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Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan).  The Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan) was merged with and into Non-Bargaining Plan I effective January 1, 2022. The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire was prior to June 30, 2014 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) participate in a noncontributory final average pay formula that provides pension benefits based on the employee’s credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 and before January 1, 2021 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) do not participate in a final average pay formula, but instead participate in a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in the plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Employees hired after this date instead may be eligible to participate in and receive a discretionary employer contribution under an Entergy sponsored tax-qualified defined contribution plan that includes a 401(k) feature.
The assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trust are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in the trust to the various participating pension plans in the trust.  The fair value of the trust’s assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

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

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.
Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$138,085 $165,278 $161,487 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation235,805 191,107 239,614 
Expected return on assets(402,504)(424,572)(414,273)
Recognized net loss188,683 334,124 350,010 
Settlement charges230,389 205,878 36,946 
Net pension cost$390,458 $471,815 $373,784 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Net (gain)/loss$6,113 ($448,532)$483,653 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:   
Amortization of net loss(188,683)(334,124)(358,473)
Settlement charge(230,389)(205,878)(36,946)
Total($412,959)($988,534)$88,234 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($22,501)($516,719)$462,018 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$25,210 $33,520 $8,043 $2,745 $5,999 $7,746 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Expected return on assets(75,820)(82,478)(20,168)(9,920)(18,317)(18,173)
Recognized net loss43,597 41,711 12,594 4,787 9,013 10,938 
Settlement charges36,409 58,550 15,786 6,676 22,411 9,905 
Net pension cost$74,774 $100,633 $29,234 $9,779 $29,835 $21,702 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net (gain)/loss$28,365 ($15,604)($4,743)$525 $13,363 ($7,063)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(43,597)(41,711)(12,594)(4,787)(9,013)(10,938)
Settlement charge(36,409)(58,550)(15,786)(6,676)(22,411)(9,905)
Total($51,641)($115,865)($33,123)($10,938)($18,061)($27,906)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$23,133 ($15,232)($3,889)($1,159)$11,774 ($6,204)
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$28,632 $38,271 $9,070 $3,038 $6,921 $8,851 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Expected return on assets(78,368)(89,821)(22,407)(10,598)(21,158)(19,254)
Recognized net loss69,290 67,015 20,007 7,596 12,676 18,404 
Settlement charges37,682 61,945 16,710 5,431 11,797 12,260 
Net pension cost$92,919 $117,150 $33,826 $9,859 $18,617 $29,348 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net gain($96,066)($89,534)($29,675)($16,159)($18,217)($27,617)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,290)(67,015)(20,007)(7,596)(12,676)(18,404)
Settlement charge(37,682)(61,945)(16,710)(5,431)(11,797)(12,260)
Total($203,038)($218,494)($66,392)($29,186)($42,690)($58,281)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($110,119)($101,344)($32,566)($19,327)($24,073)($28,933)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$26,329 $35,158 $8,060 $2,654 $6,116 $7,883 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation44,165 50,432 12,922 5,825 10,731 11,006 
Expected return on assets(78,187)(89,691)(23,147)(10,509)(21,951)(18,757)
Recognized net loss68,338 66,640 18,983 8,018 13,173 17,104 
Settlement charges21,078 8,109 3,366 — 4,289 105 
Net pension cost$81,723 $70,648 $20,184 $5,988 $12,358 $17,341 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net loss$106,178 $90,064 $36,899 $8,148 $13,379 $35,403 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,713)(68,248)(19,393)(8,213)(13,564)(17,434)
Settlement charge(21,078)(8,109)(3,366)— (4,289)(105)
Total$15,387 $13,707 $14,140 ($65)($4,474)$17,864 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$97,110 $84,355 $34,324 $5,923 $7,884 $35,205 
Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)  
Balance at January 1$8,409,620 $9,143,652 
Service cost138,085 165,278 
Interest cost235,805 191,107 
Actuarial gain(1,660,463)(158,276)
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Balance at December 31$6,166,106 $8,409,620 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$6,993,110 $6,854,426 
Actual return on plan assets(1,264,071)714,827 
Employer contributions470,000 355,998 
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Fair value of assets at December 31$5,242,098 $6,993,110 
Funded status($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)  
Non-current liabilities($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset  
Net loss$1,842,348 $2,214,390 
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Net loss$408,839 $449,756 
Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)      
Balance at January 1$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Service cost25,210 33,520 8,043 2,745 5,999 7,746 
Interest cost45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Actuarial gain(280,691)(357,572)(88,303)(40,462)(65,795)(81,504)
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Balance at December 31$1,168,098 $1,256,422 $320,994 $140,436 $265,565 $288,302 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Actual return on plan assets(233,236)(259,490)(63,392)(31,067)(60,841)(56,267)
Employer contributions92,971 53,658 33,287 1,129 2,513 28,619 
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Fair value of assets at December 31$961,178 $1,035,574 $265,736 $119,710 $226,417 $240,392 
Funded status($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)      
Non-current liabilities($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset      
Net loss$561,323 $445,116 $140,389 $51,868 $95,729 $125,876 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss$— $18,546 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($48) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($16.2) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($48.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23.5) million at System Energy.
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
      
Balance at January 1
$1,739,382 $1,927,271 $510,109 $220,287 $410,664 $441,148 
Service cost
28,632 38,271 9,070 3,038 6,921 8,851 
Interest cost
35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Actuarial gain(41,227)(28,439)(14,831)(9,118)(3,971)(14,746)
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Balance at December 31
$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,285,856 $1,476,306 $371,394 $172,551 $349,748 $310,818 
Actual return on plan assets
133,207 150,917 37,251 17,639 35,405 32,125 
Employer contributions
66,649 59,882 13,715 5,395 6,955 18,663 
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Funded status
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
      
Non-current liabilities
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
      
Net loss
$612,963 $556,345 $173,511 $62,805 $113,790 $153,782 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss
$— $23,181 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($104.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($166.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($45.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($14.3) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($31.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($33) million at System Energy.

The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial gains during 2021 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations and an actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.7 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 December 31,
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas$1,008,152 $1,463,966 
Entergy Louisiana$1,146,561 $1,574,273 
Entergy Mississippi$292,596 $407,851 
Entergy New Orleans$128,499 $178,010 
Entergy Texas$245,428 $342,441 
System Energy$269,583 $366,920 

Other Postretirement Benefits

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

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), are eligible to participate in an 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 Entergy-sponsored 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 are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

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

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

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

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$24,734 $26,578 $24,500 
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)27,306 21,278 28,597 
Expected return on assets(43,420)(43,220)(40,880)
Amortization of prior service credit(25,550)(33,069)(32,882)
Recognized net loss4,333 2,853 3,481 
Net other postretirement benefit income($12,597)($25,580)($17,184)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Prior service credit for the period($858)($3,168)($128,837)
Net (gain)/loss(131,524)6,210 41,031 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:   
Amortization of prior service credit25,550 33,069 32,882 
Amortization of net loss(4,333)(2,853)(3,481)
Total($111,165)$33,258 ($58,405)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($123,762)$7,678 ($75,589)
Total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 
Other postretirement costs:     
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$4,457 $5,633 $1,354 $397 $1,322 $1,239 
Interest cost on APBO5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Expected return on assets(17,930)— (5,575)(5,997)(10,273)(3,162)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)1,885 (4,630)(1,772)(916)(4,371)(319)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss873 (744)222 (898)648 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost($5,665)$6,029 ($4,370)($6,720)($11,078)($1,005)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$273 $323 ($1,300)$— $— $141 
Net (gain)/loss12,894 (65,501)6,629 17,334 22,323 1,208 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:     
Amortization of prior service credit/(cost)(1,885)4,630 1,772 916 4,371 319 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(873)744 (222)898 (648)(121)
Total$10,409 ($59,804)$6,879 $19,148 $26,046 $1,547 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$4,744 ($53,775)$2,509 $12,428 $14,968 $542 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$4,135 $6,174 $1,448 $437 $1,384 $1,340 
Interest cost on APBO
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Expected return on assets
(18,020)— (5,536)(5,750)(10,192)(3,156)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,121)(4,920)(1,775)(916)(3,742)(436)
Recognized net (gain)/loss196 (364)76 (712)398 61 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($11,084)$5,410 ($4,677)($6,420)($10,883)($1,313)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period($85)$357 $— $— ($3,776)$69 
Net (gain)/loss9,956 (2,367)(2,823)(3,330)939 210 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,121 4,920 1,775 916 3,742 436 
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss(196)364 (76)712 (398)(61)
Total
$10,796 $3,274 ($1,124)($1,702)$507 $654 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($288)$8,684 ($5,801)($8,122)($10,376)($659)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$3,626 $5,993 $1,468 $445 $1,219 $1,254 
Interest cost on APBO
4,712 6,216 1,536 784 2,008 1,130 
Expected return on assets
(17,104)— (5,167)(5,382)(9,643)(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,849)(6,179)(1,652)(763)(3,364)(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/loss540 (447)171 (13)907 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($10,075)$5,583 ($3,644)($4,929)($8,873)($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$12,320 ($23,508)($4,428)($5,493)($22,441)($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss2,245 8,744 (4,456)(5,351)(3,266)58 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,849 6,179 1,652 763 3,364 1,065 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(540)447 (171)13 (907)(121)
Total
$15,874 ($8,138)($7,403)($10,068)($23,250)($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$5,799 ($2,555)($11,047)($14,997)($32,123)($2,479)
Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO  
Balance at January 1$1,189,682 $1,181,075 
Service cost24,734 26,578 
Interest cost27,306 21,278 
Plan amendments(858)(3,168)
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Actuarial (gain)/loss(297,128)20,955 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Medicare Part D subsidy received264 249 
Balance at December 31$865,854 $1,189,682 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$771,319 $737,866 
Actual return on plan assets(122,184)57,965 
Employer contributions52,835 32,773 
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Fair value of assets at December 31$623,824 $771,319 
Funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet  
Current liabilities($42,484)($42,000)
Non-current liabilities(199,546)(376,363)
Total funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset  
Prior service credit($29,323)($37,693)
Net (gain)/loss16,956 (7,981)
 ($12,367)($45,674)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Prior service credit($45,167)($61,488)
Net (gain)/loss(133,656)27,138 
 ($178,823)($34,350)
Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO      
Balance at January 1$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Service cost4,457 5,633 1,354 397 1,322 1,239 
Interest cost5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Plan amendments273 323 (1,300)— — 141 
Plan participant contributions5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Actuarial gain(54,923)(65,501)(14,465)(6,867)(16,291)(10,679)
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Medicare Part D subsidy received42 57 16 17 
Balance at December 31$164,018 $183,126 $44,365 $23,971 $53,482 $35,274 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Actual return on plan assets(49,887)— (15,519)(18,204)(28,341)(8,725)
Employer contributions1,573 16,187 759 333 (23)944 
Plan participant contributions 5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Fair value of assets at December 31$255,117 $— $79,496 $91,140 $148,799 $42,434 
Funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet      
Current liabilities$— ($15,356)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities91,099 (167,770)35,131 67,169 95,317 7,160 
Total funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset      
Prior service cost/(credit)$7,079 $— ($3,637)($2,898)($16,161)($789)
Net loss5,224 — 2,153 2,229 24,246 4,054 
 $12,303 $— ($1,484)($669)$8,085 $3,265 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)      
Prior service credit$— ($12,015)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain— (82,308)— — — — 
 $— ($94,323)$— $— $— $— 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO
      
Balance at January 1
$209,369 $255,571 $61,990 $31,707 $74,233 $47,701 
Service cost
4,135 6,174 1,448 437 1,384 1,340 
Interest cost
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Plan amendments
(85)357 — — (3,776)69 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Actuarial (gain)/loss14,323 (2,367)(1,335)988 4,270 1,289 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Medicare Part D subsidy received
32 50 13 14 
Balance at December 31
$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1
$304,192 $— $93,475 $102,734 $174,096 $52,619 
Actual return on plan assets
22,387 — 7,024 10,068 13,523 4,235 
Employer contributions
(767)11,274 (393)126 98 1,212 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
      
Current liabilities
$— ($15,839)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities
94,312 (237,192)36,887 79,271 110,324 6,775 
Total funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
      
Prior service cost/(credit)$8,691 $— ($4,109)($3,814)($20,532)($1,249)
Net (gain)/loss(6,797)— (4,254)(16,003)2,571 2,967 
 
$1,894 $— ($8,363)($19,817)($17,961)$1,718 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
      
Prior service credit
$— ($16,967)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain
— (17,551)— — — — 
 
$— ($34,518)$— $— $— $— 

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022. The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and updated census data. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual
return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021 and a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $30.9 million in 2022, $28.6 million in 2021, and $18.1 million in 2020.  In 2022 and 2021, Entergy recognized $12.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation was $152.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62.4 million was a current liability and $90 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $181.6 million as of December 31, 2021 of which $26.3 million was a current liability and $155.3 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $140 million and $165.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($56.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74.9 million at December 31, 2021) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($8.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $17 million at December 31, 2021).

A Rabbi Trust has been established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. The Rabbi Trust assets are invested in money-market funds which are recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. All of the investments are classified as Level 1 investments for purposes of Fair Value Measurements. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the assets held in the Rabbi Trust was $35 million.

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2022, 2021, and 2020, was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$282 $102 $321 $114 $1,320 
2021$343 $307 $365 $30 $615 
2020$333 $148 $359 $31 $469 

Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.
The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,433 $1,197 $3,830 $1,024 $3,850 
2021$2,875 $1,469 $3,708 $1,069 $7,462 

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,192 $1,197 $3,594 $719 $3,776 
2021$2,482 $1,445 $3,377 $738 $7,355 

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($234)($184)($214)($32)($448)
Non-current liabilities(2,199)(1,013)(3,616)(992)(3,402)
Total funded status($2,433)($1,197)($3,830)($1,024)($3,850)
Regulatory asset/(liability)$512 $119 $1,291 $111 ($2,615)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $5 $— $— $— 

2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($248)($186)($190)($31)($3,080)
Non-current liabilities(2,627)(1,283)(3,518)(1,039)(4,382)
Total funded status($2,875)($1,469)($3,708)($1,070)($7,462)
Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,059 $233 $1,368 $251 ($706)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $10 $— $— $— 

The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions. The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2022:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $16,052 ($715)$15,337 
Amortization of loss(30,147)(2,381)(1,331)(33,859)
Settlement loss(23,636)— (1,685)(25,321)
($53,783)$13,671 ($3,731)($43,843)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,630 $— $4,630 
Amortization of loss(1,669)744 (2)(927)
Settlement loss(2,342)— — (2,342)
($4,011)$5,374 ($2)$1,361 

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2021:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $21,151 ($204)$20,947 
Amortization of loss(84,661)(1,983)(2,194)(88,838)
Settlement loss(12,001)— (4,378)(16,379)
($96,662)$19,168 ($6,776)($84,270)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,920 $— $4,920 
Amortization of loss(2,681)364 (5)(2,322)
Settlement loss(2,478)— (6)(2,484)
($5,159)$5,284 ($11)$114 

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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

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

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

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

Year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining I, Bargaining I, Non-Bargaining II, and Bargaining II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2022 service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plans’ pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining I and Bargaining I and incurred settlement costs. Similar to other pension costs, the settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In September 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during 2019, the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense. The reserve amount was included in the base rate case that was filed with the PUCT in July 2022. At December 31, 2022, the balance in this reserve was approximately $30.6 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

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

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.
The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

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

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2022 are as follows:
Pension Asset AllocationTargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities43%35%to51%42%40%
International Equity Securities22%17%to27%22%20%
Fixed Income Securities35%29%to41%33%40%
Other—%—%to10%3%—%

Postretirement Asset AllocationNon-Taxable and Taxable
 TargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities25%20%to30%25%28%
International Equity Securities17%12%to22%18%17%
Fixed Income Securities58%53%to63%57%55%
Other—%—%to5%—%—%

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

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

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

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area, and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2022, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were
no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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

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

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.
Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$12,178 (b)$— $— $12,178 
Common807,437 (b)— — 807,437 
Common collective trusts (c) 2,516,688 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 673,348 (a)— 673,348 
Corporate debt instruments—  525,184 (a)— 525,184 
Registered investment companies (e)221,582 (d)2,595 (d)— 750,454 
Other— 15,395 (f)— 15,395 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,911 (g)— 5,911 
Total investments$1,041,197  $1,222,433  $— $5,306,595 
Cash     10,601 
Other pending transactions     (13,813)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (61,285)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $5,242,098 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$16,231 (b)$— $— $16,231 
Common1,001,169 (b)— — 1,001,169 
Common collective trusts (c) 3,123,111 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 627,148 (a)— 627,148 
Corporate debt instruments—  966,616 (a)— 966,616 
Registered investment companies (e)92,347 (d)3,004 (d)— 1,129,070 
Other— 68,886 (f)— 68,886 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,961 (g)— 5,961 
Total investments$1,109,747  $1,671,615  $— $6,938,192 
Cash     123,153 
Other pending transactions     11,125 
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (79,360)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $6,993,110 
Other Postretirement Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $241,676 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$69,503 (b)$78,436 (a)$— 147,939 
Corporate debt instruments—  113,273 (a)— 113,273 
Registered investment companies3,016 (d)—  — 3,016 
Other—  56,149 (f)— 56,149 
Total investments$72,519  $247,858  $— $562,053 
Other pending transactions     486 
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     61,285 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $623,824 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $312,594 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$62,240 (b)$89,951 (a)$— 152,191 
Corporate debt instruments—  152,562 (a)— 152,562 
Registered investment companies28,450 (d)—  — 28,450 
Other—  72,059 (f)— 72,059 
Total investments$90,690  $314,572  $— $717,856 
Other pending transactions     (25,897)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     79,360 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $771,319 

(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(b)Common stocks, preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.
(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The money market mutual funds held by the trusts are deemed to be actively traded.
(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2022, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:
 Estimated Future Benefits Payments 
 Qualified PensionNon-Qualified PensionOther Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)    
2023$494,875 $62,361 $71,267 $24 
2024$485,226 $13,295 $69,494 $12 
2025$484,201 $13,020 $67,502 $— 
2026$483,660 $10,151 $65,585 $— 
2027$478,854 $15,889 $64,003 $— 
2028 - 2032$2,349,591 $43,609 $302,752 ($1)

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:
Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$98,261 $105,305 $28,225 $11,840 $25,729 $24,074 
2024$95,703 $103,873 $28,264 $11,755 $24,583 $23,426 
2025$94,960 $103,698 $27,801 $11,411 $23,773 $22,788 
2026$93,958 $102,623 $27,925 $11,549 $24,074 $22,501 
2027$93,116 $100,787 $27,421 $11,177 $22,393 $23,352 
2028 - 2032$454,624 $486,551 $128,050 $52,741 $102,864 $112,550 
Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)     
2023$234 $184 $214 $32 $448 
2024$357 $170 $644 $112 $426 
2025$735 $156 $653 $150 $403 
2026$150 $142 $539 $145 $430 
2027$138 $129 $878 $233 $380 
2028 - 2032$968 $461 $1,605 $690 $1,566 

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$13,725 $15,361 $3,434 $2,353 $4,931 $2,814 
2024$13,330 $14,837 $3,310 $2,255 $4,723 $2,693 
2025$12,788 $14,519 $3,326 $2,164 $4,581 $2,605 
2026$12,398 $14,108 $3,305 $2,041 $4,340 $2,439 
2027$12,042 $13,720 $3,290 $1,933 $4,232 $2,366 
2028 - 2032$58,491 $64,023 $16,332 $8,375 $19,315 $11,998 

Estimated Future Medicare Part D SubsidyEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$1 $5 $12 $— $— $1 
2024$— $5 $1 $1 $— $— 
2025$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2026$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2027$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2028 - 2032$— $— ($1)($1)$1 $1 

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $42.5 million to other postretirement plans in 2023.  The expected 2023 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023.
The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2023:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Pension Contributions$54,464 $44,561 $21,109 $1,418 $5,317 $15,542 
Other Postretirement Contributions$526 $15,361 $136 $193 $86 $26 

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
 20222021
Weighted-average discount rate:  
Qualified pension
5.21% - 5.27% Blended 5.24%
2.99% - 3.08% Blended 3.05%
Other postretirement5.20%2.94%
Non-qualified pension4.98%2.11%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate4.00%2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-656.65%5.65%
Post-657.50%5.90%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-6520322032
    Post-6520322032
The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:
 202220212020
Weighted-average discount rate:   
Qualified pension:
    Service cost3.07%2.81%3.42%
    Interest cost2.49%2.08%2.99%
Other postretirement:
    Service cost3.20%2.98%3.27%
    Interest cost2.31%1.86%2.41%
Non-qualified pension:
    Service cost4.94%1.48%2.71%
    Interest cost5.03%2.14%2.25%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:   
Pension assets6.75%6.75%7.00%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets
5.75% - 6.75%
6.00% - 6.75%
6.25% - 7.25%
Other postretirement taxable assets4.75%5.00%5.25%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-655.65%5.87%6.13%
Post-655.90%6.31%6.25%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-65203220302027
    Post-65203220282027
    
With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 other postretirement benefit APBO.

