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Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract] 
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans

7.       Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - MGE Energy and MGE.

MGE maintains qualified and nonqualified pension plans, health care, and life insurance benefits. Additionally, MGE has deferred contribution 401(k) benefit plans.

The following table presents the components of MGE Energy's and MGE's net periodic benefit costs recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. A portion of the net periodic benefit cost is capitalized within the consolidated balance sheets. The PSCW allowed MGE to defer the 2009 incremental pension and OPRB costs above the amounts recovered in rates. During both the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, $0.7 million has been recovered in rates. During both the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, $2.0 million has been recovered in rates.

   Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 
 (In thousands) September 30, September 30, 
   2011 2010 2011 2010 
 Pension Benefits         
 Components of net periodic benefit cost:         
  Service cost$1,527$1,469$4,581$4,406 
  Interest cost 3,055 2,912 9,165 8,734 
  Expected return on assets (3,502) (2,848) (10,507) (8,541) 
 Amortization of:         
  Prior service cost 108 106 324 318 
  Actuarial loss 939 839 2,816 2,517 
 Net periodic benefit cost$2,127$2,478$6,379$7,434 
           
 Postretirement Benefits         
 Components of net periodic benefit cost:         
  Service cost$500$463$1,501$1,389 
  Interest cost 1,010 948 3,028 2,844 
  Expected return on assets (407) (296) (1,221) (888) 
 Amortization of:         
  Transition obligation 110 102 329 307 
  Prior service cost 28 27 85 80 
  Actuarial loss 114 106 342 316 
 Net periodic benefit cost$1,355$1,350$4,064$4,048