Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment.  Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 but before January 1, 2021 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan.

The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust.  The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis.

Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$161,487	$134,193	$155,010
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	239,614	293,114	267,415
Expected return on assets	(414,273)	(414,947)	(442,142)
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	398
Recognized net loss	350,010	241,117	274,104
Settlement charges	36,946	23,492	828
Net periodic pension costs	$373,784	$276,969	$255,613
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$483,653	$614,600	$394,951
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	(398)
Amortization of net loss	(358,473)	(241,117)	(274,104)
Settlement charge	(36,946)	(23,492)	(828)
Total	$88,234	$349,991	$119,621
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$462,018	$626,960	$375,234

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$26,329	$35,158	$8,060	$2,654	$6,116	$7,883
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Expected return on assets	(78,187)	(89,691)	(23,147)	(10,509)	(21,951)	(18,757)
Recognized net loss	68,338	66,640	18,983	8,018	13,173	17,104
Settlement charges	21,078	8,109	3,366	—	4,289	105
Net pension cost	$81,723	$70,648	$20,184	$5,988	$12,358	$17,341
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$106,178	$90,064	$36,899	$8,148	$13,379	$35,403
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(69,713)	(68,248)	(19,393)	(8,213)	(13,564)	(17,434)
Settlement charge	(21,078)	(8,109)	(3,366)	—	(4,289)	(105)
Total	$15,387	$13,707	$14,140	($65)	($4,474)	$17,864
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$97,110	$84,355	$34,324	$5,923	$7,884	$35,205

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$21,043	$29,137	$6,516	$2,274	$5,401	$6,199
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Expected return on assets	(80,705)	(90,607)	(23,873)	(10,785)	(23,447)	(18,710)
Recognized net loss	47,361	46,571	12,416	6,117	9,335	11,400
Net pension cost	$44,400	$48,630	$11,331	$5,101	$5,740	$12,345
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$118,898	$99,346	$41,088	$6,531	$10,869	$36,711
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(47,361)	(46,571)	(12,416)	(6,117)	(9,335)	(11,400)
Total	$71,537	$52,775	$28,672	$414	$1,534	$25,311
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$115,937	$101,405	$40,003	$5,515	$7,274	$37,656

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,757	$33,783	$7,286	$2,693	$6,356	$7,102
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	52,017	59,761	15,075	7,253	13,390	12,907
Expected return on assets	(87,404)	(99,236)	(26,007)	(11,973)	(26,091)	(19,963)
Recognized net loss	53,650	57,800	14,438	7,816	10,503	14,859
Net pension cost	$43,020	$52,108	$10,792	$5,789	$4,158	$14,905
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss	$74,570	$41,642	$19,244	$2,351	$24,121	($2,359)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(53,650)	(57,800)	(14,438)	(7,816)	(10,503)	(14,859)
Total	$20,920	($16,158)	$4,806	($5,465)	$13,618	($17,218)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$63,940	$35,950	$15,598	$324	$17,776	($2,313)

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$8,406,203	$7,404,917
Service cost	161,487	134,193
Interest cost	239,614	293,114
Actuarial loss	969,609	1,292,767
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Balance at December 31	$9,143,652	$8,406,203
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$6,271,160	$5,497,415
Actual return on plan assets	900,229	1,093,114
Employer contributions	316,298	399,419
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$6,854,426	$6,271,160
Funded status	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	$2,926,670	$2,831,408
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$726,010	$724,575

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Service cost	26,329	35,158	8,060	2,654	6,116	7,883
Interest cost	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Actuarial loss	196,755	196,032	62,564	20,535	37,579	57,574
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Balance at December 31	$1,739,382	$1,927,271	$510,109	$220,287	$410,664	$441,148
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Actual return on plan assets	168,764	195,658	48,812	22,896	46,151	40,927
Employer contributions	60,008	55,443	12,601	4,567	4,997	16,145
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,285,856	$1,476,306	$371,394	$172,551	$349,748	$310,818
Funded status	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$816,002	$766,099	$239,904	$91,991	$156,480	$212,062
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$31,921	$—	$—	$—	$—

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($48.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($18.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($7.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($9.8) million at Entergy Texas, and ($236) thousand at System Energy.

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,443,808	$1,599,916	$414,089	$191,190	$369,604	$339,034
Service cost	21,043	29,137	6,516	2,274	5,401	6,199
Interest cost	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Actuarial loss	248,213	248,509	79,453	24,299	49,235	66,460
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Balance at December 31	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,068,842	$1,215,926	$316,716	$145,968	$315,514	$245,516
Actual return on plan assets	210,020	239,770	62,238	28,552	61,814	48,460
Employer contributions	75,854	64,951	20,794	4,553	3,725	20,234
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Funded status	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$799,235	$759,228	$225,354	$91,862	$160,564	$193,870
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$23,481	$—	$—	$—	$—

The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for both 2020 and 2019.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $8.4 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas	$1,617,858	$1,519,998
Entergy Louisiana	$1,753,980	$1,643,759
Entergy Mississippi	$466,497	$438,817
Entergy New Orleans	$201,159	$192,561
Entergy Texas	$379,050	$371,589
System Energy	$410,296	$368,771

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees.  Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits.

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), will be eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and will no longer be eligible for retiree coverage under the Entergy Corporation Companies’ Benefits Plus Medical, Dental and Vision Plans. Under the new Entergy retiree health plan, Medicare-eligible participants will be eligible to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement which they may use towards the purchase of various types of qualified insurance offered through a Medicare exchange provider and for other qualified medical expenses. In accordance with accounting standards, the effects of this change are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these

investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,500	$18,699	$27,129
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	28,597	47,901	50,725
Expected return on assets	(40,880)	(38,246)	(41,493)
Amortization of prior service credit	(32,882)	(35,377)	(37,002)
Recognized net loss	3,481	1,430	13,729
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($17,184)	($5,593)	$13,088
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period	($128,837)	$—	$—
Net (gain)/loss	41,031	(38,526)	(274,354)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	32,882	35,377	37,002
Amortization of net loss	(3,481)	(1,430)	(13,729)
Total	($58,405)	($4,579)	($251,081)
Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($75,589)	($10,172)	($237,993)

Total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,626	$5,993	$1,468	$445	$1,219	$1,254
Interest cost on APBO	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Expected return on assets	(17,104)	—	(5,167)	(5,382)	(9,643)	(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,849)	(6,179)	(1,652)	(763)	(3,364)	(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss	540	(447)	171	(13)	907	121
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,075)	$5,583	($3,644)	($4,929)	($8,873)	($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period	$12,320	($23,508)	($4,428)	($5,493)	($22,441)	($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss	$2,245	$8,744	($4,456)	($5,351)	($3,266)	$58
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	1,849	6,179	1,652	763	3,364	1,065
Amortization of net (gain)/loss	(540)	447	(171)	13	(907)	(121)
Total	$15,874	($8,138)	($7,403)	($10,068)	($23,250)	($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$5,799	($2,555)	($11,047)	($14,997)	($32,123)	($2,479)

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$2,363	$4,639	$1,046	$367	$943	$973
Interest cost on APBO	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Expected return on assets	(15,962)	—	(4,794)	(4,947)	(9,103)	(2,788)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4,950)	(7,349)	(1,756)	(682)	(2,243)	(1,450)
Recognized net (gain)/loss	576	(695)	723	231	485	354
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,747)	$7,259	($2,100)	($3,450)	($6,503)	($1,009)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	($26,707)	($2,220)	($11,950)	($10,967)	($6,406)	($5,539)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	4,950	7,349	1,756	682	2,243	1,450
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss	(576)	695	(723)	(231)	(485)	(354)
Total	($22,333)	$5,824	($10,917)	($10,516)	($4,648)	($4,443)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($33,080)	$13,083	($13,017)	($13,966)	($11,151)	($5,452)

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,170	$6,225	$1,284	$516	$1,319	$1,223
Interest cost on APBO	7,986	11,154	2,731	1,669	3,754	1,998
Expected return on assets	(17,368)	—	(5,213)	(5,250)	(9,784)	(3,130)
Amortization of prior service credit	(5,110)	(7,735)	(1,823)	(745)	(2,316)	(1,513)
Recognized net loss	1,154	1,550	1,508	137	823	932
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,168)	$11,194	($1,513)	($3,673)	($6,204)	($490)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	(32,219)	(73,249)	(7,794)	(981)	(10,561)	(6,680)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	5,110	7,735	1,823	745	2,316	1,513
Amortization of net loss	(1,154)	(1,550)	(1,508)	(137)	(823)	(932)
Total	($28,263)	($67,064)	($7,479)	($373)	($9,068)	($6,099)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($38,431)	($55,870)	($8,992)	($4,046)	($15,272)	($6,589)

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$1,252,903	$1,232,619
Service cost	24,500	18,699
Interest cost	28,597	47,901
Plan amendments	(128,837)	—
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Actuarial loss	80,162	23,673
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	360	594
Balance at December 31	$1,181,075	$1,252,903
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$686,262	$609,782
Actual return on plan assets	80,011	100,445
Employer contributions	48,203	46,618
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$737,866	$686,262
Funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	($38,963)	($48,040)
Non-current liabilities	(404,246)	(518,601)
Total funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($45,501)	($11,899)
Net gain	(8,565)	(5,081)
	($54,066)	($16,980)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	($83,581)	($21,231)
Net (gain)/loss	24,365	(16,670)
	($59,216)	($37,901)

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Service cost	3,626	5,993	1,468	445	1,219	1,254
Interest cost	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Plan amendments	12,320	(23,508)	(4,428)	(5,493)	(22,441)	(1,963)
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Actuarial (gain)/loss	18,257	8,744	684	(91)	5,952	3,025
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	59	77	11	9	18	26
Balance at December 31	$209,369	$255,571	$61,990	$31,707	$74,233	$47,701
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Actual return on plan assets	33,116	—	10,307	10,642	18,861	5,925
Employer contributions	2,201	16,126	343	641	690	1,342
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$304,192	$—	$93,475	$102,734	$174,096	$52,619
Funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($15,580)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	94,823	(239,991)	31,485	71,027	99,863	4,918
Total funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	$7,655	$—	($5,884)	($4,730)	($20,498)	($1,754)
Net (gain)/loss	(16,557)	—	(1,355)	(13,385)	2,030	2,818
	($8,902)	$—	($7,239)	($18,115)	($18,468)	$1,064
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($22,244)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(15,548)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($37,792)	$—	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$187,830	$275,269	$68,976	$41,987	$88,310	$48,791
Service cost	2,363	4,639	1,046	367	943	973
Interest cost	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Actuarial (gain)/loss	166	(2,220)	(3,778)	(4,234)	8,279	(891)
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	82	107	16	14	23	37
Balance at December 31	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$252,055	$—	$75,853	$81,774	$144,846	$43,670
Actual return on plan assets	42,835	—	12,966	11,680	23,788	7,436
Employer contributions	1,257	14,284	228	1,659	(596)	829
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($18,467)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	98,480	(255,708)	20,106	55,398	67,068	1,123
Total funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($6,515)	$—	($3,108)	$—	($1,422)	($854)
Net (gain)/loss	(18,262)	—	3,272	(8,046)	6,203	2,881
	($24,777)	$—	$164	($8,046)	$4,781	$2,027
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($4,915)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(24,739)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($29,654)	$—	$—	$—	$—

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2020, an update to the latest mortality projection scale MP-2020, and favorable claims experience. The other postretirement plans experienced actuarial gains during 2019 primarily due to the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2019, favorable claims

experience, an increase in projected EGWP revenue, and the adoption of the Pri.H-2012 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2019. These gains were partially offset by losses resulting from a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $18.1 million in 2020, $22.6 million in 2019, and $24.4 million in 2018.  In 2019, and 2018 Entergy recognized $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.

The projected benefit obligation was $182.4 million as of December 31, 2020 of which $22.9 million was a current liability and $159.5 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $161.3 million and $143.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($77.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $58.8 million at December 31, 2019) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($16.7 million at December 31, 2020 and $24.9 million at December 31, 2019).

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2020, 2019, and 2018, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$333	$148	$359	$31	$469
2019	$275	$159	$326	$20	$481
2018	$474	$180	$300	$81	$650

Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$3,197	$1,965	$3,852	$247	$8,475
2019	$2,755	$1,682	$3,286	$231	$7,783

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$2,626	$1,802	$3,345	$240	$7,949
2019	$2,248	$1,682	$2,938	$230	$7,391

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($218)	($193)	($181)	($17)	($633)
Non-current liabilities	(2,979)	(1,772)	(3,671)	(230)	(7,842)
Total funded status	($3,197)	($1,965)	($3,852)	($247)	($8,475)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,535	$424	$1,757	($558)	$147
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	$—	$18	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($249)	($216)	($357)	($17)	($723)
Non-current liabilities	(2,506)	(1,467)	(2,930)	(215)	(7,060)
Total funded status	($2,755)	($1,683)	($3,287)	($232)	($7,783)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,232	$3	$1,432	($559)	($603)

The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2020:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,000	($231)	$20,769
Amortization of loss	(105,853)	(1,006)	(3,326)	(110,185)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($106,096)	$19,994	($3,557)	($89,659)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$6,179	$—	$6,179
Amortization of loss	(2,001)	447	(3)	(1,557)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($2,244)	$6,626	($3)	$4,379

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2019:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,498	($198)	$21,300
Amortization of loss	(82,284)	1,230	(2,192)	(83,246)
Settlement loss	(23,458)	—	(1,697)	(25,155)
	($105,742)	$22,728	($4,087)	($87,101)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$7,349	$—	$7,349
Amortization of loss	(2,795)	695	(6)	(2,106)
	($2,795)	$8,044	($6)	$5,243

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior

service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also require that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  In general, Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns and for its other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy generally uses fair value.

In accordance with ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations and are presented by Entergy in miscellaneous - net in other income.

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

In 2020, year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees exceeded the sum of the Plan’s 2020 service and interest cost, resulting in a settlement cost of $36.9 million. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plan’s pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas participate in the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and incurred settlement costs of $21.1 million, $8.1 million, $3.4 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. The settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense in 2020. The reserve amount will be evaluated in Entergy Texas’s next base rate case proceeding and a reasonable amortization period will be determined by the PUCT at that time. At December 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve was approximately $3.8 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.

The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

For postretirement assets the target and range asset allocations (as shown below) reflect recommendations made in the latest optimization study. The target asset allocations for postretirement assets adjust dynamically based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The current weighted average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts.

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2020 are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	32%	to	46%	38%	39%
International Equity Securities	19%	15%	to	23%	19%	19%
Fixed Income Securities	42%	39%	to	45%	42%	41%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable and Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	29%	29%
International Equity Securities	18%	13%	to	23%	18%	18%
Fixed Income Securities	56%	51%	to	61%	53%	53%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on assets. The time period reflected is a long-dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the aggregate asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation, in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other postretirement assets (as described above), and with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry,

foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2020, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

•Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$15,756	(b)	$—		$—	$15,756
Common	1,031,213	(b)	—	(b)	—	1,031,213
Common collective trusts (c)						2,958,767
Registered investment companies	—	(d)	—		—	—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—		731,319	(a)	—	731,319
Corporate debt instruments	—		1,029,370	(a)	—	1,029,370
Registered investment companies (e)	81,800	(d)	3,076	(d)	—	1,128,107
Other	156	(f)	56,323	(f)	—	56,479
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		6,253	(g)	—	6,253
Total investments	$1,128,925		$1,826,341		$—	$6,957,264
Cash						2,316
Other pending transactions						(29,121)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(76,033)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,854,426

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$10,379	(b)	$—		$—	$10,379
Common	857,159	(b)	—	(b)	—	857,159
Common collective trusts (c)						2,698,697
Registered investment companies	132,389	(d)	—		—	132,389
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—	(b)	805,671	(a)	—	805,671
Corporate debt instruments	—		762,577	(a)	—	762,577
Registered investment companies (e)	53,842	(d)	2,903	(d)	—	1,008,371
Other	73	(f)	43,106	(f)	—	43,179
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		40,452	(g)	—	40,452
Total investments	$1,053,842		$1,654,709		$—	$6,358,874
Cash						1,407
Other pending transactions						(22,549)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(66,572)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,271,160

Other Postretirement Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$315,191
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	46,498	(b)	97,604	(a)	—	144,102
Corporate debt instruments	—		147,287	(a)	—	147,287
Registered investment companies	16,965	(d)	—		—	16,965
Other	—		60,219	(f)	—	60,219
Total investments	$63,463		$305,110		$—	$683,764
Other pending transactions						(21,931)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						76,033
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$737,866

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$289,398
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	49,930	(b)	89,297	(a)	—	139,227
Corporate debt instruments	—		130,333	(a)	—	130,333
Registered investment companies	1,877	(d)	—		—	1,877
Other	—		57,210	(f)	—	57,210
Total investments	$51,807		$276,840		$—	$618,045
Other pending transactions						1,645
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						66,572
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$686,262

(a)Certain preferred stocks and certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b)Common stocks, certain preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Certain of these common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities and estimate fair value using net asset value per share.

(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2020, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension	Non-Qualified Pension	Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)	Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$566,242	$22,851	$68,109	$123
2022	$568,058	$24,193	$67,904	$82
2023	$569,348	$23,906	$68,149	$93
2024	$576,365	$17,183	$67,569	$101
2025	$552,303	$25,477	$66,414	$112
2026 - 2030	$2,641,864	$56,584	$314,972	$703

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$115,340	$130,058	$38,131	$15,011	$32,935	$29,202
2022	$114,260	$130,019	$38,104	$15,202	$32,859	$28,854
2023	$111,759	$128,199	$37,159	$15,030	$31,439	$28,833
2024	$110,128	$126,927	$35,571	$14,437	$29,541	$28,641
2025	$108,314	$124,911	$34,377	$14,052	$27,781	$27,378
2026 - 2030	$513,207	$575,141	$155,722	$63,426	$123,688	$132,163

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$218	$193	$181	$17	$633
2022	$424	$211	$411	$17	$871
2023	$328	$217	$377	$21	$1,004
2024	$285	$196	$454	$19	$851
2025	$580	$209	$439	$19	$762
2026 - 2030	$976	$718	$2,146	$111	$3,250

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$12,693	$15,600	$3,386	$2,412	$5,322	$2,739
2022	$12,542	$15,502	$3,498	$2,322	$4,840	$2,734
2023	$12,329	$15,397	$3,541	$2,238	$4,770	$2,676
2024	$12,156	$15,034	$3,574	$2,151	$4,597	$2,579
2025	$11,869	$14,825	$3,614	$2,070	$4,486	$2,518
2026 - 2030	$56,603	$69,424	$17,668	$8,853	$20,622	$11,749

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$40	$20	$15	$—	$13	$5
2022	$39	$6	$15	$—	$4	$1
2023	$42	$6	$17	$—	$5	$2
2024	$45	$8	$17	$—	$5	$2
2025	$49	$8	$19	$—	$6	$1
2026 - 2030	$289	$58	$112	$—	$43	$12

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $356 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $39.9 million to other postretirement plans in 2021.  The expected 2021 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2021 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2021 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2021.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2021:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Other Postretirement Contributions	$517	$15,600	$130	$175	$66	$22

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	2020	2019
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	2.60% - 2.83% Blended 2.77%	3.26% - 3.43% Blended 3.39%
Other postretirement	2.62%	3.26%
Non-qualified pension	1.61%	2.72%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate	2.60%	2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	5.87%	6.13%
Post-65	6.31%	6.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2030	2027
Post-65	2028	2027

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:

	2020	2019	2018
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension:
Service cost	3.42%	4.57%	3.89%
Interest cost	2.99%	4.15%	3.44%
Other postretirement:
Service cost	3.27%	4.62%	3.88%
Interest cost	2.41%	4.01%	3.33%
Non-qualified pension:
Service cost	2.71%	3.94%	3.35%
Interest cost	2.25%	3.46%	2.76%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98%	3.98%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:
Pension assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	6.25% - 7.00%	6.5%-7.25%	6.50% - 7.50%
Other postretirement taxable assets	5.25%	5.50%	5.50%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	6.13%	6.59%	6.95%
Post-65	6.25%	7.15%	7.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2027	2027	2027
Post-65	2027	2026	2027

With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 other postretirement benefit APBO. Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 other postretirement benefit APBO. 

