Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2012

Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Abstract]

Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Text Block]

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

We allow our U.S.-based officers and director-level employees to defer a portion of their compensation under the Altera Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“NQDC Plan”). Our Retirement Plans Committee administers the NQDC Plan. As of March 30, 2012, there were 126 participants in the NQDC Plan who self-direct their investments, subject to certain limitations. In the event we become insolvent, the NQDC Plan assets are subject to the claims of our general creditors. Since the inception of the NQDC Plan, we have not made any contributions to the NQDC Plan and we have no commitments to do so in the future. There are no NQDC Plan provisions that provide for any guarantees or minimum return on investments. NQDC Plan participants are prohibited from investing NQDC Plan contributions in Altera common stock. The balance of the NQDC Plan assets and related obligations was $80.5 million and $72.0 million as of March 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Investment income or loss earned by the NQDC Plan is recorded as Loss (Gain) on deferred compensation plan securities in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The investment loss (gain) also represents a decrease (increase) in the future payout to participants and is recorded as Compensation (benefit) expense — deferred compensation plan in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Compensation (benefit) expense associated with our NQDC Plan obligations is offset by loss (gain) from related securities. The net effect of investment income or loss and related compensation expense or benefit has no impact on our income before income taxes, net income, or cash balances