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Pension, OPEB and Savings Plans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]  
Pension, OPEB and Savings Plans
Pension, Other Postretirement Benefits (OPEB) and Savings Plans
PSEG sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension plans and OPEB plans covering PSEG’s and its participating affiliates’ current and former employees who meet certain eligibility criteria. Eligible employees participate in non-contributory pension and OPEB plans sponsored by PSEG and administered by Services. In addition, represented and nonrepresented employees are eligible for participation in PSEG’s two defined contribution plans described below.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power are required to record the under or over funded positions of their defined benefit pension and OPEB plans on their respective balance sheets. Such funding positions of each PSEG company are required to be measured as of the date of its respective year-end Consolidated Balance Sheets. For under funded plans, the liability is equal to the difference between the plan’s benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation. For OPEB plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. In addition, GAAP requires that the total unrecognized costs for defined benefit pension and OPEB plans be recorded as an after-tax charge to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), a separate component of Stockholders’ Equity. However, for PSE&G, because the amortization of the unrecognized costs is being collected from customers, the accumulated unrecognized costs are recorded as a Regulatory Asset. The unrecognized costs represent actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs and transition obligations arising from the adoption of the revised accounting guidance for pensions and OPEB, which had not been expensed.
For PSE&G, the Regulatory Asset is amortized and recorded as net periodic pension cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For Power, the charge to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) is amortized and recorded as net periodic pension cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Amounts for Servco are not included in any of the following pension and OPEB benefit information for PSEG and its affiliates but rather are separately disclosed later in this note.
The following table provides a roll-forward of the changes in the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets during each of the two years in the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. It also provides the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized and amounts not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the end of both years.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year (A)
 
$
4,812

 
$
5,235

 
$
1,414

 
$
1,538

 
 
Service Cost
 
104

 
116

 
18

 
21

 
 
Interest Cost
 
234

 
215

 
69

 
63

 
 
Actuarial (Gain) Loss (B)
 
838

 
(501
)
 
210

 
(144
)
 
 
Gross Benefits Paid
 
(266
)
 
(253
)
 
(73
)
 
(64
)
 
 
Benefit Obligation at End of Year (A) (B)
 
$
5,722

 
$
4,812

 
$
1,638

 
$
1,414

 
 
Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at Beginning of Year
 
$
5,116

 
$
4,357

 
$
319

 
$
253

 
 
Actual Return on Plan Assets
 
433

 
857

 
28

 
52

 
 
Employer Contributions
 
10

 
155

 
87

 
78

 
 
Gross Benefits Paid
 
(266
)
 
(253
)
 
(73
)
 
(64
)
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
 
$
5,293

 
$
5,116

 
$
361

 
$
319

 
 
Funded Status
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded Status (Plan Assets less Benefit Obligation)
 
$
(429
)
 
$
304

 
$
(1,277
)
 
$
(1,095
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Assets (included in Other Special Funds)
 
$
21

 
$
434

 
$

 
$

 
 
Current Accrued Benefit Cost
 
(10
)
 
(9
)
 

 

 
 
Noncurrent Accrued Benefit Cost
 
(440
)
 
(121
)
 
(1,277
)
 
(1,095
)
 
 
Amounts Recognized
 
$
(429
)
 
$
304

 
$
(1,277
)
 
$
(1,095
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Regulated Assets and Deferred Assets (C)
 
 
 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
$
(102
)
 
$
(120
)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
(53
)
 
 
Net Actuarial Loss
 
1,724

 
977

 
495

 
310

 
 
