262
)
 
338

Balance at end of year
3,116

 
3,312

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
2,827

 
2,575

Actual return on plan assets
387

 
377

Employer contributions
12

 
11

Benefits paid
(141
)
 
(136
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
3,085

 
2,827

Accrued liability
$
(31
)
 
$
(485
)
Amounts recognized in balance sheets related to benefit plans
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's pension plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Prepaid pension costs
$
118

 
$

Other regulatory assets, deferred
610

 
1,132

Current liabilities, other
(12
)
 
(11
)
Employee benefit obligations
(137
)
 
(474
)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's other postretirement benefit plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Other regulatory assets, deferred
$
69

 
$
187

Employee benefit obligations
(316
)
 
(418
)
Amounts related to defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with estimated amortization
Presented below are the amounts included in regulatory assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the other postretirement benefit plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic other postretirement benefit cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
2013
 
2012
 
Estimated
Amortization
in 2014
 
(in millions)
Prior service cost
$
(4
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$

Net (gain) loss
73

 
186

 
2

Transition obligation

 
5

 

Regulatory assets
$
69

 
$
187

 
 
Presented below are the amounts included in regulatory assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
2013
 
2012
 
Estimated
Amortization
in 2014
 
(in millions)
Prior service cost
$
26

 
$
37

 
$
10

Net (gain) loss
584

 
1,095

 
41

Regulatory assets
$
610

 
$
1,132

 
 
Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balances of regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities related to defined benefit pension plans
The changes in the balance of regulatory assets related to the defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:
 
2013
2012
 
(in millions)
Regulatory assets:
 
 
Beginning balance
$
1,132

$
995

Net (gain) loss
(438
)
182

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
Amortization of prior service costs
(10
)
(12
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)
(74
)
(33
)
Total reclassification adjustments
(84
)
(45
)
Total change
(522
)
137

Ending balance
$
610

$
1,132

Components of net periodic benefit cost
Components of net periodic pension cost (income) were as follows:
 
2013

 
2012

 
2011

 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
69

 
$
60

 
$
57

Interest cost
138

 
141

 
144

Expected return on plan assets
(212
)
 
(221
)
 
(234
)
Recognized net loss
74

 
33

 
6

Net amortization
10

 
12

 
12

Net periodic pension cost (income)
$
79

 
$
25

 
$
(15
)
Components of the other postretirement benefit plans' net periodic cost were as follows:
 
2013

 
2012

 
2011

 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
7

 
$
7

 
$
7

Interest cost
31

 
37

 
41

Expected return on plan assets
(24
)
 
(29
)
 
(30
)
Net amortization
12

 
10

 
11

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
$
26

 
$
25

 
$
29

Estimated pension benefit payments
At December 31, 2013, estimated benefit payments were as follows:
 
Benefit Payments
 
(in millions)
2014
$
154

2015
161

2016
167

2017
175

2018
181

2019 to 2023
995

Changes in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations (APBO) and in fair value of plan assets
Changes in the APBO and in the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
800

 
$
774

Service cost
7

 
7

Interest cost
31

 
37

Benefits paid
(45
)
 
(46
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(73
)
 
25

Retiree drug subsidy
3

 
3

Balance at end of year
723

 
800

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
382

 
365

Actual return on plan assets
56

 
43

Employer contributions
11

 
17

Benefits paid
(42
)
 
(43
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
407

 
382

Accrued liability
$
(316
)
 
$
(418
)
Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balance of regulatory assets related to other postretirement benefit plans
The changes in the balance of regulatory assets related to the other postretirement benefit plans for the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:
 
2013
2012
 
(in millions)
Regulatory assets:
 
 
Beginning balance
$
187

$
186

Net (gain) loss
(106
)
11

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
Amortization of transition obligation
(4
)
(6
)
Amortization of prior service costs


Amortization of net gain (loss)
(8
)
(4
)
Total reclassification adjustments
(12
)
(10
)
Total change
(118
)
1

