Components of the net periodic benefit costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:



Pension Plans	Southern Company			Alabama Power			Georgia Power			Gulf Power			Mississippi Power
	(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Service cost	$	53		$	12		$	16		$	4		$	3
Interest cost	109			26			39			4			5
Expected return on plan assets	(161		)	(42		)	(57		)	(7		)	(8		)
Amortization:
Prior service costs	6			2			2			—			—
Net (gain)/loss	28			7			10			1			2
Net cost	$	35		$	5		$	10		$	2		$	2
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Service cost	$	160		$	36		$	47		$	8		$	8
Interest cost	326			78			115			14			15
Expected return on plan assets	(484		)	(126		)	(170		)	(21		)	(22		)
Amortization:
Prior service costs	19			5			7			1			1
Net (gain)/loss	83			23			30			3			4
Net cost	$	104		$	16		$	29		$	5		$	6
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Service cost	$	58		$	12		$	17		$	3		$	3
Interest cost	97			23			35			4			5
Expected return on plan assets	(151		)	(39		)	(54		)	(6		)	(7		)
Amortization:
Prior service costs	7			2			3			—			1
Net (gain)/loss	50			13			19			2			2
Net cost	$	61		$	11		$	20		$	3		$	4
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Service cost	$	174		$	39		$	52		$	8		$	8
Interest cost	291			69			104			13			14
Expected return on plan assets	(452		)	(117		)	(160		)	(19		)	(20		)
Amortization:
Prior service costs	20			5			8			1			1
Net (gain)/loss	150			39			56			6			7
Net cost	$	183		$	35		$	60		$	9		$	10



Postretirement Benefits	Southern Company			Alabama Power			Georgia Power			Gulf Power			Mississippi Power
	(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Service cost	$	5		$	1		$	2		$	—		$	—
Interest cost	19			5			9			—			—
Expected return on plan assets	(14		)	(6		)	(6		)	—			—
Amortization:
Prior service costs	1			1			—			—			—
Net (gain)/loss	1			—			—			—			—
Net cost	$	12		$	1		$	5		$	—		$	—
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Service cost	$	16		$	4		$	5		$	1		$	1
Interest cost	59			15			26			2			2
Expected return on plan assets	(44		)	(19		)	(19		)	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization:
Prior service costs	3			3			—			—			—
Net (gain)/loss	2			—			1			—			—
Net cost	$	36		$	3		$	13		$	2		$	2
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Service cost	$	6		$	2		$	3		$	—		$	—
Interest cost	18			5			8			1			1
Expected return on plan assets	(14		)	(6		)	(7		)	(1		)	—
Amortization:
Transition obligation	2			—			1			—			—
Prior service costs	1			1			—			—			—
Net (gain)/loss	3			—			2			—			—
Net cost	$	16		$	2		$	7		$	—		$	1
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Service cost	$	18		$	5		$	6		$	1		$	1
Interest cost	55			14			24			2			3
Expected return on plan assets	(42		)	(18		)	(19		)	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization:
Transition obligation	4			—			3			—			—
Prior service costs	3			3			—			—			—
Net (gain)/loss	9			1			6			—			—
Net cost	$	47		$	5		$	20		$	2		$	3