Total
 
$
1,622

 
$
857

 
$
456

 
$
257

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Represents projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for other benefits.
(B)
In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries’ Retirement Plans Experience Committee issued its final report on mortality tables (RP-2014 Mortality Tables Report). As of December 31, 2014, PSEG updated its mortality assumptions based on the information contained in this report. The impact of this change is reflected in Actuarial (Gain) Loss in 2014 and added $314 million and $79 million to the Benefit Obligations for Pension and OPEB, respectively, since December 31, 2013.
(C)
Includes $702 million ($411 million, after-tax) and $408 million ($238 million, after-tax) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss related to Pension and OPEB as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The pension benefits table above provides information relating to the funded status of all qualified and nonqualified pension plans and OPEB plans on an aggregate basis. As of December 31, 2014, PSEG had funded approximately 93% of its projected benefit obligation. This percentage does not include $191 million of assets in the Rabbi Trust as of December 31, 2014 which were used partially to fund the nonqualified pension plans. As of December 31, 2014, the nonqualified pension plans included in the benefit obligation in the above table and in the projected benefit obligation were $161 million. The fair values of the Rabbi Trust assets are included in Other Special Funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
The accumulated benefit obligation for all PSEG’s defined benefit pension plans was $5.5 billion as of December 31, 2014 and $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2013.
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits Years Ended December 31,
 
Other Benefits Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service Cost
 
$
104

 
$
116

 
$
101

 
$
18

 
$
21

 
$
17

 
 
Interest Cost
 
234

 
215

 
223

 
69

 
63

 
65

 
 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
(399
)
 
(348
)
 
(306
)
 
(26
)
 
(21
)
 
(17
)
 
 
Amortization of Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transition Obligation
 

 

 

 

 

 
2

 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
(18
)
 
(19
)
 
(18
)
 
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Actuarial Loss
 
56

 
188

 
167

 
23

 
42

 
31

 
 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
167

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
84

 
 
Special Termination Benefits
 

 

 
1

 

 

 

 
 
Effect of Regulatory Asset
 

 

 

 

 

 
19

 
 
Total Benefit Costs (Credit), Including Effect of Regulatory Asset

$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
168

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pension costs and OPEB costs for PSEG, PSE&G and Power are detailed as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
 
Other Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
(19
)
 
$
91

 
$
97

 
$
46

 
$
65

 
$
82

 
 
Power
 
(7
)
 
43

 
52

 
20

 
23

 
18

 
 
Other
 
3

 
18

 
19

 
4

 
3

 
3

 
 
Total Benefit Costs (Credit)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
168

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table provides the pre-tax changes recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Regulatory Assets and Deferred Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension
 
OPEB
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Actuarial (Gain) Loss in Current Period
 
$
803

 
$
(1,009
)
 
$
208

 
$
(175
)
 
 
Amortization of Net Actuarial Gain (Loss)
 
(56
)
 
(188
)
 
(23
)
 
(42
)
 
 
Amortization of Prior Service Credit
 
18

 
19

 
14

 
14

 
 
Total
 
$
765

 
$
(1,178
)
 
$
199

 
$
(203
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Amounts that are expected to be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Regulatory Assets and Deferred Assets into Net Periodic Benefit Cost in 2015 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Benefits
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
$
150

 
$
43

 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(14
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations and net periodic benefit costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations as of December 31
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
4.20
%
 
4.21
%
 
5.01
%
 
4.20
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
3.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
3.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years Ended December 31
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
5.00
%
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.01
%
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
 
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates as of December 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Administrative Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
 
Dental Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.25
%
 
5.50
%
 
6.00
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016

 
2016

 
2013

 
 
Pre-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.50
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.88
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022

 
2021

 
2023

 
 
Post-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.25
%
 
7.88
%
 
7.98
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022

 
2021

 
2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Effect of a 1% Increase in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
 
 
Total of Service Cost and Interest Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
13

 
$
12

 
$
12

 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
201

 
$
161

 
$
180

 
 
Effect of a 1% Decrease in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
 
 
Total of Service Cost and Interest Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(9
)
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(165
)
 
$
(134
)
 
$
(149
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Plan Assets
All the investments of pension plans and OPEB plans are held in a trust account by the Trustee and consist of an undivided interest in an investment account of the Master Trust. The investments in the pension and OPEB plans are measured at fair value within a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to fair value measurements into three levels. See Note 16. Fair Value Measurements for more information on fair value guidance. Use of the Master Trust permits the commingling of pension plan assets and OPEB plan assets for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets of the plans are commingled in the Master Trust, the Trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment account to the respective participating plans. The net investment income of the investment assets is allocated by the Trustee to each participating plan based on the relationship of the interest of each plan to the total of the interests of the participating plans. As of December 31, 2014, the pension plan interest and OPEB plan interest in such assets of the Master Trust were approximately 94% and 6%, respectively.
The following tables present information about the investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, including the fair value measurements and the levels of inputs used in determining those fair values.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
153

