Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)

	Three Months Ended Sept. 30
	2020		2019		2020		2019
(Millions of Dollars)	Pension Benefits				Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Service cost	$	24	$	22	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (a)	31		36		5		6
Expected return on plan assets (a)	(52)		(51)		(5)		(5)
Amortization of prior service credit (a)	(1)		(1)		(2)		(3)
Amortization of net loss (a)	25		22		1		1
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	27		28		(1)		(1)
Effects of regulation	4		—		1		—
Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting	$	31	$	28	$	—	$	(1)

	Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
	2020		2019		2020		2019
(Millions of Dollars)	Pension Benefits				Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Service cost	$	72	$	64	$	1	$	1
Interest cost (a)	94		108		14		17
Expected return on plan assets (a)	(156)		(152)		(15)		(16)
Amortization of prior service credit (a)	(3)		(3)		(6)		(8)
Amortization of net loss (a)	74		66		3		4
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	81		83		(3)		(2)
Effects of regulation	7		2		2		1
Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting	$	88	$	85	$	(1)	$	(1)

(a)     Components of net periodic cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item “Other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of income or capitalized on the consolidated balance sheets as a regulatory asset.

In January 2020, contributions of $150 million were made across four of Xcel Energy’s pension plans. Xcel Energy does not expect additional pension contributions during 2020.