XML 75 R62.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.1.900
Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits, Pension Plan Benefit Obligations, Cash Flows and Benefit Costs (Details) - Pension Plans
$ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Plan
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Plan
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Plan
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Accumulated Benefit Obligation at Dec. 31   $ 1,192,798 $ 1,249,739  
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]        
Obligation at Jan. 1 $ 1,224,650 1,277,957 1,152,836  
Service cost   28,260 23,939 $ 25,206
Interest cost   50,857 53,277 46,160
Transfer (to) from other plan   (2,938) (13,404)  
Actuarial (gain) loss   (54,737) 133,215  
Benefit payments   (74,749) (71,906)  
Obligation at Dec. 31   1,224,650 1,277,957 1,152,836
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Fair value of plan assets at Jan. 1 1,036,681 1,103,865 1,067,057  
Actual return (loss) on plan assets   (9,122) 84,871  
Employer contributions   20,056 35,156  
Transfer (to) from other plan   (3,369) (11,313)  
Benefit payments   (74,749) (71,906)  
Fair value of plan assets at Dec. 31   1,036,681 1,103,865 1,067,057
Funded Status of Plans at Dec. 31 [Abstract]        
Funded status [1]   (187,969) (174,092)  
Amounts Not Yet Recognized as Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]        
Net loss   521,703 530,674  
Prior service (credit) cost   (15,572) (18,708)  
Total   506,131 511,966  
Amounts Not Yet Recognized as Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Have Been Recorded as Follows Based Upon Expected Recovery in Rates [Abstract]        
Current regulatory assets   28,852 31,774  
Noncurrent regulatory assets   477,279 480,192  
Total   $ 506,131 $ 511,966  
Significant Assumptions Used to Measure Benefit Obligations [Abstract]        
Measurement date   Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014  
Discount rate for year-end valuation (as a percent)   4.66% 4.11%  
Expected average long-term increase in compensation level (as a percent)   4.00% 3.75%  
Mortality table   RP 2014 RP 2014  
Cash Flows [Abstract]        
Total contributions to Xcel Energy's pension plans during the period   $ 20,100 $ 35,200 44,600
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]        
Service cost   28,260 23,939 25,206
Interest cost   50,857 53,277 46,160
Expected return on plan assets   (72,590) (70,709) (63,821)
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost   (3,136) (3,092) (1,064)
Amortization of net loss   36,377 33,892 43,418
Net periodic benefit cost   39,768 37,307 49,899
Costs not recognized due to regulation   (1,464) 0 0
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting   $ 38,304 $ 37,307 $ 49,899
Significant Assumptions Used to Measure Costs [Abstract]        
Discount rate (as a percent)   4.11% 4.75% 4.00%
Expected average long-term increase in compensation level (as a percent)   3.75% 3.75% 3.75%
Expected average long-term rate of return on assets (as a percent)   6.81% 6.81% 6.47%
Allocated costs for pension plans sponsored by Xcel Energy Inc.   $ 9,900 $ 9,400 $ 11,600
Expected average long-term rate of return on assets for next fiscal year (as a percent)   6.84%    
Number of years fair market value of plan assets is adjusted using calculated value method (in years)   5 years    
Annual adjustment rate used in calculated value method (as a percent)   20.00%    
Xcel Energy Inc.        
Cash Flows [Abstract]        
Number of pension plans to which contributions were made | Plan   4 4 4
Total contributions to Xcel Energy's pension plans during the period   $ 90,100 $ 130,600 $ 192,400
Subsequent Event        
Cash Flows [Abstract]        
Total contributions to Xcel Energy's pension plans during the period $ 16,800      
Subsequent Event | Xcel Energy Inc.        
Cash Flows [Abstract]        
Number of pension plans to which contributions were made | Plan 4      
Total contributions to Xcel Energy's pension plans during the period $ 125,000      
[1] Amounts are recognized in noncurrent liabilities on PSCo’s consolidated balance sheets.