Defined Contribution Plans

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

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

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

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $62.1 million in 2022, $62.3 million in 2021, and $63.1 million in 2020.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2022, 2021, and 2020 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:
 
 
Year
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$5,124 $7,138 $3,194 $1,223 $2,938 
2021$4,820 $6,678 $3,045 $1,140 $2,699 
2020$4,515 $6,518 $2,863 $1,115 $2,596 
Entergy Arkansas [Member]  
Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan).  The Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan) was merged with and into Non-Bargaining Plan I effective January 1, 2022. The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire was prior to June 30, 2014 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) participate in a noncontributory final average pay formula that provides pension benefits based on the employee’s credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 and before January 1, 2021 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) do not participate in a final average pay formula, but instead participate in a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in the plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Employees hired after this date instead may be eligible to participate in and receive a discretionary employer contribution under an Entergy sponsored tax-qualified defined contribution plan that includes a 401(k) feature.
The assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trust are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in the trust to the various participating pension plans in the trust.  The fair value of the trust’s assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

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

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.
Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$138,085 $165,278 $161,487 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation235,805 191,107 239,614 
Expected return on assets(402,504)(424,572)(414,273)
Recognized net loss188,683 334,124 350,010 
Settlement charges230,389 205,878 36,946 
Net pension cost$390,458 $471,815 $373,784 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Net (gain)/loss$6,113 ($448,532)$483,653 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:   
Amortization of net loss(188,683)(334,124)(358,473)
Settlement charge(230,389)(205,878)(36,946)
Total($412,959)($988,534)$88,234 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($22,501)($516,719)$462,018 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$25,210 $33,520 $8,043 $2,745 $5,999 $7,746 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Expected return on assets(75,820)(82,478)(20,168)(9,920)(18,317)(18,173)
Recognized net loss43,597 41,711 12,594 4,787 9,013 10,938 
Settlement charges36,409 58,550 15,786 6,676 22,411 9,905 
Net pension cost$74,774 $100,633 $29,234 $9,779 $29,835 $21,702 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net (gain)/loss$28,365 ($15,604)($4,743)$525 $13,363 ($7,063)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(43,597)(41,711)(12,594)(4,787)(9,013)(10,938)
Settlement charge(36,409)(58,550)(15,786)(6,676)(22,411)(9,905)
Total($51,641)($115,865)($33,123)($10,938)($18,061)($27,906)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$23,133 ($15,232)($3,889)($1,159)$11,774 ($6,204)
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$28,632 $38,271 $9,070 $3,038 $6,921 $8,851 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Expected return on assets(78,368)(89,821)(22,407)(10,598)(21,158)(19,254)
Recognized net loss69,290 67,015 20,007 7,596 12,676 18,404 
Settlement charges37,682 61,945 16,710 5,431 11,797 12,260 
Net pension cost$92,919 $117,150 $33,826 $9,859 $18,617 $29,348 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net gain($96,066)($89,534)($29,675)($16,159)($18,217)($27,617)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,290)(67,015)(20,007)(7,596)(12,676)(18,404)
Settlement charge(37,682)(61,945)(16,710)(5,431)(11,797)(12,260)
Total($203,038)($218,494)($66,392)($29,186)($42,690)($58,281)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($110,119)($101,344)($32,566)($19,327)($24,073)($28,933)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$26,329 $35,158 $8,060 $2,654 $6,116 $7,883 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation44,165 50,432 12,922 5,825 10,731 11,006 
Expected return on assets(78,187)(89,691)(23,147)(10,509)(21,951)(18,757)
Recognized net loss68,338 66,640 18,983 8,018 13,173 17,104 
Settlement charges21,078 8,109 3,366 — 4,289 105 
Net pension cost$81,723 $70,648 $20,184 $5,988 $12,358 $17,341 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net loss$106,178 $90,064 $36,899 $8,148 $13,379 $35,403 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,713)(68,248)(19,393)(8,213)(13,564)(17,434)
Settlement charge(21,078)(8,109)(3,366)— (4,289)(105)
Total$15,387 $13,707 $14,140 ($65)($4,474)$17,864 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$97,110 $84,355 $34,324 $5,923 $7,884 $35,205 
Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)  
Balance at January 1$8,409,620 $9,143,652 
Service cost138,085 165,278 
Interest cost235,805 191,107 
Actuarial gain(1,660,463)(158,276)
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Balance at December 31$6,166,106 $8,409,620 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$6,993,110 $6,854,426 
Actual return on plan assets(1,264,071)714,827 
Employer contributions470,000 355,998 
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Fair value of assets at December 31$5,242,098 $6,993,110 
Funded status($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)  
Non-current liabilities($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset  
Net loss$1,842,348 $2,214,390 
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Net loss$408,839 $449,756 
Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)      
Balance at January 1$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Service cost25,210 33,520 8,043 2,745 5,999 7,746 
Interest cost45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Actuarial gain(280,691)(357,572)(88,303)(40,462)(65,795)(81,504)
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Balance at December 31$1,168,098 $1,256,422 $320,994 $140,436 $265,565 $288,302 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Actual return on plan assets(233,236)(259,490)(63,392)(31,067)(60,841)(56,267)
Employer contributions92,971 53,658 33,287 1,129 2,513 28,619 
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Fair value of assets at December 31$961,178 $1,035,574 $265,736 $119,710 $226,417 $240,392 
Funded status($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)      
Non-current liabilities($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset      
Net loss$561,323 $445,116 $140,389 $51,868 $95,729 $125,876 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss$— $18,546 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($48) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($16.2) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($48.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23.5) million at System Energy.
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
      
Balance at January 1
$1,739,382 $1,927,271 $510,109 $220,287 $410,664 $441,148 
Service cost
28,632 38,271 9,070 3,038 6,921 8,851 
Interest cost
35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Actuarial gain(41,227)(28,439)(14,831)(9,118)(3,971)(14,746)
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Balance at December 31
$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,285,856 $1,476,306 $371,394 $172,551 $349,748 $310,818 
Actual return on plan assets
133,207 150,917 37,251 17,639 35,405 32,125 
Employer contributions
66,649 59,882 13,715 5,395 6,955 18,663 
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Funded status
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
      
Non-current liabilities
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
      
Net loss
$612,963 $556,345 $173,511 $62,805 $113,790 $153,782 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss
$— $23,181 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($104.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($166.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($45.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($14.3) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($31.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($33) million at System Energy.

The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial gains during 2021 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations and an actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.7 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 December 31,
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas$1,008,152 $1,463,966 
Entergy Louisiana$1,146,561 $1,574,273 
Entergy Mississippi$292,596 $407,851 
Entergy New Orleans$128,499 $178,010 
Entergy Texas$245,428 $342,441 
System Energy$269,583 $366,920 

Other Postretirement Benefits

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

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), are eligible to participate in an 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 Entergy-sponsored 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 are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

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

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

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

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$24,734 $26,578 $24,500 
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)27,306 21,278 28,597 
Expected return on assets(43,420)(43,220)(40,880)
Amortization of prior service credit(25,550)(33,069)(32,882)
Recognized net loss4,333 2,853 3,481 
Net other postretirement benefit income($12,597)($25,580)($17,184)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Prior service credit for the period($858)($3,168)($128,837)
Net (gain)/loss(131,524)6,210 41,031 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:   
Amortization of prior service credit25,550 33,069 32,882 
Amortization of net loss(4,333)(2,853)(3,481)
Total($111,165)$33,258 ($58,405)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($123,762)$7,678 ($75,589)
Total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 
Other postretirement costs:     
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$4,457 $5,633 $1,354 $397 $1,322 $1,239 
Interest cost on APBO5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Expected return on assets(17,930)— (5,575)(5,997)(10,273)(3,162)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)1,885 (4,630)(1,772)(916)(4,371)(319)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss873 (744)222 (898)648 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost($5,665)$6,029 ($4,370)($6,720)($11,078)($1,005)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$273 $323 ($1,300)$— $— $141 
Net (gain)/loss12,894 (65,501)6,629 17,334 22,323 1,208 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:     
Amortization of prior service credit/(cost)(1,885)4,630 1,772 916 4,371 319 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(873)744 (222)898 (648)(121)
Total$10,409 ($59,804)$6,879 $19,148 $26,046 $1,547 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$4,744 ($53,775)$2,509 $12,428 $14,968 $542 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$4,135 $6,174 $1,448 $437 $1,384 $1,340 
Interest cost on APBO
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Expected return on assets
(18,020)— (5,536)(5,750)(10,192)(3,156)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,121)(4,920)(1,775)(916)(3,742)(436)
Recognized net (gain)/loss196 (364)76 (712)398 61 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($11,084)$5,410 ($4,677)($6,420)($10,883)($1,313)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period($85)$357 $— $— ($3,776)$69 
Net (gain)/loss9,956 (2,367)(2,823)(3,330)939 210 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,121 4,920 1,775 916 3,742 436 
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss(196)364 (76)712 (398)(61)
Total
$10,796 $3,274 ($1,124)($1,702)$507 $654 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($288)$8,684 ($5,801)($8,122)($10,376)($659)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$3,626 $5,993 $1,468 $445 $1,219 $1,254 
Interest cost on APBO
4,712 6,216 1,536 784 2,008 1,130 
Expected return on assets
(17,104)— (5,167)(5,382)(9,643)(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,849)(6,179)(1,652)(763)(3,364)(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/loss540 (447)171 (13)907 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($10,075)$5,583 ($3,644)($4,929)($8,873)($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$12,320 ($23,508)($4,428)($5,493)($22,441)($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss2,245 8,744 (4,456)(5,351)(3,266)58 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,849 6,179 1,652 763 3,364 1,065 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(540)447 (171)13 (907)(121)
Total
$15,874 ($8,138)($7,403)($10,068)($23,250)($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$5,799 ($2,555)($11,047)($14,997)($32,123)($2,479)
Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO  
Balance at January 1$1,189,682 $1,181,075 
Service cost24,734 26,578 
Interest cost27,306 21,278 
Plan amendments(858)(3,168)
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Actuarial (gain)/loss(297,128)20,955 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Medicare Part D subsidy received264 249 
Balance at December 31$865,854 $1,189,682 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$771,319 $737,866 
Actual return on plan assets(122,184)57,965 
Employer contributions52,835 32,773 
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Fair value of assets at December 31$623,824 $771,319 
Funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet  
Current liabilities($42,484)($42,000)
Non-current liabilities(199,546)(376,363)
Total funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset  
Prior service credit($29,323)($37,693)
Net (gain)/loss16,956 (7,981)
 ($12,367)($45,674)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Prior service credit($45,167)($61,488)
Net (gain)/loss(133,656)27,138 
 ($178,823)($34,350)
Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO      
Balance at January 1$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Service cost4,457 5,633 1,354 397 1,322 1,239 
Interest cost5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Plan amendments273 323 (1,300)— — 141 
Plan participant contributions5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Actuarial gain(54,923)(65,501)(14,465)(6,867)(16,291)(10,679)
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Medicare Part D subsidy received42 57 16 17 
Balance at December 31$164,018 $183,126 $44,365 $23,971 $53,482 $35,274 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Actual return on plan assets(49,887)— (15,519)(18,204)(28,341)(8,725)
Employer contributions1,573 16,187 759 333 (23)944 
Plan participant contributions 5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Fair value of assets at December 31$255,117 $— $79,496 $91,140 $148,799 $42,434 
Funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet      
Current liabilities$— ($15,356)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities91,099 (167,770)35,131 67,169 95,317 7,160 
Total funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset      
Prior service cost/(credit)$7,079 $— ($3,637)($2,898)($16,161)($789)
Net loss5,224 — 2,153 2,229 24,246 4,054 
 $12,303 $— ($1,484)($669)$8,085 $3,265 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)      
Prior service credit$— ($12,015)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain— (82,308)— — — — 
 $— ($94,323)$— $— $— $— 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO
      
Balance at January 1
$209,369 $255,571 $61,990 $31,707 $74,233 $47,701 
Service cost
4,135 6,174 1,448 437 1,384 1,340 
Interest cost
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Plan amendments
(85)357 — — (3,776)69 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Actuarial (gain)/loss14,323 (2,367)(1,335)988 4,270 1,289 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Medicare Part D subsidy received
32 50 13 14 
Balance at December 31
$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1
$304,192 $— $93,475 $102,734 $174,096 $52,619 
Actual return on plan assets
22,387 — 7,024 10,068 13,523 4,235 
Employer contributions
(767)11,274 (393)126 98 1,212 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
      
Current liabilities
$— ($15,839)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities
94,312 (237,192)36,887 79,271 110,324 6,775 
Total funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
      
Prior service cost/(credit)$8,691 $— ($4,109)($3,814)($20,532)($1,249)
Net (gain)/loss(6,797)— (4,254)(16,003)2,571 2,967 
 
$1,894 $— ($8,363)($19,817)($17,961)$1,718 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
      
Prior service credit
$— ($16,967)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain
— (17,551)— — — — 
 
$— ($34,518)$— $— $— $— 

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022. The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and updated census data. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual
return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021 and a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $30.9 million in 2022, $28.6 million in 2021, and $18.1 million in 2020.  In 2022 and 2021, Entergy recognized $12.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation was $152.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62.4 million was a current liability and $90 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $181.6 million as of December 31, 2021 of which $26.3 million was a current liability and $155.3 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $140 million and $165.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($56.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74.9 million at December 31, 2021) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($8.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $17 million at December 31, 2021).

A Rabbi Trust has been established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. The Rabbi Trust assets are invested in money-market funds which are recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. All of the investments are classified as Level 1 investments for purposes of Fair Value Measurements. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the assets held in the Rabbi Trust was $35 million.

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2022, 2021, and 2020, was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$282 $102 $321 $114 $1,320 
2021$343 $307 $365 $30 $615 
2020$333 $148 $359 $31 $469 

Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.
The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,433 $1,197 $3,830 $1,024 $3,850 
2021$2,875 $1,469 $3,708 $1,069 $7,462 

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,192 $1,197 $3,594 $719 $3,776 
2021$2,482 $1,445 $3,377 $738 $7,355 

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($234)($184)($214)($32)($448)
Non-current liabilities(2,199)(1,013)(3,616)(992)(3,402)
Total funded status($2,433)($1,197)($3,830)($1,024)($3,850)
Regulatory asset/(liability)$512 $119 $1,291 $111 ($2,615)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $5 $— $— $— 

2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($248)($186)($190)($31)($3,080)
Non-current liabilities(2,627)(1,283)(3,518)(1,039)(4,382)
Total funded status($2,875)($1,469)($3,708)($1,070)($7,462)
Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,059 $233 $1,368 $251 ($706)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $10 $— $— $— 

The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions. The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2022:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $16,052 ($715)$15,337 
Amortization of loss(30,147)(2,381)(1,331)(33,859)
Settlement loss(23,636)— (1,685)(25,321)
($53,783)$13,671 ($3,731)($43,843)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,630 $— $4,630 
Amortization of loss(1,669)744 (2)(927)
Settlement loss(2,342)— — (2,342)
($4,011)$5,374 ($2)$1,361 

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2021:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $21,151 ($204)$20,947 
Amortization of loss(84,661)(1,983)(2,194)(88,838)
Settlement loss(12,001)— (4,378)(16,379)
($96,662)$19,168 ($6,776)($84,270)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,920 $— $4,920 
Amortization of loss(2,681)364 (5)(2,322)
Settlement loss(2,478)— (6)(2,484)
($5,159)$5,284 ($11)$114 

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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

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

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

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

Year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining I, Bargaining I, Non-Bargaining II, and Bargaining II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2022 service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plans’ pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining I and Bargaining I and incurred settlement costs. Similar to other pension costs, the settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In September 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during 2019, the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense. The reserve amount was included in the base rate case that was filed with the PUCT in July 2022. At December 31, 2022, the balance in this reserve was approximately $30.6 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

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

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.
The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

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

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2022 are as follows:
Pension Asset AllocationTargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities43%35%to51%42%40%
International Equity Securities22%17%to27%22%20%
Fixed Income Securities35%29%to41%33%40%
Other—%—%to10%3%—%

Postretirement Asset AllocationNon-Taxable and Taxable
 TargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities25%20%to30%25%28%
International Equity Securities17%12%to22%18%17%
Fixed Income Securities58%53%to63%57%55%
Other—%—%to5%—%—%

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

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

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

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area, and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2022, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were
no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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

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

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.
Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$12,178 (b)$— $— $12,178 
Common807,437 (b)— — 807,437 
Common collective trusts (c) 2,516,688 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 673,348 (a)— 673,348 
Corporate debt instruments—  525,184 (a)— 525,184 
Registered investment companies (e)221,582 (d)2,595 (d)— 750,454 
Other— 15,395 (f)— 15,395 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,911 (g)— 5,911 
Total investments$1,041,197  $1,222,433  $— $5,306,595 
Cash     10,601 
Other pending transactions     (13,813)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (61,285)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $5,242,098 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$16,231 (b)$— $— $16,231 
Common1,001,169 (b)— — 1,001,169 
Common collective trusts (c) 3,123,111 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 627,148 (a)— 627,148 
Corporate debt instruments—  966,616 (a)— 966,616 
Registered investment companies (e)92,347 (d)3,004 (d)— 1,129,070 
Other— 68,886 (f)— 68,886 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,961 (g)— 5,961 
Total investments$1,109,747  $1,671,615  $— $6,938,192 
Cash     123,153 
Other pending transactions     11,125 
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (79,360)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $6,993,110 
Other Postretirement Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $241,676 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$69,503 (b)$78,436 (a)$— 147,939 
Corporate debt instruments—  113,273 (a)— 113,273 
Registered investment companies3,016 (d)—  — 3,016 
Other—  56,149 (f)— 56,149 
Total investments$72,519  $247,858  $— $562,053 
Other pending transactions     486 
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     61,285 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $623,824 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $312,594 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$62,240 (b)$89,951 (a)$— 152,191 
Corporate debt instruments—  152,562 (a)— 152,562 
Registered investment companies28,450 (d)—  — 28,450 
Other—  72,059 (f)— 72,059 
Total investments$90,690  $314,572  $— $717,856 
Other pending transactions     (25,897)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     79,360 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $771,319 