 
$
92

 
$
61

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
2,292

 
2,292

 

 

 
 
Commingled—International
 
1,005

 
1,005

 

 

 
 
Other
 
727

 
727

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government (United States & Foreign)
 
509

 

 
509

 

 
 
Other
 
943

 

 
943

 

 
 
Private Equity (D)
 
25

 

 

 
25

 
 
Total
 
$
5,654

 
$
4,116

 
$
1,513

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
93

 
$
52

 
$
41

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
2,264

 
2,264

 

 

 
 
Commingled—International
 
1,016

 
1,016

 

 

 
 
Other
 
704

 
704

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government (United States & Foreign)
 
596

 

 
596

 

 
 
Other
 
737

 

 
737

 

 
 
Private Equity (D)
 
25

 

 

 
25

 
 
Total
 
$
5,435

 
$
4,036

 
$
1,374

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Certain open-ended mutual funds with mainly short-term investments are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active market (Level 1). Certain temporary investments are valued using inputs such as time-to-maturity, coupon rate, quality rating and current yield (Level 2).
(B)
Wherever possible, fair values of equity investments in stocks and in commingled funds are derived from quoted market prices as substantially all of these instruments have active markets (primarily Level 1). Most investments in stocks are priced utilizing the principal market close price or in some cases midpoint, bid or ask price.
(C)
Investments in fixed income securities including bond funds are priced using an evaluated pricing approach or the most recent exchange or quoted bid (primarily Level 2).
(D)
Limited partnership interests in private equity funds are valued using significant unobservable inputs as there is little, if any, market activity. In addition, there may be transfer restrictions on private equity securities. The process for determining the fair value of such securities relied on commonly accepted valuation techniques, including the use of earnings multiples based on comparable public securities, industry-specific non-earnings-based multiples and discounted cash flow models. These inputs require significant management judgment or estimation (primarily Level 3).
Reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances of the Pension and OPEB Plans’ Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of
January 1, 2014
 
Purchases/
(Sales)
 
Transfer
In/ (Out)
 
Actual
Return on
Asset Sales
 
Actual
Return on
Assets Still
Held
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Private Equity
 
$
25

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of
January 1, 2013
 
Purchases/
(Sales)
 
Transfer
In/ (Out)
 
Actual
Return on
Asset Sales
 
Actual
Return on
Assets Still
Held
 
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Private Equity
 
$
31

 
$
(11
)
 
$

 
$
11

 
$
(6
)
 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table provides the percentage of fair value of total plan assets for each major category of plan assets held for the qualified pension and OPEB plans as of the measurement date, December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
Investments
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Equity Securities
 
71
%
 
73
%
 
 
Fixed Income Securities
 
26

 
25

 
 
Other Investments
 
3

 
2

 
 
Total Percentage
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PSEG utilizes forecasted returns, risk, and correlation of all asset classes in order to develop a portfolio designed to produce the maximum return opportunity per unit of risk. PSEG's latest asset/liability study indicates that a long-term target asset allocation of 70% equities and 30% fixed income is consistent with the funds’ financial objectives. Derivative financial instruments are used by the plans’ investment managers primarily to adjust the fixed income duration of the portfolio and hedge the currency risk component of foreign investments. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.00% as of December 31, 2014 and will remain unchanged for 2015. This expected return was determined based on the study discussed above, including a premium for active management and considered the plans’ historical annualized rate of return since inception, which was 9.5%.
Plan Contributions
PSEG may contribute up to $25 million into its pension plans and up to $14 million into its OPEB plan, respectively, during 2015.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following pension benefit and postretirement benefit payments are expected to be paid to plan participants.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
2015
 
 
$
282

 
$
79

 
 
2016
 
 
283

 
82

 
 
2017
 
 
294

 
84

 
 
2018
 
 
305

 
87

 
 
2019
 
 
318

 
90

 
 
2020-2024
 
 
1,770

 
495

 
 
