Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits

7. The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in millions):

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	97		$	91		$	289		$	275
Interest cost		189			184			568			553
Expected return on assets		(165	)		(148	)		(493	)		(445	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3			3			10			10
Unrecognized net loss		39			39			115			115
Net periodic benefit cost	$	163		$	169		$	489		$	508

	Retiree Medical and Other Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	15		$	15		$	45		$	45
Interest cost		44			41			132			124
Expected return on assets		(5	)		(4	)		(15	)		(13	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		(7	)		(4	)		(21	)		(14	)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss		(2	)		(2	)		(6	)		(7	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	45		$	(46	)	$	135		$	135

The Company is required to make minimum contributions to its defined benefit pension plans under the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and the Pension Relief Act (Relief Act) of 2010. Under the Relief Act, the Company estimates its 2011 minimum required contribution to its defined benefit pension plans to be approximately $520 million, which has been completed as of the date of this filing. The Company estimates its 2012 minimum required contribution to its defined benefit pension plans will not exceed $560 million. This estimate is subject to change based on final plan asset values as of December 31, 2011.