Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

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

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy’s qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$45,241	$40,379
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	46,099	60,799
Expected return on assets	(105,713)	(103,565)

Amortization of net loss	104,392	87,259


Net pension costs	$90,019	$84,872

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$7,418	$10,043	$2,364	$796	$1,801	$2,314
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,341	9,562	2,462	1,029	1,949	2,142
Expected return on assets	(19,670)	(22,538)	(5,587)	(2,622)	(5,237)	(4,778)

Amortization of net loss	19,303	19,204	5,668	2,270	3,711	5,326

Net pension cost	$15,392	$16,271	$4,907	$1,473	$2,224	$5,004


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,566	$8,794	$2,023	$663	$1,546	$1,965
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	11,433	12,841	3,340	1,456	2,782	2,814
Expected return on assets	(19,622)	(22,402)	(5,757)	(2,627)	(5,486)	(4,663)


Amortization of net loss	16,897	16,627	4,748	2,005	3,265	4,279
Net pension cost	$15,274	$15,860	$4,354	$1,497	$2,107	$4,395

Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.6 million and $4.5 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2021	$90	$44	$96	$8	$115
2020	$83	$37	$90	$8	$117

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,645	$5,801
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	5,320	7,932
Expected return on assets	(10,805)	(10,328)

Amortization of prior service credit	(8,267)	(5,922)
Amortization of net loss	713	468
Net other postretirement benefit income	($6,394)	($2,049)

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$1,034	$1,544	$362	$109	$346	$335
Interest cost on APBO	932	1,130	278	130	317	220
Expected return on assets	(4,505)	—	(1,384)	(1,438)	(2,548)	(789)
Amortization of prior service credit	(280)	(1,230)	(444)	(229)	(936)	(109)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	49	(91)	19	(178)	100	15
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,770)	$1,353	($1,169)	($1,606)	($2,721)	($328)


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$828	$1,423	$351	$105	$303	$294
Interest cost on APBO	1,217	1,723	422	227	582	307
Expected return on assets	(4,326)	—	(1,307)	(1,355)	(2,435)	(748)


Amortization of prior service credit	(661)	(1,089)	(321)	(76)	(550)	(219)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	55	(199)	29	(38)	212	20
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,887)	$1,858	($826)	($1,137)	($1,888)	($346)

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) for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


2021	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$5,288	($40)	$5,248
Amortization of net loss	(33,439)	(495)	(595)	(34,529)


	($33,439)	$4,793	($635)	($29,281)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,230	$—	$1,230
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(769)	91	(1)	(679)

	($769)	$1,321	($1)	$551


2020	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$3,776	($57)	$3,719
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(26,462)	(25)	(831)	(27,318)


	($26,462)	$3,751	($888)	($23,599)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,089	$—	$1,089
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(499)	199	(1)	(301)
	($499)	$1,288	($1)	$788

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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.

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), are eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and are no longer 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 are 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 were reflected in the March 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $356 million to its qualified pension plans in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Entergy had contributed $152.2 million to its pension plans. Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans for their employees in 2021:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Expected 2021 pension contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Pension contributions made through March 2021	$21,361	$29,159	$4,799	$2,629	$2,935	$6,675
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2021	$45,288	$30,723	$8,916	$2,766	$4,020	$11,988

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

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

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy’s qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$45,241	$40,379
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	46,099	60,799
Expected return on assets	(105,713)	(103,565)

Amortization of net loss	104,392	87,259


Net pension costs	$90,019	$84,872

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$7,418	$10,043	$2,364	$796	$1,801	$2,314
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,341	9,562	2,462	1,029	1,949	2,142
Expected return on assets	(19,670)	(22,538)	(5,587)	(2,622)	(5,237)	(4,778)