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to the System Savings Plan for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to either 70% or 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The matching contribution is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which company contributions are made. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to these defined contribution plans for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 5% of their eligible earnings per pay period. Eligible participants may also receive a discretionary annual company contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible earnings (subject to vesting).

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $63.1 million in 2020, $57.6 million in 2019, and $54.3 million in 2018.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2020, 2019, and 2018 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$4,515	$6,518	$2,863	$1,115	$2,596
2019	$4,111	$5,641	$2,424	$882	$2,136
2018	$3,985	$5,450	$2,307	$795	$1,992

Entergy Arkansas [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment.  Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 but before January 1, 2021 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan.

The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust.  The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis.

Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$161,487	$134,193	$155,010
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	239,614	293,114	267,415
Expected return on assets	(414,273)	(414,947)	(442,142)
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	398
Recognized net loss	350,010	241,117	274,104
Settlement charges	36,946	23,492	828
Net periodic pension costs	$373,784	$276,969	$255,613
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$483,653	$614,600	$394,951
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	(398)
Amortization of net loss	(358,473)	(241,117)	(274,104)
Settlement charge	(36,946)	(23,492)	(828)
Total	$88,234	$349,991	$119,621
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$462,018	$626,960	$375,234

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$26,329	$35,158	$8,060	$2,654	$6,116	$7,883
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Expected return on assets	(78,187)	(89,691)	(23,147)	(10,509)	(21,951)	(18,757)
Recognized net loss	68,338	66,640	18,983	8,018	13,173	17,104
Settlement charges	21,078	8,109	3,366	—	4,289	105
Net pension cost	$81,723	$70,648	$20,184	$5,988	$12,358	$17,341
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$106,178	$90,064	$36,899	$8,148	$13,379	$35,403
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(69,713)	(68,248)	(19,393)	(8,213)	(13,564)	(17,434)
Settlement charge	(21,078)	(8,109)	(3,366)	—	(4,289)	(105)
Total	$15,387	$13,707	$14,140	($65)	($4,474)	$17,864
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$97,110	$84,355	$34,324	$5,923	$7,884	$35,205

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$21,043	$29,137	$6,516	$2,274	$5,401	$6,199
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Expected return on assets	(80,705)	(90,607)	(23,873)	(10,785)	(23,447)	(18,710)
Recognized net loss	47,361	46,571	12,416	6,117	9,335	11,400
Net pension cost	$44,400	$48,630	$11,331	$5,101	$5,740	$12,345
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$118,898	$99,346	$41,088	$6,531	$10,869	$36,711
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(47,361)	(46,571)	(12,416)	(6,117)	(9,335)	(11,400)
Total	$71,537	$52,775	$28,672	$414	$1,534	$25,311
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$115,937	$101,405	$40,003	$5,515	$7,274	$37,656

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,757	$33,783	$7,286	$2,693	$6,356	$7,102
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	52,017	59,761	15,075	7,253	13,390	12,907
Expected return on assets	(87,404)	(99,236)	(26,007)	(11,973)	(26,091)	(19,963)
Recognized net loss	53,650	57,800	14,438	7,816	10,503	14,859
Net pension cost	$43,020	$52,108	$10,792	$5,789	$4,158	$14,905
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss	$74,570	$41,642	$19,244	$2,351	$24,121	($2,359)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(53,650)	(57,800)	(14,438)	(7,816)	(10,503)	(14,859)
Total	$20,920	($16,158)	$4,806	($5,465)	$13,618	($17,218)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$63,940	$35,950	$15,598	$324	$17,776	($2,313)

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$8,406,203	$7,404,917
Service cost	161,487	134,193
Interest cost	239,614	293,114
Actuarial loss	969,609	1,292,767
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Balance at December 31	$9,143,652	$8,406,203
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$6,271,160	$5,497,415
Actual return on plan assets	900,229	1,093,114
Employer contributions	316,298	399,419
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$6,854,426	$6,271,160
Funded status	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	$2,926,670	$2,831,408
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$726,010	$724,575

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Service cost	26,329	35,158	8,060	2,654	6,116	7,883
Interest cost	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Actuarial loss	196,755	196,032	62,564	20,535	37,579	57,574
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Balance at December 31	$1,739,382	$1,927,271	$510,109	$220,287	$410,664	$441,148
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Actual return on plan assets	168,764	195,658	48,812	22,896	46,151	40,927
Employer contributions	60,008	55,443	12,601	4,567	4,997	16,145
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,285,856	$1,476,306	$371,394	$172,551	$349,748	$310,818
Funded status	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$816,002	$766,099	$239,904	$91,991	$156,480	$212,062
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$31,921	$—	$—	$—	$—

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($48.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($18.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($7.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($9.8) million at Entergy Texas, and ($236) thousand at System Energy.

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,443,808	$1,599,916	$414,089	$191,190	$369,604	$339,034
Service cost	21,043	29,137	6,516	2,274	5,401	6,199
Interest cost	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Actuarial loss	248,213	248,509	79,453	24,299	49,235	66,460
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Balance at December 31	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,068,842	$1,215,926	$316,716	$145,968	$315,514	$245,516
Actual return on plan assets	210,020	239,770	62,238	28,552	61,814	48,460
Employer contributions	75,854	64,951	20,794	4,553	3,725	20,234
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Funded status	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$799,235	$759,228	$225,354	$91,862	$160,564	$193,870
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$23,481	$—	$—	$—	$—

The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for both 2020 and 2019.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $8.4 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas	$1,617,858	$1,519,998
Entergy Louisiana	$1,753,980	$1,643,759
Entergy Mississippi	$466,497	$438,817
Entergy New Orleans	$201,159	$192,561
Entergy Texas	$379,050	$371,589
System Energy	$410,296	$368,771

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees.  Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits.

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), will be eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and will no longer be eligible for retiree coverage under the Entergy Corporation Companies’ Benefits Plus Medical, Dental and Vision Plans. Under the new Entergy retiree health plan, Medicare-eligible participants will be eligible to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement which they may use towards the purchase of various types of qualified insurance offered through a Medicare exchange provider and for other qualified medical expenses. In accordance with accounting standards, the effects of this change are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these

investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,500	$18,699	$27,129
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	28,597	47,901	50,725
Expected return on assets	(40,880)	(38,246)	(41,493)
Amortization of prior service credit	(32,882)	(35,377)	(37,002)
Recognized net loss	3,481	1,430	13,729
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($17,184)	($5,593)	$13,088
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period	($128,837)	$—	$—
Net (gain)/loss	41,031	(38,526)	(274,354)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	32,882	35,377	37,002
Amortization of net loss	(3,481)	(1,430)	(13,729)
Total	($58,405)	($4,579)	($251,081)
Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($75,589)	($10,172)	($237,993)

Total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,626	$5,993	$1,468	$445	$1,219	$1,254
Interest cost on APBO	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Expected return on assets	(17,104)	—	(5,167)	(5,382)	(9,643)	(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,849)	(6,179)	(1,652)	(763)	(3,364)	(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss	540	(447)	171	(13)	907	121
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,075)	$5,583	($3,644)	($4,929)	($8,873)	($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period	$12,320	($23,508)	($4,428)	($5,493)	($22,441)	($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss	$2,245	$8,744	($4,456)	($5,351)	($3,266)	$58
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	1,849	6,179	1,652	763	3,364	1,065
Amortization of net (gain)/loss	(540)	447	(171)	13	(907)	(121)
Total	$15,874	($8,138)	($7,403)	($10,068)	($23,250)	($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$5,799	($2,555)	($11,047)	($14,997)	($32,123)	($2,479)

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$2,363	$4,639	$1,046	$367	$943	$973
Interest cost on APBO	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Expected return on assets	(15,962)	—	(4,794)	(4,947)	(9,103)	(2,788)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4,950)	(7,349)	(1,756)	(682)	(2,243)	(1,450)
Recognized net (gain)/loss	576	(695)	723	231	485	354
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,747)	$7,259	($2,100)	($3,450)	($6,503)	($1,009)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	($26,707)	($2,220)	($11,950)	($10,967)	($6,406)	($5,539)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	4,950	7,349	1,756	682	2,243	1,450
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss	(576)	695	(723)	(231)	(485)	(354)
Total	($22,333)	$5,824	($10,917)	($10,516)	($4,648)	($4,443)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($33,080)	$13,083	($13,017)	($13,966)	($11,151)	($5,452)

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,170	$6,225	$1,284	$516	$1,319	$1,223
Interest cost on APBO	7,986	11,154	2,731	1,669	3,754	1,998
Expected return on assets	(17,368)	—	(5,213)	(5,250)	(9,784)	(3,130)
Amortization of prior service credit	(5,110)	(7,735)	(1,823)	(745)	(2,316)	(1,513)
Recognized net loss	1,154	1,550	1,508	137	823	932
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,168)	$11,194	($1,513)	($3,673)	($6,204)	($490)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	(32,219)	(73,249)	(7,794)	(981)	(10,561)	(6,680)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	5,110	7,735	1,823	745	2,316	1,513
Amortization of net loss	(1,154)	(1,550)	(1,508)	(137)	(823)	(932)
Total	($28,263)	($67,064)	($7,479)	($373)	($9,068)	($6,099)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($38,431)	($55,870)	($8,992)	($4,046)	($15,272)	($6,589)

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$1,252,903	$1,232,619
Service cost	24,500	18,699
Interest cost	28,597	47,901
Plan amendments	(128,837)	—
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Actuarial loss	80,162	23,673
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	360	594
Balance at December 31	$1,181,075	$1,252,903
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$686,262	$609,782
Actual return on plan assets	80,011	100,445
Employer contributions	48,203	46,618
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$737,866	$686,262
Funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	($38,963)	($48,040)
Non-current liabilities	(404,246)	(518,601)
Total funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($45,501)	($11,899)
Net gain	(8,565)	(5,081)
	($54,066)	($16,980)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	($83,581)	($21,231)
Net (gain)/loss	24,365	(16,670)
	($59,216)	($37,901)

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Service cost	3,626	5,993	1,468	445	1,219	1,254
Interest cost	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Plan amendments	12,320	(23,508)	(4,428)	(5,493)	(22,441)	(1,963)
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Actuarial (gain)/loss	18,257	8,744	684	(91)	5,952	3,025
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	59	77	11	9	18	26
Balance at December 31	$209,369	$255,571	$61,990	$31,707	$74,233	$47,701
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Actual return on plan assets	33,116	—	10,307	10,642	18,861	5,925
Employer contributions	2,201	16,126	343	641	690	1,342
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$304,192	$—	$93,475	$102,734	$174,096	$52,619
Funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($15,580)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	94,823	(239,991)	31,485	71,027	99,863	4,918
Total funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	$7,655	$—	($5,884)	($4,730)	($20,498)	($1,754)
Net (gain)/loss	(16,557)	—	(1,355)	(13,385)	2,030	2,818
	($8,902)	$—	($7,239)	($18,115)	($18,468)	$1,064
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($22,244)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(15,548)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($37,792)	$—	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$187,830	$275,269	$68,976	$41,987	$88,310	$48,791
Service cost	2,363	4,639	1,046	367	943	973
Interest cost	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Actuarial (gain)/loss	166	(2,220)	(3,778)	(4,234)	8,279	(891)
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	82	107	16	14	23	37
Balance at December 31	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$252,055	$—	$75,853	$81,774	$144,846	$43,670
Actual return on plan assets	42,835	—	12,966	11,680	23,788	7,436
Employer contributions	1,257	14,284	228	1,659	(596)	829
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($18,467)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	98,480	(255,708)	20,106	55,398	67,068	1,123
Total funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($6,515)	$—	($3,108)	$—	($1,422)	($854)
Net (gain)/loss	(18,262)	—	3,272	(8,046)	6,203	2,881
	($24,777)	$—	$164	($8,046)	$4,781	$2,027
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($4,915)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(24,739)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($29,654)	$—	$—	$—	$—

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2020, an update to the latest mortality projection scale MP-2020, and favorable claims experience. The other postretirement plans experienced actuarial gains during 2019 primarily due to the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2019, favorable claims

experience, an increase in projected EGWP revenue, and the adoption of the Pri.H-2012 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2019. These gains were partially offset by losses resulting from a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $18.1 million in 2020, $22.6 million in 2019, and $24.4 million in 2018.  In 2019, and 2018 Entergy recognized $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.

The projected benefit obligation was $182.4 million as of December 31, 2020 of which $22.9 million was a current liability and $159.5 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $161.3 million and $143.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($77.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $58.8 million at December 31, 2019) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($16.7 million at December 31, 2020 and $24.9 million at December 31, 2019).

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2020, 2019, and 2018, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$333	$148	$359	$31	$469
2019	$275	$159	$326	$20	$481
2018	$474	$180	$300	$81	$650

Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$3,197	$1,965	$3,852	$247	$8,475
2019	$2,755	$1,682	$3,286	$231	$7,783

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$2,626	$1,802	$3,345	$240	$7,949
2019	$2,248	$1,682	$2,938	$230	$7,391

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($218)	($193)	($181)	($17)	($633)
Non-current liabilities	(2,979)	(1,772)	(3,671)	(230)	(7,842)
Total funded status	($3,197)	($1,965)	($3,852)	($247)	($8,475)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,535	$424	$1,757	($558)	$147
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	$—	$18	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($249)	($216)	($357)	($17)	($723)
Non-current liabilities	(2,506)	(1,467)	(2,930)	(215)	(7,060)
Total funded status	($2,755)	($1,683)	($3,287)	($232)	($7,783)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,232	$3	$1,432	($559)	($603)

The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2020:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,000	($231)	$20,769
Amortization of loss	(105,853)	(1,006)	(3,326)	(110,185)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($106,096)	$19,994	($3,557)	($89,659)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$6,179	$—	$6,179
Amortization of loss	(2,001)	447	(3)	(1,557)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($2,244)	$6,626	($3)	$4,379

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2019:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,498	($198)	$21,300
Amortization of loss	(82,284)	1,230	(2,192)	(83,246)
Settlement loss	(23,458)	—	(1,697)	(25,155)
	($105,742)	$22,728	($4,087)	($87,101)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$7,349	$—	$7,349
Amortization of loss	(2,795)	695	(6)	(2,106)
	($2,795)	$8,044	($6)	$5,243

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior

service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also require that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  In general, Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns and for its other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy generally uses fair value.

In accordance with ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations and are presented by Entergy in miscellaneous - net in other income.

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

In 2020, year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees exceeded the sum of the Plan’s 2020 service and interest cost, resulting in a settlement cost of $36.9 million. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plan’s pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas participate in the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and incurred settlement costs of $21.1 million, $8.1 million, $3.4 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. The settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense in 2020. The reserve amount will be evaluated in Entergy Texas’s next base rate case proceeding and a reasonable amortization period will be determined by the PUCT at that time. At December 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve was approximately $3.8 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.

The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

For postretirement assets the target and range asset allocations (as shown below) reflect recommendations made in the latest optimization study. The target asset allocations for postretirement assets adjust dynamically based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The current weighted average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts.

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2020 are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	32%	to	46%	38%	39%
International Equity Securities	19%	15%	to	23%	19%	19%
Fixed Income Securities	42%	39%	to	45%	42%	41%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable and Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	29%	29%
International Equity Securities	18%	13%	to	23%	18%	18%
Fixed Income Securities	56%	51%	to	61%	53%	53%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on assets. The time period reflected is a long-dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the aggregate asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation, in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other postretirement assets (as described above), and with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry,

foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2020, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

•Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$15,756	(b)	$—		$—	$15,756
Common	1,031,213	(b)	—	(b)	—	1,031,213
Common collective trusts (c)						2,958,767
Registered investment companies	—	(d)	—		—	—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—		731,319	(a)	—	731,319
Corporate debt instruments	—		1,029,370	(a)	—	1,029,370
Registered investment companies (e)	81,800	(d)	3,076	(d)	—	1,128,107
Other	156	(f)	56,323	(f)	—	56,479
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		6,253	(g)	—	6,253
Total investments	$1,128,925		$1,826,341		$—	$6,957,264
Cash						2,316
Other pending transactions						(29,121)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(76,033)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,854,426

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$10,379	(b)	$—		$—	$10,379
Common	857,159	(b)	—	(b)	—	857,159
Common collective trusts (c)						2,698,697
Registered investment companies	132,389	(d)	—		—	132,389
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—	(b)	805,671	(a)	—	805,671
Corporate debt instruments	—		762,577	(a)	—	762,577
Registered investment companies (e)	53,842	(d)	2,903	(d)	—	1,008,371
Other	73	(f)	43,106	(f)	—	43,179
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		40,452	(g)	—	40,452
Total investments	$1,053,842		$1,654,709		$—	$6,358,874
Cash						1,407
Other pending transactions						(22,549)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(66,572)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,271,160

Other Postretirement Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$315,191
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	46,498	(b)	97,604	(a)	—	144,102
Corporate debt instruments	—		147,287	(a)	—	147,287
Registered investment companies	16,965	(d)	—		—	16,965
Other	—		60,219	(f)	—	60,219
Total investments	$63,463		$305,110		$—	$683,764
Other pending transactions						(21,931)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						76,033
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$737,866

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$289,398
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	49,930	(b)	89,297	(a)	—	139,227
Corporate debt instruments	—		130,333	(a)	—	130,333
Registered investment companies	1,877	(d)	—		—	1,877
Other	—		57,210	(f)	—	57,210
Total investments	$51,807		$276,840		$—	$618,045
Other pending transactions						1,645
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						66,572
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$686,262

(a)Certain preferred stocks and certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b)Common stocks, certain preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Certain of these common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities and estimate fair value using net asset value per share.

