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Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
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 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$40,379

 

$33,607

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
60,799

 
73,941

Expected return on assets
(103,565
)
 
(103,884
)
Amortization of net loss
87,259

 
58,418

Settlement charges
—

 
1,137

Net pension costs

$84,872

 

$63,219


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
 Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$5,261

 

$7,284

 

$1,629

 

$569

 

$1,350

 

$1,550

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
 
14,175

 
15,882

 
4,068

 
1,874

 
3,613

 
3,364

Expected return on assets
 
(20,176
)
 
(22,652
)
 
(5,968
)
 
(2,696
)
 
(5,862
)
 
(4,678
)
Amortization of net loss
 
11,840

 
11,643

 
3,104

 
1,529

 
2,334

 
2,850

Net pension cost
 

$11,100

 

$12,157

 

$2,833

 

$1,276

 

$1,435

 

$3,086



Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.5 million and $4 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
(In Thousands)
2020

$83

 

$37

 

$90

 

$8

 

$117

2019

$73

 

$43

 

$75

 

$5

 

$124


Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)
 
 
 
 
Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$5,801

 

$4,675

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)
7,932

 
11,975

Expected return on assets
(10,328
)
 
(9,562
)
Amortization of prior service credit
(5,922
)
 
(8,844
)
Amortization of net loss
468

 
358

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)

($2,049
)
 

($1,398
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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
)

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$591

 

$1,160

 

$262

 

$92

 

$236

 

$243

Interest cost on APBO
 
1,807

 
2,666

 
670

 
395

 
854

 
476

Expected return on assets
 
(3,991
)
 
—

 
(1,199
)
 
(1,237
)
 
(2,276
)
 
(697
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(1,238
)
 
(1,837
)
 
(439
)
 
(171
)
 
(561
)
 
(363
)
Amortization of net (gain) loss
 
144

 
(174
)
 
181

 
58

 
121

 
89

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)
 

($2,687
)
 

$1,815

 

($525
)
 

($863
)
 

($1,626
)
 

($252
)


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 2020 and 2019:
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 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

2019
 
Qualified
Pension
Costs
 
Other
Postretirement
Costs
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Costs
 
Total
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
Entergy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
 

$—

 

$5,375

 

($49
)
 

$5,326

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(18,735
)
 
308

 
(561
)
 
(18,988
)
Settlement loss
 
(1,137
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,137
)
 
 

($19,872
)
 

$5,683

 

($610
)
 

($14,799
)
Entergy Louisiana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 

$—

 

$1,838

 

$—

 

$1,838

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(699
)
 
174

 
(2
)
 
(527
)
 
 

($699
)
 

$2,012

 

($2
)
 

$1,311



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), 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 have been reflected in the March 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.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $216.3 million to its qualified pension plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, Entergy had contributed $59.8 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 2020:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
(In Thousands)
Expected 2020 pension contributions

$32,512

 

$38,766

 

$7,768

 

$3,248

 

$3,549

 

$10,544

Pension contributions made through March 2020

$10,120

 

$8,676

 

$2,560

 

$563

 

$453

 

$3,299

Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2020

$22,392

 

$30,090

 

$5,208

 

$2,685

 

$3,096

 

$7,245
Entergy Arkansas [Member]  
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 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$40,379

 

$33,607

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
60,799

 
73,941

Expected return on assets
(103,565
)
 
(103,884
)
Amortization of net loss
87,259

 
58,418

Settlement charges
—

 
1,137

Net pension costs

$84,872

 

$63,219


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
 Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$5,261

 

$7,284

 

$1,629

 

$569

 

$1,350

 

$1,550

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
 
14,175

 
15,882

 
4,068

 
1,874

 
3,613

 
3,364

Expected return on assets
 
(20,176
)
 
(22,652
)
 
(5,968
)
 
(2,696
)
 
(5,862
)
 
(4,678
)
Amortization of net loss
 
11,840

 
11,643

 
3,104

 
1,529

 
2,334

 
2,850

Net pension cost
 

$11,100

 

$12,157

 

$2,833

 

$1,276

 

$1,435

 

$3,086



Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.5 million and $4 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
(In Thousands)
2020

$83

 

$37

 

$90

 

$8

 

$117

2019

$73

 

$43

 

$75

 

$5

 

$124


Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)
 
 
 
 
Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$5,801

 

$4,675

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)
7,932

 
11,975

Expected return on assets
(10,328
)
 
(9,562
)
Amortization of prior service credit
(5,922
)
 
(8,844
)
Amortization of net loss
468

 
358

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)

($2,049
)
 

($1,398
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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
)