Amortization of net loss	19,303	19,204	5,668	2,270	3,711	5,326

Net pension cost	$15,392	$16,271	$4,907	$1,473	$2,224	$5,004


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,566	$8,794	$2,023	$663	$1,546	$1,965
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	11,433	12,841	3,340	1,456	2,782	2,814
Expected return on assets	(19,622)	(22,402)	(5,757)	(2,627)	(5,486)	(4,663)


Amortization of net loss	16,897	16,627	4,748	2,005	3,265	4,279
Net pension cost	$15,274	$15,860	$4,354	$1,497	$2,107	$4,395

Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.6 million and $4.5 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2021	$90	$44	$96	$8	$115
2020	$83	$37	$90	$8	$117

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,645	$5,801
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	5,320	7,932
Expected return on assets	(10,805)	(10,328)

Amortization of prior service credit	(8,267)	(5,922)
Amortization of net loss	713	468
Net other postretirement benefit income	($6,394)	($2,049)

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$1,034	$1,544	$362	$109	$346	$335
Interest cost on APBO	932	1,130	278	130	317	220
Expected return on assets	(4,505)	—	(1,384)	(1,438)	(2,548)	(789)
Amortization of prior service credit	(280)	(1,230)	(444)	(229)	(936)	(109)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	49	(91)	19	(178)	100	15
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,770)	$1,353	($1,169)	($1,606)	($2,721)	($328)


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$828	$1,423	$351	$105	$303	$294
Interest cost on APBO	1,217	1,723	422	227	582	307
Expected return on assets	(4,326)	—	(1,307)	(1,355)	(2,435)	(748)


Amortization of prior service credit	(661)	(1,089)	(321)	(76)	(550)	(219)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	55	(199)	29	(38)	212	20
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,887)	$1,858	($826)	($1,137)	($1,888)	($346)

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) for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


2021	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$5,288	($40)	$5,248
Amortization of net loss	(33,439)	(495)	(595)	(34,529)


	($33,439)	$4,793	($635)	($29,281)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,230	$—	$1,230
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(769)	91	(1)	(679)

	($769)	$1,321	($1)	$551


2020	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$3,776	($57)	$3,719
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(26,462)	(25)	(831)	(27,318)


	($26,462)	$3,751	($888)	($23,599)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,089	$—	$1,089
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(499)	199	(1)	(301)
	($499)	$1,288	($1)	$788

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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.

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), are eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and are no longer 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 are 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 were reflected in the March 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $356 million to its qualified pension plans in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Entergy had contributed $152.2 million to its pension plans. Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans for their employees in 2021:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Expected 2021 pension contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Pension contributions made through March 2021	$21,361	$29,159	$4,799	$2,629	$2,935	$6,675
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2021	$45,288	$30,723	$8,916	$2,766	$4,020	$11,988

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

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

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy’s qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$45,241	$40,379
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	46,099	60,799
Expected return on assets	(105,713)	(103,565)

Amortization of net loss	104,392	87,259


Net pension costs	$90,019	$84,872

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$7,418	$10,043	$2,364	$796	$1,801	$2,314
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,341	9,562	2,462	1,029	1,949	2,142
Expected return on assets	(19,670)	(22,538)	(5,587)	(2,622)	(5,237)	(4,778)

Amortization of net loss	19,303	19,204	5,668	2,270	3,711	5,326

Net pension cost	$15,392	$16,271	$4,907	$1,473	$2,224	$5,004


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,566	$8,794	$2,023	$663	$1,546	$1,965
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	11,433	12,841	3,340	1,456	2,782	2,814
Expected return on assets	(19,622)	(22,402)	(5,757)	(2,627)	(5,486)	(4,663)


Amortization of net loss	16,897	16,627	4,748	2,005	3,265	4,279
Net pension cost	$15,274	$15,860	$4,354	$1,497	$2,107	$4,395

Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.6 million and $4.5 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2021	$90	$44	$96	$8	$115
2020	$83	$37	$90	$8	$117

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,645	$5,801
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	5,320	7,932
Expected return on assets	(10,805)	(10,328)