(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(b)Common stocks, preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.
(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The money market mutual funds held by the trusts are deemed to be actively traded.
(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2022, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:
 Estimated Future Benefits Payments 
 Qualified PensionNon-Qualified PensionOther Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)    
2023$494,875 $62,361 $71,267 $24 
2024$485,226 $13,295 $69,494 $12 
2025$484,201 $13,020 $67,502 $— 
2026$483,660 $10,151 $65,585 $— 
2027$478,854 $15,889 $64,003 $— 
2028 - 2032$2,349,591 $43,609 $302,752 ($1)

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:
Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$98,261 $105,305 $28,225 $11,840 $25,729 $24,074 
2024$95,703 $103,873 $28,264 $11,755 $24,583 $23,426 
2025$94,960 $103,698 $27,801 $11,411 $23,773 $22,788 
2026$93,958 $102,623 $27,925 $11,549 $24,074 $22,501 
2027$93,116 $100,787 $27,421 $11,177 $22,393 $23,352 
2028 - 2032$454,624 $486,551 $128,050 $52,741 $102,864 $112,550 
Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)     
2023$234 $184 $214 $32 $448 
2024$357 $170 $644 $112 $426 
2025$735 $156 $653 $150 $403 
2026$150 $142 $539 $145 $430 
2027$138 $129 $878 $233 $380 
2028 - 2032$968 $461 $1,605 $690 $1,566 

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$13,725 $15,361 $3,434 $2,353 $4,931 $2,814 
2024$13,330 $14,837 $3,310 $2,255 $4,723 $2,693 
2025$12,788 $14,519 $3,326 $2,164 $4,581 $2,605 
2026$12,398 $14,108 $3,305 $2,041 $4,340 $2,439 
2027$12,042 $13,720 $3,290 $1,933 $4,232 $2,366 
2028 - 2032$58,491 $64,023 $16,332 $8,375 $19,315 $11,998 

Estimated Future Medicare Part D SubsidyEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$1 $5 $12 $— $— $1 
2024$— $5 $1 $1 $— $— 
2025$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2026$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2027$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2028 - 2032$— $— ($1)($1)$1 $1 

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $42.5 million to other postretirement plans in 2023.  The expected 2023 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023.
The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2023:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Pension Contributions$54,464 $44,561 $21,109 $1,418 $5,317 $15,542 
Other Postretirement Contributions$526 $15,361 $136 $193 $86 $26 

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
 20222021
Weighted-average discount rate:  
Qualified pension
5.21% - 5.27% Blended 5.24%
2.99% - 3.08% Blended 3.05%
Other postretirement5.20%2.94%
Non-qualified pension4.98%2.11%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate4.00%2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-656.65%5.65%
Post-657.50%5.90%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-6520322032
    Post-6520322032
The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:
 202220212020
Weighted-average discount rate:   
Qualified pension:
    Service cost3.07%2.81%3.42%
    Interest cost2.49%2.08%2.99%
Other postretirement:
    Service cost3.20%2.98%3.27%
    Interest cost2.31%1.86%2.41%
Non-qualified pension:
    Service cost4.94%1.48%2.71%
    Interest cost5.03%2.14%2.25%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:   
Pension assets6.75%6.75%7.00%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets
5.75% - 6.75%
6.00% - 6.75%
6.25% - 7.25%
Other postretirement taxable assets4.75%5.00%5.25%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-655.65%5.87%6.13%
Post-655.90%6.31%6.25%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-65203220302027
    Post-65203220282027
    
With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 other postretirement benefit APBO.

Defined Contribution Plans

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

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

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

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $62.1 million in 2022, $62.3 million in 2021, and $63.1 million in 2020.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2022, 2021, and 2020 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:
 
 
Year
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$5,124 $7,138 $3,194 $1,223 $2,938 
2021$4,820 $6,678 $3,045 $1,140 $2,699 
2020$4,515 $6,518 $2,863 $1,115 $2,596 
Entergy Louisiana [Member]  
Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan).  The Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan) was merged with and into Non-Bargaining Plan I effective January 1, 2022. The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire was prior to June 30, 2014 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) participate in a noncontributory final average pay formula that provides pension benefits based on the employee’s credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 and before January 1, 2021 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) do not participate in a final average pay formula, but instead participate in a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in the plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Employees hired after this date instead may be eligible to participate in and receive a discretionary employer contribution under an Entergy sponsored tax-qualified defined contribution plan that includes a 401(k) feature.
The assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trust are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in the trust to the various participating pension plans in the trust.  The fair value of the trust’s assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

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

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.
Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$138,085 $165,278 $161,487 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation235,805 191,107 239,614 
Expected return on assets(402,504)(424,572)(414,273)
Recognized net loss188,683 334,124 350,010 
Settlement charges230,389 205,878 36,946 
Net pension cost$390,458 $471,815 $373,784 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Net (gain)/loss$6,113 ($448,532)$483,653 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:   
Amortization of net loss(188,683)(334,124)(358,473)
Settlement charge(230,389)(205,878)(36,946)
Total($412,959)($988,534)$88,234 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($22,501)($516,719)$462,018 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$25,210 $33,520 $8,043 $2,745 $5,999 $7,746 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Expected return on assets(75,820)(82,478)(20,168)(9,920)(18,317)(18,173)
Recognized net loss43,597 41,711 12,594 4,787 9,013 10,938 
Settlement charges36,409 58,550 15,786 6,676 22,411 9,905 
Net pension cost$74,774 $100,633 $29,234 $9,779 $29,835 $21,702 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net (gain)/loss$28,365 ($15,604)($4,743)$525 $13,363 ($7,063)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(43,597)(41,711)(12,594)(4,787)(9,013)(10,938)
Settlement charge(36,409)(58,550)(15,786)(6,676)(22,411)(9,905)
Total($51,641)($115,865)($33,123)($10,938)($18,061)($27,906)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$23,133 ($15,232)($3,889)($1,159)$11,774 ($6,204)
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$28,632 $38,271 $9,070 $3,038 $6,921 $8,851 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Expected return on assets(78,368)(89,821)(22,407)(10,598)(21,158)(19,254)
Recognized net loss69,290 67,015 20,007 7,596 12,676 18,404 
Settlement charges37,682 61,945 16,710 5,431 11,797 12,260 
Net pension cost$92,919 $117,150 $33,826 $9,859 $18,617 $29,348 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net gain($96,066)($89,534)($29,675)($16,159)($18,217)($27,617)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,290)(67,015)(20,007)(7,596)(12,676)(18,404)
Settlement charge(37,682)(61,945)(16,710)(5,431)(11,797)(12,260)
Total($203,038)($218,494)($66,392)($29,186)($42,690)($58,281)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($110,119)($101,344)($32,566)($19,327)($24,073)($28,933)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$26,329 $35,158 $8,060 $2,654 $6,116 $7,883 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation44,165 50,432 12,922 5,825 10,731 11,006 
Expected return on assets(78,187)(89,691)(23,147)(10,509)(21,951)(18,757)
Recognized net loss68,338 66,640 18,983 8,018 13,173 17,104 
Settlement charges21,078 8,109 3,366 — 4,289 105 
Net pension cost$81,723 $70,648 $20,184 $5,988 $12,358 $17,341 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net loss$106,178 $90,064 $36,899 $8,148 $13,379 $35,403 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,713)(68,248)(19,393)(8,213)(13,564)(17,434)
Settlement charge(21,078)(8,109)(3,366)— (4,289)(105)
Total$15,387 $13,707 $14,140 ($65)($4,474)$17,864 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$97,110 $84,355 $34,324 $5,923 $7,884 $35,205 
Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)  
Balance at January 1$8,409,620 $9,143,652 
Service cost138,085 165,278 
Interest cost235,805 191,107 
Actuarial gain(1,660,463)(158,276)
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Balance at December 31$6,166,106 $8,409,620 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$6,993,110 $6,854,426 
Actual return on plan assets(1,264,071)714,827 
Employer contributions470,000 355,998 
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Fair value of assets at December 31$5,242,098 $6,993,110 
Funded status($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)  
Non-current liabilities($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset  
Net loss$1,842,348 $2,214,390 
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Net loss$408,839 $449,756 
Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)      
Balance at January 1$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Service cost25,210 33,520 8,043 2,745 5,999 7,746 
Interest cost45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Actuarial gain(280,691)(357,572)(88,303)(40,462)(65,795)(81,504)
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Balance at December 31$1,168,098 $1,256,422 $320,994 $140,436 $265,565 $288,302 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Actual return on plan assets(233,236)(259,490)(63,392)(31,067)(60,841)(56,267)
Employer contributions92,971 53,658 33,287 1,129 2,513 28,619 
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Fair value of assets at December 31$961,178 $1,035,574 $265,736 $119,710 $226,417 $240,392 
Funded status($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)      
Non-current liabilities($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset      
Net loss$561,323 $445,116 $140,389 $51,868 $95,729 $125,876 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss$— $18,546 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($48) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($16.2) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($48.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23.5) million at System Energy.
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
      
Balance at January 1
$1,739,382 $1,927,271 $510,109 $220,287 $410,664 $441,148 
Service cost
28,632 38,271 9,070 3,038 6,921 8,851 
Interest cost
35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Actuarial gain(41,227)(28,439)(14,831)(9,118)(3,971)(14,746)
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Balance at December 31
$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,285,856 $1,476,306 $371,394 $172,551 $349,748 $310,818 
Actual return on plan assets
133,207 150,917 37,251 17,639 35,405 32,125 
Employer contributions
66,649 59,882 13,715 5,395 6,955 18,663 
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Funded status
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
      
Non-current liabilities
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
      
Net loss
$612,963 $556,345 $173,511 $62,805 $113,790 $153,782 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss
$— $23,181 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($104.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($166.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($45.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($14.3) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($31.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($33) million at System Energy.

The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial gains during 2021 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations and an actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.7 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 December 31,
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas$1,008,152 $1,463,966 
Entergy Louisiana$1,146,561 $1,574,273 
Entergy Mississippi$292,596 $407,851 
Entergy New Orleans$128,499 $178,010 
Entergy Texas$245,428 $342,441 
System Energy$269,583 $366,920 

Other Postretirement Benefits

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

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), are eligible to participate in an 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 Entergy-sponsored 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 are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

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

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

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

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$24,734 $26,578 $24,500 
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)27,306 21,278 28,597 
Expected return on assets(43,420)(43,220)(40,880)
Amortization of prior service credit(25,550)(33,069)(32,882)
Recognized net loss4,333 2,853 3,481 
Net other postretirement benefit income($12,597)($25,580)($17,184)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Prior service credit for the period($858)($3,168)($128,837)
Net (gain)/loss(131,524)6,210 41,031 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:   
Amortization of prior service credit25,550 33,069 32,882 
Amortization of net loss(4,333)(2,853)(3,481)
Total($111,165)$33,258 ($58,405)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($123,762)$7,678 ($75,589)
Total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 
Other postretirement costs:     
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$4,457 $5,633 $1,354 $397 $1,322 $1,239 
Interest cost on APBO5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Expected return on assets(17,930)— (5,575)(5,997)(10,273)(3,162)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)1,885 (4,630)(1,772)(916)(4,371)(319)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss873 (744)222 (898)648 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost($5,665)$6,029 ($4,370)($6,720)($11,078)($1,005)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$273 $323 ($1,300)$— $— $141 
Net (gain)/loss12,894 (65,501)6,629 17,334 22,323 1,208 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:     
Amortization of prior service credit/(cost)(1,885)4,630 1,772 916 4,371 319 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(873)744 (222)898 (648)(121)
Total$10,409 ($59,804)$6,879 $19,148 $26,046 $1,547 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$4,744 ($53,775)$2,509 $12,428 $14,968 $542 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$4,135 $6,174 $1,448 $437 $1,384 $1,340 
Interest cost on APBO
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Expected return on assets
(18,020)— (5,536)(5,750)(10,192)(3,156)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,121)(4,920)(1,775)(916)(3,742)(436)
Recognized net (gain)/loss196 (364)76 (712)398 61 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($11,084)$5,410 ($4,677)($6,420)($10,883)($1,313)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period($85)$357 $— $— ($3,776)$69 
Net (gain)/loss9,956 (2,367)(2,823)(3,330)939 210 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,121 4,920 1,775 916 3,742 436 
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss(196)364 (76)712 (398)(61)
Total
$10,796 $3,274 ($1,124)($1,702)$507 $654 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($288)$8,684 ($5,801)($8,122)($10,376)($659)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$3,626 $5,993 $1,468 $445 $1,219 $1,254 
Interest cost on APBO
4,712 6,216 1,536 784 2,008 1,130 
Expected return on assets
(17,104)— (5,167)(5,382)(9,643)(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,849)(6,179)(1,652)(763)(3,364)(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/loss540 (447)171 (13)907 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($10,075)$5,583 ($3,644)($4,929)($8,873)($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$12,320 ($23,508)($4,428)($5,493)($22,441)($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss2,245 8,744 (4,456)(5,351)(3,266)58 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,849 6,179 1,652 763 3,364 1,065 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(540)447 (171)13 (907)(121)
Total
$15,874 ($8,138)($7,403)($10,068)($23,250)($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$5,799 ($2,555)($11,047)($14,997)($32,123)($2,479)
Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO  
Balance at January 1$1,189,682 $1,181,075 
Service cost24,734 26,578 
Interest cost27,306 21,278 
Plan amendments(858)(3,168)
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Actuarial (gain)/loss(297,128)20,955 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Medicare Part D subsidy received264 249 
Balance at December 31$865,854 $1,189,682 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$771,319 $737,866 
Actual return on plan assets(122,184)57,965 
Employer contributions52,835 32,773 
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Fair value of assets at December 31$623,824 $771,319 
Funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet  
Current liabilities($42,484)($42,000)
Non-current liabilities(199,546)(376,363)
Total funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset  
Prior service credit($29,323)($37,693)
Net (gain)/loss16,956 (7,981)
 ($12,367)($45,674)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Prior service credit($45,167)($61,488)
Net (gain)/loss(133,656)27,138 
 ($178,823)($34,350)
Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO      
Balance at January 1$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Service cost4,457 5,633 1,354 397 1,322 1,239 
Interest cost5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Plan amendments273 323 (1,300)— — 141 
Plan participant contributions5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Actuarial gain(54,923)(65,501)(14,465)(6,867)(16,291)(10,679)
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Medicare Part D subsidy received42 57 16 17 
Balance at December 31$164,018 $183,126 $44,365 $23,971 $53,482 $35,274 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Actual return on plan assets(49,887)— (15,519)(18,204)(28,341)(8,725)
Employer contributions1,573 16,187 759 333 (23)944 
Plan participant contributions 5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Fair value of assets at December 31$255,117 $— $79,496 $91,140 $148,799 $42,434 
Funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet      
Current liabilities$— ($15,356)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities91,099 (167,770)35,131 67,169 95,317 7,160 
Total funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset      
Prior service cost/(credit)$7,079 $— ($3,637)($2,898)($16,161)($789)
Net loss5,224 — 2,153 2,229 24,246 4,054 
 $12,303 $— ($1,484)($669)$8,085 $3,265 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)      
Prior service credit$— ($12,015)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain— (82,308)— — — — 
 $— ($94,323)$— $— $— $— 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO
      
Balance at January 1
$209,369 $255,571 $61,990 $31,707 $74,233 $47,701 
Service cost
4,135 6,174 1,448 437 1,384 1,340 
Interest cost
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Plan amendments
(85)357 — — (3,776)69 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Actuarial (gain)/loss14,323 (2,367)(1,335)988 4,270 1,289 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Medicare Part D subsidy received
32 50 13 14 
Balance at December 31
$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1
$304,192 $— $93,475 $102,734 $174,096 $52,619 
Actual return on plan assets
22,387 — 7,024 10,068 13,523 4,235 
Employer contributions
(767)11,274 (393)126 98 1,212 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
      
Current liabilities
$— ($15,839)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities
94,312 (237,192)36,887 79,271 110,324 6,775 
Total funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
      
Prior service cost/(credit)$8,691 $— ($4,109)($3,814)($20,532)($1,249)
Net (gain)/loss(6,797)— (4,254)(16,003)2,571 2,967 
 
$1,894 $— ($8,363)($19,817)($17,961)$1,718 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
      
Prior service credit
$— ($16,967)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain
— (17,551)— — — — 
 
$— ($34,518)$— $— $— $— 

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022. The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and updated census data. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual
return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021 and a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $30.9 million in 2022, $28.6 million in 2021, and $18.1 million in 2020.  In 2022 and 2021, Entergy recognized $12.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation was $152.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62.4 million was a current liability and $90 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $181.6 million as of December 31, 2021 of which $26.3 million was a current liability and $155.3 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $140 million and $165.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($56.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74.9 million at December 31, 2021) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($8.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $17 million at December 31, 2021).

A Rabbi Trust has been established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. The Rabbi Trust assets are invested in money-market funds which are recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. All of the investments are classified as Level 1 investments for purposes of Fair Value Measurements. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the assets held in the Rabbi Trust was $35 million.