Ending balance
$
69

$
187

Summary of estimation of future benefit payments and subsidy receipts based on assumptions used to measure accumulated benefit obligation for postretirement plans
Future benefit payments, including prescription drug benefits, reflect expected future service and are estimated based on assumptions used to measure the APBO for the other postretirement benefit plans. Estimated benefit payments are reduced by drug subsidy receipts expected as a result of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 as follows:
 
Benefit Payments
 
Subsidy Receipts
 
Total
 
(in millions)
2014
$
49

 
$
(4
)
 
$
45

2015
50

 
(4
)
 
46

2016
53

 
(5
)
 
48

2017
54

 
(5
)
 
49

2018
58

 
(6
)
 
52

2019 to 2023
287

 
(30
)
 
257

Composition of benefit plan assets along with targeted mix of assets
The composition of the Company's pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, along with the targeted mix of assets for each plan, is presented below:
 
Target
 
2013
 
2012
Pension plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
26
%
 
31
%
 
28
%
International equity
25

 
25

 
24

Fixed income
23

 
23

 
27

Special situations
3

 
1

 
1

Real estate investments
14

 
14

 
13

Private equity
9

 
6

 
7

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Other postretirement benefit plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
41
%
 
36
%
 
34
%
International equity
21

 
30

 
27

Domestic fixed income
24

 
21

 
27

Global fixed income
8

 
8

 
7

Special situations
1

 

 

Real estate investments
3

 
3

 
3

Private equity
2

 
2

 
2

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Fair values of benefit plan assets
The fair values of pension plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below. These fair value measurements exclude cash, receivables related to investment income, pending investments sales, and payables related to pending investment purchases. Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
506

 
$
296

 
$

 
$
802

International equity*
389

 
359

 

 
748

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
212

 

 
212

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
55

 

 
55

Corporate bonds

 
346

 

 
346

Pooled funds

 
166

 

 
166

Cash equivalents and other

 
79

 

 
79

Real estate investments
92

 

 
353

 
445

Private equity

 

 
202

 
202

Total
$
987

 
$
1,513

 
$
555

 
$
3,055

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Total
$
987

 
$
1,512

 
$
555

 
$
3,054

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
413

 
$
238

 
$

 
$
651

International equity*
324

 
348

 

 
672

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
183

 

 
183

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
45

 

 
45

Corporate bonds

 
312

 
1

 
313

Pooled funds

 
142

 

 
142

Cash equivalents and other
2

 
195

 

 
197

Real estate investments
92

 

 
299

 
391

Private equity

 

 
211

 
211

Total
$
831

 
$
1,463

 
$
511

 
$
2,805

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
The fair values of other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below. These fair value measurements exclude cash, receivables related to investment income, pending investments sales, and payables related to pending investment purchases. Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
74

 
$
25

 
$

 
$
99

International equity*
12

 
57

 

 
69

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
7

 

 
7

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
2

 

 
2

Corporate bonds

 
11

 

 
11

Pooled funds

 
34

 

 
34

Cash equivalents and other

 
6

 

 
6

Trust-owned life insurance

 
158

 

 
158

Real estate investments
3

 

 
11

 
14

Private equity

 

 
6

 
6

Total
$
89

 
$
300

 
$
17

 
$
406

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
65

 
$
27

 
$

 
$
92

International equity*
10

 
51

 

 
61

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
6

 

 
6

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
1

 

 
1

Corporate bonds

 
10

 

 
10

Pooled funds

 
32

 

 
32

Cash equivalents and other

 
18

 

 
18

Trust-owned life insurance

 
142

 

 
142

Real estate investments
3

 

 
10

 
13

Private equity

 

 
7

 
7

Total
$
78

 
$
287

 
$
17

 
$
382

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
Changes in fair value measurement of the level 3 items in benefit plan assets
Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the other postretirement benefit plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance
$
10

 
$
7

 
$
9

 
$
7

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
1

 

 
1

 

Related to investments sold during the year

 

 

 

Total return on investments
1

 

 
1

 

Purchases, sales, and settlements

 
(1
)
 

 