Amortization of prior service credit	(8,267)	(5,922)
Amortization of net loss	713	468
Net other postretirement benefit income	($6,394)	($2,049)

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$1,034	$1,544	$362	$109	$346	$335
Interest cost on APBO	932	1,130	278	130	317	220
Expected return on assets	(4,505)	—	(1,384)	(1,438)	(2,548)	(789)
Amortization of prior service credit	(280)	(1,230)	(444)	(229)	(936)	(109)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	49	(91)	19	(178)	100	15
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,770)	$1,353	($1,169)	($1,606)	($2,721)	($328)


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$828	$1,423	$351	$105	$303	$294
Interest cost on APBO	1,217	1,723	422	227	582	307
Expected return on assets	(4,326)	—	(1,307)	(1,355)	(2,435)	(748)


Amortization of prior service credit	(661)	(1,089)	(321)	(76)	(550)	(219)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	55	(199)	29	(38)	212	20
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,887)	$1,858	($826)	($1,137)	($1,888)	($346)

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) for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


2021	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$5,288	($40)	$5,248
Amortization of net loss	(33,439)	(495)	(595)	(34,529)


	($33,439)	$4,793	($635)	($29,281)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,230	$—	$1,230
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(769)	91	(1)	(679)

	($769)	$1,321	($1)	$551


2020	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$3,776	($57)	$3,719
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(26,462)	(25)	(831)	(27,318)


	($26,462)	$3,751	($888)	($23,599)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,089	$—	$1,089
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(499)	199	(1)	(301)
	($499)	$1,288	($1)	$788

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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.

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), are eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and are no longer 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 are 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 were reflected in the March 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $356 million to its qualified pension plans in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Entergy had contributed $152.2 million to its pension plans. Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans for their employees in 2021:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Expected 2021 pension contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Pension contributions made through March 2021	$21,361	$29,159	$4,799	$2,629	$2,935	$6,675
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2021	$45,288	$30,723	$8,916	$2,766	$4,020	$11,988

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

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

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy’s qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$45,241	$40,379
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	46,099	60,799
Expected return on assets	(105,713)	(103,565)

Amortization of net loss	104,392	87,259


Net pension costs	$90,019	$84,872

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$7,418	$10,043	$2,364	$796	$1,801	$2,314
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,341	9,562	2,462	1,029	1,949	2,142
Expected return on assets	(19,670)	(22,538)	(5,587)	(2,622)	(5,237)	(4,778)

Amortization of net loss	19,303	19,204	5,668	2,270	3,711	5,326

Net pension cost	$15,392	$16,271	$4,907	$1,473	$2,224	$5,004


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,566	$8,794	$2,023	$663	$1,546	$1,965
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	11,433	12,841	3,340	1,456	2,782	2,814
Expected return on assets	(19,622)	(22,402)	(5,757)	(2,627)	(5,486)	(4,663)


Amortization of net loss	16,897	16,627	4,748	2,005	3,265	4,279
Net pension cost	$15,274	$15,860	$4,354	$1,497	$2,107	$4,395

Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.6 million and $4.5 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2021	$90	$44	$96	$8	$115
2020	$83	$37	$90	$8	$117

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,645	$5,801
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	5,320	7,932
Expected return on assets	(10,805)	(10,328)

Amortization of prior service credit	(8,267)	(5,922)
Amortization of net loss	713	468
Net other postretirement benefit income	($6,394)	($2,049)

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$1,034	$1,544	$362	$109	$346	$335
Interest cost on APBO	932	1,130	278	130	317	220
Expected return on assets	(4,505)	—	(1,384)	(1,438)	(2,548)	(789)
Amortization of prior service credit	(280)	(1,230)	(444)	(229)	(936)	(109)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	49	(91)	19	(178)	100	15
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,770)	$1,353	($1,169)	($1,606)	($2,721)	($328)