(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2020, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension	Non-Qualified Pension	Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)	Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$566,242	$22,851	$68,109	$123
2022	$568,058	$24,193	$67,904	$82
2023	$569,348	$23,906	$68,149	$93
2024	$576,365	$17,183	$67,569	$101
2025	$552,303	$25,477	$66,414	$112
2026 - 2030	$2,641,864	$56,584	$314,972	$703

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$115,340	$130,058	$38,131	$15,011	$32,935	$29,202
2022	$114,260	$130,019	$38,104	$15,202	$32,859	$28,854
2023	$111,759	$128,199	$37,159	$15,030	$31,439	$28,833
2024	$110,128	$126,927	$35,571	$14,437	$29,541	$28,641
2025	$108,314	$124,911	$34,377	$14,052	$27,781	$27,378
2026 - 2030	$513,207	$575,141	$155,722	$63,426	$123,688	$132,163

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$218	$193	$181	$17	$633
2022	$424	$211	$411	$17	$871
2023	$328	$217	$377	$21	$1,004
2024	$285	$196	$454	$19	$851
2025	$580	$209	$439	$19	$762
2026 - 2030	$976	$718	$2,146	$111	$3,250

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$12,693	$15,600	$3,386	$2,412	$5,322	$2,739
2022	$12,542	$15,502	$3,498	$2,322	$4,840	$2,734
2023	$12,329	$15,397	$3,541	$2,238	$4,770	$2,676
2024	$12,156	$15,034	$3,574	$2,151	$4,597	$2,579
2025	$11,869	$14,825	$3,614	$2,070	$4,486	$2,518
2026 - 2030	$56,603	$69,424	$17,668	$8,853	$20,622	$11,749

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$40	$20	$15	$—	$13	$5
2022	$39	$6	$15	$—	$4	$1
2023	$42	$6	$17	$—	$5	$2
2024	$45	$8	$17	$—	$5	$2
2025	$49	$8	$19	$—	$6	$1
2026 - 2030	$289	$58	$112	$—	$43	$12

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $356 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $39.9 million to other postretirement plans in 2021.  The expected 2021 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2021 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2021 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2021.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2021:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Other Postretirement Contributions	$517	$15,600	$130	$175	$66	$22

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	2020	2019
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	2.60% - 2.83% Blended 2.77%	3.26% - 3.43% Blended 3.39%
Other postretirement	2.62%	3.26%
Non-qualified pension	1.61%	2.72%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate	2.60%	2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	5.87%	6.13%
Post-65	6.31%	6.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2030	2027
Post-65	2028	2027

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:

	2020	2019	2018
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension:
Service cost	3.42%	4.57%	3.89%
Interest cost	2.99%	4.15%	3.44%
Other postretirement:
Service cost	3.27%	4.62%	3.88%
Interest cost	2.41%	4.01%	3.33%
Non-qualified pension:
Service cost	2.71%	3.94%	3.35%
Interest cost	2.25%	3.46%	2.76%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98%	3.98%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:
Pension assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	6.25% - 7.00%	6.5%-7.25%	6.50% - 7.50%
Other postretirement taxable assets	5.25%	5.50%	5.50%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	6.13%	6.59%	6.95%
Post-65	6.25%	7.15%	7.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2027	2027	2027
Post-65	2027	2026	2027

With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 other postretirement benefit APBO. Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 other postretirement benefit APBO. 

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to the System Savings Plan for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to either 70% or 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The matching contribution is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which company contributions are made. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to these defined contribution plans for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 5% of their eligible earnings per pay period. Eligible participants may also receive a discretionary annual company contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible earnings (subject to vesting).

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $63.1 million in 2020, $57.6 million in 2019, and $54.3 million in 2018.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2020, 2019, and 2018 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$4,515	$6,518	$2,863	$1,115	$2,596
2019	$4,111	$5,641	$2,424	$882	$2,136
2018	$3,985	$5,450	$2,307	$795	$1,992

Entergy Louisiana [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment.  Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 but before January 1, 2021 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan.

The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust.  The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis.

Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$161,487	$134,193	$155,010
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	239,614	293,114	267,415
Expected return on assets	(414,273)	(414,947)	(442,142)
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	398
Recognized net loss	350,010	241,117	274,104
Settlement charges	36,946	23,492	828
Net periodic pension costs	$373,784	$276,969	$255,613
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$483,653	$614,600	$394,951
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	(398)
Amortization of net loss	(358,473)	(241,117)	(274,104)
Settlement charge	(36,946)	(23,492)	(828)
Total	$88,234	$349,991	$119,621
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$462,018	$626,960	$375,234

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$26,329	$35,158	$8,060	$2,654	$6,116	$7,883
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Expected return on assets	(78,187)	(89,691)	(23,147)	(10,509)	(21,951)	(18,757)
Recognized net loss	68,338	66,640	18,983	8,018	13,173	17,104
Settlement charges	21,078	8,109	3,366	—	4,289	105
Net pension cost	$81,723	$70,648	$20,184	$5,988	$12,358	$17,341
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$106,178	$90,064	$36,899	$8,148	$13,379	$35,403
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(69,713)	(68,248)	(19,393)	(8,213)	(13,564)	(17,434)
Settlement charge	(21,078)	(8,109)	(3,366)	—	(4,289)	(105)
Total	$15,387	$13,707	$14,140	($65)	($4,474)	$17,864
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$97,110	$84,355	$34,324	$5,923	$7,884	$35,205

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$21,043	$29,137	$6,516	$2,274	$5,401	$6,199
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Expected return on assets	(80,705)	(90,607)	(23,873)	(10,785)	(23,447)	(18,710)
Recognized net loss	47,361	46,571	12,416	6,117	9,335	11,400
Net pension cost	$44,400	$48,630	$11,331	$5,101	$5,740	$12,345
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$118,898	$99,346	$41,088	$6,531	$10,869	$36,711
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(47,361)	(46,571)	(12,416)	(6,117)	(9,335)	(11,400)
Total	$71,537	$52,775	$28,672	$414	$1,534	$25,311
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$115,937	$101,405	$40,003	$5,515	$7,274	$37,656

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,757	$33,783	$7,286	$2,693	$6,356	$7,102
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	52,017	59,761	15,075	7,253	13,390	12,907
Expected return on assets	(87,404)	(99,236)	(26,007)	(11,973)	(26,091)	(19,963)
Recognized net loss	53,650	57,800	14,438	7,816	10,503	14,859
Net pension cost	$43,020	$52,108	$10,792	$5,789	$4,158	$14,905
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss	$74,570	$41,642	$19,244	$2,351	$24,121	($2,359)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(53,650)	(57,800)	(14,438)	(7,816)	(10,503)	(14,859)
Total	$20,920	($16,158)	$4,806	($5,465)	$13,618	($17,218)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$63,940	$35,950	$15,598	$324	$17,776	($2,313)

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$8,406,203	$7,404,917
Service cost	161,487	134,193
Interest cost	239,614	293,114
Actuarial loss	969,609	1,292,767
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Balance at December 31	$9,143,652	$8,406,203
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$6,271,160	$5,497,415
Actual return on plan assets	900,229	1,093,114
Employer contributions	316,298	399,419
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$6,854,426	$6,271,160
Funded status	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	$2,926,670	$2,831,408
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$726,010	$724,575

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Service cost	26,329	35,158	8,060	2,654	6,116	7,883
Interest cost	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Actuarial loss	196,755	196,032	62,564	20,535	37,579	57,574
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Balance at December 31	$1,739,382	$1,927,271	$510,109	$220,287	$410,664	$441,148
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Actual return on plan assets	168,764	195,658	48,812	22,896	46,151	40,927
Employer contributions	60,008	55,443	12,601	4,567	4,997	16,145
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,285,856	$1,476,306	$371,394	$172,551	$349,748	$310,818
Funded status	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$816,002	$766,099	$239,904	$91,991	$156,480	$212,062
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$31,921	$—	$—	$—	$—

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($48.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($18.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($7.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($9.8) million at Entergy Texas, and ($236) thousand at System Energy.

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,443,808	$1,599,916	$414,089	$191,190	$369,604	$339,034
Service cost	21,043	29,137	6,516	2,274	5,401	6,199
Interest cost	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Actuarial loss	248,213	248,509	79,453	24,299	49,235	66,460
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Balance at December 31	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,068,842	$1,215,926	$316,716	$145,968	$315,514	$245,516
Actual return on plan assets	210,020	239,770	62,238	28,552	61,814	48,460
Employer contributions	75,854	64,951	20,794	4,553	3,725	20,234
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Funded status	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$799,235	$759,228	$225,354	$91,862	$160,564	$193,870
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$23,481	$—	$—	$—	$—

The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for both 2020 and 2019.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $8.4 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas	$1,617,858	$1,519,998
Entergy Louisiana	$1,753,980	$1,643,759
Entergy Mississippi	$466,497	$438,817
Entergy New Orleans	$201,159	$192,561
Entergy Texas	$379,050	$371,589
System Energy	$410,296	$368,771

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees.  Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits.

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), will be eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and will no longer be eligible for retiree coverage under the Entergy Corporation Companies’ Benefits Plus Medical, Dental and Vision Plans. Under the new Entergy retiree health plan, Medicare-eligible participants will be eligible to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement which they may use towards the purchase of various types of qualified insurance offered through a Medicare exchange provider and for other qualified medical expenses. In accordance with accounting standards, the effects of this change are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these

investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,500	$18,699	$27,129
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	28,597	47,901	50,725
Expected return on assets	(40,880)	(38,246)	(41,493)
Amortization of prior service credit	(32,882)	(35,377)	(37,002)
Recognized net loss	3,481	1,430	13,729
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($17,184)	($5,593)	$13,088
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period	($128,837)	$—	$—
Net (gain)/loss	41,031	(38,526)	(274,354)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	32,882	35,377	37,002
Amortization of net loss	(3,481)	(1,430)	(13,729)
Total	($58,405)	($4,579)	($251,081)
Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($75,589)	($10,172)	($237,993)

Total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,626	$5,993	$1,468	$445	$1,219	$1,254
Interest cost on APBO	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Expected return on assets	(17,104)	—	(5,167)	(5,382)	(9,643)	(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,849)	(6,179)	(1,652)	(763)	(3,364)	(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss	540	(447)	171	(13)	907	121
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,075)	$5,583	($3,644)	($4,929)	($8,873)	($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period	$12,320	($23,508)	($4,428)	($5,493)	($22,441)	($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss	$2,245	$8,744	($4,456)	($5,351)	($3,266)	$58
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	1,849	6,179	1,652	763	3,364	1,065
Amortization of net (gain)/loss	(540)	447	(171)	13	(907)	(121)
Total	$15,874	($8,138)	($7,403)	($10,068)	($23,250)	($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$5,799	($2,555)	($11,047)	($14,997)	($32,123)	($2,479)

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$2,363	$4,639	$1,046	$367	$943	$973
Interest cost on APBO	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Expected return on assets	(15,962)	—	(4,794)	(4,947)	(9,103)	(2,788)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4,950)	(7,349)	(1,756)	(682)	(2,243)	(1,450)
Recognized net (gain)/loss	576	(695)	723	231	485	354
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,747)	$7,259	($2,100)	($3,450)	($6,503)	($1,009)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	($26,707)	($2,220)	($11,950)	($10,967)	($6,406)	($5,539)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	4,950	7,349	1,756	682	2,243	1,450
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss	(576)	695	(723)	(231)	(485)	(354)
Total	($22,333)	$5,824	($10,917)	($10,516)	($4,648)	($4,443)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($33,080)	$13,083	($13,017)	($13,966)	($11,151)	($5,452)

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,170	$6,225	$1,284	$516	$1,319	$1,223
Interest cost on APBO	7,986	11,154	2,731	1,669	3,754	1,998
Expected return on assets	(17,368)	—	(5,213)	(5,250)	(9,784)	(3,130)
Amortization of prior service credit	(5,110)	(7,735)	(1,823)	(745)	(2,316)	(1,513)
Recognized net loss	1,154	1,550	1,508	137	823	932
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,168)	$11,194	($1,513)	($3,673)	($6,204)	($490)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	(32,219)	(73,249)	(7,794)	(981)	(10,561)	(6,680)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	5,110	7,735	1,823	745	2,316	1,513
Amortization of net loss	(1,154)	(1,550)	(1,508)	(137)	(823)	(932)
Total	($28,263)	($67,064)	($7,479)	($373)	($9,068)	($6,099)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($38,431)	($55,870)	($8,992)	($4,046)	($15,272)	($6,589)

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$1,252,903	$1,232,619
Service cost	24,500	18,699
Interest cost	28,597	47,901
Plan amendments	(128,837)	—
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Actuarial loss	80,162	23,673
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	360	594
Balance at December 31	$1,181,075	$1,252,903
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$686,262	$609,782
Actual return on plan assets	80,011	100,445
Employer contributions	48,203	46,618
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$737,866	$686,262
Funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	($38,963)	($48,040)
Non-current liabilities	(404,246)	(518,601)
Total funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($45,501)	($11,899)
Net gain	(8,565)	(5,081)
	($54,066)	($16,980)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	($83,581)	($21,231)
Net (gain)/loss	24,365	(16,670)
	($59,216)	($37,901)

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Service cost	3,626	5,993	1,468	445	1,219	1,254
Interest cost	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Plan amendments	12,320	(23,508)	(4,428)	(5,493)	(22,441)	(1,963)
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Actuarial (gain)/loss	18,257	8,744	684	(91)	5,952	3,025
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	59	77	11	9	18	26
Balance at December 31	$209,369	$255,571	$61,990	$31,707	$74,233	$47,701
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Actual return on plan assets	33,116	—	10,307	10,642	18,861	5,925
Employer contributions	2,201	16,126	343	641	690	1,342
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$304,192	$—	$93,475	$102,734	$174,096	$52,619
Funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($15,580)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	94,823	(239,991)	31,485	71,027	99,863	4,918
Total funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	$7,655	$—	($5,884)	($4,730)	($20,498)	($1,754)
Net (gain)/loss	(16,557)	—	(1,355)	(13,385)	2,030	2,818
	($8,902)	$—	($7,239)	($18,115)	($18,468)	$1,064
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($22,244)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(15,548)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($37,792)	$—	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$187,830	$275,269	$68,976	$41,987	$88,310	$48,791
Service cost	2,363	4,639	1,046	367	943	973
Interest cost	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Actuarial (gain)/loss	166	(2,220)	(3,778)	(4,234)	8,279	(891)
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	82	107	16	14	23	37
Balance at December 31	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$252,055	$—	$75,853	$81,774	$144,846	$43,670
Actual return on plan assets	42,835	—	12,966	11,680	23,788	7,436
Employer contributions	1,257	14,284	228	1,659	(596)	829
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($18,467)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	98,480	(255,708)	20,106	55,398	67,068	1,123
Total funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($6,515)	$—	($3,108)	$—	($1,422)	($854)
Net (gain)/loss	(18,262)	—	3,272	(8,046)	6,203	2,881
	($24,777)	$—	$164	($8,046)	$4,781	$2,027
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($4,915)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(24,739)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($29,654)	$—	$—	$—	$—

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2020, an update to the latest mortality projection scale MP-2020, and favorable claims experience. The other postretirement plans experienced actuarial gains during 2019 primarily due to the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2019, favorable claims

experience, an increase in projected EGWP revenue, and the adoption of the Pri.H-2012 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2019. These gains were partially offset by losses resulting from a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $18.1 million in 2020, $22.6 million in 2019, and $24.4 million in 2018.  In 2019, and 2018 Entergy recognized $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.

The projected benefit obligation was $182.4 million as of December 31, 2020 of which $22.9 million was a current liability and $159.5 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $161.3 million and $143.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($77.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $58.8 million at December 31, 2019) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($16.7 million at December 31, 2020 and $24.9 million at December 31, 2019).

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2020, 2019, and 2018, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$333	$148	$359	$31	$469
2019	$275	$159	$326	$20	$481
2018	$474	$180	$300	$81	$650

Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$3,197	$1,965	$3,852	$247	$8,475
2019	$2,755	$1,682	$3,286	$231	$7,783

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$2,626	$1,802	$3,345	$240	$7,949
2019	$2,248	$1,682	$2,938	$230	$7,391

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($218)	($193)	($181)	($17)	($633)
Non-current liabilities	(2,979)	(1,772)	(3,671)	(230)	(7,842)
Total funded status	($3,197)	($1,965)	($3,852)	($247)	($8,475)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,535	$424	$1,757	($558)	$147
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	$—	$18	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($249)	($216)	($357)	($17)	($723)
Non-current liabilities	(2,506)	(1,467)	(2,930)	(215)	(7,060)
Total funded status	($2,755)	($1,683)	($3,287)	($232)	($7,783)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,232	$3	$1,432	($559)	($603)

The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2020:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,000	($231)	$20,769
Amortization of loss	(105,853)	(1,006)	(3,326)	(110,185)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($106,096)	$19,994	($3,557)	($89,659)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$6,179	$—	$6,179
Amortization of loss	(2,001)	447	(3)	(1,557)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($2,244)	$6,626	($3)	$4,379

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2019:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,498	($198)	$21,300
Amortization of loss	(82,284)	1,230	(2,192)	(83,246)
Settlement loss	(23,458)	—	(1,697)	(25,155)
	($105,742)	$22,728	($4,087)	($87,101)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$7,349	$—	$7,349
Amortization of loss	(2,795)	695	(6)	(2,106)
	($2,795)	$8,044	($6)	$5,243

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior

service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also require that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  In general, Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns and for its other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy generally uses fair value.

In accordance with ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations and are presented by Entergy in miscellaneous - net in other income.

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

In 2020, year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees exceeded the sum of the Plan’s 2020 service and interest cost, resulting in a settlement cost of $36.9 million. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plan’s pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas participate in the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and incurred settlement costs of $21.1 million, $8.1 million, $3.4 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. The settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense in 2020. The reserve amount will be evaluated in Entergy Texas’s next base rate case proceeding and a reasonable amortization period will be determined by the PUCT at that time. At December 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve was approximately $3.8 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.

The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

For postretirement assets the target and range asset allocations (as shown below) reflect recommendations made in the latest optimization study. The target asset allocations for postretirement assets adjust dynamically based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The current weighted average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts.