Ending balance
$
11

 
$
6

 
$
10

 
$
7

Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the pension plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance
$
299

 
$
211

 
$
296

 
$
220

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
25

 
3

 
2

 

Related to investments sold during the year
10

 
17

 
1

 
2

Total return on investments
35

 
20

 
3

 
2

Purchases, sales, and settlements
19

 
(29
)
 

 
(11
)
Ending balance
$
353

 
$
202

 
$
299

 
$
211

Gulf Power [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Weighted average rates assumed in actuarial calculations used to determine both benefit obligations as of measurement date and net periodic costs for pension and other postretirement benefit plans
The weighted average rates assumed in the actuarial calculations used to determine both the benefit obligations as of the measurement date and the net periodic costs for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the following year are presented below. Net periodic benefit costs were calculated in 2010 for the 2011 plan year using discount rates for the pension plans and the other postretirement benefit plans of 5.53% and 5.41%, respectively, and an annual salary increase of 3.84%.
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Discount rate:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
5.02
%
 
4.27
%
 
4.98
%
Other postretirement benefit plans
4.86

 
4.06

 
4.88

Annual salary increase
3.59

 
3.59

 
3.84

Long-term return on plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
8.20

 
8.20

 
8.45

Other postretirement benefit plans
8.04

 
8.02

 
8.11

Effect of 1% annual increase or decrease in assumed medical care cost on APBO and service and interest cost components
An annual increase or decrease in the assumed medical care cost trend rate of 1% would affect the APBO and the service and interest cost components at December 31, 2013 as follows:
 
1 Percent
Increase
 
1 Percent
Decrease
 
(in thousands)
Benefit obligation
$
2,884

 
$
(2,479
)
Service and interest costs
138

 
(119
)
Changes in projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets
Changes in the projected benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
413,501

 
$
352,834

Service cost
11,128

 
9,101

Interest cost
17,321

 
17,199

Benefits paid
(14,831
)
 
(14,046
)
Plan amendments

 
426

Actuarial (gain) loss
(31,791
)
 
47,987

Balance at end of year
395,328

 
413,501

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
350,260

 
304,324

Actual return on plan assets
49,076

 
45,762

Employer contributions
1,134

 
14,220

Benefits paid
(14,831
)
 
(14,046
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
385,639

 
350,260

Accrued liability
$
(9,689
)
 
$
(63,241
)
Amounts related to defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with estimated amortization
Presented below are the amounts included in regulatory assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
2013
 
2012
 
Estimated Amortization in 2014
 
(in thousands)
Prior service cost
$
4,401

 
$
5,565

 
$
1,115

Net (gain) loss
70,879

 
133,696

 
4,559

Regulatory assets
$
75,280

 
$
139,261

 
 
Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balances of regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities related to defined benefit pension plans
The changes in the balance of regulatory assets related to the defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:

2013
2012

(in thousands)
Regulatory assets:




Beginning balance
$
139,261

$
115,853

Net (gain) loss
(54,432
)
28,157

Change in prior service costs

426

Reclassification adjustments:


Amortization of prior service costs
(1,164
)
(1,262
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)
(8,385
)
(3,913
)
Total reclassification adjustments
(9,549
)
(5,175
)
Total change
(63,981
)
23,408

Ending balance
$
75,280

$
139,261

Estimated pension benefit payments
At December 31, 2013, estimated benefit payments were as follows:
 
Benefit Payments
 
(in thousands)
2014
$
16,548

2015
17,440

2016
18,405

2017
19,649

2018
20,681

2019 to 2023
121,864

Changes in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations (APBO) and in fair value of plan assets
Changes in the APBO and in the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
75,395

 
$
70,923

Service cost
1,355

 
1,167

Interest cost
2,982

 
3,367

Benefits paid
(3,583
)
 
(3,854
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(7,900
)
 
3,468

Retiree drug subsidy
330

 
324

Balance at end of year
68,579

 
75,395

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
16,227

 
14,978

Actual return on plan assets
2,119

 
2,131

Employer contributions
2,381

 
2,648

Benefits paid
(3,253
)
 