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$828	$1,423	$351	$105	$303	$294
Interest cost on APBO	1,217	1,723	422	227	582	307
Expected return on assets	(4,326)	—	(1,307)	(1,355)	(2,435)	(748)


Amortization of prior service credit	(661)	(1,089)	(321)	(76)	(550)	(219)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	55	(199)	29	(38)	212	20
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,887)	$1,858	($826)	($1,137)	($1,888)	($346)

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) for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


2021	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$5,288	($40)	$5,248
Amortization of net loss	(33,439)	(495)	(595)	(34,529)


	($33,439)	$4,793	($635)	($29,281)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,230	$—	$1,230
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(769)	91	(1)	(679)

	($769)	$1,321	($1)	$551


2020	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$3,776	($57)	$3,719
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(26,462)	(25)	(831)	(27,318)


	($26,462)	$3,751	($888)	($23,599)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,089	$—	$1,089
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(499)	199	(1)	(301)
	($499)	$1,288	($1)	$788

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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.

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), are eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and are no longer 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 are 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 were reflected in the March 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $356 million to its qualified pension plans in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Entergy had contributed $152.2 million to its pension plans. Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans for their employees in 2021:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Expected 2021 pension contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Pension contributions made through March 2021	$21,361	$29,159	$4,799	$2,629	$2,935	$6,675
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2021	$45,288	$30,723	$8,916	$2,766	$4,020	$11,988

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

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

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy’s qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$45,241	$40,379
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	46,099	60,799
Expected return on assets	(105,713)	(103,565)

Amortization of net loss	104,392	87,259


Net pension costs	$90,019	$84,872

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$7,418	$10,043	$2,364	$796	$1,801	$2,314
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,341	9,562	2,462	1,029	1,949	2,142
Expected return on assets	(19,670)	(22,538)	(5,587)	(2,622)	(5,237)	(4,778)

Amortization of net loss	19,303	19,204	5,668	2,270	3,711	5,326

Net pension cost	$15,392	$16,271	$4,907	$1,473	$2,224	$5,004


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,566	$8,794	$2,023	$663	$1,546	$1,965
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	11,433	12,841	3,340	1,456	2,782	2,814
Expected return on assets	(19,622)	(22,402)	(5,757)	(2,627)	(5,486)	(4,663)


Amortization of net loss	16,897	16,627	4,748	2,005	3,265	4,279
Net pension cost	$15,274	$15,860	$4,354	$1,497	$2,107	$4,395

Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.6 million and $4.5 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2021	$90	$44	$96	$8	$115
2020	$83	$37	$90	$8	$117

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,645	$5,801
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	5,320	7,932
Expected return on assets	(10,805)	(10,328)

Amortization of prior service credit	(8,267)	(5,922)
Amortization of net loss	713	468
Net other postretirement benefit income	($6,394)	($2,049)

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$1,034	$1,544	$362	$109	$346	$335
Interest cost on APBO	932	1,130	278	130	317	220
Expected return on assets	(4,505)	—	(1,384)	(1,438)	(2,548)	(789)
Amortization of prior service credit	(280)	(1,230)	(444)	(229)	(936)	(109)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	49	(91)	19	(178)	100	15
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,770)	$1,353	($1,169)	($1,606)	($2,721)	($328)


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$828	$1,423	$351	$105	$303	$294
Interest cost on APBO	1,217	1,723	422	227	582	307
Expected return on assets	(4,326)	—	(1,307)	(1,355)	(2,435)	(748)


Amortization of prior service credit	(661)	(1,089)	(321)	(76)	(550)	(219)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	55	(199)	29	(38)	212	20
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,887)	$1,858	($826)	($1,137)	($1,888)	($346)

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) for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


2021	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$5,288	($40)	$5,248
Amortization of net loss	(33,439)	(495)	(595)	(34,529)


	($33,439)	$4,793	($635)	($29,281)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,230	$—	$1,230
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(769)	91	(1)	(679)

	($769)	$1,321	($1)	$551


2020	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$3,776	($57)	$3,719
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(26,462)	(25)	(831)	(27,318)


	($26,462)	$3,751	($888)	($23,599)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,089	$—	$1,089
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(499)	199	(1)	(301)
	($499)	$1,288	($1)	$788

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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.