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$591

 

$1,160

 

$262

 

$92

 

$236

 

$243

Interest cost on APBO
 
1,807

 
2,666

 
670

 
395

 
854

 
476

Expected return on assets
 
(3,991
)
 
—

 
(1,199
)
 
(1,237
)
 
(2,276
)
 
(697
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(1,238
)
 
(1,837
)
 
(439
)
 
(171
)
 
(561
)
 
(363
)
Amortization of net (gain) loss
 
144

 
(174
)
 
181

 
58

 
121

 
89

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)
 

($2,687
)
 

$1,815

 

($525
)
 

($863
)
 

($1,626
)
 

($252
)


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 2020 and 2019:
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 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

2019
 
Qualified
Pension
Costs
 
Other
Postretirement
Costs
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Costs
 
Total
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
Entergy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
 

$—

 

$5,375

 

($49
)
 

$5,326

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(18,735
)
 
308

 
(561
)
 
(18,988
)
Settlement loss
 
(1,137
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,137
)
 
 

($19,872
)
 

$5,683

 

($610
)
 

($14,799
)
Entergy Louisiana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 

$—

 

$1,838

 

$—

 

$1,838

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(699
)
 
174

 
(2
)
 
(527
)
 
 

($699
)
 

$2,012

 

($2
)
 

$1,311



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), 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 have been reflected in the March 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.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $216.3 million to its qualified pension plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, Entergy had contributed $59.8 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 2020:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
(In Thousands)
Expected 2020 pension contributions

$32,512

 

$38,766

 

$7,768

 

$3,248

 

$3,549

 

$10,544

Pension contributions made through March 2020

$10,120

 

$8,676

 

$2,560

 

$563

 

$453

 

$3,299

Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2020

$22,392

 

$30,090

 

$5,208

 

$2,685

 

$3,096

 

$7,245
Entergy Louisiana [Member]  
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 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$40,379

 

$33,607

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
60,799

 
73,941

Expected return on assets
(103,565
)
 
(103,884
)
Amortization of net loss
87,259

 
58,418

Settlement charges
—

 
1,137

Net pension costs

$84,872

 

$63,219


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
 Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$5,261

 

$7,284

 

$1,629

 

$569

 

$1,350

 

$1,550

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
 
14,175

 
15,882

 
4,068

 
1,874

 
3,613

 
3,364

Expected return on assets
 
(20,176
)
 
(22,652
)
 
(5,968
)
 
(2,696
)
 
(5,862
)
 
(4,678
)
Amortization of net loss
 
11,840

 
11,643

 
3,104

 
1,529

 
2,334

 
2,850

Net pension cost
 

$11,100

 

$12,157

 

$2,833

 

$1,276

 

$1,435

 

$3,086



Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.5 million and $4 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
(In Thousands)
2020

$83

 

$37

 

$90

 

$8

 

$117

2019

$73

 

$43

 

$75

 

$5

 

$124


Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)
 
 
 
 
Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$5,801

 

$4,675

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)
7,932

 
11,975

Expected return on assets
(10,328
)
 
(9,562
)
Amortization of prior service credit
(5,922
)
 
(8,844
)
Amortization of net loss
468

 
358

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)

($2,049
)
 

($1,398
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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
)

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$591

 

$1,160

 

$262

 

$92

 

$236

 

$243

Interest cost on APBO
 
1,807

 
2,666

 
670

 
395

 
854

 
476

Expected return on assets
 
(3,991
)
 
—

 
(1,199
)
 
(1,237
)
 
(2,276
)
 
(697
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(1,238
)
 
(1,837
)
 
(439
)
 
(171
)
 
(561
)
 
(363
)
Amortization of net (gain) loss
 
144

 
(174
)
 
181

 
58

 
121

 
89

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)
 

($2,687
)
 

$1,815

 

($525
)
 

($863
)
 

($1,626
)
 

($252
)


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 2020 and 2019:
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 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

2019
 
Qualified
Pension
Costs
 
Other
Postretirement
Costs
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Costs
 
Total
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
Entergy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
 

$—

 

$5,375

 

($49
)
 

$5,326

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(18,735
)
 
308

 
(561
)
 
(18,988
)
Settlement loss
 
(1,137
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,137
)
 
 

($19,872
)
 

$5,683

 

($610
)
 

($14,799
)
Entergy Louisiana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 

$—

 

$1,838

 

$—

 

$1,838

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(699
)
 
174

 
(2
)
 
(527
)
 
 

($699
)
 

$2,012

 

($2
)
 