(3,530
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
17,474

 
16,227

Accrued liability
$
(51,105
)
 
$
(59,168
)
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income and regulatory assets related to other postretirement benefit plans
Presented below are the amounts included in net regulatory assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the other postretirement benefit plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic other postretirement benefit cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
2013
 
2012
 
Estimated Amortization in 2014
 
(in thousands)
Prior service cost
$
138

 
$
324

 
$
186

Net (gain) loss
(7,122
)
 
1,845

 
(24
)
Net regulatory assets (liabilities)
$
(6,984
)
 
$
2,169

 
 
Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balance of regulatory assets related to other postretirement benefit plans
The changes in the balance of net regulatory assets (liabilities) related to the other postretirement benefit plans for the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:

2013
2012

(in thousands)
Net regulatory assets (liabilities):




Beginning balance
$
2,169

$
239

Net (gain) loss
(8,967
)
2,309

Reclassification adjustments:




Amortization of transition obligation

(193
)
Amortization of prior service costs
(186
)
(186
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)


Total reclassification adjustments
(186
)
(379
)
Total change
(9,153
)
1,930

Ending balance
$
(6,984
)
$
2,169

Summary of estimation of future benefit payments and subsidy receipts based on assumptions used to measure accumulated benefit obligation for postretirement plans
Future benefit payments, including prescription drug benefits, reflect expected future service and are estimated based on assumptions used to measure the APBO for the other postretirement benefit plans. Estimated benefit payments are reduced by drug subsidy receipts expected as a result of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 as follows:
 
Benefit
Payments
 
Subsidy
Receipts
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
2014
$
4,447

 
$
(409
)
 
$
4,038

2015
4,630

 
(456
)
 
4,174

2016
4,856

 
(504
)
 
4,352

2017
4,994

 
(557
)
 
4,437

2018
5,168

 
(611
)
 
4,557

2019 to 2023
26,272

 
(3,251
)
 
23,021

Composition of benefit plan assets along with targeted mix of assets
The composition of the Company's pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, along with the targeted mix of assets for each plan, is presented below:
 
Target
 
2013
 
2012
Pension plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
26
%
 
31
%
 
28
%
International equity
25

 
25

 
24

Fixed income
23

 
23

 
27

Special situations
3

 
1

 
1

Real estate investments
14

 
14

 
13

Private equity
9

 
6

 
7

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Other postretirement benefit plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
25
%
 
30
%
 
27
%
International equity
24

 
24

 
23

Domestic fixed income
25

 
25

 
29

Special situations
3

 
1

 
1

Real estate investments
14

 
14

 
13

Private equity
9

 
6

 
7

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Gulf Power [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Amounts recognized in balance sheets related to benefit plans
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's pension plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Prepaid pension costs
$
11,533

 
$

Other regulatory assets, deferred
75,280

 
139,261

Current liabilities, other
(1,183
)
 
(855
)
Employee benefit obligations
(20,039
)
 
(62,386
)
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
Service cost
$
11,128

 
$
9,101

 
$
8,431

Interest cost
17,321

 
17,199

 
17,074

Expected return on plan assets
(26,435
)
 
(25,932
)
 
(27,232
)
Recognized net (gain) loss
8,385

 
3,913

 
512

Net amortization
1,164

 
1,262

 
1,262

Net periodic pension cost
$
11,563

 
$
5,543

 
$
47

Fair values of benefit plan assets
The fair values of pension plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below. These fair value measurements exclude cash, receivables related to investment income, pending investments sales, and payables related to pending investment purchases. Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
63,269

 
$
37,037

 
$

 
$
100,306

International equity*
48,606

 
44,941

 

 
93,547

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
26,461

 

 
26,461

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
6,873

 

 
6,873

Corporate bonds

 
43,222

 

 
43,222

Pooled funds

 
20,810

 

 
20,810

Cash equivalents and other
38

 
9,851

 

 
9,889

Real estate investments
11,493

 

 
44,139

 
55,632

Private equity

 