Total
 
 
$
3,252

 
$
917

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

401(k) Plans
PSEG sponsors two 401(k) plans, which are Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) defined contribution retirement plans. Eligible represented employees of PSEG's subsidiaries participate in the PSEG Employee Savings Plan (Savings Plan), while eligible non-represented employees of PSEG's subsidiaries participate in the PSEG Thrift and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan (Thrift Plan). Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their compensation to these plans. PSEG matches 50% of such employee contributions up to 7% of pay for Savings Plan participants and up to 8% of pay for Thrift Plan participants.
The amount paid for employer matching contributions to the plans for PSEG, PSE&G and Power are detailed as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thrift Plan and Savings Plan
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
20

 
$
19

 
$
18

 
 
Power
 
11

 
$
10

 
10

 
 
Other
 
5

 
4

 
4

 
 
Total Employer Matching Contributions
 
$
36

 
$
33

 
$
32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Servco Pension and OPEB
At the direction of LIPA, effective January 1, 2014, Servco established benefit plans that provide substantially the same benefits to its employees as those previously provided by National Grid Electric Services LLC (NGES), the predecessor T&D system manager for LIPA. Since the vast majority of Servco's employees had worked under NGES' T&D operations services arrangement with LIPA, Servco's plans provide certain of those employees with pension and OPEB vested credit for prior years' services earned while working for NGES. The benefit plans cover all employees of Servco for current service. Under the OSA, all of these and any future employee benefit costs are to be funded by LIPA. See Note 3. Variable Interest Entities. These obligations, as well as the offsetting long-term receivable, are separately presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of PSEG.
The following table provides a roll-forward of the changes in Servco's benefit obligation and the fair value of its plan assets during the year ended December 31, 2014. It also provides the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized and amounts not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the end of 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year
 
$

 
$

 
 
Service
 
20

 
13

 
 
Interest
 
7

 
17

 
 
Differences in Actuarial Assumptions versus Actual Experience
 
42

 
107

 
 
Plan Amendments
 
126

 
315

 
 
Benefit Obligation at End of Year (A)
 
$
195

 
$
452

 
 
Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at Beginning of Year
 
$

 
$

 
 
Actual Return on Plan Assets
 
2

 

 
 
Employer Contributions
 
67

 

 
 
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
 
$
69

 
$

 
 
Funded Status
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded Status (Plan Assets less Benefit Obligation)
 
$
(126
)
 
$
(452
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued Pension Costs of Servco
 
$
(126
)
 
$

 
 
OPEB Costs of Servco
 

 
(452
)
 
 
Amounts Recognized (B)
 
$
(126
)
 
$
(452
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Represents projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for other benefits.
(B)
Amounts equal to the accrued pension and OPEB costs of Servco are offset in Long-Term Receivable of VIE on PSEG's Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Pension and OPEB costs of Servco are accounted for according to the OSA. Servco recognizes expenses for contributions to its pension plan trusts and for OPEB payments made to retirees. Operating Revenues are recognized for the reimbursement of these costs. The pension-related revenues and costs for 2014 were $67 million. Servco has contributed its entire planned contribution amount to its pension plan trusts during 2014. The OPEB-related revenues earned or costs incurred in 2014 were immaterial.
The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations of Servco:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
4.50
%
 
4.60
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
3.25
%
 
3.25
%
 
 
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Administrative Expense
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Dental Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2018

 
 
Pre-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
7.50
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2022

 
 
Post-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
7.44
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Effect of a 1% Increase in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
$
160

 
 
Effect of a 1% Decrease in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
$
(106
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Plan Assets
All the investments of Servco's pension plans are held in a trust account by the Trustee and consist of an undivided interest in an investment account of the Master Trust. The investments in the pension are measured at fair value within a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to fair value measurements into three levels. See Note 16. Fair Value Measurements for more information on fair value guidance. The Actuary maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment account to the respective participating plans. The net investment income of the investment assets is allocated by the Actuary to each participating plan based on the relationship of the interest of each plan to the total of the interests of the participating plans.
The following table presents information about Servco's investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014, including the fair value measurements and the levels of inputs used in determining those fair values.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
48

 
48

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
20

 

 
20

 

 
 