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2020 are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	32%	to	46%	38%	39%
International Equity Securities	19%	15%	to	23%	19%	19%
Fixed Income Securities	42%	39%	to	45%	42%	41%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable and Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	29%	29%
International Equity Securities	18%	13%	to	23%	18%	18%
Fixed Income Securities	56%	51%	to	61%	53%	53%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on assets. The time period reflected is a long-dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the aggregate asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation, in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other postretirement assets (as described above), and with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry,

foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2020, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

•Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$15,756	(b)	$—		$—	$15,756
Common	1,031,213	(b)	—	(b)	—	1,031,213
Common collective trusts (c)						2,958,767
Registered investment companies	—	(d)	—		—	—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—		731,319	(a)	—	731,319
Corporate debt instruments	—		1,029,370	(a)	—	1,029,370
Registered investment companies (e)	81,800	(d)	3,076	(d)	—	1,128,107
Other	156	(f)	56,323	(f)	—	56,479
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		6,253	(g)	—	6,253
Total investments	$1,128,925		$1,826,341		$—	$6,957,264
Cash						2,316
Other pending transactions						(29,121)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(76,033)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,854,426

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$10,379	(b)	$—		$—	$10,379
Common	857,159	(b)	—	(b)	—	857,159
Common collective trusts (c)						2,698,697
Registered investment companies	132,389	(d)	—		—	132,389
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—	(b)	805,671	(a)	—	805,671
Corporate debt instruments	—		762,577	(a)	—	762,577
Registered investment companies (e)	53,842	(d)	2,903	(d)	—	1,008,371
Other	73	(f)	43,106	(f)	—	43,179
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		40,452	(g)	—	40,452
Total investments	$1,053,842		$1,654,709		$—	$6,358,874
Cash						1,407
Other pending transactions						(22,549)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(66,572)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,271,160

Other Postretirement Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$315,191
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	46,498	(b)	97,604	(a)	—	144,102
Corporate debt instruments	—		147,287	(a)	—	147,287
Registered investment companies	16,965	(d)	—		—	16,965
Other	—		60,219	(f)	—	60,219
Total investments	$63,463		$305,110		$—	$683,764
Other pending transactions						(21,931)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						76,033
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$737,866

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$289,398
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	49,930	(b)	89,297	(a)	—	139,227
Corporate debt instruments	—		130,333	(a)	—	130,333
Registered investment companies	1,877	(d)	—		—	1,877
Other	—		57,210	(f)	—	57,210
Total investments	$51,807		$276,840		$—	$618,045
Other pending transactions						1,645
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						66,572
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$686,262

(a)Certain preferred stocks and certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b)Common stocks, certain preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Certain of these common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities and estimate fair value using net asset value per share.

(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2020, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension	Non-Qualified Pension	Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)	Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$566,242	$22,851	$68,109	$123
2022	$568,058	$24,193	$67,904	$82
2023	$569,348	$23,906	$68,149	$93
2024	$576,365	$17,183	$67,569	$101
2025	$552,303	$25,477	$66,414	$112
2026 - 2030	$2,641,864	$56,584	$314,972	$703

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$115,340	$130,058	$38,131	$15,011	$32,935	$29,202
2022	$114,260	$130,019	$38,104	$15,202	$32,859	$28,854
2023	$111,759	$128,199	$37,159	$15,030	$31,439	$28,833
2024	$110,128	$126,927	$35,571	$14,437	$29,541	$28,641
2025	$108,314	$124,911	$34,377	$14,052	$27,781	$27,378
2026 - 2030	$513,207	$575,141	$155,722	$63,426	$123,688	$132,163

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$218	$193	$181	$17	$633
2022	$424	$211	$411	$17	$871
2023	$328	$217	$377	$21	$1,004
2024	$285	$196	$454	$19	$851
2025	$580	$209	$439	$19	$762
2026 - 2030	$976	$718	$2,146	$111	$3,250

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$12,693	$15,600	$3,386	$2,412	$5,322	$2,739
2022	$12,542	$15,502	$3,498	$2,322	$4,840	$2,734
2023	$12,329	$15,397	$3,541	$2,238	$4,770	$2,676
2024	$12,156	$15,034	$3,574	$2,151	$4,597	$2,579
2025	$11,869	$14,825	$3,614	$2,070	$4,486	$2,518
2026 - 2030	$56,603	$69,424	$17,668	$8,853	$20,622	$11,749

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$40	$20	$15	$—	$13	$5
2022	$39	$6	$15	$—	$4	$1
2023	$42	$6	$17	$—	$5	$2
2024	$45	$8	$17	$—	$5	$2
2025	$49	$8	$19	$—	$6	$1
2026 - 2030	$289	$58	$112	$—	$43	$12

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $356 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $39.9 million to other postretirement plans in 2021.  The expected 2021 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2021 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2021 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2021.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2021:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Other Postretirement Contributions	$517	$15,600	$130	$175	$66	$22

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	2020	2019
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	2.60% - 2.83% Blended 2.77%	3.26% - 3.43% Blended 3.39%
Other postretirement	2.62%	3.26%
Non-qualified pension	1.61%	2.72%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate	2.60%	2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	5.87%	6.13%
Post-65	6.31%	6.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2030	2027
Post-65	2028	2027

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:

	2020	2019	2018
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension:
Service cost	3.42%	4.57%	3.89%
Interest cost	2.99%	4.15%	3.44%
Other postretirement:
Service cost	3.27%	4.62%	3.88%
Interest cost	2.41%	4.01%	3.33%
Non-qualified pension:
Service cost	2.71%	3.94%	3.35%
Interest cost	2.25%	3.46%	2.76%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98%	3.98%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:
Pension assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	6.25% - 7.00%	6.5%-7.25%	6.50% - 7.50%
Other postretirement taxable assets	5.25%	5.50%	5.50%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	6.13%	6.59%	6.95%
Post-65	6.25%	7.15%	7.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2027	2027	2027
Post-65	2027	2026	2027

With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 other postretirement benefit APBO. Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 other postretirement benefit APBO. 

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to the System Savings Plan for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to either 70% or 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The matching contribution is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which company contributions are made. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to these defined contribution plans for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 5% of their eligible earnings per pay period. Eligible participants may also receive a discretionary annual company contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible earnings (subject to vesting).

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $63.1 million in 2020, $57.6 million in 2019, and $54.3 million in 2018.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2020, 2019, and 2018 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$4,515	$6,518	$2,863	$1,115	$2,596
2019	$4,111	$5,641	$2,424	$882	$2,136
2018	$3,985	$5,450	$2,307	$795	$1,992

Entergy Mississippi [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment.  Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 but before January 1, 2021 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan.

The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust.  The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis.

Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$161,487	$134,193	$155,010
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	239,614	293,114	267,415
Expected return on assets	(414,273)	(414,947)	(442,142)
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	398
Recognized net loss	350,010	241,117	274,104
Settlement charges	36,946	23,492	828
Net periodic pension costs	$373,784	$276,969	$255,613
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$483,653	$614,600	$394,951
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	(398)
Amortization of net loss	(358,473)	(241,117)	(274,104)
Settlement charge	(36,946)	(23,492)	(828)
Total	$88,234	$349,991	$119,621
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$462,018	$626,960	$375,234

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$26,329	$35,158	$8,060	$2,654	$6,116	$7,883
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Expected return on assets	(78,187)	(89,691)	(23,147)	(10,509)	(21,951)	(18,757)
Recognized net loss	68,338	66,640	18,983	8,018	13,173	17,104
Settlement charges	21,078	8,109	3,366	—	4,289	105
Net pension cost	$81,723	$70,648	$20,184	$5,988	$12,358	$17,341
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$106,178	$90,064	$36,899	$8,148	$13,379	$35,403
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(69,713)	(68,248)	(19,393)	(8,213)	(13,564)	(17,434)
Settlement charge	(21,078)	(8,109)	(3,366)	—	(4,289)	(105)
Total	$15,387	$13,707	$14,140	($65)	($4,474)	$17,864
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$97,110	$84,355	$34,324	$5,923	$7,884	$35,205

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$21,043	$29,137	$6,516	$2,274	$5,401	$6,199
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Expected return on assets	(80,705)	(90,607)	(23,873)	(10,785)	(23,447)	(18,710)
Recognized net loss	47,361	46,571	12,416	6,117	9,335	11,400
Net pension cost	$44,400	$48,630	$11,331	$5,101	$5,740	$12,345
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$118,898	$99,346	$41,088	$6,531	$10,869	$36,711
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(47,361)	(46,571)	(12,416)	(6,117)	(9,335)	(11,400)
Total	$71,537	$52,775	$28,672	$414	$1,534	$25,311
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$115,937	$101,405	$40,003	$5,515	$7,274	$37,656

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,757	$33,783	$7,286	$2,693	$6,356	$7,102
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	52,017	59,761	15,075	7,253	13,390	12,907
Expected return on assets	(87,404)	(99,236)	(26,007)	(11,973)	(26,091)	(19,963)
Recognized net loss	53,650	57,800	14,438	7,816	10,503	14,859
Net pension cost	$43,020	$52,108	$10,792	$5,789	$4,158	$14,905
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss	$74,570	$41,642	$19,244	$2,351	$24,121	($2,359)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(53,650)	(57,800)	(14,438)	(7,816)	(10,503)	(14,859)
Total	$20,920	($16,158)	$4,806	($5,465)	$13,618	($17,218)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$63,940	$35,950	$15,598	$324	$17,776	($2,313)

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$8,406,203	$7,404,917
Service cost	161,487	134,193
Interest cost	239,614	293,114
Actuarial loss	969,609	1,292,767
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Balance at December 31	$9,143,652	$8,406,203
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$6,271,160	$5,497,415
Actual return on plan assets	900,229	1,093,114
Employer contributions	316,298	399,419
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$6,854,426	$6,271,160
Funded status	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	$2,926,670	$2,831,408
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$726,010	$724,575

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Service cost	26,329	35,158	8,060	2,654	6,116	7,883
Interest cost	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Actuarial loss	196,755	196,032	62,564	20,535	37,579	57,574
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Balance at December 31	$1,739,382	$1,927,271	$510,109	$220,287	$410,664	$441,148
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Actual return on plan assets	168,764	195,658	48,812	22,896	46,151	40,927
Employer contributions	60,008	55,443	12,601	4,567	4,997	16,145
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,285,856	$1,476,306	$371,394	$172,551	$349,748	$310,818
Funded status	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$816,002	$766,099	$239,904	$91,991	$156,480	$212,062
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$31,921	$—	$—	$—	$—

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($48.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($18.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($7.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($9.8) million at Entergy Texas, and ($236) thousand at System Energy.

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,443,808	$1,599,916	$414,089	$191,190	$369,604	$339,034
Service cost	21,043	29,137	6,516	2,274	5,401	6,199
Interest cost	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Actuarial loss	248,213	248,509	79,453	24,299	49,235	66,460
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Balance at December 31	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,068,842	$1,215,926	$316,716	$145,968	$315,514	$245,516
Actual return on plan assets	210,020	239,770	62,238	28,552	61,814	48,460
Employer contributions	75,854	64,951	20,794	4,553	3,725	20,234
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Funded status	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$799,235	$759,228	$225,354	$91,862	$160,564	$193,870
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$23,481	$—	$—	$—	$—

The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for both 2020 and 2019.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $8.4 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas	$1,617,858	$1,519,998
Entergy Louisiana	$1,753,980	$1,643,759
Entergy Mississippi	$466,497	$438,817
Entergy New Orleans	$201,159	$192,561
Entergy Texas	$379,050	$371,589
System Energy	$410,296	$368,771

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees.  Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits.

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), will be eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and will no longer be eligible for retiree coverage under the Entergy Corporation Companies’ Benefits Plus Medical, Dental and Vision Plans. Under the new Entergy retiree health plan, Medicare-eligible participants will be eligible to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement which they may use towards the purchase of various types of qualified insurance offered through a Medicare exchange provider and for other qualified medical expenses. In accordance with accounting standards, the effects of this change are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these

investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,500	$18,699	$27,129
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	28,597	47,901	50,725
Expected return on assets	(40,880)	(38,246)	(41,493)
Amortization of prior service credit	(32,882)	(35,377)	(37,002)
Recognized net loss	3,481	1,430	13,729
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($17,184)	($5,593)	$13,088
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period	($128,837)	$—	$—
Net (gain)/loss	41,031	(38,526)	(274,354)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	32,882	35,377	37,002
Amortization of net loss	(3,481)	(1,430)	(13,729)
Total	($58,405)	($4,579)	($251,081)
Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($75,589)	($10,172)	($237,993)

Total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,626	$5,993	$1,468	$445	$1,219	$1,254
Interest cost on APBO	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Expected return on assets	(17,104)	—	(5,167)	(5,382)	(9,643)	(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,849)	(6,179)	(1,652)	(763)	(3,364)	(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss	540	(447)	171	(13)	907	121
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,075)	$5,583	($3,644)	($4,929)	($8,873)	($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period	$12,320	($23,508)	($4,428)	($5,493)	($22,441)	($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss	$2,245	$8,744	($4,456)	($5,351)	($3,266)	$58
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	1,849	6,179	1,652	763	3,364	1,065
Amortization of net (gain)/loss	(540)	447	(171)	13	(907)	(121)
Total	$15,874	($8,138)	($7,403)	($10,068)	($23,250)	($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$5,799	($2,555)	($11,047)	($14,997)	($32,123)	($2,479)

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$2,363	$4,639	$1,046	$367	$943	$973
Interest cost on APBO	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Expected return on assets	(15,962)	—	(4,794)	(4,947)	(9,103)	(2,788)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4,950)	(7,349)	(1,756)	(682)	(2,243)	(1,450)
Recognized net (gain)/loss	576	(695)	723	231	485	354
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,747)	$7,259	($2,100)	($3,450)	($6,503)	($1,009)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	($26,707)	($2,220)	($11,950)	($10,967)	($6,406)	($5,539)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	4,950	7,349	1,756	682	2,243	1,450
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss	(576)	695	(723)	(231)	(485)	(354)
Total	($22,333)	$5,824	($10,917)	($10,516)	($4,648)	($4,443)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($33,080)	$13,083	($13,017)	($13,966)	($11,151)	($5,452)

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,170	$6,225	$1,284	$516	$1,319	$1,223
Interest cost on APBO	7,986	11,154	2,731	1,669	3,754	1,998
Expected return on assets	(17,368)	—	(5,213)	(5,250)	(9,784)	(3,130)
Amortization of prior service credit	(5,110)	(7,735)	(1,823)	(745)	(2,316)	(1,513)
Recognized net loss	1,154	1,550	1,508	137	823	932
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,168)	$11,194	($1,513)	($3,673)	($6,204)	($490)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	(32,219)	(73,249)	(7,794)	(981)	(10,561)	(6,680)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	5,110	7,735	1,823	745	2,316	1,513
Amortization of net loss	(1,154)	(1,550)	(1,508)	(137)	(823)	(932)
Total	($28,263)	($67,064)	($7,479)	($373)	($9,068)	($6,099)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($38,431)	($55,870)	($8,992)	($4,046)	($15,272)	($6,589)

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$1,252,903	$1,232,619
Service cost	24,500	18,699
Interest cost	28,597	47,901
Plan amendments	(128,837)	—
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Actuarial loss	80,162	23,673
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	360	594
Balance at December 31	$1,181,075	$1,252,903
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$686,262	$609,782
Actual return on plan assets	80,011	100,445
Employer contributions	48,203	46,618
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$737,866	$686,262
Funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	($38,963)	($48,040)
Non-current liabilities	(404,246)	(518,601)
Total funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($45,501)	($11,899)
Net gain	(8,565)	(5,081)
	($54,066)	($16,980)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	($83,581)	($21,231)
Net (gain)/loss	24,365	(16,670)
	($59,216)	($37,901)

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Service cost	3,626	5,993	1,468	445	1,219	1,254
Interest cost	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Plan amendments	12,320	(23,508)	(4,428)	(5,493)	(22,441)	(1,963)
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Actuarial (gain)/loss	18,257	8,744	684	(91)	5,952	3,025
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	59	77	11	9	18	26
Balance at December 31	$209,369	$255,571	$61,990	$31,707	$74,233	$47,701
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Actual return on plan assets	33,116	—	10,307	10,642	18,861	5,925
Employer contributions	2,201	16,126	343	641	690	1,342
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$304,192	$—	$93,475	$102,734	$174,096	$52,619
Funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($15,580)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	94,823	(239,991)	31,485	71,027	99,863	4,918
Total funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	$7,655	$—	($5,884)	($4,730)	($20,498)	($1,754)
Net (gain)/loss	(16,557)	—	(1,355)	(13,385)	2,030	2,818
	($8,902)	$—	($7,239)	($18,115)	($18,468)	$1,064
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($22,244)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(15,548)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($37,792)	$—	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$187,830	$275,269	$68,976	$41,987	$88,310	$48,791
Service cost	2,363	4,639	1,046	367	943	973
Interest cost	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Actuarial (gain)/loss	166	(2,220)	(3,778)	(4,234)	8,279	(891)
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	82	107	16	14	23	37
Balance at December 31	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$252,055	$—	$75,853	$81,774	$144,846	$43,670
Actual return on plan assets	42,835	—	12,966	11,680	23,788	7,436
Employer contributions	1,257	14,284	228	1,659	(596)	829
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($18,467)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	98,480	(255,708)	20,106	55,398	67,068	1,123
Total funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($6,515)	$—	($3,108)	$—	($1,422)	($854)
Net (gain)/loss	(18,262)	—	3,272	(8,046)	6,203	2,881
	($24,777)	$—	$164	($8,046)	$4,781	$2,027
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($4,915)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(24,739)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($29,654)	$—	$—	$—	$—

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2020, an update to the latest mortality projection scale MP-2020, and favorable claims experience. The other postretirement plans experienced actuarial gains during 2019 primarily due to the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2019, favorable claims

experience, an increase in projected EGWP revenue, and the adoption of the Pri.H-2012 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2019. These gains were partially offset by losses resulting from a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $18.1 million in 2020, $22.6 million in 2019, and $24.4 million in 2018.  In 2019, and 2018 Entergy recognized $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.

The projected benefit obligation was $182.4 million as of December 31, 2020 of which $22.9 million was a current liability and $159.5 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $161.3 million and $143.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($77.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $58.8 million at December 31, 2019) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($16.7 million at December 31, 2020 and $24.9 million at December 31, 2019).

