Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans (Schedule Of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized In The Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$ (62,513)	$ (57,994)
Non-current liabilities	(3,187,357)	(3,638,295)
Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	7,230,542	5,770,999
Service cost	175,046	140,436
Interest cost	302,777	290,076
Special termination benefit	76	732
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(460,986)	1,284,049
Employee contributions	524	560
Benefits Paid	(399,741)	(256,310)
Balance at end of year	6,848,238	7,230,542	$ 5,770,999
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	4,827,966	4,429,237
Actual return on plan assets	(117,130)	255,599
Employer contributions	395,814	398,880
Employee contributions	524	560
Benefits Paid	(399,741)	(256,310)
Fair value of assets at end of year	4,707,433	4,827,966	4,429,237
Funded status	(2,140,805)	(2,402,576)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(2,140,805)	(2,402,576)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	(3,704)
Net loss	2,300,222	2,451,172
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	2,300,222	2,454,876
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	2,784	1,015
Net loss	637,472	671,682
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	640,256	672,697
Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,739,557	1,461,910
Service cost	45,305	43,493	74,654
Interest cost	71,934	71,841	79,453
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	0	0	(12,729)
Plan amendments	(48,192)	(35,864)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(208,017)	274,061
Employee contributions	29,685	22,160
Benefits Paid	(102,618)	(102,439)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,175	4,395
Balance at end of year	1,530,829	1,739,557	1,461,910
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	597,627	569,850
Actual return on plan assets	(8,303)	31,535
Employer contributions	62,678	76,521
Employee contributions	29,685	22,160
Benefits Paid	(102,618)	(102,439)
Fair value of assets at end of year	579,069	597,627	569,850
Funded status	(951,760)	(1,141,930)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(41,326)	(41,821)
Non-current liabilities	(910,434)	(1,100,109)
Total funded status	(951,760)	(1,141,930)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	61,833	54,508
Net loss	191,782	248,918
Amortization of prior credit	(37,280)	(31,590)	(14,904)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	129,949	194,410
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(107,673)	(104,086)
Net loss	171,742	300,518
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	64,069	196,432
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(459,153)	(571,870)
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,485,718	1,192,640
Service cost	26,646	20,090
Interest cost	61,885	59,537
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(87,617)	279,781
Benefits Paid	(86,121)	(66,330)
Balance at end of year	1,400,511	1,485,718	1,192,640
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	977,521	896,295
Actual return on plan assets	(24,201)	52,092
Employer contributions	92,419	95,464
Benefits Paid	(86,121)	(66,330)
Fair value of assets at end of year	959,618	977,521	896,295
Funded status	(440,893)	(508,197)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(440,893)	(508,197)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	684,552	722,119
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	303,716	250,734
Service cost	6,957	5,957	9,619
Interest cost	12,518	12,261	13,545
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments			(4,517)
Plan amendments	(18,035)	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(34,217)	49,573
Employee contributions	6,818	5,195
Benefits Paid	(19,476)	(20,984)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	619	980
Balance at end of year	258,900	303,716	250,734
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	244,191	231,663
Actual return on plan assets	(3,049)	13,066
Employer contributions	14,722	15,251
Employee contributions	6,818	5,195
Benefits Paid	(19,476)	(20,984)
Fair value of assets at end of year	243,206	244,191	231,663
Funded status	(15,694)	(59,525)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(15,694)	(59,525)
Total funded status	(15,694)	(59,525)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	26,149	10,555
Net loss	77,313	94,647
Amortization of prior credit	(2,441)	(2,441)	(689)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	51,164	84,092
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(833,185)	(931,988)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,666,535	1,341,212
Service cost	34,396	25,706
Interest cost	69,465	66,984
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(101,361)	294,646
Benefits Paid	(104,325)	(62,013)
Balance at end of year	1,564,710	1,666,535	1,341,212
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	1,113,359	1,031,187
Actual return on plan assets	(27,175)	59,460
Employer contributions	89,375	84,725
Benefits Paid	(104,325)	(62,013)
Fair value of assets at end of year	1,071,234	1,113,359	1,031,187
Funded status	(493,476)	(553,176)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(493,476)	(553,176)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	687,305	741,474
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	51,733	40,748
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	394,946	339,066
Service cost	9,893	9,414	16,451
Interest cost	16,311	16,642	18,374
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments			(3,394)
Plan amendments	(1,361)	(12,845)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(47,043)	61,049
Employee contributions	6,864	5,071
Benefits Paid	(24,182)	(24,625)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	825	1,174
Balance at end of year	356,253	394,946	339,066
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	17,318	19,554
Employee contributions	6,864	5,071
Benefits Paid	(24,182)	(24,625)
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status	(356,253)	(394,946)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(18,857)	(18,724)
Non-current liabilities	(337,396)	(376,222)
Total funded status	(356,253)	(394,946)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amortization of prior credit	(7,467)	(5,614)	(1,450)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	0	0
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(30,874)	(36,980)
Net loss	70,743	124,904
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	39,869	87,924
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(120,217)	(135,156)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	432,169	345,824
Service cost	7,929	6,094
Interest cost	18,007	17,273
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(25,492)	81,600
Benefits Paid	(24,009)	(18,622)
Balance at end of year	408,604	432,169	345,824
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	301,250	281,837
Actual return on plan assets	(7,401)	16,196
Employer contributions	22,457	21,839