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2022, 2021, and 2020, was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$282 $102 $321 $114 $1,320 
2021$343 $307 $365 $30 $615 
2020$333 $148 $359 $31 $469 

Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.
The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,433 $1,197 $3,830 $1,024 $3,850 
2021$2,875 $1,469 $3,708 $1,069 $7,462 

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,192 $1,197 $3,594 $719 $3,776 
2021$2,482 $1,445 $3,377 $738 $7,355 

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($234)($184)($214)($32)($448)
Non-current liabilities(2,199)(1,013)(3,616)(992)(3,402)
Total funded status($2,433)($1,197)($3,830)($1,024)($3,850)
Regulatory asset/(liability)$512 $119 $1,291 $111 ($2,615)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $5 $— $— $— 

2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($248)($186)($190)($31)($3,080)
Non-current liabilities(2,627)(1,283)(3,518)(1,039)(4,382)
Total funded status($2,875)($1,469)($3,708)($1,070)($7,462)
Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,059 $233 $1,368 $251 ($706)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $10 $— $— $— 

The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions. The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2022:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $16,052 ($715)$15,337 
Amortization of loss(30,147)(2,381)(1,331)(33,859)
Settlement loss(23,636)— (1,685)(25,321)
($53,783)$13,671 ($3,731)($43,843)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,630 $— $4,630 
Amortization of loss(1,669)744 (2)(927)
Settlement loss(2,342)— — (2,342)
($4,011)$5,374 ($2)$1,361 

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2021:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $21,151 ($204)$20,947 
Amortization of loss(84,661)(1,983)(2,194)(88,838)
Settlement loss(12,001)— (4,378)(16,379)
($96,662)$19,168 ($6,776)($84,270)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,920 $— $4,920 
Amortization of loss(2,681)364 (5)(2,322)
Settlement loss(2,478)— (6)(2,484)
($5,159)$5,284 ($11)$114 

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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

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

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

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

Year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining I, Bargaining I, Non-Bargaining II, and Bargaining II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2022 service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plans’ pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining I and Bargaining I and incurred settlement costs. Similar to other pension costs, the settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In September 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during 2019, the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense. The reserve amount was included in the base rate case that was filed with the PUCT in July 2022. At December 31, 2022, the balance in this reserve was approximately $30.6 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

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

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.
The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

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

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2022 are as follows:
Pension Asset AllocationTargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities43%35%to51%42%40%
International Equity Securities22%17%to27%22%20%
Fixed Income Securities35%29%to41%33%40%
Other—%—%to10%3%—%

Postretirement Asset AllocationNon-Taxable and Taxable
 TargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities25%20%to30%25%28%
International Equity Securities17%12%to22%18%17%
Fixed Income Securities58%53%to63%57%55%
Other—%—%to5%—%—%

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

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

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

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area, and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2022, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were
no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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

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

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.
Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$12,178 (b)$— $— $12,178 
Common807,437 (b)— — 807,437 
Common collective trusts (c) 2,516,688 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 673,348 (a)— 673,348 
Corporate debt instruments—  525,184 (a)— 525,184 
Registered investment companies (e)221,582 (d)2,595 (d)— 750,454 
Other— 15,395 (f)— 15,395 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,911 (g)— 5,911 
Total investments$1,041,197  $1,222,433  $— $5,306,595 
Cash     10,601 
Other pending transactions     (13,813)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (61,285)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $5,242,098 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$16,231 (b)$— $— $16,231 
Common1,001,169 (b)— — 1,001,169 
Common collective trusts (c) 3,123,111 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 627,148 (a)— 627,148 
Corporate debt instruments—  966,616 (a)— 966,616 
Registered investment companies (e)92,347 (d)3,004 (d)— 1,129,070 
Other— 68,886 (f)— 68,886 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,961 (g)— 5,961 
Total investments$1,109,747  $1,671,615  $— $6,938,192 
Cash     123,153 
Other pending transactions     11,125 
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (79,360)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $6,993,110 
Other Postretirement Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $241,676 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$69,503 (b)$78,436 (a)$— 147,939 
Corporate debt instruments—  113,273 (a)— 113,273 
Registered investment companies3,016 (d)—  — 3,016 
Other—  56,149 (f)— 56,149 
Total investments$72,519  $247,858  $— $562,053 
Other pending transactions     486 
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     61,285 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $623,824 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $312,594 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$62,240 (b)$89,951 (a)$— 152,191 
Corporate debt instruments—  152,562 (a)— 152,562 
Registered investment companies28,450 (d)—  — 28,450 
Other—  72,059 (f)— 72,059 
Total investments$90,690  $314,572  $— $717,856 
Other pending transactions     (25,897)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     79,360 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $771,319 

(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(b)Common stocks, preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.
(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The money market mutual funds held by the trusts are deemed to be actively traded.
(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2022, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:
 Estimated Future Benefits Payments 
 Qualified PensionNon-Qualified PensionOther Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)    
2023$494,875 $62,361 $71,267 $24 
2024$485,226 $13,295 $69,494 $12 
2025$484,201 $13,020 $67,502 $— 
2026$483,660 $10,151 $65,585 $— 
2027$478,854 $15,889 $64,003 $— 
2028 - 2032$2,349,591 $43,609 $302,752 ($1)

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:
Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$98,261 $105,305 $28,225 $11,840 $25,729 $24,074 
2024$95,703 $103,873 $28,264 $11,755 $24,583 $23,426 
2025$94,960 $103,698 $27,801 $11,411 $23,773 $22,788 
2026$93,958 $102,623 $27,925 $11,549 $24,074 $22,501 
2027$93,116 $100,787 $27,421 $11,177 $22,393 $23,352 
2028 - 2032$454,624 $486,551 $128,050 $52,741 $102,864 $112,550 
Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)     
2023$234 $184 $214 $32 $448 
2024$357 $170 $644 $112 $426 
2025$735 $156 $653 $150 $403 
2026$150 $142 $539 $145 $430 
2027$138 $129 $878 $233 $380 
2028 - 2032$968 $461 $1,605 $690 $1,566 

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$13,725 $15,361 $3,434 $2,353 $4,931 $2,814 
2024$13,330 $14,837 $3,310 $2,255 $4,723 $2,693 
2025$12,788 $14,519 $3,326 $2,164 $4,581 $2,605 
2026$12,398 $14,108 $3,305 $2,041 $4,340 $2,439 
2027$12,042 $13,720 $3,290 $1,933 $4,232 $2,366 
2028 - 2032$58,491 $64,023 $16,332 $8,375 $19,315 $11,998 

Estimated Future Medicare Part D SubsidyEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$1 $5 $12 $— $— $1 
2024$— $5 $1 $1 $— $— 
2025$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2026$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2027$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2028 - 2032$— $— ($1)($1)$1 $1 

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $42.5 million to other postretirement plans in 2023.  The expected 2023 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023.
The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2023:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Pension Contributions$54,464 $44,561 $21,109 $1,418 $5,317 $15,542 
Other Postretirement Contributions$526 $15,361 $136 $193 $86 $26 

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
 20222021
Weighted-average discount rate:  
Qualified pension
5.21% - 5.27% Blended 5.24%
2.99% - 3.08% Blended 3.05%
Other postretirement5.20%2.94%
Non-qualified pension4.98%2.11%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate4.00%2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-656.65%5.65%
Post-657.50%5.90%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-6520322032
    Post-6520322032
The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:
 202220212020
Weighted-average discount rate:   
Qualified pension:
    Service cost3.07%2.81%3.42%
    Interest cost2.49%2.08%2.99%
Other postretirement:
    Service cost3.20%2.98%3.27%
    Interest cost2.31%1.86%2.41%
Non-qualified pension:
    Service cost4.94%1.48%2.71%
    Interest cost5.03%2.14%2.25%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:   
Pension assets6.75%6.75%7.00%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets
5.75% - 6.75%
6.00% - 6.75%
6.25% - 7.25%
Other postretirement taxable assets4.75%5.00%5.25%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-655.65%5.87%6.13%
Post-655.90%6.31%6.25%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-65203220302027
    Post-65203220282027
    
With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 other postretirement benefit APBO.

Defined Contribution Plans

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

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

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

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $62.1 million in 2022, $62.3 million in 2021, and $63.1 million in 2020.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2022, 2021, and 2020 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:
 
 
Year
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$5,124 $7,138 $3,194 $1,223 $2,938 
2021$4,820 $6,678 $3,045 $1,140 $2,699 
2020$4,515 $6,518 $2,863 $1,115 $2,596 
Entergy Mississippi [Member]  
Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan).  The Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan) was merged with and into Non-Bargaining Plan I effective January 1, 2022. The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire was prior to June 30, 2014 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) participate in a noncontributory final average pay formula that provides pension benefits based on the employee’s credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 and before January 1, 2021 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) do not participate in a final average pay formula, but instead participate in a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in the plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Employees hired after this date instead may be eligible to participate in and receive a discretionary employer contribution under an Entergy sponsored tax-qualified defined contribution plan that includes a 401(k) feature.
The assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trust are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in the trust to the various participating pension plans in the trust.  The fair value of the trust’s assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

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

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.
Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$138,085 $165,278 $161,487 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation235,805 191,107 239,614 
Expected return on assets(402,504)(424,572)(414,273)
Recognized net loss188,683 334,124 350,010 
Settlement charges230,389 205,878 36,946 
Net pension cost$390,458 $471,815 $373,784 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Net (gain)/loss$6,113 ($448,532)$483,653 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:   
Amortization of net loss(188,683)(334,124)(358,473)
Settlement charge(230,389)(205,878)(36,946)
Total($412,959)($988,534)$88,234 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($22,501)($516,719)$462,018 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$25,210 $33,520 $8,043 $2,745 $5,999 $7,746 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Expected return on assets(75,820)(82,478)(20,168)(9,920)(18,317)(18,173)
Recognized net loss43,597 41,711 12,594 4,787 9,013 10,938 
Settlement charges36,409 58,550 15,786 6,676 22,411 9,905 
Net pension cost$74,774 $100,633 $29,234 $9,779 $29,835 $21,702 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net (gain)/loss$28,365 ($15,604)($4,743)$525 $13,363 ($7,063)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(43,597)(41,711)(12,594)(4,787)(9,013)(10,938)
Settlement charge(36,409)(58,550)(15,786)(6,676)(22,411)(9,905)
Total($51,641)($115,865)($33,123)($10,938)($18,061)($27,906)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$23,133 ($15,232)($3,889)($1,159)$11,774 ($6,204)
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$28,632 $38,271 $9,070 $3,038 $6,921 $8,851 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Expected return on assets(78,368)(89,821)(22,407)(10,598)(21,158)(19,254)
Recognized net loss69,290 67,015 20,007 7,596 12,676 18,404 
Settlement charges37,682 61,945 16,710 5,431 11,797 12,260 
Net pension cost$92,919 $117,150 $33,826 $9,859 $18,617 $29,348 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net gain($96,066)($89,534)($29,675)($16,159)($18,217)($27,617)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,290)(67,015)(20,007)(7,596)(12,676)(18,404)
Settlement charge(37,682)(61,945)(16,710)(5,431)(11,797)(12,260)
Total($203,038)($218,494)($66,392)($29,186)($42,690)($58,281)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($110,119)($101,344)($32,566)($19,327)($24,073)($28,933)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$26,329 $35,158 $8,060 $2,654 $6,116 $7,883 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation44,165 50,432 12,922 5,825 10,731 11,006 
Expected return on assets(78,187)(89,691)(23,147)(10,509)(21,951)(18,757)
Recognized net loss68,338 66,640 18,983 8,018 13,173 17,104 
Settlement charges21,078 8,109 3,366 — 4,289 105 
Net pension cost$81,723 $70,648 $20,184 $5,988 $12,358 $17,341 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net loss$106,178 $90,064 $36,899 $8,148 $13,379 $35,403 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,713)(68,248)(19,393)(8,213)(13,564)(17,434)
Settlement charge(21,078)(8,109)(3,366)— (4,289)(105)
Total$15,387 $13,707 $14,140 ($65)($4,474)$17,864 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$97,110 $84,355 $34,324 $5,923 $7,884 $35,205 
Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)  
Balance at January 1$8,409,620 $9,143,652 
Service cost138,085 165,278 
Interest cost235,805 191,107 
Actuarial gain(1,660,463)(158,276)
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Balance at December 31$6,166,106 $8,409,620 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$6,993,110 $6,854,426 
Actual return on plan assets(1,264,071)714,827 
Employer contributions470,000 355,998 
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Fair value of assets at December 31$5,242,098 $6,993,110 
Funded status($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)  
Non-current liabilities($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset  
Net loss$1,842,348 $2,214,390 
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Net loss$408,839 $449,756 
Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)      
Balance at January 1$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Service cost25,210 33,520 8,043 2,745 5,999 7,746 
Interest cost45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Actuarial gain(280,691)(357,572)(88,303)(40,462)(65,795)(81,504)
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Balance at December 31$1,168,098 $1,256,422 $320,994 $140,436 $265,565 $288,302 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Actual return on plan assets(233,236)(259,490)(63,392)(31,067)(60,841)(56,267)
Employer contributions92,971 53,658 33,287 1,129 2,513 28,619 
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Fair value of assets at December 31$961,178 $1,035,574 $265,736 $119,710 $226,417 $240,392 
Funded status($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)      
Non-current liabilities($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset      
Net loss$561,323 $445,116 $140,389 $51,868 $95,729 $125,876 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss$— $18,546 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($48) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($16.2) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($48.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23.5) million at System Energy.
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
      
Balance at January 1
$1,739,382 $1,927,271 $510,109 $220,287 $410,664 $441,148 
Service cost
28,632 38,271 9,070 3,038 6,921 8,851 
Interest cost
35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Actuarial gain(41,227)(28,439)(14,831)(9,118)(3,971)(14,746)
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Balance at December 31
$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,285,856 $1,476,306 $371,394 $172,551 $349,748 $310,818 
Actual return on plan assets
133,207 150,917 37,251 17,639 35,405 32,125 
Employer contributions
66,649 59,882 13,715 5,395 6,955 18,663 
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Funded status
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
      
Non-current liabilities
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
      
Net loss
$612,963 $556,345 $173,511 $62,805 $113,790 $153,782 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss
$— $23,181 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($104.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($166.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($45.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($14.3) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($31.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($33) million at System Energy.

The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial gains during 2021 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations and an actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.7 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 December 31,
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas$1,008,152 $1,463,966 
Entergy Louisiana$1,146,561 $1,574,273 
Entergy Mississippi$292,596 $407,851 
Entergy New Orleans$128,499 $178,010 
Entergy Texas$245,428 $342,441 
System Energy$269,583 $366,920 

Other Postretirement Benefits

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

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), are eligible to participate in an 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 Entergy-sponsored 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 are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

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

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

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

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$24,734 $26,578 $24,500 
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)27,306 21,278 28,597 
Expected return on assets(43,420)(43,220)(40,880)
Amortization of prior service credit(25,550)(33,069)(32,882)
Recognized net loss4,333 2,853 3,481 
Net other postretirement benefit income($12,597)($25,580)($17,184)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Prior service credit for the period($858)($3,168)($128,837)
Net (gain)/loss(131,524)6,210 41,031 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:   
Amortization of prior service credit25,550 33,069 32,882 
Amortization of net loss(4,333)(2,853)(3,481)
Total($111,165)$33,258 ($58,405)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($123,762)$7,678 ($75,589)
Total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 
Other postretirement costs:     
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$4,457 $5,633 $1,354 $397 $1,322 $1,239 
Interest cost on APBO5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Expected return on assets(17,930)— (5,575)(5,997)(10,273)(3,162)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)1,885 (4,630)(1,772)(916)(4,371)(319)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss873 (744)222 (898)648 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost($5,665)$6,029 ($4,370)($6,720)($11,078)($1,005)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$273 $323 ($1,300)$— $— $141 
Net (gain)/loss12,894 (65,501)6,629 17,334 22,323 1,208 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:     
Amortization of prior service credit/(cost)(1,885)4,630 1,772 916 4,371 319 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(873)744 (222)898 (648)(121)
Total$10,409 ($59,804)$6,879 $19,148 $26,046 $1,547 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$4,744 ($53,775)$2,509 $12,428 $14,968 $542 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$4,135 $6,174 $1,448 $437 $1,384 $1,340 
Interest cost on APBO
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Expected return on assets
(18,020)— (5,536)(5,750)(10,192)(3,156)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,121)(4,920)(1,775)(916)(3,742)(436)
Recognized net (gain)/loss196 (364)76 (712)398 61 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($11,084)$5,410 ($4,677)($6,420)($10,883)($1,313)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period($85)$357 $— $— ($3,776)$69 
Net (gain)/loss9,956 (2,367)(2,823)(3,330)939 210 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,121 4,920 1,775 916 3,742 436 
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss(196)364 (76)712 (398)(61)
Total
$10,796 $3,274 ($1,124)($1,702)$507 $654 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($288)$8,684 ($5,801)($8,122)($10,376)($659)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$3,626 $5,993 $1,468 $445 $1,219 $1,254 
Interest cost on APBO
4,712 6,216 1,536 784 2,008 1,130 
Expected return on assets
(17,104)— (5,167)(5,382)(9,643)(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,849)(6,179)(1,652)(763)(3,364)(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/loss540 (447)171 (13)907 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($10,075)$5,583 ($3,644)($4,929)($8,873)($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$12,320 ($23,508)($4,428)($5,493)($22,441)($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss2,245 8,744 (4,456)(5,351)(3,266)58 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,849 6,179 1,652 763 3,364 1,065 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(540)447 (171)13 (907)(121)
Total
$15,874 ($8,138)($7,403)($10,068)($23,250)($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$5,799 ($2,555)($11,047)($14,997)($32,123)($2,479)
Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO  
Balance at January 1$1,189,682 $1,181,075 
Service cost24,734 26,578 
Interest cost27,306 21,278 
Plan amendments(858)(3,168)
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Actuarial (gain)/loss(297,128)20,955 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Medicare Part D subsidy received264 249 
Balance at December 31$865,854 $1,189,682 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$771,319 $737,866 
Actual return on plan assets(122,184)57,965 
Employer contributions52,835 32,773 
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Fair value of assets at December 31$623,824 $771,319 
Funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet  
Current liabilities($42,484)($42,000)
Non-current liabilities(199,546)(376,363)
Total funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset  
Prior service credit($29,323)($37,693)
Net (gain)/loss16,956 (7,981)
 ($12,367)($45,674)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Prior service credit($45,167)($61,488)
Net (gain)/loss(133,656)27,138 
 ($178,823)($34,350)
Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO      
Balance at January 1$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Service cost4,457 5,633 1,354 397 1,322 1,239 
Interest cost5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Plan amendments273 323 (1,300)— — 141 
Plan participant contributions5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Actuarial gain(54,923)(65,501)(14,465)(6,867)(16,291)(10,679)
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Medicare Part D subsidy received42 57 16 17 
Balance at December 31$164,018 $183,126 $44,365 $23,971 $53,482 $35,274 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Actual return on plan assets(49,887)— (15,519)(18,204)(28,341)(8,725)
Employer contributions1,573 16,187 759 333 (23)944 
Plan participant contributions 5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Fair value of assets at December 31$255,117 $— $79,496 $91,140 $148,799 $42,434 
Funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet      
Current liabilities$— ($15,356)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities91,099 (167,770)35,131 67,169 95,317 7,160 
Total funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset      
Prior service cost/(credit)$7,079 $— ($3,637)($2,898)($16,161)($789)
Net loss5,224 — 2,153 2,229 24,246 4,054 
 $12,303 $— ($1,484)($669)$8,085 $3,265 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)      
Prior service credit$— ($12,015)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain— (82,308)— — — — 
 $— ($94,323)$— $— $— $— 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO
      
Balance at January 1
$209,369 $255,571 $61,990 $31,707 $74,233 $47,701 
Service cost
4,135 6,174 1,448 437 1,384 1,340 
Interest cost
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Plan amendments
(85)357 — — (3,776)69 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Actuarial (gain)/loss14,323 (2,367)(1,335)988 4,270 1,289 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Medicare Part D subsidy received
32 50 13 14 
Balance at December 31
$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1
$304,192 $— $93,475 $102,734 $174,096 $52,619 
Actual return on plan assets
22,387 — 7,024 10,068 13,523 4,235 
Employer contributions
(767)11,274 (393)126 98 1,212 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
      
Current liabilities
$— ($15,839)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities
94,312 (237,192)36,887 79,271 110,324 6,775 
Total funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
      
Prior service cost/(credit)$8,691 $— ($4,109)($3,814)($20,532)($1,249)
Net (gain)/loss(6,797)— (4,254)(16,003)2,571 2,967 
 
$1,894 $— ($8,363)($19,817)($17,961)$1,718 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
      
Prior service credit
$— ($16,967)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain
— (17,551)— — — — 
 
$— ($34,518)$— $— $— $— 

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022. The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and updated census data. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual
return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021 and a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $30.9 million in 2022, $28.6 million in 2021, and $18.1 million in 2020.  In 2022 and 2021, Entergy recognized $12.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation was $152.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62.4 million was a current liability and $90 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $181.6 million as of December 31, 2021 of which $26.3 million was a current liability and $155.3 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $140 million and $165.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($56.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74.9 million at December 31, 2021) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($8.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $17 million at December 31, 2021).

A Rabbi Trust has been established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. The Rabbi Trust assets are invested in money-market funds which are recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. All of the investments are classified as Level 1 investments for purposes of Fair Value Measurements. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the assets held in the Rabbi Trust was $35 million.