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2020, 2019, and 2018, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$333	$148	$359	$31	$469
2019	$275	$159	$326	$20	$481
2018	$474	$180	$300	$81	$650

Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$3,197	$1,965	$3,852	$247	$8,475
2019	$2,755	$1,682	$3,286	$231	$7,783

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$2,626	$1,802	$3,345	$240	$7,949
2019	$2,248	$1,682	$2,938	$230	$7,391

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($218)	($193)	($181)	($17)	($633)
Non-current liabilities	(2,979)	(1,772)	(3,671)	(230)	(7,842)
Total funded status	($3,197)	($1,965)	($3,852)	($247)	($8,475)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,535	$424	$1,757	($558)	$147
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	$—	$18	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($249)	($216)	($357)	($17)	($723)
Non-current liabilities	(2,506)	(1,467)	(2,930)	(215)	(7,060)
Total funded status	($2,755)	($1,683)	($3,287)	($232)	($7,783)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,232	$3	$1,432	($559)	($603)

The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2020:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,000	($231)	$20,769
Amortization of loss	(105,853)	(1,006)	(3,326)	(110,185)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($106,096)	$19,994	($3,557)	($89,659)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$6,179	$—	$6,179
Amortization of loss	(2,001)	447	(3)	(1,557)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($2,244)	$6,626	($3)	$4,379

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2019:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,498	($198)	$21,300
Amortization of loss	(82,284)	1,230	(2,192)	(83,246)
Settlement loss	(23,458)	—	(1,697)	(25,155)
	($105,742)	$22,728	($4,087)	($87,101)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$7,349	$—	$7,349
Amortization of loss	(2,795)	695	(6)	(2,106)
	($2,795)	$8,044	($6)	$5,243

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior

service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also require that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  In general, Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns and for its other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy generally uses fair value.

In accordance with ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations and are presented by Entergy in miscellaneous - net in other income.

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

In 2020, year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees exceeded the sum of the Plan’s 2020 service and interest cost, resulting in a settlement cost of $36.9 million. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plan’s pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas participate in the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and incurred settlement costs of $21.1 million, $8.1 million, $3.4 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. The settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense in 2020. The reserve amount will be evaluated in Entergy Texas’s next base rate case proceeding and a reasonable amortization period will be determined by the PUCT at that time. At December 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve was approximately $3.8 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.

The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

For postretirement assets the target and range asset allocations (as shown below) reflect recommendations made in the latest optimization study. The target asset allocations for postretirement assets adjust dynamically based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The current weighted average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts.

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2020 are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	32%	to	46%	38%	39%
International Equity Securities	19%	15%	to	23%	19%	19%
Fixed Income Securities	42%	39%	to	45%	42%	41%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable and Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	29%	29%
International Equity Securities	18%	13%	to	23%	18%	18%
Fixed Income Securities	56%	51%	to	61%	53%	53%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on assets. The time period reflected is a long-dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the aggregate asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation, in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other postretirement assets (as described above), and with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry,

foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2020, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

•Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$15,756	(b)	$—		$—	$15,756
Common	1,031,213	(b)	—	(b)	—	1,031,213
Common collective trusts (c)						2,958,767
Registered investment companies	—	(d)	—		—	—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—		731,319	(a)	—	731,319
Corporate debt instruments	—		1,029,370	(a)	—	1,029,370
Registered investment companies (e)	81,800	(d)	3,076	(d)	—	1,128,107
Other	156	(f)	56,323	(f)	—	56,479
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		6,253	(g)	—	6,253
Total investments	$1,128,925		$1,826,341		$—	$6,957,264
Cash						2,316
Other pending transactions						(29,121)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(76,033)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,854,426

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$10,379	(b)	$—		$—	$10,379
Common	857,159	(b)	—	(b)	—	857,159
Common collective trusts (c)						2,698,697
Registered investment companies	132,389	(d)	—		—	132,389
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—	(b)	805,671	(a)	—	805,671
Corporate debt instruments	—		762,577	(a)	—	762,577
Registered investment companies (e)	53,842	(d)	2,903	(d)	—	1,008,371
Other	73	(f)	43,106	(f)	—	43,179
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		40,452	(g)	—	40,452
Total investments	$1,053,842		$1,654,709		$—	$6,358,874
Cash						1,407
Other pending transactions						(22,549)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(66,572)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,271,160

Other Postretirement Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$315,191
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	46,498	(b)	97,604	(a)	—	144,102
Corporate debt instruments	—		147,287	(a)	—	147,287
Registered investment companies	16,965	(d)	—		—	16,965
Other	—		60,219	(f)	—	60,219
Total investments	$63,463		$305,110		$—	$683,764
Other pending transactions						(21,931)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						76,033
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$737,866

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$289,398
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	49,930	(b)	89,297	(a)	—	139,227
Corporate debt instruments	—		130,333	(a)	—	130,333
Registered investment companies	1,877	(d)	—		—	1,877
Other	—		57,210	(f)	—	57,210
Total investments	$51,807		$276,840		$—	$618,045
Other pending transactions						1,645
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						66,572
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$686,262

(a)Certain preferred stocks and certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b)Common stocks, certain preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Certain of these common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities and estimate fair value using net asset value per share.

(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2020, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension	Non-Qualified Pension	Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)	Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$566,242	$22,851	$68,109	$123
2022	$568,058	$24,193	$67,904	$82
2023	$569,348	$23,906	$68,149	$93
2024	$576,365	$17,183	$67,569	$101
2025	$552,303	$25,477	$66,414	$112
2026 - 2030	$2,641,864	$56,584	$314,972	$703

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$115,340	$130,058	$38,131	$15,011	$32,935	$29,202
2022	$114,260	$130,019	$38,104	$15,202	$32,859	$28,854
2023	$111,759	$128,199	$37,159	$15,030	$31,439	$28,833
2024	$110,128	$126,927	$35,571	$14,437	$29,541	$28,641
2025	$108,314	$124,911	$34,377	$14,052	$27,781	$27,378
2026 - 2030	$513,207	$575,141	$155,722	$63,426	$123,688	$132,163

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$218	$193	$181	$17	$633
2022	$424	$211	$411	$17	$871
2023	$328	$217	$377	$21	$1,004
2024	$285	$196	$454	$19	$851
2025	$580	$209	$439	$19	$762
2026 - 2030	$976	$718	$2,146	$111	$3,250

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$12,693	$15,600	$3,386	$2,412	$5,322	$2,739
2022	$12,542	$15,502	$3,498	$2,322	$4,840	$2,734
2023	$12,329	$15,397	$3,541	$2,238	$4,770	$2,676
2024	$12,156	$15,034	$3,574	$2,151	$4,597	$2,579
2025	$11,869	$14,825	$3,614	$2,070	$4,486	$2,518
2026 - 2030	$56,603	$69,424	$17,668	$8,853	$20,622	$11,749

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$40	$20	$15	$—	$13	$5
2022	$39	$6	$15	$—	$4	$1
2023	$42	$6	$17	$—	$5	$2
2024	$45	$8	$17	$—	$5	$2
2025	$49	$8	$19	$—	$6	$1
2026 - 2030	$289	$58	$112	$—	$43	$12

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $356 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $39.9 million to other postretirement plans in 2021.  The expected 2021 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2021 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2021 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2021.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2021:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Other Postretirement Contributions	$517	$15,600	$130	$175	$66	$22

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	2020	2019
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	2.60% - 2.83% Blended 2.77%	3.26% - 3.43% Blended 3.39%
Other postretirement	2.62%	3.26%
Non-qualified pension	1.61%	2.72%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate	2.60%	2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	5.87%	6.13%
Post-65	6.31%	6.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2030	2027
Post-65	2028	2027

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:

	2020	2019	2018
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension:
Service cost	3.42%	4.57%	3.89%
Interest cost	2.99%	4.15%	3.44%
Other postretirement:
Service cost	3.27%	4.62%	3.88%
Interest cost	2.41%	4.01%	3.33%
Non-qualified pension:
Service cost	2.71%	3.94%	3.35%
Interest cost	2.25%	3.46%	2.76%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98%	3.98%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:
Pension assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	6.25% - 7.00%	6.5%-7.25%	6.50% - 7.50%
Other postretirement taxable assets	5.25%	5.50%	5.50%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	6.13%	6.59%	6.95%
Post-65	6.25%	7.15%	7.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2027	2027	2027
Post-65	2027	2026	2027

With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 other postretirement benefit APBO. Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 other postretirement benefit APBO. 

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to the System Savings Plan for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to either 70% or 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The matching contribution is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which company contributions are made. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to these defined contribution plans for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 5% of their eligible earnings per pay period. Eligible participants may also receive a discretionary annual company contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible earnings (subject to vesting).

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $63.1 million in 2020, $57.6 million in 2019, and $54.3 million in 2018.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2020, 2019, and 2018 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$4,515	$6,518	$2,863	$1,115	$2,596
2019	$4,111	$5,641	$2,424	$882	$2,136
2018	$3,985	$5,450	$2,307	$795	$1,992

Entergy New Orleans [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment.  Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 but before January 1, 2021 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan.

The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust.  The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis.

Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$161,487	$134,193	$155,010
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	239,614	293,114	267,415
Expected return on assets	(414,273)	(414,947)	(442,142)
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	398
Recognized net loss	350,010	241,117	274,104
Settlement charges	36,946	23,492	828
Net periodic pension costs	$373,784	$276,969	$255,613
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$483,653	$614,600	$394,951
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	(398)
Amortization of net loss	(358,473)	(241,117)	(274,104)
Settlement charge	(36,946)	(23,492)	(828)
Total	$88,234	$349,991	$119,621
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$462,018	$626,960	$375,234

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$26,329	$35,158	$8,060	$2,654	$6,116	$7,883
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Expected return on assets	(78,187)	(89,691)	(23,147)	(10,509)	(21,951)	(18,757)
Recognized net loss	68,338	66,640	18,983	8,018	13,173	17,104
Settlement charges	21,078	8,109	3,366	—	4,289	105
Net pension cost	$81,723	$70,648	$20,184	$5,988	$12,358	$17,341
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$106,178	$90,064	$36,899	$8,148	$13,379	$35,403
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(69,713)	(68,248)	(19,393)	(8,213)	(13,564)	(17,434)
Settlement charge	(21,078)	(8,109)	(3,366)	—	(4,289)	(105)
Total	$15,387	$13,707	$14,140	($65)	($4,474)	$17,864
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$97,110	$84,355	$34,324	$5,923	$7,884	$35,205

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$21,043	$29,137	$6,516	$2,274	$5,401	$6,199
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Expected return on assets	(80,705)	(90,607)	(23,873)	(10,785)	(23,447)	(18,710)
Recognized net loss	47,361	46,571	12,416	6,117	9,335	11,400
Net pension cost	$44,400	$48,630	$11,331	$5,101	$5,740	$12,345
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$118,898	$99,346	$41,088	$6,531	$10,869	$36,711
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(47,361)	(46,571)	(12,416)	(6,117)	(9,335)	(11,400)
Total	$71,537	$52,775	$28,672	$414	$1,534	$25,311
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$115,937	$101,405	$40,003	$5,515	$7,274	$37,656

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,757	$33,783	$7,286	$2,693	$6,356	$7,102
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	52,017	59,761	15,075	7,253	13,390	12,907
Expected return on assets	(87,404)	(99,236)	(26,007)	(11,973)	(26,091)	(19,963)
Recognized net loss	53,650	57,800	14,438	7,816	10,503	14,859
Net pension cost	$43,020	$52,108	$10,792	$5,789	$4,158	$14,905
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss	$74,570	$41,642	$19,244	$2,351	$24,121	($2,359)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(53,650)	(57,800)	(14,438)	(7,816)	(10,503)	(14,859)
Total	$20,920	($16,158)	$4,806	($5,465)	$13,618	($17,218)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$63,940	$35,950	$15,598	$324	$17,776	($2,313)

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$8,406,203	$7,404,917
Service cost	161,487	134,193
Interest cost	239,614	293,114
Actuarial loss	969,609	1,292,767
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Balance at December 31	$9,143,652	$8,406,203
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$6,271,160	$5,497,415
Actual return on plan assets	900,229	1,093,114
Employer contributions	316,298	399,419
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$6,854,426	$6,271,160
Funded status	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	$2,926,670	$2,831,408
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$726,010	$724,575

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Service cost	26,329	35,158	8,060	2,654	6,116	7,883
Interest cost	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Actuarial loss	196,755	196,032	62,564	20,535	37,579	57,574
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Balance at December 31	$1,739,382	$1,927,271	$510,109	$220,287	$410,664	$441,148
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Actual return on plan assets	168,764	195,658	48,812	22,896	46,151	40,927
Employer contributions	60,008	55,443	12,601	4,567	4,997	16,145
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,285,856	$1,476,306	$371,394	$172,551	$349,748	$310,818
Funded status	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$816,002	$766,099	$239,904	$91,991	$156,480	$212,062
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$31,921	$—	$—	$—	$—

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($48.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($18.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($7.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($9.8) million at Entergy Texas, and ($236) thousand at System Energy.

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,443,808	$1,599,916	$414,089	$191,190	$369,604	$339,034
Service cost	21,043	29,137	6,516	2,274	5,401	6,199
Interest cost	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Actuarial loss	248,213	248,509	79,453	24,299	49,235	66,460
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Balance at December 31	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,068,842	$1,215,926	$316,716	$145,968	$315,514	$245,516
Actual return on plan assets	210,020	239,770	62,238	28,552	61,814	48,460
Employer contributions	75,854	64,951	20,794	4,553	3,725	20,234
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Funded status	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$799,235	$759,228	$225,354	$91,862	$160,564	$193,870
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$23,481	$—	$—	$—	$—

The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for both 2020 and 2019.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $8.4 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas	$1,617,858	$1,519,998
Entergy Louisiana	$1,753,980	$1,643,759
Entergy Mississippi	$466,497	$438,817
Entergy New Orleans	$201,159	$192,561
Entergy Texas	$379,050	$371,589
System Energy	$410,296	$368,771

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees.  Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits.

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), will be eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and will no longer be eligible for retiree coverage under the Entergy Corporation Companies’ Benefits Plus Medical, Dental and Vision Plans. Under the new Entergy retiree health plan, Medicare-eligible participants will be eligible to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement which they may use towards the purchase of various types of qualified insurance offered through a Medicare exchange provider and for other qualified medical expenses. In accordance with accounting standards, the effects of this change are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these

investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,500	$18,699	$27,129
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	28,597	47,901	50,725
Expected return on assets	(40,880)	(38,246)	(41,493)
Amortization of prior service credit	(32,882)	(35,377)	(37,002)
Recognized net loss	3,481	1,430	13,729
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($17,184)	($5,593)	$13,088
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period	($128,837)	$—	$—
Net (gain)/loss	41,031	(38,526)	(274,354)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	32,882	35,377	37,002
Amortization of net loss	(3,481)	(1,430)	(13,729)
Total	($58,405)	($4,579)	($251,081)
Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($75,589)	($10,172)	($237,993)

Total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,626	$5,993	$1,468	$445	$1,219	$1,254
Interest cost on APBO	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Expected return on assets	(17,104)	—	(5,167)	(5,382)	(9,643)	(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,849)	(6,179)	(1,652)	(763)	(3,364)	(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss	540	(447)	171	(13)	907	121
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,075)	$5,583	($3,644)	($4,929)	($8,873)	($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period	$12,320	($23,508)	($4,428)	($5,493)	($22,441)	($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss	$2,245	$8,744	($4,456)	($5,351)	($3,266)	$58
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	1,849	6,179	1,652	763	3,364	1,065
Amortization of net (gain)/loss	(540)	447	(171)	13	(907)	(121)
Total	$15,874	($8,138)	($7,403)	($10,068)	($23,250)	($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$5,799	($2,555)	($11,047)	($14,997)	($32,123)	($2,479)

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$2,363	$4,639	$1,046	$367	$943	$973
Interest cost on APBO	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Expected return on assets	(15,962)	—	(4,794)	(4,947)	(9,103)	(2,788)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4,950)	(7,349)	(1,756)	(682)	(2,243)	(1,450)
Recognized net (gain)/loss	576	(695)	723	231	485	354
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,747)	$7,259	($2,100)	($3,450)	($6,503)	($1,009)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	($26,707)	($2,220)	($11,950)	($10,967)	($6,406)	($5,539)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	4,950	7,349	1,756	682	2,243	1,450
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss	(576)	695	(723)	(231)	(485)	(354)
Total	($22,333)	$5,824	($10,917)	($10,516)	($4,648)	($4,443)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($33,080)	$13,083	($13,017)	($13,966)	($11,151)	($5,452)

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,170	$6,225	$1,284	$516	$1,319	$1,223
Interest cost on APBO	7,986	11,154	2,731	1,669	3,754	1,998
Expected return on assets	(17,368)	—	(5,213)	(5,250)	(9,784)	(3,130)
Amortization of prior service credit	(5,110)	(7,735)	(1,823)	(745)	(2,316)	(1,513)
Recognized net loss	1,154	1,550	1,508	137	823	932
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,168)	$11,194	($1,513)	($3,673)	($6,204)	($490)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	(32,219)	(73,249)	(7,794)	(981)	(10,561)	(6,680)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	5,110	7,735	1,823	745	2,316	1,513
Amortization of net loss	(1,154)	(1,550)	(1,508)	(137)	(823)	(932)
Total	($28,263)	($67,064)	($7,479)	($373)	($9,068)	($6,099)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($38,431)	($55,870)	($8,992)	($4,046)	($15,272)	($6,589)

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$1,252,903	$1,232,619
Service cost	24,500	18,699
Interest cost	28,597	47,901
Plan amendments	(128,837)	—
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Actuarial loss	80,162	23,673
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	360	594
Balance at December 31	$1,181,075	$1,252,903
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$686,262	$609,782
Actual return on plan assets	80,011	100,445
Employer contributions	48,203	46,618
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$737,866	$686,262
Funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	($38,963)	($48,040)
Non-current liabilities	(404,246)	(518,601)
Total funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($45,501)	($11,899)
Net gain	(8,565)	(5,081)
	($54,066)	($16,980)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	($83,581)	($21,231)
Net (gain)/loss	24,365	(16,670)
	($59,216)	($37,901)

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Service cost	3,626	5,993	1,468	445	1,219	1,254
Interest cost	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Plan amendments	12,320	(23,508)	(4,428)	(5,493)	(22,441)	(1,963)
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Actuarial (gain)/loss	18,257	8,744	684	(91)	5,952	3,025
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	59	77	11	9	18	26
Balance at December 31	$209,369	$255,571	$61,990	$31,707	$74,233	$47,701
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Actual return on plan assets	33,116	—	10,307	10,642	18,861	5,925
Employer contributions	2,201	16,126	343	641	690	1,342
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$304,192	$—	$93,475	$102,734	$174,096	$52,619
Funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($15,580)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	94,823	(239,991)	31,485	71,027	99,863	4,918
Total funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	$7,655	$—	($5,884)	($4,730)	($20,498)	($1,754)
Net (gain)/loss	(16,557)	—	(1,355)	(13,385)	2,030	2,818
	($8,902)	$—	($7,239)	($18,115)	($18,468)	$1,064
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($22,244)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(15,548)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($37,792)	$—	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$187,830	$275,269	$68,976	$41,987	$88,310	$48,791
Service cost	2,363	4,639	1,046	367	943	973
Interest cost	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Actuarial (gain)/loss	166	(2,220)	(3,778)	(4,234)	8,279	(891)
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	82	107	16	14	23	37
Balance at December 31	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$252,055	$—	$75,853	$81,774	$144,846	$43,670
Actual return on plan assets	42,835	—	12,966	11,680	23,788	7,436
Employer contributions	1,257	14,284	228	1,659	(596)	829
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($18,467)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	98,480	(255,708)	20,106	55,398	67,068	1,123
Total funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($6,515)	$—	($3,108)	$—	($1,422)	($854)
Net (gain)/loss	(18,262)	—	3,272	(8,046)	6,203	2,881
	($24,777)	$—	$164	($8,046)	$4,781	$2,027
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($4,915)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(24,739)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($29,654)	$—	$—	$—	$—

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2020, an update to the latest mortality projection scale MP-2020, and favorable claims experience. The other postretirement plans experienced actuarial gains during 2019 primarily due to the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2019, favorable claims

experience, an increase in projected EGWP revenue, and the adoption of the Pri.H-2012 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2019. These gains were partially offset by losses resulting from a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $18.1 million in 2020, $22.6 million in 2019, and $24.4 million in 2018.  In 2019, and 2018 Entergy recognized $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.