Benefits Paid	(24,009)	(18,622)
Fair value of assets at end of year	292,297	301,250	281,837
Funded status	(116,307)	(130,919)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(116,307)	(130,919)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	190,406	198,972
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	83,162	74,539
Service cost	2,028	1,900	3,246
Interest cost	3,436	3,655	4,289
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments			(596)
Plan amendments	0	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(6,407)	7,939
Employee contributions	1,884	1,396
Benefits Paid	(6,927)	(6,589)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	206	322
Balance at end of year	77,382	83,162	74,539
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	80,935	73,438
Actual return on plan assets	(1,015)	4,185
Employer contributions	661	8,505
Employee contributions	1,884	1,396
Benefits Paid	(6,927)	(6,589)
Fair value of assets at end of year	75,538	80,935	73,438
Funded status	(1,844)	(2,227)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(1,844)	(2,227)
Total funded status	(1,844)	(2,227)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	3,225	4,141
Net loss	18,594	18,680
Amortization of prior credit	(916)	(915)	(204)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	15,369	14,539
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(43,609)	(62,440)
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	202,555	163,707
Service cost	3,395	2,666
Interest cost	8,432	8,164
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(12,289)	35,131
Benefits Paid	(11,029)	(7,113)
Balance at end of year	191,064	202,555	163,707
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	133,344	122,960
Actual return on plan assets	(3,243)	6,988
Employer contributions	10,903	10,509
Benefits Paid	(11,029)	(7,113)
Fair value of assets at end of year	129,975	133,344	122,960
Funded status	(61,089)	(69,211)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(61,089)	(69,211)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	95,941	102,141
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	63,779	57,874
Service cost	818	868	1,752
Interest cost	2,608	2,805	3,135
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments			(354)
Plan amendments	0	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(12,118)	5,097
Employee contributions	1,259	1,044
Benefits Paid	(4,532)	(4,131)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	137	222
Balance at end of year	51,951	63,779	57,874
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	71,004	66,539
Actual return on plan assets	(1,504)	3,263
Employer contributions	3,654	4,289
Employee contributions	1,259	1,044
Benefits Paid	(4,532)	(4,131)
Fair value of assets at end of year	69,881	71,004	66,539
Funded status	17,930	7,225
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	17,930	7,225
Total funded status	17,930	7,225
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	2,917	3,626
Net loss	6,458	12,738
Amortization of prior credit	(709)	(709)	(24)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	3,541	9,112
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Texas [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(77,517)	(111,011)
Entergy Texas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	418,498	356,080
Service cost	6,582	5,142
Interest cost	17,414	17,746
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(36,862)	58,556
Benefits Paid	(22,005)	(19,026)
Balance at end of year	383,627	418,498	356,080
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	310,713	295,751
Actual return on plan assets	(7,487)	16,916
Employer contributions	17,157	17,072
Benefits Paid	(22,005)	(19,026)
Fair value of assets at end of year	298,378	310,713	295,751
Funded status	(85,249)	(107,785)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(85,249)	(107,785)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	159,085	176,522
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy Texas [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	130,145	115,418
Service cost	2,000	2,378	3,760
Interest cost	5,366	5,652	6,076
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments			(1,436)
Plan amendments	0	(8,536)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(17,052)	21,471
Employee contributions	2,092	1,655
Benefits Paid	(8,275)	(8,333)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	306	440
Balance at end of year	114,582	130,145	115,418
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	135,733	131,618
Actual return on plan assets	(1,794)	7,347
Employer contributions	2,618	3,446
Employee contributions	2,092	1,655
Benefits Paid	(8,275)	(8,333)
Fair value of assets at end of year	130,374	135,733	131,618
Funded status	15,792	5,588
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	15,792	5,558
Total funded status	15,792	5,558
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	11,018	13,741
Net loss	38,806	46,453
Amortization of prior credit	(2,723)	(1,300)	(501)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	27,788	32,712
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
System Energy [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(112,264)	(129,152)
System Energy [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	334,312	270,789
Service cost	7,827	5,785
Interest cost	13,970	13,561
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(23,720)	55,410
Benefits Paid	(20,847)	(11,233)
Balance at end of year	311,542	334,312	270,789
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	217,621	196,328
Actual return on plan assets	(5,550)	11,265
Employer contributions	20,782	21,261
Benefits Paid	(20,847)	(11,233)
Fair value of assets at end of year	212,006	217,621	196,328
Funded status	(99,536)	(116,691)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(99,536)	(116,691)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	159,508	172,463
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
System Energy [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	60,754	53,051
Service cost	1,881	2,058	3,580
Interest cost	2,511	2,611	2,945
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments			(760)
Plan amendments	(644)	(3,845)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(3,973)	9,524
Employee contributions	1,530	1,061
Benefits Paid	(4,532)	(3,858)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	118	152
Balance at end of year	57,645	60,754	53,051
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	48,293	48,101
Actual return on plan assets	(634)	2,655
Employer contributions	260	334
Employee contributions	1,530	1,061
Benefits Paid	(4,532)	(3,858)
Fair value of assets at end of year	44,917	48,293	48,101
Funded status	(12,728)	(12,461)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(12,728)	(12,461)
Total funded status	(12,728)	(12,461)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	6,902	7,723
Net loss	19,557	20,450
Amortization of prior credit	(1,465)	(824)	$ (126)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	12,655	12,727
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	$ 0	$ 0