 
25,201

 
25,201

Total
$
123,406

 
$
189,195

 
$
69,340

 
$
381,941

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives

 
(115
)
 

 
(115
)
Total
$
123,406

 
$
189,080

 
$
69,340

 
$
381,826

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
51,215

 
$
29,499

 
$

 
$
80,714

International equity*
40,166

 
43,120

 

 
83,286

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
22,724

 

 
22,724

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
5,594

 

 
5,594

Corporate bonds

 
38,534

 
139

 
38,673

Pooled funds

 
17,581

 

 
17,581

Cash equivalents and other
208

 
24,148

 

 
24,356

Real estate investments
11,362

 

 
37,039

 
48,401

Private equity

 

 
26,129

 
26,129

Total
$
102,951

 
$
181,200

 
$
63,307

 
$
347,458

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
Changes in fair value measurement of the level 3 items in benefit plan assets
Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the pension plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in thousands)
Beginning balance
$
37,039

 
$
26,129

 
$
34,989

 
$
26,053

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
3,357

 
376

 
1,918

 
44

Related to investments sold during the year
1,310

 
2,282

 
132

 
1,396

Total return on investments
4,667

 
2,658

 
2,050

 
1,440

Purchases, sales, and settlements
2,433

 
(3,586
)
 

 
(1,364
)
Ending balance
$
44,139

 
$
25,201

 
$
37,039

 
$
26,129

Gulf Power [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Amounts recognized in balance sheets related to benefit plans
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's other postretirement benefit plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Other regulatory assets, deferred
$

 
$
2,169

Current liabilities, other
(687
)
 
(661
)
Other regulatory liabilities, deferred
(6,984
)
 

Employee benefit obligations
(50,418
)
 
(58,507
)
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Components of the other postretirement benefit plans' net periodic cost were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
Service cost
$
1,355

 
$
1,167

 
$
1,132

Interest cost
2,982

 
3,367

 
3,658

Expected return on plan assets
(1,238
)
 
(1,311
)
 
(1,445
)
Net amortization
186

 
379

 
396

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
$
3,285

 
$
3,602

 
$
3,741

Fair values of benefit plan assets
The fair values of other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below. These fair value measurements exclude cash, receivables related to investment income, pending investments sales, and payables related to pending investment purchases. Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
2,778

 
$
1,628

 
$

 
$
4,406

International equity*
2,136

 
1,973

 

 
4,109

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
1,161

 

 
1,161

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
303

 

 
303

Corporate bonds

 
1,897

 

 
1,897

Pooled funds

 
1,417

 

 
1,417

Cash equivalents and other
1

 
433

 

 
434

Real estate investments
504

 

 
1,939

 
2,443

Private equity

 

 
1,108

 
1,108

Total
$
5,419

 
$
8,812

 
$
3,047

 
$
17,278

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Total
$
5,419

 
$
8,807

 
$
3,047

 
$
17,273

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
2,290

 
$
1,319

 
$

 
$
3,609

International equity*
1,795

 
1,928

 

 
3,723

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
1,016

 

 
1,016

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
250

 

 
250

Corporate bonds

 
1,722

 
6

 
1,728

Pooled funds

 
1,298

 

 
1,298

Cash equivalents and other
9

 
1,078

 

 
1,087

Real estate investments
508

 

 
1,667

 
2,175

Private equity

 
15

 
1,155

 
1,170

Total
$
4,602

 
$
8,626

 
$
2,828

 
$
16,056

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
Changes in fair value measurement of the level 3 items in benefit plan assets
Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the other postretirement benefit plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate
Investments
 
Private
Equity
 
Real Estate
Investments
 
Private
Equity
 
(in thousands)
Beginning balance
$
1,667

 
$
1,155

 
$
1,657

 
$
1,232

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
108

 
16

 
107

 
(1
)
Related to investments sold during the year
57

 
104

 
6

 
80

Total return on investments
165

 
120

 
113

 
79

Purchases, sales, and settlements
107

 
(167
)
 
(103
)
 