The projected benefit obligation was $182.4 million as of December 31, 2020 of which $22.9 million was a current liability and $159.5 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $161.3 million and $143.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($77.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $58.8 million at December 31, 2019) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($16.7 million at December 31, 2020 and $24.9 million at December 31, 2019).

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2020, 2019, and 2018, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$333	$148	$359	$31	$469
2019	$275	$159	$326	$20	$481
2018	$474	$180	$300	$81	$650

Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$3,197	$1,965	$3,852	$247	$8,475
2019	$2,755	$1,682	$3,286	$231	$7,783

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$2,626	$1,802	$3,345	$240	$7,949
2019	$2,248	$1,682	$2,938	$230	$7,391

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($218)	($193)	($181)	($17)	($633)
Non-current liabilities	(2,979)	(1,772)	(3,671)	(230)	(7,842)
Total funded status	($3,197)	($1,965)	($3,852)	($247)	($8,475)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,535	$424	$1,757	($558)	$147
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	$—	$18	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($249)	($216)	($357)	($17)	($723)
Non-current liabilities	(2,506)	(1,467)	(2,930)	(215)	(7,060)
Total funded status	($2,755)	($1,683)	($3,287)	($232)	($7,783)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,232	$3	$1,432	($559)	($603)

The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2020:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,000	($231)	$20,769
Amortization of loss	(105,853)	(1,006)	(3,326)	(110,185)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($106,096)	$19,994	($3,557)	($89,659)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$6,179	$—	$6,179
Amortization of loss	(2,001)	447	(3)	(1,557)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($2,244)	$6,626	($3)	$4,379

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2019:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,498	($198)	$21,300
Amortization of loss	(82,284)	1,230	(2,192)	(83,246)
Settlement loss	(23,458)	—	(1,697)	(25,155)
	($105,742)	$22,728	($4,087)	($87,101)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$7,349	$—	$7,349
Amortization of loss	(2,795)	695	(6)	(2,106)
	($2,795)	$8,044	($6)	$5,243

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior

service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also require that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  In general, Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns and for its other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy generally uses fair value.

In accordance with ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations and are presented by Entergy in miscellaneous - net in other income.

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

In 2020, year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees exceeded the sum of the Plan’s 2020 service and interest cost, resulting in a settlement cost of $36.9 million. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plan’s pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas participate in the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and incurred settlement costs of $21.1 million, $8.1 million, $3.4 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. The settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense in 2020. The reserve amount will be evaluated in Entergy Texas’s next base rate case proceeding and a reasonable amortization period will be determined by the PUCT at that time. At December 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve was approximately $3.8 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.

The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

For postretirement assets the target and range asset allocations (as shown below) reflect recommendations made in the latest optimization study. The target asset allocations for postretirement assets adjust dynamically based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The current weighted average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts.

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2020 are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	32%	to	46%	38%	39%
International Equity Securities	19%	15%	to	23%	19%	19%
Fixed Income Securities	42%	39%	to	45%	42%	41%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable and Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	29%	29%
International Equity Securities	18%	13%	to	23%	18%	18%
Fixed Income Securities	56%	51%	to	61%	53%	53%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on assets. The time period reflected is a long-dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the aggregate asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation, in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other postretirement assets (as described above), and with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry,

foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2020, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

•Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$15,756	(b)	$—		$—	$15,756
Common	1,031,213	(b)	—	(b)	—	1,031,213
Common collective trusts (c)						2,958,767
Registered investment companies	—	(d)	—		—	—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—		731,319	(a)	—	731,319
Corporate debt instruments	—		1,029,370	(a)	—	1,029,370
Registered investment companies (e)	81,800	(d)	3,076	(d)	—	1,128,107
Other	156	(f)	56,323	(f)	—	56,479
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		6,253	(g)	—	6,253
Total investments	$1,128,925		$1,826,341		$—	$6,957,264
Cash						2,316
Other pending transactions						(29,121)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(76,033)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,854,426

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$10,379	(b)	$—		$—	$10,379
Common	857,159	(b)	—	(b)	—	857,159
Common collective trusts (c)						2,698,697
Registered investment companies	132,389	(d)	—		—	132,389
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—	(b)	805,671	(a)	—	805,671
Corporate debt instruments	—		762,577	(a)	—	762,577
Registered investment companies (e)	53,842	(d)	2,903	(d)	—	1,008,371
Other	73	(f)	43,106	(f)	—	43,179
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		40,452	(g)	—	40,452
Total investments	$1,053,842		$1,654,709		$—	$6,358,874
Cash						1,407
Other pending transactions						(22,549)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(66,572)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,271,160

Other Postretirement Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$315,191
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	46,498	(b)	97,604	(a)	—	144,102
Corporate debt instruments	—		147,287	(a)	—	147,287
Registered investment companies	16,965	(d)	—		—	16,965
Other	—		60,219	(f)	—	60,219
Total investments	$63,463		$305,110		$—	$683,764
Other pending transactions						(21,931)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						76,033
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$737,866

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$289,398
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	49,930	(b)	89,297	(a)	—	139,227
Corporate debt instruments	—		130,333	(a)	—	130,333
Registered investment companies	1,877	(d)	—		—	1,877
Other	—		57,210	(f)	—	57,210
Total investments	$51,807		$276,840		$—	$618,045
Other pending transactions						1,645
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						66,572
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$686,262

(a)Certain preferred stocks and certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b)Common stocks, certain preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Certain of these common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities and estimate fair value using net asset value per share.

(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2020, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension	Non-Qualified Pension	Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)	Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$566,242	$22,851	$68,109	$123
2022	$568,058	$24,193	$67,904	$82
2023	$569,348	$23,906	$68,149	$93
2024	$576,365	$17,183	$67,569	$101
2025	$552,303	$25,477	$66,414	$112
2026 - 2030	$2,641,864	$56,584	$314,972	$703

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$115,340	$130,058	$38,131	$15,011	$32,935	$29,202
2022	$114,260	$130,019	$38,104	$15,202	$32,859	$28,854
2023	$111,759	$128,199	$37,159	$15,030	$31,439	$28,833
2024	$110,128	$126,927	$35,571	$14,437	$29,541	$28,641
2025	$108,314	$124,911	$34,377	$14,052	$27,781	$27,378
2026 - 2030	$513,207	$575,141	$155,722	$63,426	$123,688	$132,163

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$218	$193	$181	$17	$633
2022	$424	$211	$411	$17	$871
2023	$328	$217	$377	$21	$1,004
2024	$285	$196	$454	$19	$851
2025	$580	$209	$439	$19	$762
2026 - 2030	$976	$718	$2,146	$111	$3,250

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$12,693	$15,600	$3,386	$2,412	$5,322	$2,739
2022	$12,542	$15,502	$3,498	$2,322	$4,840	$2,734
2023	$12,329	$15,397	$3,541	$2,238	$4,770	$2,676
2024	$12,156	$15,034	$3,574	$2,151	$4,597	$2,579
2025	$11,869	$14,825	$3,614	$2,070	$4,486	$2,518
2026 - 2030	$56,603	$69,424	$17,668	$8,853	$20,622	$11,749

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$40	$20	$15	$—	$13	$5
2022	$39	$6	$15	$—	$4	$1
2023	$42	$6	$17	$—	$5	$2
2024	$45	$8	$17	$—	$5	$2
2025	$49	$8	$19	$—	$6	$1
2026 - 2030	$289	$58	$112	$—	$43	$12

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $356 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $39.9 million to other postretirement plans in 2021.  The expected 2021 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2021 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2021 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2021.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2021:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Other Postretirement Contributions	$517	$15,600	$130	$175	$66	$22

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	2020	2019
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	2.60% - 2.83% Blended 2.77%	3.26% - 3.43% Blended 3.39%
Other postretirement	2.62%	3.26%
Non-qualified pension	1.61%	2.72%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate	2.60%	2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	5.87%	6.13%
Post-65	6.31%	6.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2030	2027
Post-65	2028	2027

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:

	2020	2019	2018
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension:
Service cost	3.42%	4.57%	3.89%
Interest cost	2.99%	4.15%	3.44%
Other postretirement:
Service cost	3.27%	4.62%	3.88%
Interest cost	2.41%	4.01%	3.33%
Non-qualified pension:
Service cost	2.71%	3.94%	3.35%
Interest cost	2.25%	3.46%	2.76%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98%	3.98%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:
Pension assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	6.25% - 7.00%	6.5%-7.25%	6.50% - 7.50%
Other postretirement taxable assets	5.25%	5.50%	5.50%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	6.13%	6.59%	6.95%
Post-65	6.25%	7.15%	7.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2027	2027	2027
Post-65	2027	2026	2027

With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 other postretirement benefit APBO. Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 other postretirement benefit APBO. 

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to the System Savings Plan for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to either 70% or 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The matching contribution is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which company contributions are made. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to these defined contribution plans for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 5% of their eligible earnings per pay period. Eligible participants may also receive a discretionary annual company contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible earnings (subject to vesting).

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $63.1 million in 2020, $57.6 million in 2019, and $54.3 million in 2018.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2020, 2019, and 2018 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$4,515	$6,518	$2,863	$1,115	$2,596
2019	$4,111	$5,641	$2,424	$882	$2,136
2018	$3,985	$5,450	$2,307	$795	$1,992

Entergy Texas [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment.  Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 but before January 1, 2021 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan.

The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust.  The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis.

Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$161,487	$134,193	$155,010
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	239,614	293,114	267,415
Expected return on assets	(414,273)	(414,947)	(442,142)
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	398
Recognized net loss	350,010	241,117	274,104
Settlement charges	36,946	23,492	828
Net periodic pension costs	$373,784	$276,969	$255,613
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$483,653	$614,600	$394,951
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	(398)
Amortization of net loss	(358,473)	(241,117)	(274,104)
Settlement charge	(36,946)	(23,492)	(828)
Total	$88,234	$349,991	$119,621
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$462,018	$626,960	$375,234

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$26,329	$35,158	$8,060	$2,654	$6,116	$7,883
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Expected return on assets	(78,187)	(89,691)	(23,147)	(10,509)	(21,951)	(18,757)
Recognized net loss	68,338	66,640	18,983	8,018	13,173	17,104
Settlement charges	21,078	8,109	3,366	—	4,289	105
Net pension cost	$81,723	$70,648	$20,184	$5,988	$12,358	$17,341
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$106,178	$90,064	$36,899	$8,148	$13,379	$35,403
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(69,713)	(68,248)	(19,393)	(8,213)	(13,564)	(17,434)
Settlement charge	(21,078)	(8,109)	(3,366)	—	(4,289)	(105)
Total	$15,387	$13,707	$14,140	($65)	($4,474)	$17,864
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$97,110	$84,355	$34,324	$5,923	$7,884	$35,205

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$21,043	$29,137	$6,516	$2,274	$5,401	$6,199
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Expected return on assets	(80,705)	(90,607)	(23,873)	(10,785)	(23,447)	(18,710)
Recognized net loss	47,361	46,571	12,416	6,117	9,335	11,400
Net pension cost	$44,400	$48,630	$11,331	$5,101	$5,740	$12,345
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$118,898	$99,346	$41,088	$6,531	$10,869	$36,711
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(47,361)	(46,571)	(12,416)	(6,117)	(9,335)	(11,400)
Total	$71,537	$52,775	$28,672	$414	$1,534	$25,311
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$115,937	$101,405	$40,003	$5,515	$7,274	$37,656

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,757	$33,783	$7,286	$2,693	$6,356	$7,102
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	52,017	59,761	15,075	7,253	13,390	12,907
Expected return on assets	(87,404)	(99,236)	(26,007)	(11,973)	(26,091)	(19,963)
Recognized net loss	53,650	57,800	14,438	7,816	10,503	14,859
Net pension cost	$43,020	$52,108	$10,792	$5,789	$4,158	$14,905
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss	$74,570	$41,642	$19,244	$2,351	$24,121	($2,359)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(53,650)	(57,800)	(14,438)	(7,816)	(10,503)	(14,859)
Total	$20,920	($16,158)	$4,806	($5,465)	$13,618	($17,218)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$63,940	$35,950	$15,598	$324	$17,776	($2,313)

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$8,406,203	$7,404,917
Service cost	161,487	134,193
Interest cost	239,614	293,114
Actuarial loss	969,609	1,292,767
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Balance at December 31	$9,143,652	$8,406,203
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$6,271,160	$5,497,415
Actual return on plan assets	900,229	1,093,114
Employer contributions	316,298	399,419
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$6,854,426	$6,271,160
Funded status	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	$2,926,670	$2,831,408
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$726,010	$724,575

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Service cost	26,329	35,158	8,060	2,654	6,116	7,883
Interest cost	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Actuarial loss	196,755	196,032	62,564	20,535	37,579	57,574
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Balance at December 31	$1,739,382	$1,927,271	$510,109	$220,287	$410,664	$441,148
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Actual return on plan assets	168,764	195,658	48,812	22,896	46,151	40,927
Employer contributions	60,008	55,443	12,601	4,567	4,997	16,145
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,285,856	$1,476,306	$371,394	$172,551	$349,748	$310,818
Funded status	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$816,002	$766,099	$239,904	$91,991	$156,480	$212,062
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$31,921	$—	$—	$—	$—

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($48.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($18.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($7.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($9.8) million at Entergy Texas, and ($236) thousand at System Energy.

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,443,808	$1,599,916	$414,089	$191,190	$369,604	$339,034
Service cost	21,043	29,137	6,516	2,274	5,401	6,199
Interest cost	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Actuarial loss	248,213	248,509	79,453	24,299	49,235	66,460
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Balance at December 31	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,068,842	$1,215,926	$316,716	$145,968	$315,514	$245,516
Actual return on plan assets	210,020	239,770	62,238	28,552	61,814	48,460
Employer contributions	75,854	64,951	20,794	4,553	3,725	20,234
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Funded status	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$799,235	$759,228	$225,354	$91,862	$160,564	$193,870
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$23,481	$—	$—	$—	$—

The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for both 2020 and 2019.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $8.4 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas	$1,617,858	$1,519,998
Entergy Louisiana	$1,753,980	$1,643,759
Entergy Mississippi	$466,497	$438,817
Entergy New Orleans	$201,159	$192,561
Entergy Texas	$379,050	$371,589
System Energy	$410,296	$368,771

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees.  Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits.

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), will be eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and will no longer be eligible for retiree coverage under the Entergy Corporation Companies’ Benefits Plus Medical, Dental and Vision Plans. Under the new Entergy retiree health plan, Medicare-eligible participants will be eligible to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement which they may use towards the purchase of various types of qualified insurance offered through a Medicare exchange provider and for other qualified medical expenses. In accordance with accounting standards, the effects of this change are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these

investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,500	$18,699	$27,129
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	28,597	47,901	50,725
Expected return on assets	(40,880)	(38,246)	(41,493)
Amortization of prior service credit	(32,882)	(35,377)	(37,002)
Recognized net loss	3,481	1,430	13,729
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($17,184)	($5,593)	$13,088
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period	($128,837)	$—	$—
Net (gain)/loss	41,031	(38,526)	(274,354)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	32,882	35,377	37,002
Amortization of net loss	(3,481)	(1,430)	(13,729)
Total	($58,405)	($4,579)	($251,081)
Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($75,589)	($10,172)	($237,993)

Total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,626	$5,993	$1,468	$445	$1,219	$1,254
Interest cost on APBO	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Expected return on assets	(17,104)	—	(5,167)	(5,382)	(9,643)	(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,849)	(6,179)	(1,652)	(763)	(3,364)	(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss	540	(447)	171	(13)	907	121
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,075)	$5,583	($3,644)	($4,929)	($8,873)	($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period	$12,320	($23,508)	($4,428)	($5,493)	($22,441)	($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss	$2,245	$8,744	($4,456)	($5,351)	($3,266)	$58
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	1,849	6,179	1,652	763	3,364	1,065
Amortization of net (gain)/loss	(540)	447	(171)	13	(907)	(121)
Total	$15,874	($8,138)	($7,403)	($10,068)	($23,250)	($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$5,799	($2,555)	($11,047)	($14,997)	($32,123)	($2,479)

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$2,363	$4,639	$1,046	$367	$943	$973
Interest cost on APBO	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Expected return on assets	(15,962)	—	(4,794)	(4,947)	(9,103)	(2,788)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4,950)	(7,349)	(1,756)	(682)	(2,243)	(1,450)
Recognized net (gain)/loss	576	(695)	723	231	485	354
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,747)	$7,259	($2,100)	($3,450)	($6,503)	($1,009)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	($26,707)	($2,220)	($11,950)	($10,967)	($6,406)	($5,539)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	4,950	7,349	1,756	682	2,243	1,450
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss	(576)	695	(723)	(231)	(485)	(354)
Total	($22,333)	$5,824	($10,917)	($10,516)	($4,648)	($4,443)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($33,080)	$13,083	($13,017)	($13,966)	($11,151)	($5,452)

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,170	$6,225	$1,284	$516	$1,319	$1,223
Interest cost on APBO	7,986	11,154	2,731	1,669	3,754	1,998
Expected return on assets	(17,368)	—	(5,213)	(5,250)	(9,784)	(3,130)
Amortization of prior service credit	(5,110)	(7,735)	(1,823)	(745)	(2,316)	(1,513)
Recognized net loss	1,154	1,550	1,508	137	823	932
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,168)	$11,194	($1,513)	($3,673)	($6,204)	($490)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	(32,219)	(73,249)	(7,794)	(981)	(10,561)	(6,680)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	5,110	7,735	1,823	745	2,316	1,513
Amortization of net loss	(1,154)	(1,550)	(1,508)	(137)	(823)	(932)
Total	($28,263)	($67,064)	($7,479)	($373)	($9,068)	($6,099)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($38,431)	($55,870)	($8,992)	($4,046)	($15,272)	($6,589)