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), are eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and are no longer 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 are 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 were reflected in the March 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $356 million to its qualified pension plans in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Entergy had contributed $152.2 million to its pension plans. Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans for their employees in 2021:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Expected 2021 pension contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Pension contributions made through March 2021	$21,361	$29,159	$4,799	$2,629	$2,935	$6,675
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2021	$45,288	$30,723	$8,916	$2,766	$4,020	$11,988

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

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

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy’s qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$45,241	$40,379
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	46,099	60,799
Expected return on assets	(105,713)	(103,565)

Amortization of net loss	104,392	87,259


Net pension costs	$90,019	$84,872

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$7,418	$10,043	$2,364	$796	$1,801	$2,314
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,341	9,562	2,462	1,029	1,949	2,142
Expected return on assets	(19,670)	(22,538)	(5,587)	(2,622)	(5,237)	(4,778)

Amortization of net loss	19,303	19,204	5,668	2,270	3,711	5,326

Net pension cost	$15,392	$16,271	$4,907	$1,473	$2,224	$5,004


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,566	$8,794	$2,023	$663	$1,546	$1,965
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	11,433	12,841	3,340	1,456	2,782	2,814
Expected return on assets	(19,622)	(22,402)	(5,757)	(2,627)	(5,486)	(4,663)


Amortization of net loss	16,897	16,627	4,748	2,005	3,265	4,279
Net pension cost	$15,274	$15,860	$4,354	$1,497	$2,107	$4,395

Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.6 million and $4.5 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2021	$90	$44	$96	$8	$115
2020	$83	$37	$90	$8	$117

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,645	$5,801
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	5,320	7,932
Expected return on assets	(10,805)	(10,328)

Amortization of prior service credit	(8,267)	(5,922)
Amortization of net loss	713	468
Net other postretirement benefit income	($6,394)	($2,049)

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$1,034	$1,544	$362	$109	$346	$335
Interest cost on APBO	932	1,130	278	130	317	220
Expected return on assets	(4,505)	—	(1,384)	(1,438)	(2,548)	(789)
Amortization of prior service credit	(280)	(1,230)	(444)	(229)	(936)	(109)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	49	(91)	19	(178)	100	15
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,770)	$1,353	($1,169)	($1,606)	($2,721)	($328)


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$828	$1,423	$351	$105	$303	$294
Interest cost on APBO	1,217	1,723	422	227	582	307
Expected return on assets	(4,326)	—	(1,307)	(1,355)	(2,435)	(748)


Amortization of prior service credit	(661)	(1,089)	(321)	(76)	(550)	(219)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	55	(199)	29	(38)	212	20
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,887)	$1,858	($826)	($1,137)	($1,888)	($346)

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) for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


2021	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$5,288	($40)	$5,248
Amortization of net loss	(33,439)	(495)	(595)	(34,529)


	($33,439)	$4,793	($635)	($29,281)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,230	$—	$1,230
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(769)	91	(1)	(679)

	($769)	$1,321	($1)	$551


2020	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$3,776	($57)	$3,719
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(26,462)	(25)	(831)	(27,318)


	($26,462)	$3,751	($888)	($23,599)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,089	$—	$1,089
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(499)	199	(1)	(301)
	($499)	$1,288	($1)	$788

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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.