(156
)
Ending balance
$
1,939

 
$
1,108

 
$
1,667

 
$
1,155

Mississippi Power [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Weighted average rates assumed in actuarial calculations used to determine both benefit obligations as of measurement date and net periodic costs for pension and other postretirement benefit plans
The weighted average rates assumed in the actuarial calculations used to determine both the benefit obligations as of the measurement date and the net periodic costs for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the following year are presented below. Net periodic benefit costs were calculated in 2010 for the 2011 plan year using discount rates for the pension plans and the other postretirement benefit plans of 5.51% and 5.39%, respectively, and an annual salary increase of 3.84%.
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Discount rate:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
5.01
%
 
4.26
%
 
4.98
%
Other postretirement benefit plans
4.85

 
4.04

 
4.87

Annual salary increase
3.59

 
3.59

 
3.84

Long-term return on plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension plans
8.20

 
8.20

 
8.45

Other postretirement benefit plans
7.04

 
6.96

 
7.53

Effect of 1% annual increase or decrease in assumed medical care cost on APBO and service and interest cost components
An annual increase or decrease in the assumed medical care cost trend rate of 1% would affect the APBO and the service and interest cost components at December 31, 2013 as follows:
 
1 Percent
Increase
 
1 Percent
Decrease
 
(in thousands)
Benefit obligation
$
4,665

 
$
(4,004
)
Service and interest costs
224

 
(192
)
Changes in projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets
Changes in the projected benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
432,553

 
$
369,680

Service cost
11,067

 
9,416

Interest cost
18,062

 
18,019

Benefits paid
(16,207
)
 
(14,949
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(36,080
)
 
50,387

Balance at end of year
409,395

 
432,553

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
351,749

 
282,100

Actual return on plan assets
49,431

 
39,668

Employer contributions
2,430

 
44,930

Benefits paid
(16,207
)
 
(14,949
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
387,403

 
351,749

Accrued liability
$
(21,992
)
 
$
(80,804
)
Amounts recognized in balance sheets related to benefit plans
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's other postretirement benefit plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Other regulatory assets, deferred
$
5,227

 
$
15,454

Other regulatory liabilities, deferred
(3,111
)
 

Employee benefit obligations
(57,663
)
 
(69,793
)
Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balances of regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities related to defined benefit pension plans
The changes in the balance of regulatory assets related to the defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:
 
2013
2012
 
(in thousands)
Regulatory assets:
 
 
Beginning balance
$
146,838

$
117,354

Net (gain) loss
(58,662
)
34,893

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
Amortization of prior service costs
(1,143
)
(1,309
)
Amortization of net gain (loss)
(9,461
)
(4,100
)
Total reclassification adjustments
(10,604
)
(5,409
)
Total change
(69,266
)
29,484

Ending balance
$
77,572

$
146,838

Estimated pension benefit payments
At December 31, 2013, estimated benefit payments were as follows:
 
Benefit
Payments
 
(in thousands)
2014
$
17,245

2015
18,076

2016
18,993

2017
20,172

2018
21,237

2019 to 2023
124,728

Changes in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations (APBO) and in fair value of plan assets
Changes in the APBO and in the fair value of plan assets during the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
91,783

 
$
87,447

Service cost
1,151

 
1,038

Interest cost
3,619

 
4,155

Benefits paid
(4,080
)
 
(4,432
)
Actuarial (gain) loss
(11,959
)
 
3,166

Retiree drug subsidy
426

 
409

Balance at end of year
80,940

 
91,783

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
21,990

 
20,534

Actual return on plan assets
2,379

 
2,427

Employer contributions
2,562

 
3,052

Benefits paid
(3,654
)
 
(4,023
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
23,277

 
21,990

Accrued liability
$
(57,663
)
 
$
(69,793
)
Components of other comprehensive income along with changes in balance of regulatory assets related to other postretirement benefit plans
The changes in the balance of net regulatory assets (liabilities) related to the other postretirement benefit plans for the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:
 
2013
2012
 
(in thousands)
Net regulatory assets (liabilities):
 