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$1,252,903	$1,232,619
Service cost	24,500	18,699
Interest cost	28,597	47,901
Plan amendments	(128,837)	—
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Actuarial loss	80,162	23,673
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	360	594
Balance at December 31	$1,181,075	$1,252,903
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$686,262	$609,782
Actual return on plan assets	80,011	100,445
Employer contributions	48,203	46,618
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$737,866	$686,262
Funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	($38,963)	($48,040)
Non-current liabilities	(404,246)	(518,601)
Total funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($45,501)	($11,899)
Net gain	(8,565)	(5,081)
	($54,066)	($16,980)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	($83,581)	($21,231)
Net (gain)/loss	24,365	(16,670)
	($59,216)	($37,901)

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Service cost	3,626	5,993	1,468	445	1,219	1,254
Interest cost	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Plan amendments	12,320	(23,508)	(4,428)	(5,493)	(22,441)	(1,963)
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Actuarial (gain)/loss	18,257	8,744	684	(91)	5,952	3,025
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	59	77	11	9	18	26
Balance at December 31	$209,369	$255,571	$61,990	$31,707	$74,233	$47,701
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Actual return on plan assets	33,116	—	10,307	10,642	18,861	5,925
Employer contributions	2,201	16,126	343	641	690	1,342
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$304,192	$—	$93,475	$102,734	$174,096	$52,619
Funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($15,580)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	94,823	(239,991)	31,485	71,027	99,863	4,918
Total funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	$7,655	$—	($5,884)	($4,730)	($20,498)	($1,754)
Net (gain)/loss	(16,557)	—	(1,355)	(13,385)	2,030	2,818
	($8,902)	$—	($7,239)	($18,115)	($18,468)	$1,064
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($22,244)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(15,548)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($37,792)	$—	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$187,830	$275,269	$68,976	$41,987	$88,310	$48,791
Service cost	2,363	4,639	1,046	367	943	973
Interest cost	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Actuarial (gain)/loss	166	(2,220)	(3,778)	(4,234)	8,279	(891)
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	82	107	16	14	23	37
Balance at December 31	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$252,055	$—	$75,853	$81,774	$144,846	$43,670
Actual return on plan assets	42,835	—	12,966	11,680	23,788	7,436
Employer contributions	1,257	14,284	228	1,659	(596)	829
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($18,467)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	98,480	(255,708)	20,106	55,398	67,068	1,123
Total funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($6,515)	$—	($3,108)	$—	($1,422)	($854)
Net (gain)/loss	(18,262)	—	3,272	(8,046)	6,203	2,881
	($24,777)	$—	$164	($8,046)	$4,781	$2,027
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($4,915)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(24,739)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($29,654)	$—	$—	$—	$—

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2020, an update to the latest mortality projection scale MP-2020, and favorable claims experience. The other postretirement plans experienced actuarial gains during 2019 primarily due to the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2019, favorable claims

experience, an increase in projected EGWP revenue, and the adoption of the Pri.H-2012 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2019. These gains were partially offset by losses resulting from a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $18.1 million in 2020, $22.6 million in 2019, and $24.4 million in 2018.  In 2019, and 2018 Entergy recognized $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.

The projected benefit obligation was $182.4 million as of December 31, 2020 of which $22.9 million was a current liability and $159.5 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $161.3 million and $143.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($77.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $58.8 million at December 31, 2019) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($16.7 million at December 31, 2020 and $24.9 million at December 31, 2019).

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2020, 2019, and 2018, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$333	$148	$359	$31	$469
2019	$275	$159	$326	$20	$481
2018	$474	$180	$300	$81	$650

Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$3,197	$1,965	$3,852	$247	$8,475
2019	$2,755	$1,682	$3,286	$231	$7,783

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$2,626	$1,802	$3,345	$240	$7,949
2019	$2,248	$1,682	$2,938	$230	$7,391

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($218)	($193)	($181)	($17)	($633)
Non-current liabilities	(2,979)	(1,772)	(3,671)	(230)	(7,842)
Total funded status	($3,197)	($1,965)	($3,852)	($247)	($8,475)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,535	$424	$1,757	($558)	$147
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	$—	$18	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($249)	($216)	($357)	($17)	($723)
Non-current liabilities	(2,506)	(1,467)	(2,930)	(215)	(7,060)
Total funded status	($2,755)	($1,683)	($3,287)	($232)	($7,783)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,232	$3	$1,432	($559)	($603)

The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2020:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,000	($231)	$20,769
Amortization of loss	(105,853)	(1,006)	(3,326)	(110,185)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($106,096)	$19,994	($3,557)	($89,659)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$6,179	$—	$6,179
Amortization of loss	(2,001)	447	(3)	(1,557)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($2,244)	$6,626	($3)	$4,379

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2019:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,498	($198)	$21,300
Amortization of loss	(82,284)	1,230	(2,192)	(83,246)
Settlement loss	(23,458)	—	(1,697)	(25,155)
	($105,742)	$22,728	($4,087)	($87,101)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$7,349	$—	$7,349
Amortization of loss	(2,795)	695	(6)	(2,106)
	($2,795)	$8,044	($6)	$5,243

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior

service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also require that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  In general, Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns and for its other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy generally uses fair value.

In accordance with ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations and are presented by Entergy in miscellaneous - net in other income.

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

In 2020, year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees exceeded the sum of the Plan’s 2020 service and interest cost, resulting in a settlement cost of $36.9 million. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plan’s pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas participate in the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and incurred settlement costs of $21.1 million, $8.1 million, $3.4 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. The settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense in 2020. The reserve amount will be evaluated in Entergy Texas’s next base rate case proceeding and a reasonable amortization period will be determined by the PUCT at that time. At December 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve was approximately $3.8 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.

The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

For postretirement assets the target and range asset allocations (as shown below) reflect recommendations made in the latest optimization study. The target asset allocations for postretirement assets adjust dynamically based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The current weighted average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts.

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2020 are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	32%	to	46%	38%	39%
International Equity Securities	19%	15%	to	23%	19%	19%
Fixed Income Securities	42%	39%	to	45%	42%	41%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable and Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	29%	29%
International Equity Securities	18%	13%	to	23%	18%	18%
Fixed Income Securities	56%	51%	to	61%	53%	53%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on assets. The time period reflected is a long-dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the aggregate asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation, in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other postretirement assets (as described above), and with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry,

foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2020, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

•Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$15,756	(b)	$—		$—	$15,756
Common	1,031,213	(b)	—	(b)	—	1,031,213
Common collective trusts (c)						2,958,767
Registered investment companies	—	(d)	—		—	—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—		731,319	(a)	—	731,319
Corporate debt instruments	—		1,029,370	(a)	—	1,029,370
Registered investment companies (e)	81,800	(d)	3,076	(d)	—	1,128,107
Other	156	(f)	56,323	(f)	—	56,479
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		6,253	(g)	—	6,253
Total investments	$1,128,925		$1,826,341		$—	$6,957,264
Cash						2,316
Other pending transactions						(29,121)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(76,033)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,854,426

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$10,379	(b)	$—		$—	$10,379
Common	857,159	(b)	—	(b)	—	857,159
Common collective trusts (c)						2,698,697
Registered investment companies	132,389	(d)	—		—	132,389
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—	(b)	805,671	(a)	—	805,671
Corporate debt instruments	—		762,577	(a)	—	762,577
Registered investment companies (e)	53,842	(d)	2,903	(d)	—	1,008,371
Other	73	(f)	43,106	(f)	—	43,179
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		40,452	(g)	—	40,452
Total investments	$1,053,842		$1,654,709		$—	$6,358,874
Cash						1,407
Other pending transactions						(22,549)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(66,572)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,271,160

Other Postretirement Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$315,191
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	46,498	(b)	97,604	(a)	—	144,102
Corporate debt instruments	—		147,287	(a)	—	147,287
Registered investment companies	16,965	(d)	—		—	16,965
Other	—		60,219	(f)	—	60,219
Total investments	$63,463		$305,110		$—	$683,764
Other pending transactions						(21,931)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						76,033
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$737,866

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$289,398
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	49,930	(b)	89,297	(a)	—	139,227
Corporate debt instruments	—		130,333	(a)	—	130,333
Registered investment companies	1,877	(d)	—		—	1,877
Other	—		57,210	(f)	—	57,210
Total investments	$51,807		$276,840		$—	$618,045
Other pending transactions						1,645
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						66,572
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$686,262

(a)Certain preferred stocks and certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b)Common stocks, certain preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Certain of these common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities and estimate fair value using net asset value per share.

(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2020, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension	Non-Qualified Pension	Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)	Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$566,242	$22,851	$68,109	$123
2022	$568,058	$24,193	$67,904	$82
2023	$569,348	$23,906	$68,149	$93
2024	$576,365	$17,183	$67,569	$101
2025	$552,303	$25,477	$66,414	$112
2026 - 2030	$2,641,864	$56,584	$314,972	$703

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$115,340	$130,058	$38,131	$15,011	$32,935	$29,202
2022	$114,260	$130,019	$38,104	$15,202	$32,859	$28,854
2023	$111,759	$128,199	$37,159	$15,030	$31,439	$28,833
2024	$110,128	$126,927	$35,571	$14,437	$29,541	$28,641
2025	$108,314	$124,911	$34,377	$14,052	$27,781	$27,378
2026 - 2030	$513,207	$575,141	$155,722	$63,426	$123,688	$132,163

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$218	$193	$181	$17	$633
2022	$424	$211	$411	$17	$871
2023	$328	$217	$377	$21	$1,004
2024	$285	$196	$454	$19	$851
2025	$580	$209	$439	$19	$762
2026 - 2030	$976	$718	$2,146	$111	$3,250

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$12,693	$15,600	$3,386	$2,412	$5,322	$2,739
2022	$12,542	$15,502	$3,498	$2,322	$4,840	$2,734
2023	$12,329	$15,397	$3,541	$2,238	$4,770	$2,676
2024	$12,156	$15,034	$3,574	$2,151	$4,597	$2,579
2025	$11,869	$14,825	$3,614	$2,070	$4,486	$2,518
2026 - 2030	$56,603	$69,424	$17,668	$8,853	$20,622	$11,749

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$40	$20	$15	$—	$13	$5
2022	$39	$6	$15	$—	$4	$1
2023	$42	$6	$17	$—	$5	$2
2024	$45	$8	$17	$—	$5	$2
2025	$49	$8	$19	$—	$6	$1
2026 - 2030	$289	$58	$112	$—	$43	$12

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $356 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $39.9 million to other postretirement plans in 2021.  The expected 2021 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2021 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2021 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2021.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2021:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Other Postretirement Contributions	$517	$15,600	$130	$175	$66	$22

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	2020	2019
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	2.60% - 2.83% Blended 2.77%	3.26% - 3.43% Blended 3.39%
Other postretirement	2.62%	3.26%
Non-qualified pension	1.61%	2.72%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate	2.60%	2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	5.87%	6.13%
Post-65	6.31%	6.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2030	2027
Post-65	2028	2027

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:

	2020	2019	2018
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension:
Service cost	3.42%	4.57%	3.89%
Interest cost	2.99%	4.15%	3.44%
Other postretirement:
Service cost	3.27%	4.62%	3.88%
Interest cost	2.41%	4.01%	3.33%
Non-qualified pension:
Service cost	2.71%	3.94%	3.35%
Interest cost	2.25%	3.46%	2.76%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98%	3.98%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:
Pension assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	6.25% - 7.00%	6.5%-7.25%	6.50% - 7.50%
Other postretirement taxable assets	5.25%	5.50%	5.50%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	6.13%	6.59%	6.95%
Post-65	6.25%	7.15%	7.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2027	2027	2027
Post-65	2027	2026	2027

With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 other postretirement benefit APBO. Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 other postretirement benefit APBO. 

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to the System Savings Plan for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to either 70% or 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The matching contribution is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which company contributions are made. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to these defined contribution plans for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 5% of their eligible earnings per pay period. Eligible participants may also receive a discretionary annual company contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible earnings (subject to vesting).

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $63.1 million in 2020, $57.6 million in 2019, and $54.3 million in 2018.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2020, 2019, and 2018 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$4,515	$6,518	$2,863	$1,115	$2,596
2019	$4,111	$5,641	$2,424	$882	$2,136
2018	$3,985	$5,450	$2,307	$795	$1,992

System Energy [Member]

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS  (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment.  Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 but before January 1, 2021 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan.

The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy.  Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust.  The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis.

Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly.  Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments.  A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$161,487	$134,193	$155,010
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	239,614	293,114	267,415
Expected return on assets	(414,273)	(414,947)	(442,142)
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	398
Recognized net loss	350,010	241,117	274,104
Settlement charges	36,946	23,492	828
Net periodic pension costs	$373,784	$276,969	$255,613
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$483,653	$614,600	$394,951
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service cost	—	—	(398)
Amortization of net loss	(358,473)	(241,117)	(274,104)
Settlement charge	(36,946)	(23,492)	(828)
Total	$88,234	$349,991	$119,621
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$462,018	$626,960	$375,234

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$26,329	$35,158	$8,060	$2,654	$6,116	$7,883
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Expected return on assets	(78,187)	(89,691)	(23,147)	(10,509)	(21,951)	(18,757)
Recognized net loss	68,338	66,640	18,983	8,018	13,173	17,104
Settlement charges	21,078	8,109	3,366	—	4,289	105
Net pension cost	$81,723	$70,648	$20,184	$5,988	$12,358	$17,341
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$106,178	$90,064	$36,899	$8,148	$13,379	$35,403
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(69,713)	(68,248)	(19,393)	(8,213)	(13,564)	(17,434)
Settlement charge	(21,078)	(8,109)	(3,366)	—	(4,289)	(105)
Total	$15,387	$13,707	$14,140	($65)	($4,474)	$17,864
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$97,110	$84,355	$34,324	$5,923	$7,884	$35,205

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$21,043	$29,137	$6,516	$2,274	$5,401	$6,199
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Expected return on assets	(80,705)	(90,607)	(23,873)	(10,785)	(23,447)	(18,710)
Recognized net loss	47,361	46,571	12,416	6,117	9,335	11,400
Net pension cost	$44,400	$48,630	$11,331	$5,101	$5,740	$12,345
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net loss	$118,898	$99,346	$41,088	$6,531	$10,869	$36,711
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(47,361)	(46,571)	(12,416)	(6,117)	(9,335)	(11,400)
Total	$71,537	$52,775	$28,672	$414	$1,534	$25,311
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$115,937	$101,405	$40,003	$5,515	$7,274	$37,656

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,757	$33,783	$7,286	$2,693	$6,356	$7,102
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	52,017	59,761	15,075	7,253	13,390	12,907
Expected return on assets	(87,404)	(99,236)	(26,007)	(11,973)	(26,091)	(19,963)
Recognized net loss	53,650	57,800	14,438	7,816	10,503	14,859
Net pension cost	$43,020	$52,108	$10,792	$5,789	$4,158	$14,905
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net (gain)/loss	$74,570	$41,642	$19,244	$2,351	$24,121	($2,359)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:
Amortization of net loss	(53,650)	(57,800)	(14,438)	(7,816)	(10,503)	(14,859)
Total	$20,920	($16,158)	$4,806	($5,465)	$13,618	($17,218)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$63,940	$35,950	$15,598	$324	$17,776	($2,313)

Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$8,406,203	$7,404,917
Service cost	161,487	134,193
Interest cost	239,614	293,114
Actuarial loss	969,609	1,292,767
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Balance at December 31	$9,143,652	$8,406,203
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$6,271,160	$5,497,415
Actual return on plan assets	900,229	1,093,114
Employer contributions	316,298	399,419
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($84,754) in 2020 and ($68,203) in 2019)	(633,261)	(718,788)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$6,854,426	$6,271,160
Funded status	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	($2,289,226)	($2,135,043)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	$2,926,670	$2,831,408
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$726,010	$724,575

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Service cost	26,329	35,158	8,060	2,654	6,116	7,883
Interest cost	44,165	50,432	12,922	5,825	10,731	11,006
Actuarial loss	196,755	196,032	62,564	20,535	37,579	57,574
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Balance at December 31	$1,739,382	$1,927,271	$510,109	$220,287	$410,664	$441,148
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Actual return on plan assets	168,764	195,658	48,812	22,896	46,151	40,927
Employer contributions	60,008	55,443	12,601	4,567	4,997	16,145
Benefits paid (a)	(142,951)	(138,825)	(44,947)	(15,689)	(40,526)	(28,922)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,285,856	$1,476,306	$371,394	$172,551	$349,748	$310,818
Funded status	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($453,526)	($450,965)	($138,715)	($47,736)	($60,916)	($130,330)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$816,002	$766,099	$239,904	$91,991	$156,480	$212,062
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$31,921	$—	$—	$—	$—

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($48.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($18.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($7.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($9.8) million at Entergy Texas, and ($236) thousand at System Energy.

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
Balance at January 1	$1,443,808	$1,599,916	$414,089	$191,190	$369,604	$339,034
Service cost	21,043	29,137	6,516	2,274	5,401	6,199
Interest cost	56,701	63,529	16,272	7,495	14,451	13,456
Actuarial loss	248,213	248,509	79,453	24,299	49,235	66,460
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Balance at December 31	$1,615,084	$1,784,474	$471,510	$206,962	$396,764	$393,607
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$1,068,842	$1,215,926	$316,716	$145,968	$315,514	$245,516
Actual return on plan assets	210,020	239,770	62,238	28,552	61,814	48,460
Employer contributions	75,854	64,951	20,794	4,553	3,725	20,234
Benefits paid	(154,681)	(156,617)	(44,820)	(18,296)	(41,927)	(31,542)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$1,200,035	$1,364,030	$354,928	$160,777	$339,126	$282,668
Funded status	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
Non-current liabilities	($415,049)	($420,444)	($116,582)	($46,185)	($57,638)	($110,939)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
Net loss	$799,235	$759,228	$225,354	$91,862	$160,564	$193,870
Amounts recognized as AOCI  (before tax)
Net loss	$—	$23,481	$—	$—	$—	$—

The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for both 2020 and 2019.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $8.4 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	December 31,
	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas	$1,617,858	$1,519,998
Entergy Louisiana	$1,753,980	$1,643,759
Entergy Mississippi	$466,497	$438,817
Entergy New Orleans	$201,159	$192,561
Entergy Texas	$379,050	$371,589
System Energy	$410,296	$368,771

Other Postretirement Benefits

Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees.  Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits.

