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Employee Benefit Plans
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]  
Employee Benefit Plans
Employee Benefit Plans
The components of Dominion's provision for net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
 
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2013
2012
2013
2012
(millions)
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
31

$
29

$
10

$
11

Interest cost
69

67

19

20

Expected return on plan assets
(116
)
(108
)
(24
)
(19
)
Amortization of prior service credit
—

—

(3
)
(4
)
Amortization of net loss
37

33

2

2

Settlements and curtailments(1)
—

—

—

(4
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
21

$
21

$
4

$
6

Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
100

$
87

$
34

$
33

Interest cost
202

201

56

60

Expected return on plan assets
(345
)
(323
)
(68
)
(60
)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
2

2

(9
)
(10
)
Amortization of net loss
127

99

6

5

Settlements and curtailments(1)(2)
(2
)
—

(15
)
(4
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
84

$
66

$
4

$
24


(1) 2012 amount relates primarily to the sale of Salem Harbor.
(2) 2013 amount relates primarily to the decommissioning of Kewaunee.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Remeasurement
Dominion remeasured all of its pension and other postretirement benefit plans in the second quarter of 2013. The remeasurement resulted in a reduction in the pension benefit obligation of approximately $354 million and a reduction in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation of approximately $78 million. The impact of the remeasurement on net periodic benefit cost (credit) was recognized prospectively from the remeasurement date. The remeasurement is expected to reduce net periodic benefit cost for 2013 by approximately $36 million, excluding the impacts of curtailments. The discount rate used for the remeasurement was 4.8% for the pension plans and 4.7% for the other postretirement benefit plans. All other assumptions used for the remeasurement were consistent with the measurement as of December 31, 2012.

Employer Contributions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Dominion made no contributions to its defined benefit pension plans or other postretirement benefit plans. Dominion expects to contribute approximately $12 million to its other postretirement benefit plans through Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Associations during the remainder of 2013.