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), are eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and are no longer 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 are 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 were reflected in the March 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $356 million to its qualified pension plans in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Entergy had contributed $152.2 million to its pension plans. Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans for their employees in 2021:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Expected 2021 pension contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Pension contributions made through March 2021	$21,361	$29,159	$4,799	$2,629	$2,935	$6,675
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2021	$45,288	$30,723	$8,916	$2,766	$4,020	$11,988

Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits

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

Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy’s qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$45,241	$40,379
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	46,099	60,799
Expected return on assets	(105,713)	(103,565)

Amortization of net loss	104,392	87,259


Net pension costs	$90,019	$84,872

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$7,418	$10,043	$2,364	$796	$1,801	$2,314
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,341	9,562	2,462	1,029	1,949	2,142
Expected return on assets	(19,670)	(22,538)	(5,587)	(2,622)	(5,237)	(4,778)

Amortization of net loss	19,303	19,204	5,668	2,270	3,711	5,326

Net pension cost	$15,392	$16,271	$4,907	$1,473	$2,224	$5,004


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,566	$8,794	$2,023	$663	$1,546	$1,965
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	11,433	12,841	3,340	1,456	2,782	2,814
Expected return on assets	(19,622)	(22,402)	(5,757)	(2,627)	(5,486)	(4,663)


Amortization of net loss	16,897	16,627	4,748	2,005	3,265	4,279
Net pension cost	$15,274	$15,860	$4,354	$1,497	$2,107	$4,395

Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.6 million and $4.5 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas
	(In Thousands)
2021	$90	$44	$96	$8	$115
2020	$83	$37	$90	$8	$117

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)

Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


	2021	2020
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6,645	$5,801
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)	5,320	7,932
Expected return on assets	(10,805)	(10,328)

Amortization of prior service credit	(8,267)	(5,922)
Amortization of net loss	713	468
Net other postretirement benefit income	($6,394)	($2,049)

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, included the following components:


2021	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$1,034	$1,544	$362	$109	$346	$335
Interest cost on APBO	932	1,130	278	130	317	220
Expected return on assets	(4,505)	—	(1,384)	(1,438)	(2,548)	(789)
Amortization of prior service credit	(280)	(1,230)	(444)	(229)	(936)	(109)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	49	(91)	19	(178)	100	15
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,770)	$1,353	($1,169)	($1,606)	($2,721)	($328)


2020	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$828	$1,423	$351	$105	$303	$294
Interest cost on APBO	1,217	1,723	422	227	582	307
Expected return on assets	(4,326)	—	(1,307)	(1,355)	(2,435)	(748)


Amortization of prior service credit	(661)	(1,089)	(321)	(76)	(550)	(219)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	55	(199)	29	(38)	212	20
Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)	($2,887)	$1,858	($826)	($1,137)	($1,888)	($346)

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) for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020:


2021	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$5,288	($40)	$5,248
Amortization of net loss	(33,439)	(495)	(595)	(34,529)


	($33,439)	$4,793	($635)	($29,281)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,230	$—	$1,230
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(769)	91	(1)	(679)

	($769)	$1,321	($1)	$551


2020	Qualified Pension Costs	Other Postretirement Costs	Non-Qualified Pension Costs	Total
	(In Thousands)
Entergy
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	$—	$3,776	($57)	$3,719
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(26,462)	(25)	(831)	(27,318)


	($26,462)	$3,751	($888)	($23,599)
Entergy Louisiana
Amortization of prior service credit	$—	$1,089	$—	$1,089
Amortization of net gain (loss)	(499)	199	(1)	(301)
	($499)	$1,288	($1)	$788

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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.

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), are eligible to participate in a new Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and are no longer 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 are 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 were reflected in the March 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $356 million to its qualified pension plans in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Entergy had contributed $152.2 million to its pension plans. Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans for their employees in 2021:


	Entergy Arkansas	Entergy Louisiana	Entergy Mississippi	Entergy New Orleans	Entergy Texas	System Energy
	(In Thousands)
Expected 2021 pension contributions	$66,649	$59,882	$13,715	$5,395	$6,955	$18,663
Pension contributions made through March 2021	$21,361	$29,159	$4,799	$2,629	$2,935	$6,675
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2021	$45,288	$30,723	$8,916	$2,766	$4,020	$11,988