$1,311



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), 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 have been reflected in the March 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.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $216.3 million to its qualified pension plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, Entergy had contributed $59.8 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 2020:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
(In Thousands)
Expected 2020 pension contributions

$32,512

 

$38,766

 

$7,768

 

$3,248

 

$3,549

 

$10,544

Pension contributions made through March 2020

$10,120

 

$8,676

 

$2,560

 

$563

 

$453

 

$3,299

Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2020

$22,392

 

$30,090

 

$5,208

 

$2,685

 

$3,096

 

$7,245
Entergy Mississippi [Member]  
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 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$40,379

 

$33,607

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
60,799

 
73,941

Expected return on assets
(103,565
)
 
(103,884
)
Amortization of net loss
87,259

 
58,418

Settlement charges
—

 
1,137

Net pension costs

$84,872

 

$63,219


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
 Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$5,261

 

$7,284

 

$1,629

 

$569

 

$1,350

 

$1,550

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
 
14,175

 
15,882

 
4,068

 
1,874

 
3,613

 
3,364

Expected return on assets
 
(20,176
)
 
(22,652
)
 
(5,968
)
 
(2,696
)
 
(5,862
)
 
(4,678
)
Amortization of net loss
 
11,840

 
11,643

 
3,104

 
1,529

 
2,334

 
2,850

Net pension cost
 

$11,100

 

$12,157

 

$2,833

 

$1,276

 

$1,435

 

$3,086



Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.5 million and $4 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
(In Thousands)
2020

$83

 

$37

 

$90

 

$8

 

$117

2019

$73

 

$43

 

$75

 

$5

 

$124


Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)
 
 
 
 
Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$5,801

 

$4,675

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)
7,932

 
11,975

Expected return on assets
(10,328
)
 
(9,562
)
Amortization of prior service credit
(5,922
)
 
(8,844
)
Amortization of net loss
468

 
358

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)

($2,049
)
 

($1,398
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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
)

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$591

 

$1,160

 

$262

 

$92

 

$236

 

$243

Interest cost on APBO
 
1,807

 
2,666

 
670

 
395

 
854

 
476

Expected return on assets
 
(3,991
)
 
—

 
(1,199
)
 
(1,237
)
 
(2,276
)
 
(697
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(1,238
)
 
(1,837
)
 
(439
)
 
(171
)
 
(561
)
 
(363
)
Amortization of net (gain) loss
 
144

 
(174
)
 
181

 
58

 
121

 
89

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)
 

($2,687
)
 

$1,815

 

($525
)
 

($863
)
 

($1,626
)
 

($252
)


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 2020 and 2019:
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 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

2019
 
Qualified
Pension
Costs
 
Other
Postretirement
Costs
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Costs
 
Total
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
Entergy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
 

$—

 

$5,375

 

($49
)
 

$5,326

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(18,735
)
 
308

 
(561
)
 
(18,988
)
Settlement loss
 
(1,137
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,137
)
 
 

($19,872
)
 

$5,683

 

($610
)
 

($14,799
)
Entergy Louisiana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 

$—

 

$1,838

 

$—

 

$1,838

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(699
)
 
174

 
(2
)
 
(527
)
 
 

($699
)
 

$2,012

 

($2
)
 

$1,311



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), 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 have been reflected in the March 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.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $216.3 million to its qualified pension plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, Entergy had contributed $59.8 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 2020:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
(In Thousands)
Expected 2020 pension contributions

$32,512

 

$38,766

 

$7,768

 

$3,248

 

$3,549

 

$10,544

Pension contributions made through March 2020

$10,120

 

$8,676

 

$2,560

 

$563

 

$453

 

$3,299

Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2020

$22,392

 

$30,090

 

$5,208

 

$2,685

 

$3,096

 

$7,245
Entergy New Orleans [Member]  
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 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$40,379

 

$33,607

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
60,799

 
73,941

Expected return on assets
(103,565
)
 
(103,884
)
Amortization of net loss
87,259

 
58,418

Settlement charges
—

 
1,137

Net pension costs

$84,872

 

$63,219


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
 Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$5,261

 

$7,284

 

$1,629

 

$569

 

$1,350

 

$1,550

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
 
14,175

 
15,882

 
4,068

 
1,874

 
3,613

 
3,364

Expected return on assets
 
(20,176
)
 
(22,652
)
 
(5,968
)
 
(2,696
)
 
(5,862
)
 
(4,678
)
Amortization of net loss
 
11,840

 
11,643

 
3,104

 
1,529

 
2,334

 
2,850

Net pension cost
 

$11,100

 

$12,157

 

$2,833

 

$1,276

 

$1,435

 