Total
 
$
69

 
$
48

 
$
21

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(A)
Certain temporary investments are valued using inputs such as time-to-maturity, coupon rate, quality rating and current yield (Level 2).
(B)
Wherever possible, fair values of equity investments in commingled stock funds are derived from quoted market prices as substantially all of these instruments have active markets (primarily Level 1). Most investments in stocks are priced utilizing the principal market close price or in some cases midpoint, bid or ask price.
(C)
 Investments in fixed income securities including bond funds are priced using an evaluated pricing approach or the most recent exchange or quoted bid (primarily Level 2).
The following table provides the percentage of fair value of total plan assets for each major category of plan assets held for the qualified pension and OPEB plans of Servco as of the measurement date, December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
Equity Securities
 
70
%
 
 
Fixed Income Securities
 
29

 
 
Other Investments
 
1

 
 
Total Percentage
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 

Servco utilizes forecasted returns, risk, and correlation of all asset classes in order to develop a portfolio designed to produce the maximum return opportunity per unit of risk. The results from Servco's latest asset/liability study indicated that a long-term target asset allocation of 70% equities and 30% fixed income is consistent with the funds’ financial objectives. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 7.70% as of December 31, 2014 and will remain unchanged for 2015. This expected return was determined based on the study discussed above, including a premium for active management and considered the plans’ 2014 rate of return, which was 6.3%.
Plan Contributions
Servco may contribute up to $30 million into its pension plan during 2015.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following pension benefit and postretirement benefit payments are expected to be paid to Servco's plan participants:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
2015
 
 
$

 
$
2

 
 
2016
 
 
1

 
4

 
 
2017
 
 
2

 
6

 
 
2018
 
 
3

 
7

 
 
2019
 
 
4

 
9

 
 
2020-2024
 
 
49

 
74

 
 
Total
 
 
$
59

 
$
102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Servco 401(k) Plans
Servco sponsors two 401(k) plans, which are defined contribution retirement plans subject to the ERISA. Eligible non-represented employees of Servco participate in the Servco Incentive Thrift Plan I (Thrift Plan I), and eligible represented employees of Servco participate in the Servco Incentive Thrift Plan II. Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their compensation to these plans. For employees in Thrift Plan I, Servco matches 50% of such employee contributions up to 8% and provides core contributions (based on years of service and age) to employees who do not participate in Servco's pension plan.
PSE&G [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]  
Pension, OPEB and Savings Plans
Pension, Other Postretirement Benefits (OPEB) and Savings Plans
PSEG sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension plans and OPEB plans covering PSEG’s and its participating affiliates’ current and former employees who meet certain eligibility criteria. Eligible employees participate in non-contributory pension and OPEB plans sponsored by PSEG and administered by Services. In addition, represented and nonrepresented employees are eligible for participation in PSEG’s two defined contribution plans described below.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power are required to record the under or over funded positions of their defined benefit pension and OPEB plans on their respective balance sheets. Such funding positions of each PSEG company are required to be measured as of the date of its respective year-end Consolidated Balance Sheets. For under funded plans, the liability is equal to the difference between the plan’s benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation. For OPEB plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. In addition, GAAP requires that the total unrecognized costs for defined benefit pension and OPEB plans be recorded as an after-tax charge to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), a separate component of Stockholders’ Equity. However, for PSE&G, because the amortization of the unrecognized costs is being collected from customers, the accumulated unrecognized costs are recorded as a Regulatory Asset. The unrecognized costs represent actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs and transition obligations arising from the adoption of the revised accounting guidance for pensions and OPEB, which had not been expensed.
For PSE&G, the Regulatory Asset is amortized and recorded as net periodic pension cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For Power, the charge to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) is amortized and recorded as net periodic pension cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Amounts for Servco are not included in any of the following pension and OPEB benefit information for PSEG and its affiliates but rather are separately disclosed later in this note.
The following table provides a roll-forward of the changes in the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets during each of the two years in the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. It also provides the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized and amounts not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the end of both years.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year (A)
 
$
4,812

 
$
5,235

 
$
1,414

 
$
1,538

 
 
Service Cost
 
104

 
116

 
18

 
21

 
 
Interest Cost
 
234

 
215

 
69

 
63

 
 
Actuarial (Gain) Loss (B)
 
838

 
(501
)
 
210

 
(144
)
 
 
Gross Benefits Paid
 
(266
)
 
(253
)
 
(73
)
 
(64
)
 
 
Benefit Obligation at End of Year (A) (B)
 