 
Beginning balance
$
15,454

$
13,324

Net (gain) loss
(12,867
)
2,600

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
Amortization of transition obligation

(171
)
Amortization of prior service costs
188

188

Amortization of net gain (loss)
(659
)
(487
)
Total reclassification adjustments
(471
)
(470
)
Total change
(13,338
)
2,130

Ending balance
$
2,116

$
15,454

Summary of estimation of future benefit payments and subsidy receipts based on assumptions used to measure accumulated benefit obligation for postretirement plans
Estimated benefit payments are reduced by drug subsidy receipts expected as a result of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 as follows:
 
Benefit Payments
 
Subsidy Receipts
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
2014
$
5,051

 
$
(526
)
 
$
4,525

2015
5,335

 
(577
)
 
4,758

2016
5,569

 
(632
)
 
4,937

2017
5,849

 
(689
)
 
5,160

2018
6,091

 
(748
)
 
5,343

2019 to 2023
32,600

 
(3,793
)
 
28,807

Composition of benefit plan assets along with targeted mix of assets
The composition of the Company's pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, along with the targeted mix of assets for each plan, is presented below:
 
Target
 
2013
 
2012
Pension plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
26
%
 
31
%
 
28
%
International equity
25

 
25

 
24

Fixed income
23

 
23

 
27

Special situations
3

 
1

 
1

Real estate investments
14

 
14

 
13

Private equity
9

 
6

 
7

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Other postretirement benefit plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity
21
%
 
25
%
 
22
%
International equity
20

 
20

 
19

Fixed income
38

 
38

 
42

Special situations
3

 
1

 
1

Real estate investments
11

 
11

 
10

Private equity
7

 
5

 
6

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Mississippi Power [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Amounts recognized in balance sheets related to benefit plans
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's pension plans consist of the following:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Prepaid pension costs
$
5,698

 
$

Other regulatory assets, deferred
77,572

 
146,838

Other current liabilities
(2,134
)
 
(2,087
)
Employee benefit obligations
(25,556
)
 
(78,717
)
Amounts related to defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with estimated amortization
Presented below are the amounts included in regulatory assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
2013
 
2012
 
Estimated Amortization in 2014
 
(in thousands)
Prior service cost
$
4,118

 
$
5,261

 
$
1,088

Net (gain) loss
73,454

 
141,577

 
4,937

Regulatory assets
$
77,572

 
$
146,838

 
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
Service cost
$
11,067

 
$
9,416

 
$
8,838

Interest cost
18,062

 
18,019

 
17,827

Expected return on plan assets
(26,849
)
 
(24,121
)
 
(25,166
)
Recognized net (gain) loss
9,461

 
4,100

 
1,114

Net amortization
1,143

 
1,309

 
1,309

Net periodic pension cost
$
12,884

 
$
8,723

 
$
3,922

Fair values of benefit plan assets
The fair values of pension plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below. These fair value measurements exclude cash, receivables related to investment income, pending investments sales, and payables related to pending investment purchases. Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
63,558

 
$
37,206

 
$

 
$
100,764

International equity*
48,829

 
45,146

 

 
93,975

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
26,582

 

 
26,582

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
6,904

 

 
6,904

Corporate bonds

 
43,420

 

 
43,420

Pooled funds

 
20,905

 

 
20,905

Cash equivalents and other
38

 
9,896

 

 
9,934

Real estate investments
11,546

 

 
44,341

 
55,887

Private equity

 

 
25,316

 
25,316

Total
$
123,971

 
$
190,059

 
$
69,657

 
$
383,687

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives

 
(115
)
 

 
(115
)
Total
$
123,971

 
$
189,944

 
$
69,657

 
$
383,572

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
51,433

 
$
29,624

 
$

 
$
81,057

International equity*
40,337

 
43,303

 

 
83,640

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
22,820

 

 
22,820

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
5,618

 

 
5,618

Corporate bonds

 
38,696

 
140

 
38,836

Pooled funds

 
17,656

 

 
17,656

Cash equivalents and other
209

 
24,251

 

 
24,460

Real estate investments
11,410

 