$3,086



Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.5 million and $4 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
(In Thousands)
2020

$83

 

$37

 

$90

 

$8

 

$117

2019

$73

 

$43

 

$75

 

$5

 

$124


Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)
 
 
 
 
Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$5,801

 

$4,675

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)
7,932

 
11,975

Expected return on assets
(10,328
)
 
(9,562
)
Amortization of prior service credit
(5,922
)
 
(8,844
)
Amortization of net loss
468

 
358

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)

($2,049
)
 

($1,398
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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
)

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$591

 

$1,160

 

$262

 

$92

 

$236

 

$243

Interest cost on APBO
 
1,807

 
2,666

 
670

 
395

 
854

 
476

Expected return on assets
 
(3,991
)
 
—

 
(1,199
)
 
(1,237
)
 
(2,276
)
 
(697
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(1,238
)
 
(1,837
)
 
(439
)
 
(171
)
 
(561
)
 
(363
)
Amortization of net (gain) loss
 
144

 
(174
)
 
181

 
58

 
121

 
89

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)
 

($2,687
)
 

$1,815

 

($525
)
 

($863
)
 

($1,626
)
 

($252
)


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 2020 and 2019:
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 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

2019
 
Qualified
Pension
Costs
 
Other
Postretirement
Costs
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Costs
 
Total
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
Entergy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
 

$—

 

$5,375

 

($49
)
 

$5,326

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(18,735
)
 
308

 
(561
)
 
(18,988
)
Settlement loss
 
(1,137
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,137
)
 
 

($19,872
)
 

$5,683

 

($610
)
 

($14,799
)
Entergy Louisiana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 

$—

 

$1,838

 

$—

 

$1,838

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(699
)
 
174

 
(2
)
 
(527
)
 
 

($699
)
 

$2,012

 

($2
)
 

$1,311



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), 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 have been reflected in the March 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.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $216.3 million to its qualified pension plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, Entergy had contributed $59.8 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 2020:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
(In Thousands)
Expected 2020 pension contributions

$32,512

 

$38,766

 

$7,768

 

$3,248

 

$3,549

 

$10,544

Pension contributions made through March 2020

$10,120

 

$8,676

 

$2,560

 

$563

 

$453

 

$3,299

Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2020

$22,392

 

$30,090

 

$5,208

 

$2,685

 

$3,096

 

$7,245
Entergy Texas [Member]  
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 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$40,379

 

$33,607

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
60,799

 
73,941

Expected return on assets
(103,565
)
 
(103,884
)
Amortization of net loss
87,259

 
58,418

Settlement charges
—

 
1,137

Net pension costs

$84,872

 

$63,219


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
 Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$5,261

 

$7,284

 

$1,629

 

$569

 

$1,350

 

$1,550

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
 
14,175

 
15,882

 
4,068

 
1,874

 
3,613

 
3,364

Expected return on assets
 
(20,176
)
 
(22,652
)
 
(5,968
)
 
(2,696
)
 
(5,862
)
 
(4,678
)
Amortization of net loss
 
11,840

 
11,643

 
3,104

 
1,529

 
2,334

 
2,850

Net pension cost
 

$11,100

 

$12,157

 

$2,833

 

$1,276

 

$1,435

 

$3,086



Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.5 million and $4 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
(In Thousands)
2020

$83

 

$37

 

$90

 

$8

 

$117

2019

$73

 

$43

 

$75

 

$5

 

$124


Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)
 
 
 
 
Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$5,801

 

$4,675

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)
7,932

 
11,975

Expected return on assets
(10,328
)
 
(9,562
)
Amortization of prior service credit
(5,922
)
 
(8,844
)
Amortization of net loss
468

 
358

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)

($2,049
)
 

($1,398
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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
)

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$591

 

$1,160

 

$262

 

$92

 

$236

 

$243

Interest cost on APBO
 
1,807

 
2,666

 
670

 
395

 
854

 
476

Expected return on assets
 
(3,991
)
 
—

 
(1,199
)
 
(1,237
)
 
(2,276
)
 
(697
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(1,238
)
 
(1,837
)
 
(439
)
 
(171
)
 
(561
)
 
(363
)
Amortization of net (gain) loss
 
144

 
(174
)
 
181

 
58

 
121

 
89

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)
 

($2,687
)
 

$1,815

 

($525
)
 

($863
)
 

($1,626
)
 

($252
)


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 2020 and 2019:
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 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

2019
 
Qualified
Pension
Costs
 
Other
Postretirement
Costs
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Costs
 
Total
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
Entergy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
 

$—

 

$5,375

 