$
5,722

 
$
4,812

 
$
1,638

 
$
1,414

 
 
Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at Beginning of Year
 
$
5,116

 
$
4,357

 
$
319

 
$
253

 
 
Actual Return on Plan Assets
 
433

 
857

 
28

 
52

 
 
Employer Contributions
 
10

 
155

 
87

 
78

 
 
Gross Benefits Paid
 
(266
)
 
(253
)
 
(73
)
 
(64
)
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
 
$
5,293

 
$
5,116

 
$
361

 
$
319

 
 
Funded Status
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded Status (Plan Assets less Benefit Obligation)
 
$
(429
)
 
$
304

 
$
(1,277
)
 
$
(1,095
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Assets (included in Other Special Funds)
 
$
21

 
$
434

 
$

 
$

 
 
Current Accrued Benefit Cost
 
(10
)
 
(9
)
 

 

 
 
Noncurrent Accrued Benefit Cost
 
(440
)
 
(121
)
 
(1,277
)
 
(1,095
)
 
 
Amounts Recognized
 
$
(429
)
 
$
304

 
$
(1,277
)
 
$
(1,095
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Regulated Assets and Deferred Assets (C)
 
 
 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
$
(102
)
 
$
(120
)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
(53
)
 
 
Net Actuarial Loss
 
1,724

 
977

 
495

 
310

 
 
Total
 
$
1,622

 
$
857

 
$
456

 
$
257

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Represents projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for other benefits.
(B)
In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries’ Retirement Plans Experience Committee issued its final report on mortality tables (RP-2014 Mortality Tables Report). As of December 31, 2014, PSEG updated its mortality assumptions based on the information contained in this report. The impact of this change is reflected in Actuarial (Gain) Loss in 2014 and added $314 million and $79 million to the Benefit Obligations for Pension and OPEB, respectively, since December 31, 2013.
(C)
Includes $702 million ($411 million, after-tax) and $408 million ($238 million, after-tax) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss related to Pension and OPEB as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The pension benefits table above provides information relating to the funded status of all qualified and nonqualified pension plans and OPEB plans on an aggregate basis. As of December 31, 2014, PSEG had funded approximately 93% of its projected benefit obligation. This percentage does not include $191 million of assets in the Rabbi Trust as of December 31, 2014 which were used partially to fund the nonqualified pension plans. As of December 31, 2014, the nonqualified pension plans included in the benefit obligation in the above table and in the projected benefit obligation were $161 million. The fair values of the Rabbi Trust assets are included in Other Special Funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
The accumulated benefit obligation for all PSEG’s defined benefit pension plans was $5.5 billion as of December 31, 2014 and $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2013.
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits Years Ended December 31,
 
Other Benefits Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service Cost
 
$
104

 
$
116

 
$
101

 
$
18

 
$
21

 
$
17

 
 
Interest Cost
 
234

 
215

 
223

 
69

 
63

 
65

 
 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
(399
)
 
(348
)
 
(306
)
 
(26
)
 
(21
)
 
(17
)
 
 
Amortization of Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transition Obligation
 

 

 

 

 

 
2

 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
(18
)
 
(19
)
 
(18
)
 
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Actuarial Loss
 
56

 
188

 
167

 
23

 
42

 
31

 
 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
167

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
84

 
 
Special Termination Benefits
 

 

 
1

 

 

 

 
 
Effect of Regulatory Asset
 

 

 

 

 

 
19

 
 
Total Benefit Costs (Credit), Including Effect of Regulatory Asset

$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
168

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pension costs and OPEB costs for PSEG, PSE&G and Power are detailed as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
 
Other Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
(19
)
 
$
91

 
$
97

 
$
46

 
$
65

 
$
82

 
 
Power
 
(7
)
 
43

 
52

 
20

 
23

 
18

 
 
Other
 
3

 
18

 
19

 
4

 
3

 
3

 
 
Total Benefit Costs (Credit)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
168

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table provides the pre-tax changes recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Regulatory Assets and Deferred Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension
 
OPEB
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Actuarial (Gain) Loss in Current Period
 
$
803

 
$
(1,009
)
 
$
208

 
$
(175
)
 
 
Amortization of Net Actuarial Gain (Loss)
 