 
37,196

 
48,606

Private equity

 

 
26,240

 
26,240

Total
$
103,389

 
$
181,968

 
$
63,576

 
$
348,933

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
Changes in fair value measurement of the level 3 items in benefit plan assets
Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the pension plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate
Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate
Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in thousands)
Beginning balance
$
37,196

 
$
26,240

 
$
32,434

 
$
24,151

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
3,385

 
378

 
4,629

 
44

Related to investments sold during the year
1,316

 
2,300

 
133

 
3,415

Total return on investments
4,701

 
2,678

 
4,762

 
3,459

Purchases, sales, and settlements
2,444

 
(3,602
)
 

 
(1,370
)
Ending balance
$
44,341

 
$
25,316

 
$
37,196

 
$
26,240

Mississippi Power [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Amounts related to defined benefit pension plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost along with estimated amortization
Presented below are the amounts included in net regulatory assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to the other postretirement benefit plans that had not yet been recognized in net periodic other postretirement benefit cost along with the estimated amortization of such amounts for 2014.
 
2013
 
2012
 
Estimated Amortization in 2014
 
(in thousands)
Prior service cost
$
(2,311
)
 
$
(2,498
)
 
$
(188
)
Net (gain) loss
4,427

 
17,952

 

Net regulatory assets (liabilities)
$
2,116

 
$
15,454

 
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Components of the other postretirement benefit plans' net periodic cost were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
Service cost
$
1,151

 
$
1,038

 
$
1,012

Interest cost
3,619

 
4,155

 
4,292

Expected return on plan assets
(1,472
)
 
(1,552
)
 
(1,763
)
Net amortization
471

 
470

 
274

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
$
3,769

 
$
4,111

 
$
3,815

Fair values of benefit plan assets
The fair values of other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below. These fair value measurements exclude cash, receivables related to investment income, pending investments sales, and payables related to pending investment purchases. Assets that are considered special situations investments, primarily real estate investments and private equities, are presented in the tables below based on the nature of the investment.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
3,089

 
$
1,809

 
$

 
$
4,898

International equity*
2,375

 
2,193

 

 
4,568

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
5,213

 

 
5,213

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
337

 

 
337

Corporate bonds

 
2,109

 

 
2,109

Pooled funds

 
1,016

 

 
1,016

Cash equivalents and other
1

 
968

 

 
969

Real estate investments
560

 

 
2,156

 
2,716

Private equity

 

 
1,231

 
1,231

Total
$
6,025

 
$
13,645

 
$
3,387

 
$
23,057

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Total
$
6,025

 
$
13,640

 
$
3,387

 
$
23,052

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic equity*
$
2,561

 
$
1,475

 
$

 
$
4,036

International equity*
2,008

 
2,156

 

 
4,164

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, government, and agency bonds

 
5,187

 

 
5,187

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

 
280

 

 
280

Corporate bonds

 
1,925

 
7

 
1,932

Pooled funds

 
879

 

 
879

Cash equivalents and other
11

 
1,612

 

 
1,623

Real estate investments
569

 

 
1,865

 
2,434

Private equity

 
14

 
1,293

 
1,307

Total
$
5,149

 
$
13,528

 
$
3,165

 
$
21,842

*
Level 1 securities consist of actively traded stocks while Level 2 securities consist of pooled funds. Management believes that the portfolio is well-diversified with no significant concentrations of risk.
Changes in fair value measurement of the level 3 items in benefit plan assets
Changes in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 items in the other postretirement benefit plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate Investments
 
Private Equity
 
(in thousands)
Beginning balance
$
1,865

 
$
1,293

 
$
1,851

 
$
1,377

Actual return on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to investments held at year end
158

 
18

 
119

 
(1
)
Related to investments sold during the year
64

 
110

 
7

 
90

Total return on investments
222

 
128

 
126

 
89

Purchases, sales, and settlements
69

 
(190
)
 
(112
)
 
(173
)
Ending balance
$
2,156

 
$
1,231

 
$
1,865

 
$
1,293