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2022, 2021, and 2020, was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$282 $102 $321 $114 $1,320 
2021$343 $307 $365 $30 $615 
2020$333 $148 $359 $31 $469 

Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.
The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,433 $1,197 $3,830 $1,024 $3,850 
2021$2,875 $1,469 $3,708 $1,069 $7,462 

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,192 $1,197 $3,594 $719 $3,776 
2021$2,482 $1,445 $3,377 $738 $7,355 

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($234)($184)($214)($32)($448)
Non-current liabilities(2,199)(1,013)(3,616)(992)(3,402)
Total funded status($2,433)($1,197)($3,830)($1,024)($3,850)
Regulatory asset/(liability)$512 $119 $1,291 $111 ($2,615)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $5 $— $— $— 

2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($248)($186)($190)($31)($3,080)
Non-current liabilities(2,627)(1,283)(3,518)(1,039)(4,382)
Total funded status($2,875)($1,469)($3,708)($1,070)($7,462)
Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,059 $233 $1,368 $251 ($706)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $10 $— $— $— 

The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions. The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2022:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $16,052 ($715)$15,337 
Amortization of loss(30,147)(2,381)(1,331)(33,859)
Settlement loss(23,636)— (1,685)(25,321)
($53,783)$13,671 ($3,731)($43,843)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,630 $— $4,630 
Amortization of loss(1,669)744 (2)(927)
Settlement loss(2,342)— — (2,342)
($4,011)$5,374 ($2)$1,361 

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2021:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $21,151 ($204)$20,947 
Amortization of loss(84,661)(1,983)(2,194)(88,838)
Settlement loss(12,001)— (4,378)(16,379)
($96,662)$19,168 ($6,776)($84,270)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,920 $— $4,920 
Amortization of loss(2,681)364 (5)(2,322)
Settlement loss(2,478)— (6)(2,484)
($5,159)$5,284 ($11)$114 

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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

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

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

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

Year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining I, Bargaining I, Non-Bargaining II, and Bargaining II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2022 service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plans’ pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining I and Bargaining I and incurred settlement costs. Similar to other pension costs, the settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In September 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during 2019, the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense. The reserve amount was included in the base rate case that was filed with the PUCT in July 2022. At December 31, 2022, the balance in this reserve was approximately $30.6 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

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

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.
The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

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

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2022 are as follows:
Pension Asset AllocationTargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities43%35%to51%42%40%
International Equity Securities22%17%to27%22%20%
Fixed Income Securities35%29%to41%33%40%
Other—%—%to10%3%—%

Postretirement Asset AllocationNon-Taxable and Taxable
 TargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities25%20%to30%25%28%
International Equity Securities17%12%to22%18%17%
Fixed Income Securities58%53%to63%57%55%
Other—%—%to5%—%—%

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

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

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

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area, and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2022, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were
no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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

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

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.
Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$12,178 (b)$— $— $12,178 
Common807,437 (b)— — 807,437 
Common collective trusts (c) 2,516,688 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 673,348 (a)— 673,348 
Corporate debt instruments—  525,184 (a)— 525,184 
Registered investment companies (e)221,582 (d)2,595 (d)— 750,454 
Other— 15,395 (f)— 15,395 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,911 (g)— 5,911 
Total investments$1,041,197  $1,222,433  $— $5,306,595 
Cash     10,601 
Other pending transactions     (13,813)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (61,285)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $5,242,098 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$16,231 (b)$— $— $16,231 
Common1,001,169 (b)— — 1,001,169 
Common collective trusts (c) 3,123,111 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 627,148 (a)— 627,148 
Corporate debt instruments—  966,616 (a)— 966,616 
Registered investment companies (e)92,347 (d)3,004 (d)— 1,129,070 
Other— 68,886 (f)— 68,886 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,961 (g)— 5,961 
Total investments$1,109,747  $1,671,615  $— $6,938,192 
Cash     123,153 
Other pending transactions     11,125 
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (79,360)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $6,993,110 
Other Postretirement Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $241,676 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$69,503 (b)$78,436 (a)$— 147,939 
Corporate debt instruments—  113,273 (a)— 113,273 
Registered investment companies3,016 (d)—  — 3,016 
Other—  56,149 (f)— 56,149 
Total investments$72,519  $247,858  $— $562,053 
Other pending transactions     486 
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     61,285 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $623,824 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $312,594 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$62,240 (b)$89,951 (a)$— 152,191 
Corporate debt instruments—  152,562 (a)— 152,562 
Registered investment companies28,450 (d)—  — 28,450 
Other—  72,059 (f)— 72,059 
Total investments$90,690  $314,572  $— $717,856 
Other pending transactions     (25,897)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     79,360 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $771,319 

(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(b)Common stocks, preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.
(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The money market mutual funds held by the trusts are deemed to be actively traded.
(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2022, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:
 Estimated Future Benefits Payments 
 Qualified PensionNon-Qualified PensionOther Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)    
2023$494,875 $62,361 $71,267 $24 
2024$485,226 $13,295 $69,494 $12 
2025$484,201 $13,020 $67,502 $— 
2026$483,660 $10,151 $65,585 $— 
2027$478,854 $15,889 $64,003 $— 
2028 - 2032$2,349,591 $43,609 $302,752 ($1)

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:
Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$98,261 $105,305 $28,225 $11,840 $25,729 $24,074 
2024$95,703 $103,873 $28,264 $11,755 $24,583 $23,426 
2025$94,960 $103,698 $27,801 $11,411 $23,773 $22,788 
2026$93,958 $102,623 $27,925 $11,549 $24,074 $22,501 
2027$93,116 $100,787 $27,421 $11,177 $22,393 $23,352 
2028 - 2032$454,624 $486,551 $128,050 $52,741 $102,864 $112,550 
Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)     
2023$234 $184 $214 $32 $448 
2024$357 $170 $644 $112 $426 
2025$735 $156 $653 $150 $403 
2026$150 $142 $539 $145 $430 
2027$138 $129 $878 $233 $380 
2028 - 2032$968 $461 $1,605 $690 $1,566 

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$13,725 $15,361 $3,434 $2,353 $4,931 $2,814 
2024$13,330 $14,837 $3,310 $2,255 $4,723 $2,693 
2025$12,788 $14,519 $3,326 $2,164 $4,581 $2,605 
2026$12,398 $14,108 $3,305 $2,041 $4,340 $2,439 
2027$12,042 $13,720 $3,290 $1,933 $4,232 $2,366 
2028 - 2032$58,491 $64,023 $16,332 $8,375 $19,315 $11,998 

Estimated Future Medicare Part D SubsidyEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$1 $5 $12 $— $— $1 
2024$— $5 $1 $1 $— $— 
2025$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2026$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2027$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2028 - 2032$— $— ($1)($1)$1 $1 

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $42.5 million to other postretirement plans in 2023.  The expected 2023 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023.
The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2023:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Pension Contributions$54,464 $44,561 $21,109 $1,418 $5,317 $15,542 
Other Postretirement Contributions$526 $15,361 $136 $193 $86 $26 

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
 20222021
Weighted-average discount rate:  
Qualified pension
5.21% - 5.27% Blended 5.24%
2.99% - 3.08% Blended 3.05%
Other postretirement5.20%2.94%
Non-qualified pension4.98%2.11%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate4.00%2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-656.65%5.65%
Post-657.50%5.90%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-6520322032
    Post-6520322032
The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:
 202220212020
Weighted-average discount rate:   
Qualified pension:
    Service cost3.07%2.81%3.42%
    Interest cost2.49%2.08%2.99%
Other postretirement:
    Service cost3.20%2.98%3.27%
    Interest cost2.31%1.86%2.41%
Non-qualified pension:
    Service cost4.94%1.48%2.71%
    Interest cost5.03%2.14%2.25%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:   
Pension assets6.75%6.75%7.00%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets
5.75% - 6.75%
6.00% - 6.75%
6.25% - 7.25%
Other postretirement taxable assets4.75%5.00%5.25%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-655.65%5.87%6.13%
Post-655.90%6.31%6.25%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-65203220302027
    Post-65203220282027
    
With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 other postretirement benefit APBO.

Defined Contribution Plans

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

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

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

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $62.1 million in 2022, $62.3 million in 2021, and $63.1 million in 2020.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2022, 2021, and 2020 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:
 
 
Year
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$5,124 $7,138 $3,194 $1,223 $2,938 
2021$4,820 $6,678 $3,045 $1,140 $2,699 
2020$4,515 $6,518 $2,863 $1,115 $2,596 
Entergy New Orleans [Member]  
Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan).  The Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan) was merged with and into Non-Bargaining Plan I effective January 1, 2022. The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire was prior to June 30, 2014 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) participate in a noncontributory final average pay formula that provides pension benefits based on the employee’s credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 and before January 1, 2021 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) do not participate in a final average pay formula, but instead participate in a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in the plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Employees hired after this date instead may be eligible to participate in and receive a discretionary employer contribution under an Entergy sponsored tax-qualified defined contribution plan that includes a 401(k) feature.
The assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trust are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in the trust to the various participating pension plans in the trust.  The fair value of the trust’s assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

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

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.
Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$138,085 $165,278 $161,487 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation235,805 191,107 239,614 
Expected return on assets(402,504)(424,572)(414,273)
Recognized net loss188,683 334,124 350,010 
Settlement charges230,389 205,878 36,946 
Net pension cost$390,458 $471,815 $373,784 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Net (gain)/loss$6,113 ($448,532)$483,653 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:   
Amortization of net loss(188,683)(334,124)(358,473)
Settlement charge(230,389)(205,878)(36,946)
Total($412,959)($988,534)$88,234 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($22,501)($516,719)$462,018 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$25,210 $33,520 $8,043 $2,745 $5,999 $7,746 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Expected return on assets(75,820)(82,478)(20,168)(9,920)(18,317)(18,173)
Recognized net loss43,597 41,711 12,594 4,787 9,013 10,938 
Settlement charges36,409 58,550 15,786 6,676 22,411 9,905 
Net pension cost$74,774 $100,633 $29,234 $9,779 $29,835 $21,702 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net (gain)/loss$28,365 ($15,604)($4,743)$525 $13,363 ($7,063)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(43,597)(41,711)(12,594)(4,787)(9,013)(10,938)
Settlement charge(36,409)(58,550)(15,786)(6,676)(22,411)(9,905)
Total($51,641)($115,865)($33,123)($10,938)($18,061)($27,906)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$23,133 ($15,232)($3,889)($1,159)$11,774 ($6,204)
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$28,632 $38,271 $9,070 $3,038 $6,921 $8,851 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Expected return on assets(78,368)(89,821)(22,407)(10,598)(21,158)(19,254)
Recognized net loss69,290 67,015 20,007 7,596 12,676 18,404 
Settlement charges37,682 61,945 16,710 5,431 11,797 12,260 
Net pension cost$92,919 $117,150 $33,826 $9,859 $18,617 $29,348 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net gain($96,066)($89,534)($29,675)($16,159)($18,217)($27,617)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,290)(67,015)(20,007)(7,596)(12,676)(18,404)
Settlement charge(37,682)(61,945)(16,710)(5,431)(11,797)(12,260)
Total($203,038)($218,494)($66,392)($29,186)($42,690)($58,281)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($110,119)($101,344)($32,566)($19,327)($24,073)($28,933)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$26,329 $35,158 $8,060 $2,654 $6,116 $7,883 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation44,165 50,432 12,922 5,825 10,731 11,006 
Expected return on assets(78,187)(89,691)(23,147)(10,509)(21,951)(18,757)
Recognized net loss68,338 66,640 18,983 8,018 13,173 17,104 
Settlement charges21,078 8,109 3,366 — 4,289 105 
Net pension cost$81,723 $70,648 $20,184 $5,988 $12,358 $17,341 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net loss$106,178 $90,064 $36,899 $8,148 $13,379 $35,403 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,713)(68,248)(19,393)(8,213)(13,564)(17,434)
Settlement charge(21,078)(8,109)(3,366)— (4,289)(105)
Total$15,387 $13,707 $14,140 ($65)($4,474)$17,864 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$97,110 $84,355 $34,324 $5,923 $7,884 $35,205 
Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)  
Balance at January 1$8,409,620 $9,143,652 
Service cost138,085 165,278 
Interest cost235,805 191,107 
Actuarial gain(1,660,463)(158,276)
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Balance at December 31$6,166,106 $8,409,620 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$6,993,110 $6,854,426 
Actual return on plan assets(1,264,071)714,827 
Employer contributions470,000 355,998 
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Fair value of assets at December 31$5,242,098 $6,993,110 
Funded status($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)  
Non-current liabilities($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset  
Net loss$1,842,348 $2,214,390 
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Net loss$408,839 $449,756 
Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)      
Balance at January 1$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Service cost25,210 33,520 8,043 2,745 5,999 7,746 
Interest cost45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Actuarial gain(280,691)(357,572)(88,303)(40,462)(65,795)(81,504)
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Balance at December 31$1,168,098 $1,256,422 $320,994 $140,436 $265,565 $288,302 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Actual return on plan assets(233,236)(259,490)(63,392)(31,067)(60,841)(56,267)
Employer contributions92,971 53,658 33,287 1,129 2,513 28,619 
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Fair value of assets at December 31$961,178 $1,035,574 $265,736 $119,710 $226,417 $240,392 
Funded status($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)      
Non-current liabilities($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset      
Net loss$561,323 $445,116 $140,389 $51,868 $95,729 $125,876 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss$— $18,546 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($48) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($16.2) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($48.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23.5) million at System Energy.
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
      
Balance at January 1
$1,739,382 $1,927,271 $510,109 $220,287 $410,664 $441,148 
Service cost
28,632 38,271 9,070 3,038 6,921 8,851 
Interest cost
35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Actuarial gain(41,227)(28,439)(14,831)(9,118)(3,971)(14,746)
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Balance at December 31
$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,285,856 $1,476,306 $371,394 $172,551 $349,748 $310,818 
Actual return on plan assets
133,207 150,917 37,251 17,639 35,405 32,125 
Employer contributions
66,649 59,882 13,715 5,395 6,955 18,663 
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Funded status
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
      
Non-current liabilities
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
      
Net loss
$612,963 $556,345 $173,511 $62,805 $113,790 $153,782 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss
$— $23,181 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($104.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($166.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($45.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($14.3) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($31.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($33) million at System Energy.

The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial gains during 2021 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations and an actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.7 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 December 31,
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas$1,008,152 $1,463,966 
Entergy Louisiana$1,146,561 $1,574,273 
Entergy Mississippi$292,596 $407,851 
Entergy New Orleans$128,499 $178,010 
Entergy Texas$245,428 $342,441 
System Energy$269,583 $366,920 

Other Postretirement Benefits

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

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), are eligible to participate in an 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 Entergy-sponsored 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 are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

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

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

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

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$24,734 $26,578 $24,500 
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)27,306 21,278 28,597 
Expected return on assets(43,420)(43,220)(40,880)
Amortization of prior service credit(25,550)(33,069)(32,882)
Recognized net loss4,333 2,853 3,481 
Net other postretirement benefit income($12,597)($25,580)($17,184)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Prior service credit for the period($858)($3,168)($128,837)
Net (gain)/loss(131,524)6,210 41,031 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:   
Amortization of prior service credit25,550 33,069 32,882 
Amortization of net loss(4,333)(2,853)(3,481)
Total($111,165)$33,258 ($58,405)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($123,762)$7,678 ($75,589)
Total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 
Other postretirement costs:     
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$4,457 $5,633 $1,354 $397 $1,322 $1,239 
Interest cost on APBO5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Expected return on assets(17,930)— (5,575)(5,997)(10,273)(3,162)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)1,885 (4,630)(1,772)(916)(4,371)(319)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss873 (744)222 (898)648 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost($5,665)$6,029 ($4,370)($6,720)($11,078)($1,005)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$273 $323 ($1,300)$— $— $141 
Net (gain)/loss12,894 (65,501)6,629 17,334 22,323 1,208 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:     
Amortization of prior service credit/(cost)(1,885)4,630 1,772 916 4,371 319 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(873)744 (222)898 (648)(121)
Total$10,409 ($59,804)$6,879 $19,148 $26,046 $1,547 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$4,744 ($53,775)$2,509 $12,428 $14,968 $542 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$4,135 $6,174 $1,448 $437 $1,384 $1,340 
Interest cost on APBO
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Expected return on assets
(18,020)— (5,536)(5,750)(10,192)(3,156)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,121)(4,920)(1,775)(916)(3,742)(436)
Recognized net (gain)/loss196 (364)76 (712)398 61 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($11,084)$5,410 ($4,677)($6,420)($10,883)($1,313)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period($85)$357 $— $— ($3,776)$69 
Net (gain)/loss9,956 (2,367)(2,823)(3,330)939 210 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,121 4,920 1,775 916 3,742 436 
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss(196)364 (76)712 (398)(61)
Total
$10,796 $3,274 ($1,124)($1,702)$507 $654 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($288)$8,684 ($5,801)($8,122)($10,376)($659)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$3,626 $5,993 $1,468 $445 $1,219 $1,254 
Interest cost on APBO
4,712 6,216 1,536 784 2,008 1,130 
Expected return on assets
(17,104)— (5,167)(5,382)(9,643)(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,849)(6,179)(1,652)(763)(3,364)(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/loss540 (447)171 (13)907 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($10,075)$5,583 ($3,644)($4,929)($8,873)($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$12,320 ($23,508)($4,428)($5,493)($22,441)($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss2,245 8,744 (4,456)(5,351)(3,266)58 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,849 6,179 1,652 763 3,364 1,065 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(540)447 (171)13 (907)(121)
Total
$15,874 ($8,138)($7,403)($10,068)($23,250)($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$5,799 ($2,555)($11,047)($14,997)($32,123)($2,479)
Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO  
Balance at January 1$1,189,682 $1,181,075 
Service cost24,734 26,578 
Interest cost27,306 21,278 
Plan amendments(858)(3,168)
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Actuarial (gain)/loss(297,128)20,955 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Medicare Part D subsidy received264 249 
Balance at December 31$865,854 $1,189,682 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$771,319 $737,866 
Actual return on plan assets(122,184)57,965 
Employer contributions52,835 32,773 
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Fair value of assets at December 31$623,824 $771,319 
Funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet  
Current liabilities($42,484)($42,000)
Non-current liabilities(199,546)(376,363)
Total funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset  
Prior service credit($29,323)($37,693)
Net (gain)/loss16,956 (7,981)
 ($12,367)($45,674)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Prior service credit($45,167)($61,488)
Net (gain)/loss(133,656)27,138 
 ($178,823)($34,350)
Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO      
Balance at January 1$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Service cost4,457 5,633 1,354 397 1,322 1,239 
Interest cost5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Plan amendments273 323 (1,300)— — 141 
Plan participant contributions5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Actuarial gain(54,923)(65,501)(14,465)(6,867)(16,291)(10,679)
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Medicare Part D subsidy received42 57 16 17 
Balance at December 31$164,018 $183,126 $44,365 $23,971 $53,482 $35,274 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Actual return on plan assets(49,887)— (15,519)(18,204)(28,341)(8,725)
Employer contributions1,573 16,187 759 333 (23)944 
Plan participant contributions 5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Fair value of assets at December 31$255,117 $— $79,496 $91,140 $148,799 $42,434 
Funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet      
Current liabilities$— ($15,356)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities91,099 (167,770)35,131 67,169 95,317 7,160 
Total funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset      
Prior service cost/(credit)$7,079 $— ($3,637)($2,898)($16,161)($789)
Net loss5,224 — 2,153 2,229 24,246 4,054 
 $12,303 $— ($1,484)($669)$8,085 $3,265 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)      
Prior service credit$— ($12,015)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain— (82,308)— — — — 
 $— ($94,323)$— $— $— $— 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO
      
Balance at January 1
$209,369 $255,571 $61,990 $31,707 $74,233 $47,701 
Service cost
4,135 6,174 1,448 437 1,384 1,340 
Interest cost
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Plan amendments
(85)357 — — (3,776)69 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Actuarial (gain)/loss14,323 (2,367)(1,335)988 4,270 1,289 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Medicare Part D subsidy received
32 50 13 14 
Balance at December 31
$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1
$304,192 $— $93,475 $102,734 $174,096 $52,619 
Actual return on plan assets
22,387 — 7,024 10,068 13,523 4,235 
Employer contributions
(767)11,274 (393)126 98 1,212 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
      
Current liabilities
$— ($15,839)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities
94,312 (237,192)36,887 79,271 110,324 6,775 
Total funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
      
Prior service cost/(credit)$8,691 $— ($4,109)($3,814)($20,532)($1,249)
Net (gain)/loss(6,797)— (4,254)(16,003)2,571 2,967 
 
$1,894 $— ($8,363)($19,817)($17,961)$1,718 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
      
Prior service credit
$— ($16,967)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain
— (17,551)— — — — 
 
$— ($34,518)$— $— $— $— 

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022. The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and updated census data. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual
return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021 and a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $30.9 million in 2022, $28.6 million in 2021, and $18.1 million in 2020.  In 2022 and 2021, Entergy recognized $12.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation was $152.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62.4 million was a current liability and $90 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $181.6 million as of December 31, 2021 of which $26.3 million was a current liability and $155.3 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $140 million and $165.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($56.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74.9 million at December 31, 2021) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($8.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $17 million at December 31, 2021).