(56
)
 
(188
)
 
(23
)
 
(42
)
 
 
Amortization of Prior Service Credit
 
18

 
19

 
14

 
14

 
 
Total
 
$
765

 
$
(1,178
)
 
$
199

 
$
(203
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Amounts that are expected to be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Regulatory Assets and Deferred Assets into Net Periodic Benefit Cost in 2015 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Benefits
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
$
150

 
$
43

 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(14
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations and net periodic benefit costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations as of December 31
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
4.20
%
 
4.21
%
 
5.01
%
 
4.20
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
3.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
3.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years Ended December 31
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
5.00
%
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.01
%
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
 
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates as of December 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Administrative Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
 
Dental Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.25
%
 
5.50
%
 
6.00
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016

 
2016

 
2013

 
 
Pre-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.50
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.88
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022

 
2021

 
2023

 
 
Post-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.25
%
 
7.88
%
 
7.98
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022

 
2021

 
2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Effect of a 1% Increase in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
 
 
Total of Service Cost and Interest Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
13

 
$
12

 
$
12

 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
201

 
$
161

 
$
180

 
 
Effect of a 1% Decrease in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
 
 
Total of Service Cost and Interest Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(9
)
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(165
)
 
$
(134
)
 
$
(149
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Plan Assets
All the investments of pension plans and OPEB plans are held in a trust account by the Trustee and consist of an undivided interest in an investment account of the Master Trust. The investments in the pension and OPEB plans are measured at fair value within a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to fair value measurements into three levels. See Note 16. Fair Value Measurements for more information on fair value guidance. Use of the Master Trust permits the commingling of pension plan assets and OPEB plan assets for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets of the plans are commingled in the Master Trust, the Trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment account to the respective participating plans. The net investment income of the investment assets is allocated by the Trustee to each participating plan based on the relationship of the interest of each plan to the total of the interests of the participating plans. As of December 31, 2014, the pension plan interest and OPEB plan interest in such assets of the Master Trust were approximately 94% and 6%, respectively.
The following tables present information about the investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, including the fair value measurements and the levels of inputs used in determining those fair values.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
153

 
$
92

 
$
61

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
2,292

 
2,292

 

 

 
 
Commingled—International
 
1,005

 
1,005

 

 

 
 
Other
 
727

 
727

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government (United States & Foreign)
 
509

 

 
509

 

 
 
Other
 
943

 

 
943

 

 
 
Private Equity (D)
 
25

 

 

 
25

 
 
Total
 
$
5,654

 
$
4,116

 
$
1,513

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
93

 
$
52

 
$
41

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
2,264

 
2,264

 

 

 
 
Commingled—International
 
1,016

 
1,016

 

 

 
 
Other
 
704

 
704

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government (United States & Foreign)
 
596

 

 
596

 

 
 
Other
 
737

 

 
737

 

 
 
Private Equity (D)
 
25

 

 

 
25

 
 
Total
 
$
5,435

 
$
4,036

 
$
1,374

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Certain open-ended mutual funds with mainly short-term investments are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active market (Level 1). Certain temporary investments are valued using inputs such as time-to-maturity, coupon rate, quality rating and current yield (Level 2).
(B)
Wherever possible, fair values of equity investments in stocks and in commingled funds are derived from quoted market prices as substantially all of these instruments have active markets (primarily Level 1). Most investments in stocks are priced utilizing the principal market close price or in some cases midpoint, bid or ask price.
(C)
Investments in fixed income securities including bond funds are priced using an evaluated pricing approach or the most recent exchange or quoted bid (primarily Level 2).
(D)
Limited partnership interests in private equity funds are valued using significant unobservable inputs as there is little, if any, market activity. In addition, there may be transfer restrictions on private equity securities. The process for determining the fair value of such securities relied on commonly accepted valuation techniques, including the use of earnings multiples based on comparable public securities, industry-specific non-earnings-based multiples and discounted cash flow models. These inputs require significant management judgment or estimation (primarily Level 3).
Reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances of the Pension and OPEB Plans’ Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of
January 1, 2014
 
Purchases/
(Sales)
 
Transfer
In/ (Out)
 
Actual
Return on
Asset Sales
 
Actual
Return on
Assets Still
Held
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Private Equity
 
