Pension and Other Postretirement Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

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 defined 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 six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. A portion of the net periodic benefit cost is capitalized within the consolidated balance sheets.

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
(In thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
Pension Benefits
Components of net periodic (benefit) cost:
Service cost	$	1,589	$	1,911	$	3,073	$	3,840
Interest cost		3,483		3,157		6,735		6,343
Expected return on assets		(5,656)		(4,733)		(10,935)		(9,509)
Amortization of:
Prior service (benefit) cost		53		79		102		158
Actuarial loss		186		1,997		358		4,012
Net periodic (benefit) cost	$	(345)	$	2,411	$	(667)	$	4,844

Postretirement Benefits
Components of net periodic (benefit) cost:
Service cost	$	152	$	591	$	482	$	1,187
Interest cost		356		962		1,127		1,932
Expected return on assets		(301)		(540)		(955)		(1,084)
Amortization of:
Transition obligation		-		1		1		2
Prior service (benefit) cost		(307)		27		(974)		55
Actuarial loss		17		309		57		620
Net periodic (benefit) cost	$	(83)	$	1,350	$	(262)	$	2,712