($49
)
 

$5,326

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(18,735
)
 
308

 
(561
)
 
(18,988
)
Settlement loss
 
(1,137
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,137
)
 
 

($19,872
)
 

$5,683

 

($610
)
 

($14,799
)
Entergy Louisiana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 

$—

 

$1,838

 

$—

 

$1,838

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(699
)
 
174

 
(2
)
 
(527
)
 
 

($699
)
 

$2,012

 

($2
)
 

$1,311



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), 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 have been reflected in the March 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.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $216.3 million to its qualified pension plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, Entergy had contributed $59.8 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 2020:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
(In Thousands)
Expected 2020 pension contributions

$32,512

 

$38,766

 

$7,768

 

$3,248

 

$3,549

 

$10,544

Pension contributions made through March 2020

$10,120

 

$8,676

 

$2,560

 

$563

 

$453

 

$3,299

Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2020

$22,392

 

$30,090

 

$5,208

 

$2,685

 

$3,096

 

$7,245
System Energy [Member]  
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 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$40,379

 

$33,607

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
60,799

 
73,941

Expected return on assets
(103,565
)
 
(103,884
)
Amortization of net loss
87,259

 
58,418

Settlement charges
—

 
1,137

Net pension costs

$84,872

 

$63,219


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
 Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$5,261

 

$7,284

 

$1,629

 

$569

 

$1,350

 

$1,550

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
 
14,175

 
15,882

 
4,068

 
1,874

 
3,613

 
3,364

Expected return on assets
 
(20,176
)
 
(22,652
)
 
(5,968
)
 
(2,696
)
 
(5,862
)
 
(4,678
)
Amortization of net loss
 
11,840

 
11,643

 
3,104

 
1,529

 
2,334

 
2,850

Net pension cost
 

$11,100

 

$12,157

 

$2,833

 

$1,276

 

$1,435

 

$3,086



Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost

Entergy recognized $4.5 million and $4 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
(In Thousands)
2020

$83

 

$37

 

$90

 

$8

 

$117

2019

$73

 

$43

 

$75

 

$5

 

$124


Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Income)
 
 
 
 
Entergy’s other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period

$5,801

 

$4,675

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)
7,932

 
11,975

Expected return on assets
(10,328
)
 
(9,562
)
Amortization of prior service credit
(5,922
)
 
(8,844
)
Amortization of net loss
468

 
358

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)

($2,049
)
 

($1,398
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefit cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their employees for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, included the following components:
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
)

2019
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
 
(In Thousands)
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
 

$591

 

$1,160

 

$262

 

$92

 

$236

 

$243

Interest cost on APBO
 
1,807

 
2,666

 
670

 
395

 
854

 
476

Expected return on assets
 
(3,991
)
 
—

 
(1,199
)
 
(1,237
)
 
(2,276
)
 
(697
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(1,238
)
 
(1,837
)
 
(439
)
 
(171
)
 
(561
)
 
(363
)
Amortization of net (gain) loss
 
144

 
(174
)
 
181

 
58

 
121

 
89

Net other postretirement benefit cost (income)
 

($2,687
)
 

$1,815

 

($525
)
 

($863
)
 

($1,626
)
 

($252
)


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 2020 and 2019:
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 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

2019
 
Qualified
Pension
Costs
 
Other
Postretirement
Costs
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Costs
 
Total
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
Entergy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
 

$—

 

$5,375

 

($49
)
 

$5,326

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(18,735
)
 
308

 
(561
)
 
(18,988
)
Settlement loss
 
(1,137
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,137
)
 
 

($19,872
)
 

$5,683

 

($610
)
 

($14,799
)
Entergy Louisiana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 

$—

 

$1,838

 

$—

 

$1,838

Amortization of net gain (loss)
 
(699
)
 
174

 
(2
)
 
(527
)
 
 

($699
)
 

$2,012

 

($2
)
 

$1,311



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), 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 have been reflected in the March 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.

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $216.3 million to its qualified pension plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, Entergy had contributed $59.8 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 2020:
 
Entergy
Arkansas
 
Entergy
Louisiana
 
Entergy
Mississippi
 
Entergy
New Orleans
 
Entergy
Texas
 
System
Energy
 
(In Thousands)
Expected 2020 pension contributions

$32,512

 

$38,766

 

$7,768

 

$3,248

 

$3,549

 

$10,544

Pension contributions made through March 2020

$10,120

 

$8,676

 

$2,560

 

$563

 

$453

 

$3,299

Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2020

$22,392

 

$30,090

 

$5,208

 

$2,685

 

$3,096

 

$7,245