A Rabbi Trust has been established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. The Rabbi Trust assets are invested in money-market funds which are recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. All of the investments are classified as Level 1 investments for purposes of Fair Value Measurements. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the assets held in the Rabbi Trust was $35 million.

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2022, 2021, and 2020, was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$282 $102 $321 $114 $1,320 
2021$343 $307 $365 $30 $615 
2020$333 $148 $359 $31 $469 

Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.
The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,433 $1,197 $3,830 $1,024 $3,850 
2021$2,875 $1,469 $3,708 $1,069 $7,462 

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,192 $1,197 $3,594 $719 $3,776 
2021$2,482 $1,445 $3,377 $738 $7,355 

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($234)($184)($214)($32)($448)
Non-current liabilities(2,199)(1,013)(3,616)(992)(3,402)
Total funded status($2,433)($1,197)($3,830)($1,024)($3,850)
Regulatory asset/(liability)$512 $119 $1,291 $111 ($2,615)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $5 $— $— $— 

2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($248)($186)($190)($31)($3,080)
Non-current liabilities(2,627)(1,283)(3,518)(1,039)(4,382)
Total funded status($2,875)($1,469)($3,708)($1,070)($7,462)
Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,059 $233 $1,368 $251 ($706)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $10 $— $— $— 

The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions. The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2022:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $16,052 ($715)$15,337 
Amortization of loss(30,147)(2,381)(1,331)(33,859)
Settlement loss(23,636)— (1,685)(25,321)
($53,783)$13,671 ($3,731)($43,843)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,630 $— $4,630 
Amortization of loss(1,669)744 (2)(927)
Settlement loss(2,342)— — (2,342)
($4,011)$5,374 ($2)$1,361 

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2021:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $21,151 ($204)$20,947 
Amortization of loss(84,661)(1,983)(2,194)(88,838)
Settlement loss(12,001)— (4,378)(16,379)
($96,662)$19,168 ($6,776)($84,270)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,920 $— $4,920 
Amortization of loss(2,681)364 (5)(2,322)
Settlement loss(2,478)— (6)(2,484)
($5,159)$5,284 ($11)$114 

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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

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

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

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

Year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining I, Bargaining I, Non-Bargaining II, and Bargaining II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2022 service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plans’ pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining I and Bargaining I and incurred settlement costs. Similar to other pension costs, the settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In September 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during 2019, the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense. The reserve amount was included in the base rate case that was filed with the PUCT in July 2022. At December 31, 2022, the balance in this reserve was approximately $30.6 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

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

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.
The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

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

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2022 are as follows:
Pension Asset AllocationTargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities43%35%to51%42%40%
International Equity Securities22%17%to27%22%20%
Fixed Income Securities35%29%to41%33%40%
Other—%—%to10%3%—%

Postretirement Asset AllocationNon-Taxable and Taxable
 TargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities25%20%to30%25%28%
International Equity Securities17%12%to22%18%17%
Fixed Income Securities58%53%to63%57%55%
Other—%—%to5%—%—%

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

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

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

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area, and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2022, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were
no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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

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

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.
Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$12,178 (b)$— $— $12,178 
Common807,437 (b)— — 807,437 
Common collective trusts (c) 2,516,688 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 673,348 (a)— 673,348 
Corporate debt instruments—  525,184 (a)— 525,184 
Registered investment companies (e)221,582 (d)2,595 (d)— 750,454 
Other— 15,395 (f)— 15,395 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,911 (g)— 5,911 
Total investments$1,041,197  $1,222,433  $— $5,306,595 
Cash     10,601 
Other pending transactions     (13,813)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (61,285)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $5,242,098 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$16,231 (b)$— $— $16,231 
Common1,001,169 (b)— — 1,001,169 
Common collective trusts (c) 3,123,111 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 627,148 (a)— 627,148 
Corporate debt instruments—  966,616 (a)— 966,616 
Registered investment companies (e)92,347 (d)3,004 (d)— 1,129,070 
Other— 68,886 (f)— 68,886 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,961 (g)— 5,961 
Total investments$1,109,747  $1,671,615  $— $6,938,192 
Cash     123,153 
Other pending transactions     11,125 
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (79,360)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $6,993,110 
Other Postretirement Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $241,676 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$69,503 (b)$78,436 (a)$— 147,939 
Corporate debt instruments—  113,273 (a)— 113,273 
Registered investment companies3,016 (d)—  — 3,016 
Other—  56,149 (f)— 56,149 
Total investments$72,519  $247,858  $— $562,053 
Other pending transactions     486 
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     61,285 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $623,824 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $312,594 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$62,240 (b)$89,951 (a)$— 152,191 
Corporate debt instruments—  152,562 (a)— 152,562 
Registered investment companies28,450 (d)—  — 28,450 
Other—  72,059 (f)— 72,059 
Total investments$90,690  $314,572  $— $717,856 
Other pending transactions     (25,897)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     79,360 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $771,319 

(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(b)Common stocks, preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.
(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The money market mutual funds held by the trusts are deemed to be actively traded.
(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2022, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:
 Estimated Future Benefits Payments 
 Qualified PensionNon-Qualified PensionOther Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)    
2023$494,875 $62,361 $71,267 $24 
2024$485,226 $13,295 $69,494 $12 
2025$484,201 $13,020 $67,502 $— 
2026$483,660 $10,151 $65,585 $— 
2027$478,854 $15,889 $64,003 $— 
2028 - 2032$2,349,591 $43,609 $302,752 ($1)

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:
Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$98,261 $105,305 $28,225 $11,840 $25,729 $24,074 
2024$95,703 $103,873 $28,264 $11,755 $24,583 $23,426 
2025$94,960 $103,698 $27,801 $11,411 $23,773 $22,788 
2026$93,958 $102,623 $27,925 $11,549 $24,074 $22,501 
2027$93,116 $100,787 $27,421 $11,177 $22,393 $23,352 
2028 - 2032$454,624 $486,551 $128,050 $52,741 $102,864 $112,550 
Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)     
2023$234 $184 $214 $32 $448 
2024$357 $170 $644 $112 $426 
2025$735 $156 $653 $150 $403 
2026$150 $142 $539 $145 $430 
2027$138 $129 $878 $233 $380 
2028 - 2032$968 $461 $1,605 $690 $1,566 

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$13,725 $15,361 $3,434 $2,353 $4,931 $2,814 
2024$13,330 $14,837 $3,310 $2,255 $4,723 $2,693 
2025$12,788 $14,519 $3,326 $2,164 $4,581 $2,605 
2026$12,398 $14,108 $3,305 $2,041 $4,340 $2,439 
2027$12,042 $13,720 $3,290 $1,933 $4,232 $2,366 
2028 - 2032$58,491 $64,023 $16,332 $8,375 $19,315 $11,998 

Estimated Future Medicare Part D SubsidyEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$1 $5 $12 $— $— $1 
2024$— $5 $1 $1 $— $— 
2025$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2026$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2027$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2028 - 2032$— $— ($1)($1)$1 $1 

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $42.5 million to other postretirement plans in 2023.  The expected 2023 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023.
The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2023:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Pension Contributions$54,464 $44,561 $21,109 $1,418 $5,317 $15,542 
Other Postretirement Contributions$526 $15,361 $136 $193 $86 $26 

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
 20222021
Weighted-average discount rate:  
Qualified pension
5.21% - 5.27% Blended 5.24%
2.99% - 3.08% Blended 3.05%
Other postretirement5.20%2.94%
Non-qualified pension4.98%2.11%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate4.00%2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-656.65%5.65%
Post-657.50%5.90%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-6520322032
    Post-6520322032
The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:
 202220212020
Weighted-average discount rate:   
Qualified pension:
    Service cost3.07%2.81%3.42%
    Interest cost2.49%2.08%2.99%
Other postretirement:
    Service cost3.20%2.98%3.27%
    Interest cost2.31%1.86%2.41%
Non-qualified pension:
    Service cost4.94%1.48%2.71%
    Interest cost5.03%2.14%2.25%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:   
Pension assets6.75%6.75%7.00%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets
5.75% - 6.75%
6.00% - 6.75%
6.25% - 7.25%
Other postretirement taxable assets4.75%5.00%5.25%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-655.65%5.87%6.13%
Post-655.90%6.31%6.25%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-65203220302027
    Post-65203220282027
    
With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 other postretirement benefit APBO.

Defined Contribution Plans

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

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

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

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $62.1 million in 2022, $62.3 million in 2021, and $63.1 million in 2020.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2022, 2021, and 2020 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:
 
 
Year
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$5,124 $7,138 $3,194 $1,223 $2,938 
2021$4,820 $6,678 $3,045 $1,140 $2,699 
2020$4,515 $6,518 $2,863 $1,115 $2,596 
Entergy Texas [Member]  
Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan).  The Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan) was merged with and into Non-Bargaining Plan I effective January 1, 2022. The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire was prior to June 30, 2014 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) participate in a noncontributory final average pay formula that provides pension benefits based on the employee’s credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 and before January 1, 2021 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) do not participate in a final average pay formula, but instead participate in a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in the plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Employees hired after this date instead may be eligible to participate in and receive a discretionary employer contribution under an Entergy sponsored tax-qualified defined contribution plan that includes a 401(k) feature.
The assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trust are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in the trust to the various participating pension plans in the trust.  The fair value of the trust’s assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

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

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.
Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$138,085 $165,278 $161,487 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation235,805 191,107 239,614 
Expected return on assets(402,504)(424,572)(414,273)
Recognized net loss188,683 334,124 350,010 
Settlement charges230,389 205,878 36,946 
Net pension cost$390,458 $471,815 $373,784 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Net (gain)/loss$6,113 ($448,532)$483,653 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:   
Amortization of net loss(188,683)(334,124)(358,473)
Settlement charge(230,389)(205,878)(36,946)
Total($412,959)($988,534)$88,234 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($22,501)($516,719)$462,018 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$25,210 $33,520 $8,043 $2,745 $5,999 $7,746 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Expected return on assets(75,820)(82,478)(20,168)(9,920)(18,317)(18,173)
Recognized net loss43,597 41,711 12,594 4,787 9,013 10,938 
Settlement charges36,409 58,550 15,786 6,676 22,411 9,905 
Net pension cost$74,774 $100,633 $29,234 $9,779 $29,835 $21,702 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net (gain)/loss$28,365 ($15,604)($4,743)$525 $13,363 ($7,063)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(43,597)(41,711)(12,594)(4,787)(9,013)(10,938)
Settlement charge(36,409)(58,550)(15,786)(6,676)(22,411)(9,905)
Total($51,641)($115,865)($33,123)($10,938)($18,061)($27,906)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$23,133 ($15,232)($3,889)($1,159)$11,774 ($6,204)
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$28,632 $38,271 $9,070 $3,038 $6,921 $8,851 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Expected return on assets(78,368)(89,821)(22,407)(10,598)(21,158)(19,254)
Recognized net loss69,290 67,015 20,007 7,596 12,676 18,404 
Settlement charges37,682 61,945 16,710 5,431 11,797 12,260 
Net pension cost$92,919 $117,150 $33,826 $9,859 $18,617 $29,348 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net gain($96,066)($89,534)($29,675)($16,159)($18,217)($27,617)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,290)(67,015)(20,007)(7,596)(12,676)(18,404)
Settlement charge(37,682)(61,945)(16,710)(5,431)(11,797)(12,260)
Total($203,038)($218,494)($66,392)($29,186)($42,690)($58,281)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($110,119)($101,344)($32,566)($19,327)($24,073)($28,933)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$26,329 $35,158 $8,060 $2,654 $6,116 $7,883 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation44,165 50,432 12,922 5,825 10,731 11,006 
Expected return on assets(78,187)(89,691)(23,147)(10,509)(21,951)(18,757)
Recognized net loss68,338 66,640 18,983 8,018 13,173 17,104 
Settlement charges21,078 8,109 3,366 — 4,289 105 
Net pension cost$81,723 $70,648 $20,184 $5,988 $12,358 $17,341 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net loss$106,178 $90,064 $36,899 $8,148 $13,379 $35,403 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,713)(68,248)(19,393)(8,213)(13,564)(17,434)
Settlement charge(21,078)(8,109)(3,366)— (4,289)(105)
Total$15,387 $13,707 $14,140 ($65)($4,474)$17,864 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$97,110 $84,355 $34,324 $5,923 $7,884 $35,205 
Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)  
Balance at January 1$8,409,620 $9,143,652 
Service cost138,085 165,278 
Interest cost235,805 191,107 
Actuarial gain(1,660,463)(158,276)
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Balance at December 31$6,166,106 $8,409,620 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$6,993,110 $6,854,426 
Actual return on plan assets(1,264,071)714,827 
Employer contributions470,000 355,998 
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Fair value of assets at December 31$5,242,098 $6,993,110 
Funded status($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)  
Non-current liabilities($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset  
Net loss$1,842,348 $2,214,390 
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Net loss$408,839 $449,756 
Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)      
Balance at January 1$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Service cost25,210 33,520 8,043 2,745 5,999 7,746 
Interest cost45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Actuarial gain(280,691)(357,572)(88,303)(40,462)(65,795)(81,504)
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Balance at December 31$1,168,098 $1,256,422 $320,994 $140,436 $265,565 $288,302 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Actual return on plan assets(233,236)(259,490)(63,392)(31,067)(60,841)(56,267)
Employer contributions92,971 53,658 33,287 1,129 2,513 28,619 
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Fair value of assets at December 31$961,178 $1,035,574 $265,736 $119,710 $226,417 $240,392 
Funded status($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)      
Non-current liabilities($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset      
Net loss$561,323 $445,116 $140,389 $51,868 $95,729 $125,876 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss$— $18,546 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($48) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($16.2) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($48.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23.5) million at System Energy.
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
      
Balance at January 1
$1,739,382 $1,927,271 $510,109 $220,287 $410,664 $441,148 
Service cost
28,632 38,271 9,070 3,038 6,921 8,851 
Interest cost
35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Actuarial gain(41,227)(28,439)(14,831)(9,118)(3,971)(14,746)
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Balance at December 31
$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,285,856 $1,476,306 $371,394 $172,551 $349,748 $310,818 
Actual return on plan assets
133,207 150,917 37,251 17,639 35,405 32,125 
Employer contributions
66,649 59,882 13,715 5,395 6,955 18,663 
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Funded status
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
      
Non-current liabilities
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
      
Net loss
$612,963 $556,345 $173,511 $62,805 $113,790 $153,782 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss
$— $23,181 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($104.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($166.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($45.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($14.3) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($31.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($33) million at System Energy.

The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial gains during 2021 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations and an actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.7 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 December 31,
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas$1,008,152 $1,463,966 
Entergy Louisiana$1,146,561 $1,574,273 
Entergy Mississippi$292,596 $407,851 
Entergy New Orleans$128,499 $178,010 
Entergy Texas$245,428 $342,441 
System Energy$269,583 $366,920 

Other Postretirement Benefits

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

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), are eligible to participate in an 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 Entergy-sponsored 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 are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

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

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

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

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$24,734 $26,578 $24,500 
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)27,306 21,278 28,597 
Expected return on assets(43,420)(43,220)(40,880)
Amortization of prior service credit(25,550)(33,069)(32,882)
Recognized net loss4,333 2,853 3,481 
Net other postretirement benefit income($12,597)($25,580)($17,184)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Prior service credit for the period($858)($3,168)($128,837)
Net (gain)/loss(131,524)6,210 41,031 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:   
Amortization of prior service credit25,550 33,069 32,882 
Amortization of net loss(4,333)(2,853)(3,481)
Total($111,165)$33,258 ($58,405)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($123,762)$7,678 ($75,589)
Total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 
Other postretirement costs:     
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$4,457 $5,633 $1,354 $397 $1,322 $1,239 
Interest cost on APBO5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Expected return on assets(17,930)— (5,575)(5,997)(10,273)(3,162)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)1,885 (4,630)(1,772)(916)(4,371)(319)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss873 (744)222 (898)648 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost($5,665)$6,029 ($4,370)($6,720)($11,078)($1,005)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$273 $323 ($1,300)$— $— $141 
Net (gain)/loss12,894 (65,501)6,629 17,334 22,323 1,208 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:     
Amortization of prior service credit/(cost)(1,885)4,630 1,772 916 4,371 319 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(873)744 (222)898 (648)(121)
Total$10,409 ($59,804)$6,879 $19,148 $26,046 $1,547 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$4,744 ($53,775)$2,509 $12,428 $14,968 $542 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$4,135 $6,174 $1,448 $437 $1,384 $1,340 
Interest cost on APBO
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Expected return on assets
(18,020)— (5,536)(5,750)(10,192)(3,156)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,121)(4,920)(1,775)(916)(3,742)(436)
Recognized net (gain)/loss196 (364)76 (712)398 61 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($11,084)$5,410 ($4,677)($6,420)($10,883)($1,313)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period($85)$357 $— $— ($3,776)$69 
Net (gain)/loss9,956 (2,367)(2,823)(3,330)939 210 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,121 4,920 1,775 916 3,742 436 
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss(196)364 (76)712 (398)(61)
Total
$10,796 $3,274 ($1,124)($1,702)$507 $654 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($288)$8,684 ($5,801)($8,122)($10,376)($659)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$3,626 $5,993 $1,468 $445 $1,219 $1,254 
Interest cost on APBO
4,712 6,216 1,536 784 2,008 1,130 
Expected return on assets
(17,104)— (5,167)(5,382)(9,643)(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,849)(6,179)(1,652)(763)(3,364)(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/loss540 (447)171 (13)907 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($10,075)$5,583 ($3,644)($4,929)($8,873)($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$12,320 ($23,508)($4,428)($5,493)($22,441)($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss2,245 8,744 (4,456)(5,351)(3,266)58 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,849 6,179 1,652 763 3,364 1,065 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(540)447 (171)13 (907)(121)
Total
$15,874 ($8,138)($7,403)($10,068)($23,250)($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$5,799 ($2,555)($11,047)($14,997)($32,123)($2,479)
Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO  
Balance at January 1$1,189,682 $1,181,075 
Service cost24,734 26,578 
Interest cost27,306 21,278 
Plan amendments(858)(3,168)
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Actuarial (gain)/loss(297,128)20,955 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Medicare Part D subsidy received264 249 
Balance at December 31$865,854 $1,189,682 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$771,319 $737,866 
Actual return on plan assets(122,184)57,965 
Employer contributions52,835 32,773 
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Fair value of assets at December 31$623,824 $771,319 
Funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet  
Current liabilities($42,484)($42,000)
Non-current liabilities(199,546)(376,363)
Total funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset  
Prior service credit($29,323)($37,693)
Net (gain)/loss16,956 (7,981)
 ($12,367)($45,674)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Prior service credit($45,167)($61,488)
Net (gain)/loss(133,656)27,138 
 ($178,823)($34,350)
Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO      
Balance at January 1$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Service cost4,457 5,633 1,354 397 1,322 1,239 
Interest cost5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Plan amendments273 323 (1,300)— — 141 
Plan participant contributions5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Actuarial gain(54,923)(65,501)(14,465)(6,867)(16,291)(10,679)
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Medicare Part D subsidy received42 57 16 17 
Balance at December 31$164,018 $183,126 $44,365 $23,971 $53,482 $35,274 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Actual return on plan assets(49,887)— (15,519)(18,204)(28,341)(8,725)
Employer contributions1,573 16,187 759 333 (23)944 
Plan participant contributions 5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Fair value of assets at December 31$255,117 $— $79,496 $91,140 $148,799 $42,434 
Funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet      
Current liabilities$— ($15,356)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities91,099 (167,770)35,131 67,169 95,317 7,160 
Total funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset      
Prior service cost/(credit)$7,079 $— ($3,637)($2,898)($16,161)($789)
Net loss5,224 — 2,153 2,229 24,246 4,054 
 $12,303 $— ($1,484)($669)$8,085 $3,265 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)      
Prior service credit$— ($12,015)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain— (82,308)— — — — 
 $— ($94,323)$— $— $— $— 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO
      