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), will be eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and will no longer be eligible for retiree coverage under the Entergy Corporation Companies’ Benefits Plus Medical, Dental and Vision Plans. Under the new Entergy retiree health plan, Medicare-eligible participants will be eligible to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement which they may use towards the purchase of various types of qualified insurance offered through a Medicare exchange provider and for other qualified medical expenses. In accordance with accounting standards, the effects of this change are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates.  The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions.  However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts.  System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf.

Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee.  Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets.  The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses.  Beneficial interest from these

investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:

	2020	2019	2018
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$24,500	$18,699	$27,129
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	28,597	47,901	50,725
Expected return on assets	(40,880)	(38,246)	(41,493)
Amortization of prior service credit	(32,882)	(35,377)	(37,002)
Recognized net loss	3,481	1,430	13,729
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($17,184)	($5,593)	$13,088
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service credit for period	($128,837)	$—	$—
Net (gain)/loss	41,031	(38,526)	(274,354)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	32,882	35,377	37,002
Amortization of net loss	(3,481)	(1,430)	(13,729)
Total	($58,405)	($4,579)	($251,081)
Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($75,589)	($10,172)	($237,993)

Total 2020, 2019, and 2018 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,626	$5,993	$1,468	$445	$1,219	$1,254
Interest cost on APBO	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Expected return on assets	(17,104)	—	(5,167)	(5,382)	(9,643)	(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,849)	(6,179)	(1,652)	(763)	(3,364)	(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss	540	(447)	171	(13)	907	121
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,075)	$5,583	($3,644)	($4,929)	($8,873)	($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period	$12,320	($23,508)	($4,428)	($5,493)	($22,441)	($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss	$2,245	$8,744	($4,456)	($5,351)	($3,266)	$58
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	1,849	6,179	1,652	763	3,364	1,065
Amortization of net (gain)/loss	(540)	447	(171)	13	(907)	(121)
Total	$15,874	($8,138)	($7,403)	($10,068)	($23,250)	($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	$5,799	($2,555)	($11,047)	($14,997)	($32,123)	($2,479)

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$2,363	$4,639	$1,046	$367	$943	$973
Interest cost on APBO	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Expected return on assets	(15,962)	—	(4,794)	(4,947)	(9,103)	(2,788)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4,950)	(7,349)	(1,756)	(682)	(2,243)	(1,450)
Recognized net (gain)/loss	576	(695)	723	231	485	354
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,747)	$7,259	($2,100)	($3,450)	($6,503)	($1,009)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	($26,707)	($2,220)	($11,950)	($10,967)	($6,406)	($5,539)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	4,950	7,349	1,756	682	2,243	1,450
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss	(576)	695	(723)	(231)	(485)	(354)
Total	($22,333)	$5,824	($10,917)	($10,516)	($4,648)	($4,443)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($33,080)	$13,083	($13,017)	($13,966)	($11,151)	($5,452)

2018	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$3,170	$6,225	$1,284	$516	$1,319	$1,223
Interest cost on APBO	7,986	11,154	2,731	1,669	3,754	1,998
Expected return on assets	(17,368)	—	(5,213)	(5,250)	(9,784)	(3,130)
Amortization of prior service credit	(5,110)	(7,735)	(1,823)	(745)	(2,316)	(1,513)
Recognized net loss	1,154	1,550	1,508	137	823	932
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost	($10,168)	$11,194	($1,513)	($3,673)	($6,204)	($490)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)
Arising this period:
Net gain	(32,219)	(73,249)	(7,794)	(981)	(10,561)	(6,680)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:
Amortization of prior service credit	5,110	7,735	1,823	745	2,316	1,513
Amortization of net loss	(1,154)	(1,550)	(1,508)	(137)	(823)	(932)
Total	($28,263)	($67,064)	($7,479)	($373)	($9,068)	($6,099)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)	($38,431)	($55,870)	($8,992)	($4,046)	($15,272)	($6,589)

Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2020	2019
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$1,252,903	$1,232,619
Service cost	24,500	18,699
Interest cost	28,597	47,901
Plan amendments	(128,837)	—
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Actuarial loss	80,162	23,673
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	360	594
Balance at December 31	$1,181,075	$1,252,903
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$686,262	$609,782
Actual return on plan assets	80,011	100,445
Employer contributions	48,203	46,618
Plan participant contributions	37,176	38,640
Benefits paid	(113,786)	(109,223)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$737,866	$686,262
Funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	($38,963)	($48,040)
Non-current liabilities	(404,246)	(518,601)
Total funded status	($443,209)	($566,641)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($45,501)	($11,899)
Net gain	(8,565)	(5,081)
	($54,066)	($16,980)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	($83,581)	($21,231)
Net (gain)/loss	24,365	(16,670)
	($59,216)	($37,901)

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Service cost	3,626	5,993	1,468	445	1,219	1,254
Interest cost	4,712	6,216	1,536	784	2,008	1,130
Plan amendments	12,320	(23,508)	(4,428)	(5,493)	(22,441)	(1,963)
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Actuarial (gain)/loss	18,257	8,744	684	(91)	5,952	3,025
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	59	77	11	9	18	26
Balance at December 31	$209,369	$255,571	$61,990	$31,707	$74,233	$47,701
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Actual return on plan assets	33,116	—	10,307	10,642	18,861	5,925
Employer contributions	2,201	16,126	343	641	690	1,342
Plan participant contributions	7,792	8,269	2,122	1,123	2,456	1,732
Benefits paid	(23,141)	(24,395)	(5,382)	(3,530)	(9,721)	(4,851)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$304,192	$—	$93,475	$102,734	$174,096	$52,619
Funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($15,580)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	94,823	(239,991)	31,485	71,027	99,863	4,918
Total funded status	$94,823	($255,571)	$31,485	$71,027	$99,863	$4,918
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	$7,655	$—	($5,884)	($4,730)	($20,498)	($1,754)
Net (gain)/loss	(16,557)	—	(1,355)	(13,385)	2,030	2,818
	($8,902)	$—	($7,239)	($18,115)	($18,468)	$1,064
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($22,244)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(15,548)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($37,792)	$—	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Change in APBO
Balance at January 1	$187,830	$275,269	$68,976	$41,987	$88,310	$48,791
Service cost	2,363	4,639	1,046	367	943	973
Interest cost	7,226	10,664	2,681	1,581	3,415	1,902
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Actuarial (gain)/loss	166	(2,220)	(3,778)	(4,234)	8,279	(891)
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	82	107	16	14	23	37
Balance at December 31	$185,744	$274,175	$65,979	$38,460	$94,742	$47,348
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at January 1	$252,055	$—	$75,853	$81,774	$144,846	$43,670
Actual return on plan assets	42,835	—	12,966	11,680	23,788	7,436
Employer contributions	1,257	14,284	228	1,659	(596)	829
Plan participant contributions	8,125	8,876	2,197	1,343	2,602	1,765
Benefits paid	(20,048)	(23,160)	(5,159)	(2,598)	(8,830)	(5,229)
Fair value of assets at December 31	$284,224	$—	$86,085	$93,858	$161,810	$48,471
Funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$—	($18,467)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Non-current liabilities	98,480	(255,708)	20,106	55,398	67,068	1,123
Total funded status	$98,480	($274,175)	$20,106	$55,398	$67,068	$1,123
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
Prior service credit	($6,515)	$—	($3,108)	$—	($1,422)	($854)
Net (gain)/loss	(18,262)	—	3,272	(8,046)	6,203	2,881
	($24,777)	$—	$164	($8,046)	$4,781	$2,027
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
Prior service credit	$—	($4,915)	$—	$—	$—	$—
Net gain	—	(24,739)	—	—	—	—
	$—	($29,654)	$—	$—	$—	$—

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2020, an update to the latest mortality projection scale MP-2020, and favorable claims experience. The other postretirement plans experienced actuarial gains during 2019 primarily due to the actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2019, favorable claims

experience, an increase in projected EGWP revenue, and the adoption of the Pri.H-2012 mortality table with improvement scale MP-2019. These gains were partially offset by losses resulting from a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $18.1 million in 2020, $22.6 million in 2019, and $24.4 million in 2018.  In 2019, and 2018 Entergy recognized $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.

The projected benefit obligation was $182.4 million as of December 31, 2020 of which $22.9 million was a current liability and $159.5 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $161.3 million and $143.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($77.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $58.8 million at December 31, 2019) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($16.7 million at December 31, 2020 and $24.9 million at December 31, 2019).

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2020, 2019, and 2018, was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$333	$148	$359	$31	$469
2019	$275	$159	$326	$20	$481
2018	$474	$180	$300	$81	$650

Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$3,197	$1,965	$3,852	$247	$8,475
2019	$2,755	$1,682	$3,286	$231	$7,783

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$2,626	$1,802	$3,345	$240	$7,949
2019	$2,248	$1,682	$2,938	$230	$7,391

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($218)	($193)	($181)	($17)	($633)
Non-current liabilities	(2,979)	(1,772)	(3,671)	(230)	(7,842)
Total funded status	($3,197)	($1,965)	($3,852)	($247)	($8,475)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,535	$424	$1,757	($558)	$147
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	$—	$18	$—	$—	$—

2019	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Current liabilities	($249)	($216)	($357)	($17)	($723)
Non-current liabilities	(2,506)	(1,467)	(2,930)	(215)	(7,060)
Total funded status	($2,755)	($1,683)	($3,287)	($232)	($7,783)
Regulatory asset/(liability)	$1,232	$3	$1,432	($559)	($603)

The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2020 and 2019 primarily due to a fall in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2020:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,000	($231)	$20,769
Amortization of loss	(105,853)	(1,006)	(3,326)	(110,185)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($106,096)	$19,994	($3,557)	($89,659)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$6,179	$—	$6,179
Amortization of loss	(2,001)	447	(3)	(1,557)
Settlement loss	(243)	—	—	(243)
	($2,244)	$6,626	($3)	$4,379

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2019:

	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$21,498	($198)	$21,300
Amortization of loss	(82,284)	1,230	(2,192)	(83,246)
Settlement loss	(23,458)	—	(1,697)	(25,155)
	($105,742)	$22,728	($4,087)	($87,101)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service cost	$—	$7,349	$—	$7,349
Amortization of loss	(2,795)	695	(6)	(2,106)
	($2,795)	$8,044	($6)	$5,243

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.  This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation.  Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans.  Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefit costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions.  For the portion of Entergy Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income.  Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior

service cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income.  Accounting standards also require that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.

With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.  In general, Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns and for its other postretirement benefit plan assets Entergy generally uses fair value.

In accordance with ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations and are presented by Entergy in miscellaneous - net in other income.

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

In 2020, year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees exceeded the sum of the Plan’s 2020 service and interest cost, resulting in a settlement cost of $36.9 million. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plan’s pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas participate in the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and incurred settlement costs of $21.1 million, $8.1 million, $3.4 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. The settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense in 2020. The reserve amount will be evaluated in Entergy Texas’s next base rate case proceeding and a reasonable amortization period will be determined by the PUCT at that time. At December 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve was approximately $3.8 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

The Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments.  The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.

The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

For postretirement assets the target and range asset allocations (as shown below) reflect recommendations made in the latest optimization study. The target asset allocations for postretirement assets adjust dynamically based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The current weighted average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts.

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2020 are as follows:

Pension Asset Allocation	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	39%	32%	to	46%	38%	39%
International Equity Securities	19%	15%	to	23%	19%	19%
Fixed Income Securities	42%	39%	to	45%	42%	41%
Other	0%	0%	to	10%	1%	1%

Postretirement Asset Allocation	Non-Taxable and Taxable
	Target	Range			Actual 2020	Actual 2019
Domestic Equity Securities	26%	21%	to	31%	29%	29%
International Equity Securities	18%	13%	to	23%	18%	18%
Fixed Income Securities	56%	51%	to	61%	53%	53%
Other	0%	0%	to	5%	0%	0%

In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some investment managers.

The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on assets. The time period reflected is a long-dated period spanning several decades.

The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the aggregate asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.

For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities.  This asset allocation, in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other postretirement assets (as described above), and with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry,

foreign country, geographic area and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2020, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

•Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by an independent party that uses inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.

Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$15,756	(b)	$—		$—	$15,756
Common	1,031,213	(b)	—	(b)	—	1,031,213
Common collective trusts (c)						2,958,767
Registered investment companies	—	(d)	—		—	—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—		731,319	(a)	—	731,319
Corporate debt instruments	—		1,029,370	(a)	—	1,029,370
Registered investment companies (e)	81,800	(d)	3,076	(d)	—	1,128,107
Other	156	(f)	56,323	(f)	—	56,479
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		6,253	(g)	—	6,253
Total investments	$1,128,925		$1,826,341		$—	$6,957,264
Cash						2,316
Other pending transactions						(29,121)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(76,033)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,854,426

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Corporate stocks:
Preferred	$10,379	(b)	$—		$—	$10,379
Common	857,159	(b)	—	(b)	—	857,159
Common collective trusts (c)						2,698,697
Registered investment companies	132,389	(d)	—		—	132,389
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	—	(b)	805,671	(a)	—	805,671
Corporate debt instruments	—		762,577	(a)	—	762,577
Registered investment companies (e)	53,842	(d)	2,903	(d)	—	1,008,371
Other	73	(f)	43,106	(f)	—	43,179
Other:
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)	—		40,452	(g)	—	40,452
Total investments	$1,053,842		$1,654,709		$—	$6,358,874
Cash						1,407
Other pending transactions						(22,549)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments						(66,572)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets						$6,271,160

Other Postretirement Trusts

2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$315,191
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	46,498	(b)	97,604	(a)	—	144,102
Corporate debt instruments	—		147,287	(a)	—	147,287
Registered investment companies	16,965	(d)	—		—	16,965
Other	—		60,219	(f)	—	60,219
Total investments	$63,463		$305,110		$—	$683,764
Other pending transactions						(21,931)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						76,033
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$737,866

2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	Total
	(In Thousands)
Equity securities:
Common collective trust (c)						$289,398
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government securities	49,930	(b)	89,297	(a)	—	139,227
Corporate debt instruments	—		130,333	(a)	—	130,333
Registered investment companies	1,877	(d)	—		—	1,877
Other	—		57,210	(f)	—	57,210
Total investments	$51,807		$276,840		$—	$618,045
Other pending transactions						1,645
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust						66,572
Total fair value of other postretirement assets						$686,262

(a)Certain preferred stocks and certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(b)Common stocks, certain preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.

(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Certain of these common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities and estimate fair value using net asset value per share.

(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.

(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.

(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2020, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:

	Estimated Future Benefits Payments
	Qualified Pension	Non-Qualified Pension	Other Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)	Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$566,242	$22,851	$68,109	$123
2022	$568,058	$24,193	$67,904	$82
2023	$569,348	$23,906	$68,149	$93
2024	$576,365	$17,183	$67,569	$101
2025	$552,303	$25,477	$66,414	$112
2026 - 2030	$2,641,864	$56,584	$314,972	$703

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:

Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$115,340	$130,058	$38,131	$15,011	$32,935	$29,202
2022	$114,260	$130,019	$38,104	$15,202	$32,859	$28,854
2023	$111,759	$128,199	$37,159	$15,030	$31,439	$28,833
2024	$110,128	$126,927	$35,571	$14,437	$29,541	$28,641
2025	$108,314	$124,911	$34,377	$14,052	$27,781	$27,378
2026 - 2030	$513,207	$575,141	$155,722	$63,426	$123,688	$132,163

Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Payments	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$218	$193	$181	$17	$633
2022	$424	$211	$411	$17	$871
2023	$328	$217	$377	$21	$1,004
2024	$285	$196	$454	$19	$851
2025	$580	$209	$439	$19	$762
2026 - 2030	$976	$718	$2,146	$111	$3,250

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$12,693	$15,600	$3,386	$2,412	$5,322	$2,739
2022	$12,542	$15,502	$3,498	$2,322	$4,840	$2,734
2023	$12,329	$15,397	$3,541	$2,238	$4,770	$2,676
2024	$12,156	$15,034	$3,574	$2,151	$4,597	$2,579
2025	$11,869	$14,825	$3,614	$2,070	$4,486	$2,518
2026 - 2030	$56,603	$69,424	$17,668	$8,853	$20,622	$11,749

Estimated Future Medicare Part D Subsidy	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Year(s)
2021	$40	$20	$15	$—	$13	$5
2022	$39	$6	$15	$—	$4	$1
2023	$42	$6	$17	$—	$5	$2
2024	$45	$8	$17	$—	$5	$2
2025	$49	$8	$19	$—	$6	$1
2026 - 2030	$289	$58	$112	$—	$43	$12

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $356 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $39.9 million to other postretirement plans in 2021.  The expected 2021 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2021 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2021 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2021.

The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2021:

	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Pension Contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Other Postretirement Contributions	$517	$15,600	$130	$175	$66	$22

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	2020	2019
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension	2.60% - 2.83% Blended 2.77%	3.26% - 3.43% Blended 3.39%
Other postretirement	2.62%	3.26%
Non-qualified pension	1.61%	2.72%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate	2.60%	2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	5.87%	6.13%
Post-65	6.31%	6.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2030	2027
Post-65	2028	2027

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2020, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:

	2020	2019	2018
Weighted-average discount rate:
Qualified pension:
Service cost	3.42%	4.57%	3.89%
Interest cost	2.99%	4.15%	3.44%
Other postretirement:
Service cost	3.27%	4.62%	3.88%
Interest cost	2.41%	4.01%	3.33%
Non-qualified pension:
Service cost	2.71%	3.94%	3.35%
Interest cost	2.25%	3.46%	2.76%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels	3.98% - 4.40%	3.98%	3.98%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:
Pension assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.50%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets	6.25% - 7.00%	6.5%-7.25%	6.50% - 7.50%
Other postretirement taxable assets	5.25%	5.50%	5.50%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-65	6.13%	6.59%	6.95%
Post-65	6.25%	7.15%	7.25%
Ultimate rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
Pre-65	2027	2027	2027
Post-65	2027	2026	2027

With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2020 other postretirement benefit APBO. Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2019 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2019 other postretirement benefit APBO. 

Defined Contribution Plans

Entergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan).  The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to the System Savings Plan for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to either 70% or 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period.  The matching contribution is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (established in April 2007) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.  The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries.

Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which company contributions are made. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to these defined contribution plans for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 5% of their eligible earnings per pay period. Eligible participants may also receive a discretionary annual company contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible earnings (subject to vesting).

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $63.1 million in 2020, $57.6 million in 2019, and $54.3 million in 2018.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2020, 2019, and 2018 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:

Year	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2020	$4,515	$6,518	$2,863	$1,115	$2,596
2019	$4,111	$5,641	$2,424	$882	$2,136
2018	$3,985	$5,450	$2,307	$795	$1,992