Balance at January 1
$209,369 $255,571 $61,990 $31,707 $74,233 $47,701 
Service cost
4,135 6,174 1,448 437 1,384 1,340 
Interest cost
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Plan amendments
(85)357 — — (3,776)69 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Actuarial (gain)/loss14,323 (2,367)(1,335)988 4,270 1,289 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Medicare Part D subsidy received
32 50 13 14 
Balance at December 31
$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1
$304,192 $— $93,475 $102,734 $174,096 $52,619 
Actual return on plan assets
22,387 — 7,024 10,068 13,523 4,235 
Employer contributions
(767)11,274 (393)126 98 1,212 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
      
Current liabilities
$— ($15,839)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities
94,312 (237,192)36,887 79,271 110,324 6,775 
Total funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
      
Prior service cost/(credit)$8,691 $— ($4,109)($3,814)($20,532)($1,249)
Net (gain)/loss(6,797)— (4,254)(16,003)2,571 2,967 
 
$1,894 $— ($8,363)($19,817)($17,961)$1,718 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
      
Prior service credit
$— ($16,967)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain
— (17,551)— — — — 
 
$— ($34,518)$— $— $— $— 

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022. The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and updated census data. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual
return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021 and a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $30.9 million in 2022, $28.6 million in 2021, and $18.1 million in 2020.  In 2022 and 2021, Entergy recognized $12.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation was $152.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62.4 million was a current liability and $90 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $181.6 million as of December 31, 2021 of which $26.3 million was a current liability and $155.3 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $140 million and $165.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($56.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74.9 million at December 31, 2021) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($8.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $17 million at December 31, 2021).

A Rabbi Trust has been established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. The Rabbi Trust assets are invested in money-market funds which are recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. All of the investments are classified as Level 1 investments for purposes of Fair Value Measurements. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the assets held in the Rabbi Trust was $35 million.

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2022, 2021, and 2020, was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$282 $102 $321 $114 $1,320 
2021$343 $307 $365 $30 $615 
2020$333 $148 $359 $31 $469 

Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.
The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,433 $1,197 $3,830 $1,024 $3,850 
2021$2,875 $1,469 $3,708 $1,069 $7,462 

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,192 $1,197 $3,594 $719 $3,776 
2021$2,482 $1,445 $3,377 $738 $7,355 

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($234)($184)($214)($32)($448)
Non-current liabilities(2,199)(1,013)(3,616)(992)(3,402)
Total funded status($2,433)($1,197)($3,830)($1,024)($3,850)
Regulatory asset/(liability)$512 $119 $1,291 $111 ($2,615)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $5 $— $— $— 

2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($248)($186)($190)($31)($3,080)
Non-current liabilities(2,627)(1,283)(3,518)(1,039)(4,382)
Total funded status($2,875)($1,469)($3,708)($1,070)($7,462)
Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,059 $233 $1,368 $251 ($706)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $10 $— $— $— 

The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions. The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2022:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $16,052 ($715)$15,337 
Amortization of loss(30,147)(2,381)(1,331)(33,859)
Settlement loss(23,636)— (1,685)(25,321)
($53,783)$13,671 ($3,731)($43,843)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,630 $— $4,630 
Amortization of loss(1,669)744 (2)(927)
Settlement loss(2,342)— — (2,342)
($4,011)$5,374 ($2)$1,361 

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2021:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $21,151 ($204)$20,947 
Amortization of loss(84,661)(1,983)(2,194)(88,838)
Settlement loss(12,001)— (4,378)(16,379)
($96,662)$19,168 ($6,776)($84,270)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,920 $— $4,920 
Amortization of loss(2,681)364 (5)(2,322)
Settlement loss(2,478)— (6)(2,484)
($5,159)$5,284 ($11)$114 

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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

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

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

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

Year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining I, Bargaining I, Non-Bargaining II, and Bargaining II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2022 service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plans’ pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining I and Bargaining I and incurred settlement costs. Similar to other pension costs, the settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In September 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during 2019, the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense. The reserve amount was included in the base rate case that was filed with the PUCT in July 2022. At December 31, 2022, the balance in this reserve was approximately $30.6 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

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

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.
The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

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

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2022 are as follows:
Pension Asset AllocationTargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities43%35%to51%42%40%
International Equity Securities22%17%to27%22%20%
Fixed Income Securities35%29%to41%33%40%
Other—%—%to10%3%—%

Postretirement Asset AllocationNon-Taxable and Taxable
 TargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities25%20%to30%25%28%
International Equity Securities17%12%to22%18%17%
Fixed Income Securities58%53%to63%57%55%
Other—%—%to5%—%—%

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

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

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

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area, and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2022, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were
no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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

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

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.
Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$12,178 (b)$— $— $12,178 
Common807,437 (b)— — 807,437 
Common collective trusts (c) 2,516,688 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 673,348 (a)— 673,348 
Corporate debt instruments—  525,184 (a)— 525,184 
Registered investment companies (e)221,582 (d)2,595 (d)— 750,454 
Other— 15,395 (f)— 15,395 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,911 (g)— 5,911 
Total investments$1,041,197  $1,222,433  $— $5,306,595 
Cash     10,601 
Other pending transactions     (13,813)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (61,285)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $5,242,098 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$16,231 (b)$— $— $16,231 
Common1,001,169 (b)— — 1,001,169 
Common collective trusts (c) 3,123,111 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 627,148 (a)— 627,148 
Corporate debt instruments—  966,616 (a)— 966,616 
Registered investment companies (e)92,347 (d)3,004 (d)— 1,129,070 
Other— 68,886 (f)— 68,886 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,961 (g)— 5,961 
Total investments$1,109,747  $1,671,615  $— $6,938,192 
Cash     123,153 
Other pending transactions     11,125 
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (79,360)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $6,993,110 
Other Postretirement Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $241,676 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$69,503 (b)$78,436 (a)$— 147,939 
Corporate debt instruments—  113,273 (a)— 113,273 
Registered investment companies3,016 (d)—  — 3,016 
Other—  56,149 (f)— 56,149 
Total investments$72,519  $247,858  $— $562,053 
Other pending transactions     486 
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     61,285 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $623,824 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $312,594 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$62,240 (b)$89,951 (a)$— 152,191 
Corporate debt instruments—  152,562 (a)— 152,562 
Registered investment companies28,450 (d)—  — 28,450 
Other—  72,059 (f)— 72,059 
Total investments$90,690  $314,572  $— $717,856 
Other pending transactions     (25,897)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     79,360 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $771,319 

(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(b)Common stocks, preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.
(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The money market mutual funds held by the trusts are deemed to be actively traded.
(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2022, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:
 Estimated Future Benefits Payments 
 Qualified PensionNon-Qualified PensionOther Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)    
2023$494,875 $62,361 $71,267 $24 
2024$485,226 $13,295 $69,494 $12 
2025$484,201 $13,020 $67,502 $— 
2026$483,660 $10,151 $65,585 $— 
2027$478,854 $15,889 $64,003 $— 
2028 - 2032$2,349,591 $43,609 $302,752 ($1)

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:
Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$98,261 $105,305 $28,225 $11,840 $25,729 $24,074 
2024$95,703 $103,873 $28,264 $11,755 $24,583 $23,426 
2025$94,960 $103,698 $27,801 $11,411 $23,773 $22,788 
2026$93,958 $102,623 $27,925 $11,549 $24,074 $22,501 
2027$93,116 $100,787 $27,421 $11,177 $22,393 $23,352 
2028 - 2032$454,624 $486,551 $128,050 $52,741 $102,864 $112,550 
Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)     
2023$234 $184 $214 $32 $448 
2024$357 $170 $644 $112 $426 
2025$735 $156 $653 $150 $403 
2026$150 $142 $539 $145 $430 
2027$138 $129 $878 $233 $380 
2028 - 2032$968 $461 $1,605 $690 $1,566 

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$13,725 $15,361 $3,434 $2,353 $4,931 $2,814 
2024$13,330 $14,837 $3,310 $2,255 $4,723 $2,693 
2025$12,788 $14,519 $3,326 $2,164 $4,581 $2,605 
2026$12,398 $14,108 $3,305 $2,041 $4,340 $2,439 
2027$12,042 $13,720 $3,290 $1,933 $4,232 $2,366 
2028 - 2032$58,491 $64,023 $16,332 $8,375 $19,315 $11,998 

Estimated Future Medicare Part D SubsidyEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$1 $5 $12 $— $— $1 
2024$— $5 $1 $1 $— $— 
2025$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2026$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2027$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2028 - 2032$— $— ($1)($1)$1 $1 

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $42.5 million to other postretirement plans in 2023.  The expected 2023 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023.
The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2023:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Pension Contributions$54,464 $44,561 $21,109 $1,418 $5,317 $15,542 
Other Postretirement Contributions$526 $15,361 $136 $193 $86 $26 

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
 20222021
Weighted-average discount rate:  
Qualified pension
5.21% - 5.27% Blended 5.24%
2.99% - 3.08% Blended 3.05%
Other postretirement5.20%2.94%
Non-qualified pension4.98%2.11%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate4.00%2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-656.65%5.65%
Post-657.50%5.90%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-6520322032
    Post-6520322032
The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:
 202220212020
Weighted-average discount rate:   
Qualified pension:
    Service cost3.07%2.81%3.42%
    Interest cost2.49%2.08%2.99%
Other postretirement:
    Service cost3.20%2.98%3.27%
    Interest cost2.31%1.86%2.41%
Non-qualified pension:
    Service cost4.94%1.48%2.71%
    Interest cost5.03%2.14%2.25%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:   
Pension assets6.75%6.75%7.00%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets
5.75% - 6.75%
6.00% - 6.75%
6.25% - 7.25%
Other postretirement taxable assets4.75%5.00%5.25%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-655.65%5.87%6.13%
Post-655.90%6.31%6.25%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-65203220302027
    Post-65203220282027
    
With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 other postretirement benefit APBO.

Defined Contribution Plans

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

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

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

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $62.1 million in 2022, $62.3 million in 2021, and $63.1 million in 2020.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2022, 2021, and 2020 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:
 
 
Year
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$5,124 $7,138 $3,194 $1,223 $2,938 
2021$4,820 $6,678 $3,045 $1,140 $2,699 
2020$4,515 $6,518 $2,863 $1,115 $2,596 
System Energy [Member]  
Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy has seven defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan).  The Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan) was merged with and into Non-Bargaining Plan I effective January 1, 2022. The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire was prior to June 30, 2014 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) participate in a noncontributory final average pay formula that provides pension benefits based on the employee’s credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 and before January 1, 2021 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) do not participate in a final average pay formula, but instead participate in a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in the plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Employees hired after this date instead may be eligible to participate in and receive a discretionary employer contribution under an Entergy sponsored tax-qualified defined contribution plan that includes a 401(k) feature.
The assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in the master trust that is maintained by a trustee.  Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes.  Although assets in the master trust are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in the trust to the various participating pension plans in the trust.  The fair value of the trust’s assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers.  The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.

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

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.
Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$138,085 $165,278 $161,487 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation235,805 191,107 239,614 
Expected return on assets(402,504)(424,572)(414,273)
Recognized net loss188,683 334,124 350,010 
Settlement charges230,389 205,878 36,946 
Net pension cost$390,458 $471,815 $373,784 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Net (gain)/loss$6,113 ($448,532)$483,653 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:   
Amortization of net loss(188,683)(334,124)(358,473)
Settlement charge(230,389)(205,878)(36,946)
Total($412,959)($988,534)$88,234 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($22,501)($516,719)$462,018 
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$25,210 $33,520 $8,043 $2,745 $5,999 $7,746 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Expected return on assets(75,820)(82,478)(20,168)(9,920)(18,317)(18,173)
Recognized net loss43,597 41,711 12,594 4,787 9,013 10,938 
Settlement charges36,409 58,550 15,786 6,676 22,411 9,905 
Net pension cost$74,774 $100,633 $29,234 $9,779 $29,835 $21,702 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net (gain)/loss$28,365 ($15,604)($4,743)$525 $13,363 ($7,063)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(43,597)(41,711)(12,594)(4,787)(9,013)(10,938)
Settlement charge(36,409)(58,550)(15,786)(6,676)(22,411)(9,905)
Total($51,641)($115,865)($33,123)($10,938)($18,061)($27,906)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$23,133 ($15,232)($3,889)($1,159)$11,774 ($6,204)
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$28,632 $38,271 $9,070 $3,038 $6,921 $8,851 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Expected return on assets(78,368)(89,821)(22,407)(10,598)(21,158)(19,254)
Recognized net loss69,290 67,015 20,007 7,596 12,676 18,404 
Settlement charges37,682 61,945 16,710 5,431 11,797 12,260 
Net pension cost$92,919 $117,150 $33,826 $9,859 $18,617 $29,348 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net gain($96,066)($89,534)($29,675)($16,159)($18,217)($27,617)
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,290)(67,015)(20,007)(7,596)(12,676)(18,404)
Settlement charge(37,682)(61,945)(16,710)(5,431)(11,797)(12,260)
Total($203,038)($218,494)($66,392)($29,186)($42,690)($58,281)
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($110,119)($101,344)($32,566)($19,327)($24,073)($28,933)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Net periodic pension cost:      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$26,329 $35,158 $8,060 $2,654 $6,116 $7,883 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation44,165 50,432 12,922 5,825 10,731 11,006 
Expected return on assets(78,187)(89,691)(23,147)(10,509)(21,951)(18,757)
Recognized net loss68,338 66,640 18,983 8,018 13,173 17,104 
Settlement charges21,078 8,109 3,366 — 4,289 105 
Net pension cost$81,723 $70,648 $20,184 $5,988 $12,358 $17,341 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Net loss$106,178 $90,064 $36,899 $8,148 $13,379 $35,403 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year:      
Amortization of net loss(69,713)(68,248)(19,393)(8,213)(13,564)(17,434)
Settlement charge(21,078)(8,109)(3,366)— (4,289)(105)
Total$15,387 $13,707 $14,140 ($65)($4,474)$17,864 
Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$97,110 $84,355 $34,324 $5,923 $7,884 $35,205 
Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)  
Balance at January 1$8,409,620 $9,143,652 
Service cost138,085 165,278 
Interest cost235,805 191,107 
Actuarial gain(1,660,463)(158,276)
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Balance at December 31$6,166,106 $8,409,620 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$6,993,110 $6,854,426 
Actual return on plan assets(1,264,071)714,827 
Employer contributions470,000 355,998 
Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($604,753) in 2022 and ($553,576) in 2021)
(956,941)(932,141)
Fair value of assets at December 31$5,242,098 $6,993,110 
Funded status($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)  
Non-current liabilities($924,008)($1,416,510)
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset  
Net loss$1,842,348 $2,214,390 
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Net loss$408,839 $449,756 
Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)      
Balance at January 1$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Service cost25,210 33,520 8,043 2,745 5,999 7,746 
Interest cost45,378 49,330 12,979 5,491 10,729 11,286 
Actuarial gain(280,691)(357,572)(88,303)(40,462)(65,795)(81,504)
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Balance at December 31$1,168,098 $1,256,422 $320,994 $140,436 $265,565 $288,302 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Actual return on plan assets(233,236)(259,490)(63,392)(31,067)(60,841)(56,267)
Employer contributions92,971 53,658 33,287 1,129 2,513 28,619 
Benefits paid (a)(201,145)(205,252)(60,583)(22,718)(57,170)(44,020)
Fair value of assets at December 31$961,178 $1,035,574 $265,736 $119,710 $226,417 $240,392 
Funded status($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)      
Non-current liabilities($206,920)($220,848)($55,258)($20,726)($39,148)($47,910)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset      
Net loss$561,323 $445,116 $140,389 $51,868 $95,729 $125,876 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss$— $18,546 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($48) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($16.2) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($48.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23.5) million at System Energy.
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)
      
Balance at January 1
$1,739,382 $1,927,271 $510,109 $220,287 $410,664 $441,148 
Service cost
28,632 38,271 9,070 3,038 6,921 8,851 
Interest cost
35,683 39,740 10,446 4,392 8,381 9,087 
Actuarial gain(41,227)(28,439)(14,831)(9,118)(3,971)(14,746)
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Balance at December 31
$1,579,346 $1,736,396 $448,858 $195,380 $371,802 $394,794 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1$1,285,856 $1,476,306 $371,394 $172,551 $349,748 $310,818 
Actual return on plan assets
133,207 150,917 37,251 17,639 35,405 32,125 
Employer contributions
66,649 59,882 13,715 5,395 6,955 18,663 
Benefits paid (a)(183,124)(240,447)(65,936)(23,219)(50,193)(49,546)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$1,302,588 $1,446,658 $356,424 $172,366 $341,915 $312,060 
Funded status
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status)
      
Non-current liabilities
($276,758)($289,738)($92,434)($23,014)($29,887)($82,734)
Amounts recognized as regulatory asset
      
Net loss
$612,963 $556,345 $173,511 $62,805 $113,790 $153,782 
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)      
Net loss
$— $23,181 $— $— $— $— 

(a)    Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($104.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($166.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($45.7) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($14.3) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($31.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($33) million at System Energy.

The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. The qualified pension plans incurred actuarial gains during 2021 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations and an actual return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021.

Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.7 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 December 31,
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Entergy Arkansas$1,008,152 $1,463,966 
Entergy Louisiana$1,146,561 $1,574,273 
Entergy Mississippi$292,596 $407,851 
Entergy New Orleans$128,499 $178,010 
Entergy Texas$245,428 $342,441 
System Energy$269,583 $366,920 

Other Postretirement Benefits

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

In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), are eligible to participate in an 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 Entergy-sponsored 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 are reflected in the December 31, 2020 other postretirement obligation. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law.

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

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

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

Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:
 202220212020
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:   
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$24,734 $26,578 $24,500 
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)27,306 21,278 28,597 
Expected return on assets(43,420)(43,220)(40,880)
Amortization of prior service credit(25,550)(33,069)(32,882)
Recognized net loss4,333 2,853 3,481 
Net other postretirement benefit income($12,597)($25,580)($17,184)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)   
Arising this period:   
Prior service credit for the period($858)($3,168)($128,837)
Net (gain)/loss(131,524)6,210 41,031 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:   
Amortization of prior service credit25,550 33,069 32,882 
Amortization of net loss(4,333)(2,853)(3,481)
Total($111,165)$33,258 ($58,405)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($123,762)$7,678 ($75,589)
Total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 
Other postretirement costs:     
Service cost - benefits earned during the period$4,457 $5,633 $1,354 $397 $1,322 $1,239 
Interest cost on APBO5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Expected return on assets(17,930)— (5,575)(5,997)(10,273)(3,162)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)1,885 (4,630)(1,772)(916)(4,371)(319)
Recognized net (gain)/ loss873 (744)222 (898)648 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost($5,665)$6,029 ($4,370)($6,720)($11,078)($1,005)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$273 $323 ($1,300)$— $— $141 
Net (gain)/loss12,894 (65,501)6,629 17,334 22,323 1,208 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:     
Amortization of prior service credit/(cost)(1,885)4,630 1,772 916 4,371 319 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(873)744 (222)898 (648)(121)
Total$10,409 ($59,804)$6,879 $19,148 $26,046 $1,547 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$4,744 ($53,775)$2,509 $12,428 $14,968 $542 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$4,135 $6,174 $1,448 $437 $1,384 $1,340 
Interest cost on APBO
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Expected return on assets
(18,020)— (5,536)(5,750)(10,192)(3,156)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,121)(4,920)(1,775)(916)(3,742)(436)
Recognized net (gain)/loss196 (364)76 (712)398 61 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($11,084)$5,410 ($4,677)($6,420)($10,883)($1,313)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period($85)$357 $— $— ($3,776)$69 
Net (gain)/loss9,956 (2,367)(2,823)(3,330)939 210 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,121 4,920 1,775 916 3,742 436 
Amortization of net (gain)/ loss(196)364 (76)712 (398)(61)
Total
$10,796 $3,274 ($1,124)($1,702)$507 $654 
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)($288)$8,684 ($5,801)($8,122)($10,376)($659)
2020Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Other postretirement costs:
      
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
$3,626 $5,993 $1,468 $445 $1,219 $1,254 
Interest cost on APBO
4,712 6,216 1,536 784 2,008 1,130 
Expected return on assets
(17,104)— (5,167)(5,382)(9,643)(2,958)
Amortization of prior service credit
(1,849)(6,179)(1,652)(763)(3,364)(1,065)
Recognized net (gain)/loss540 (447)171 (13)907 121 
Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost
($10,075)$5,583 ($3,644)($4,929)($8,873)($1,518)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax)      
Arising this period:
      
Prior service cost/(credit) for the period$12,320 ($23,508)($4,428)($5,493)($22,441)($1,963)
Net (gain)/loss2,245 8,744 (4,456)(5,351)(3,266)58 
Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year:      
Amortization of prior service credit1,849 6,179 1,652 763 3,364 1,065 
Amortization of net (gain)/loss(540)447 (171)13 (907)(121)
Total
$15,874 ($8,138)($7,403)($10,068)($23,250)($961)
Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax)$5,799 ($2,555)($11,047)($14,997)($32,123)($2,479)
Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet

Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
 20222021
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO  
Balance at January 1$1,189,682 $1,181,075 
Service cost24,734 26,578 
Interest cost27,306 21,278 
Plan amendments(858)(3,168)
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Actuarial (gain)/loss(297,128)20,955 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Medicare Part D subsidy received264 249 
Balance at December 31$865,854 $1,189,682 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of assets at January 1$771,319 $737,866 
Actual return on plan assets(122,184)57,965 
Employer contributions52,835 32,773 
Plan participant contributions22,486 22,023 
Benefits paid(100,632)(79,308)
Fair value of assets at December 31$623,824 $771,319 
Funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet  
Current liabilities($42,484)($42,000)
Non-current liabilities(199,546)(376,363)
Total funded status($242,030)($418,363)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset  
Prior service credit($29,323)($37,693)
Net (gain)/loss16,956 (7,981)
 ($12,367)($45,674)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)  
Prior service credit($45,167)($61,488)
Net (gain)/loss(133,656)27,138 
 ($178,823)($34,350)
Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO      
Balance at January 1$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Service cost4,457 5,633 1,354 397 1,322 1,239 
Interest cost5,050 5,770 1,401 694 1,596 1,116 
Plan amendments273 323 (1,300)— — 141 
Plan participant contributions5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Actuarial gain(54,923)(65,501)(14,465)(6,867)(16,291)(10,679)
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Medicare Part D subsidy received42 57 16 17 
Balance at December 31$164,018 $183,126 $44,365 $23,971 $53,482 $35,274 
Change in Plan Assets      
Fair value of assets at January 1$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Actual return on plan assets(49,887)— (15,519)(18,204)(28,341)(8,725)
Employer contributions1,573 16,187 759 333 (23)944 
Plan participant contributions 5,521 5,081 1,443 440 924 1,222 
Benefits paid(17,585)(21,268)(5,075)(2,566)(6,046)(5,657)
Fair value of assets at December 31$255,117 $— $79,496 $91,140 $148,799 $42,434 
Funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet      
Current liabilities$— ($15,356)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities91,099 (167,770)35,131 67,169 95,317 7,160 
Total funded status$91,099 ($183,126)$35,131 $67,169 $95,317 $7,160 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset      
Prior service cost/(credit)$7,079 $— ($3,637)($2,898)($16,161)($789)
Net loss5,224 — 2,153 2,229 24,246 4,054 
 $12,303 $— ($1,484)($669)$8,085 $3,265 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)      
Prior service credit$— ($12,015)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain— (82,308)— — — — 
 $— ($94,323)$— $— $— $— 
2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Change in APBO
      
Balance at January 1
$209,369 $255,571 $61,990 $31,707 $74,233 $47,701 
Service cost
4,135 6,174 1,448 437 1,384 1,340 
Interest cost
3,726 4,520 1,110 521 1,269 878 
Plan amendments
(85)357 — — (3,776)69 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Actuarial (gain)/loss14,323 (2,367)(1,335)988 4,270 1,289 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Medicare Part D subsidy received
32 50 13 14 
Balance at December 31
$221,183 $253,031 $61,001 $31,866 $71,961 $47,875 
Change in Plan Assets
      
Fair value of assets at January 1
$304,192 $— $93,475 $102,734 $174,096 $52,619 
Actual return on plan assets
22,387 — 7,024 10,068 13,523 4,235 
Employer contributions
(767)11,274 (393)126 98 1,212 
Plan participant contributions
5,637 5,186 1,386 403 1,491 1,353 
Benefits paid
(15,954)(16,460)(3,604)(2,194)(6,923)(4,769)
Fair value of assets at December 31
$315,495 $— $97,888 $111,137 $182,285 $54,650 
Funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
      
Current liabilities
$— ($15,839)$— $— $— $— 
Non-current liabilities
94,312 (237,192)36,887 79,271 110,324 6,775 
Total funded status
$94,312 ($253,031)$36,887 $79,271 $110,324 $6,775 
Amounts recognized in regulatory asset
      
Prior service cost/(credit)$8,691 $— ($4,109)($3,814)($20,532)($1,249)
Net (gain)/loss(6,797)— (4,254)(16,003)2,571 2,967 
 
$1,894 $— ($8,363)($19,817)($17,961)$1,718 
Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax)
      
Prior service credit
$— ($16,967)$— $— $— $— 
Net gain
— (17,551)— — — — 
 
$— ($34,518)$— $— $— $— 

The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022. The other postretirement plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to a reduction in the projected Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) revenue and updated census data. These losses were partially offset by gains resulting from the actual
return on assets exceeding the expected return on assets for 2021 and a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.

Non-Qualified Pension Plans

Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $30.9 million in 2022, $28.6 million in 2021, and $18.1 million in 2020.  In 2022 and 2021, Entergy recognized $12.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.

The projected benefit obligation was $152.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62.4 million was a current liability and $90 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $181.6 million as of December 31, 2021 of which $26.3 million was a current liability and $155.3 million was a non-current liability.  The accumulated benefit obligation was $140 million and $165.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($56.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74.9 million at December 31, 2021) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($8.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $17 million at December 31, 2021).

A Rabbi Trust has been established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. The Rabbi Trust assets are invested in money-market funds which are recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. All of the investments are classified as Level 1 investments for purposes of Fair Value Measurements. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the assets held in the Rabbi Trust was $35 million.

The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.  The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2022, 2021, and 2020, was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$282 $102 $321 $114 $1,320 
2021$343 $307 $365 $30 $615 
2020$333 $148 $359 $31 $469 

Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. In 2020 there were no settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.
The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,433 $1,197 $3,830 $1,024 $3,850 
2021$2,875 $1,469 $3,708 $1,069 $7,462 

The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$2,192 $1,197 $3,594 $719 $3,776 
2021$2,482 $1,445 $3,377 $738 $7,355 

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($234)($184)($214)($32)($448)
Non-current liabilities(2,199)(1,013)(3,616)(992)(3,402)
Total funded status($2,433)($1,197)($3,830)($1,024)($3,850)
Regulatory asset/(liability)$512 $119 $1,291 $111 ($2,615)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $5 $— $— $— 

2021Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Current liabilities($248)($186)($190)($31)($3,080)
Non-current liabilities(2,627)(1,283)(3,518)(1,039)(4,382)
Total funded status($2,875)($1,469)($3,708)($1,070)($7,462)
Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,059 $233 $1,368 $251 ($706)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)$— $10 $— $— $— 

The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions. The non-qualified pension plans incurred actuarial losses during 2021 primarily due to differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2022:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $16,052 ($715)$15,337 
Amortization of loss(30,147)(2,381)(1,331)(33,859)
Settlement loss(23,636)— (1,685)(25,321)
($53,783)$13,671 ($3,731)($43,843)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,630 $— $4,630 
Amortization of loss(1,669)744 (2)(927)
Settlement loss(2,342)— — (2,342)
($4,011)$5,374 ($2)$1,361 

Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2021:
 Qualified Pension CostsOther Postretirement CostsNon-Qualified Pension CostsTotal
 (In Thousands)
Entergy  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $21,151 ($204)$20,947 
Amortization of loss(84,661)(1,983)(2,194)(88,838)
Settlement loss(12,001)— (4,378)(16,379)
($96,662)$19,168 ($6,776)($84,270)
Entergy Louisiana  
Amortization of prior service cost$— $4,920 $— $4,920 
Amortization of loss(2,681)364 (5)(2,322)
Settlement loss(2,478)— (6)(2,484)
($5,159)$5,284 ($11)$114 

Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

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

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

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

Qualified Pension Settlement Cost

Year-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining I, Bargaining I, Non-Bargaining II, and Bargaining II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2022 service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plans’ pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining I and Bargaining I and incurred settlement costs. Similar to other pension costs, the settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred.

Entergy Texas Reserve

In September 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, for the difference between the amount recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits expense under generally accepted accounting principles during 2019, the first year that rates from Entergy Texas’s last general rate proceeding were in effect, and the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense. The reserve amount was included in the base rate case that was filed with the PUCT in July 2022. At December 31, 2022, the balance in this reserve was approximately $30.6 million.

Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ Assets

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

In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes.  The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period.
The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the pension plans’ funded status. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases.  The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.

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

Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2022 are as follows:
Pension Asset AllocationTargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities43%35%to51%42%40%
International Equity Securities22%17%to27%22%20%
Fixed Income Securities35%29%to41%33%40%
Other—%—%to10%3%—%

Postretirement Asset AllocationNon-Taxable and Taxable
 TargetRangeActual 2022Actual 2021
Domestic Equity Securities25%20%to30%25%28%
International Equity Securities17%12%to22%18%17%
Fixed Income Securities58%53%to63%57%55%
Other—%—%to5%—%—%

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

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

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

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Entergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.  Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area, and individual security issuance.  As of December 31, 2022, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were
no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

-     quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
-     quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
-     inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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

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

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.
Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$12,178 (b)$— $— $12,178 
Common807,437 (b)— — 807,437 
Common collective trusts (c) 2,516,688 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 673,348 (a)— 673,348 
Corporate debt instruments—  525,184 (a)— 525,184 
Registered investment companies (e)221,582 (d)2,595 (d)— 750,454 
Other— 15,395 (f)— 15,395 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,911 (g)— 5,911 
Total investments$1,041,197  $1,222,433  $— $5,306,595 
Cash     10,601 
Other pending transactions     (13,813)
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (61,285)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $5,242,098 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Corporate stocks:      
Preferred$16,231 (b)$— $— $16,231 
Common1,001,169 (b)— — 1,001,169 
Common collective trusts (c) 3,123,111 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities— 627,148 (a)— 627,148 
Corporate debt instruments—  966,616 (a)— 966,616 
Registered investment companies (e)92,347 (d)3,004 (d)— 1,129,070 
Other— 68,886 (f)— 68,886 
Other:      
Insurance company general account (unallocated contracts)—  5,961 (g)— 5,961 
Total investments$1,109,747  $1,671,615  $— $6,938,192 
Cash     123,153 
Other pending transactions     11,125 
Less: Other postretirement assets included in total investments     (79,360)
Total fair value of qualified pension assets     $6,993,110 
Other Postretirement Trusts

2022Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $241,676 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$69,503 (b)$78,436 (a)$— 147,939 
Corporate debt instruments—  113,273 (a)— 113,273 
Registered investment companies3,016 (d)—  — 3,016 
Other—  56,149 (f)— 56,149 
Total investments$72,519  $247,858  $— $562,053 
Other pending transactions     486 
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     61,285 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $623,824 

2021Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Total
 (In Thousands)
Equity securities:      
Common collective trust (c) $312,594 
Fixed income securities:      
U.S. Government securities$62,240 (b)$89,951 (a)$— 152,191 
Corporate debt instruments—  152,562 (a)— 152,562 
Registered investment companies28,450 (d)—  — 28,450 
Other—  72,059 (f)— 72,059 
Total investments$90,690  $314,572  $— $717,856 
Other pending transactions     (25,897)
Plus:  Other postretirement assets included in the investments of the qualified pension trust     79,360 
Total fair value of other postretirement assets     $771,319 

(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(b)Common stocks, preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.
(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives.  The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index.  The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Common collective trusts are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The money market mutual funds held by the trusts are deemed to be actively traded.
(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.
(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.
(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.  The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Based upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2022, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:
 Estimated Future Benefits Payments 
 Qualified PensionNon-Qualified PensionOther Postretirement (before Medicare Subsidy)Estimated Future Medicare D Subsidy Receipts
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)    
2023$494,875 $62,361 $71,267 $24 
2024$485,226 $13,295 $69,494 $12 
2025$484,201 $13,020 $67,502 $— 
2026$483,660 $10,151 $65,585 $— 
2027$478,854 $15,889 $64,003 $— 
2028 - 2032$2,349,591 $43,609 $302,752 ($1)

Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:
Estimated Future Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$98,261 $105,305 $28,225 $11,840 $25,729 $24,074 
2024$95,703 $103,873 $28,264 $11,755 $24,583 $23,426 
2025$94,960 $103,698 $27,801 $11,411 $23,773 $22,788 
2026$93,958 $102,623 $27,925 $11,549 $24,074 $22,501 
2027$93,116 $100,787 $27,421 $11,177 $22,393 $23,352 
2028 - 2032$454,624 $486,551 $128,050 $52,741 $102,864 $112,550 
Estimated Future Non-Qualified Pension Benefits PaymentsEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)     
2023$234 $184 $214 $32 $448 
2024$357 $170 $644 $112 $426 
2025$735 $156 $653 $150 $403 
2026$150 $142 $539 $145 $430 
2027$138 $129 $878 $233 $380 
2028 - 2032$968 $461 $1,605 $690 $1,566 

Estimated Future Other Postretirement Benefits Payments (before Medicare Part D Subsidy)Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$13,725 $15,361 $3,434 $2,353 $4,931 $2,814 
2024$13,330 $14,837 $3,310 $2,255 $4,723 $2,693 
2025$12,788 $14,519 $3,326 $2,164 $4,581 $2,605 
2026$12,398 $14,108 $3,305 $2,041 $4,340 $2,439 
2027$12,042 $13,720 $3,290 $1,933 $4,232 $2,366 
2028 - 2032$58,491 $64,023 $16,332 $8,375 $19,315 $11,998 

Estimated Future Medicare Part D SubsidyEntergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Year(s)      
2023$1 $5 $12 $— $— $1 
2024$— $5 $1 $1 $— $— 
2025$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2026$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2027$— $— $— $— $— $— 
2028 - 2032$— $— ($1)($1)$1 $1 

Contributions

Entergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $42.5 million to other postretirement plans in 2023.  The expected 2023 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below.  The 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023.
The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2023:
 Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy TexasSystem Energy
 (In Thousands)
Pension Contributions$54,464 $44,561 $21,109 $1,418 $5,317 $15,542 
Other Postretirement Contributions$526 $15,361 $136 $193 $86 $26 

Actuarial Assumptions

The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
 20222021
Weighted-average discount rate:  
Qualified pension
5.21% - 5.27% Blended 5.24%
2.99% - 3.08% Blended 3.05%
Other postretirement5.20%2.94%
Non-qualified pension4.98%2.11%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Interest crediting rate4.00%2.60%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-656.65%5.65%
Post-657.50%5.90%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-6520322032
    Post-6520322032
The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:
 202220212020
Weighted-average discount rate:   
Qualified pension:
    Service cost3.07%2.81%3.42%
    Interest cost2.49%2.08%2.99%
Other postretirement:
    Service cost3.20%2.98%3.27%
    Interest cost2.31%1.86%2.41%
Non-qualified pension:
    Service cost4.94%1.48%2.71%
    Interest cost5.03%2.14%2.25%
Weighted-average rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
3.98% - 4.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets:   
Pension assets6.75%6.75%7.00%
Other postretirement non-taxable assets
5.75% - 6.75%
6.00% - 6.75%
6.25% - 7.25%
Other postretirement taxable assets4.75%5.00%5.25%
Assumed health care trend rate:
Pre-655.65%5.87%6.13%
Post-655.90%6.31%6.25%
Ultimate rate4.75%4.75%4.75%
Year ultimate rate is reached and beyond:
    Pre-65203220302027
    Post-65203220282027
    
With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 other postretirement benefit APBO.

Defined Contribution Plans

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

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

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

Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $62.1 million in 2022, $62.3 million in 2021, and $63.1 million in 2020.  The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.

The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2022, 2021, and 2020 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:
 
 
Year
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Thousands)
2022$5,124 $7,138 $3,194 $1,223 $2,938 
2021$4,820 $6,678 $3,045 $1,140 $2,699 
2020$4,515 $6,518 $2,863 $1,115 $2,596