$
25

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of
January 1, 2013
 
Purchases/
(Sales)
 
Transfer
In/ (Out)
 
Actual
Return on
Asset Sales
 
Actual
Return on
Assets Still
Held
 
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Private Equity
 
$
31

 
$
(11
)
 
$

 
$
11

 
$
(6
)
 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table provides the percentage of fair value of total plan assets for each major category of plan assets held for the qualified pension and OPEB plans as of the measurement date, December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
Investments
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Equity Securities
 
71
%
 
73
%
 
 
Fixed Income Securities
 
26

 
25

 
 
Other Investments
 
3

 
2

 
 
Total Percentage
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PSEG utilizes forecasted returns, risk, and correlation of all asset classes in order to develop a portfolio designed to produce the maximum return opportunity per unit of risk. PSEG's latest asset/liability study indicates that a long-term target asset allocation of 70% equities and 30% fixed income is consistent with the funds’ financial objectives. Derivative financial instruments are used by the plans’ investment managers primarily to adjust the fixed income duration of the portfolio and hedge the currency risk component of foreign investments. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.00% as of December 31, 2014 and will remain unchanged for 2015. This expected return was determined based on the study discussed above, including a premium for active management and considered the plans’ historical annualized rate of return since inception, which was 9.5%.
Plan Contributions
PSEG may contribute up to $25 million into its pension plans and up to $14 million into its OPEB plan, respectively, during 2015.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following pension benefit and postretirement benefit payments are expected to be paid to plan participants.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
2015
 
 
$
282

 
$
79

 
 
2016
 
 
283

 
82

 
 
2017
 
 
294

 
84

 
 
2018
 
 
305

 
87

 
 
2019
 
 
318

 
90

 
 
2020-2024
 
 
1,770

 
495

 
 
Total
 
 
$
3,252

 
$
917

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

401(k) Plans
PSEG sponsors two 401(k) plans, which are Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) defined contribution retirement plans. Eligible represented employees of PSEG's subsidiaries participate in the PSEG Employee Savings Plan (Savings Plan), while eligible non-represented employees of PSEG's subsidiaries participate in the PSEG Thrift and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan (Thrift Plan). Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their compensation to these plans. PSEG matches 50% of such employee contributions up to 7% of pay for Savings Plan participants and up to 8% of pay for Thrift Plan participants.
The amount paid for employer matching contributions to the plans for PSEG, PSE&G and Power are detailed as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thrift Plan and Savings Plan
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
20

 
$
19

 
$
18

 
 
Power
 
11

 
$
10

 
10

 
 
Other
 
5

 
4

 
4

 
 
Total Employer Matching Contributions
 
$
36

 
$
33

 
$
32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Servco Pension and OPEB
At the direction of LIPA, effective January 1, 2014, Servco established benefit plans that provide substantially the same benefits to its employees as those previously provided by National Grid Electric Services LLC (NGES), the predecessor T&D system manager for LIPA. Since the vast majority of Servco's employees had worked under NGES' T&D operations services arrangement with LIPA, Servco's plans provide certain of those employees with pension and OPEB vested credit for prior years' services earned while working for NGES. The benefit plans cover all employees of Servco for current service. Under the OSA, all of these and any future employee benefit costs are to be funded by LIPA. See Note 3. Variable Interest Entities. These obligations, as well as the offsetting long-term receivable, are separately presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of PSEG.
The following table provides a roll-forward of the changes in Servco's benefit obligation and the fair value of its plan assets during the year ended December 31, 2014. It also provides the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized and amounts not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the end of 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year
 
$

 
$

 
 
Service
 
20

 
13

 
 
Interest
 
7

 
17

 
 
Differences in Actuarial Assumptions versus Actual Experience
 
42

 
107

 
 
Plan Amendments
 
126

 
315

 
 
Benefit Obligation at End of Year (A)
 
$
195

 
$
452

 
 
Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at Beginning of Year
 
$

 
$

 
 
Actual Return on Plan Assets
 
2

 

 
 
Employer Contributions
 
67

 

 
 
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
 
$
69

 
$

 
 
Funded Status
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded Status (Plan Assets less Benefit Obligation)
 
$
(126
)
 
$
(452
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued Pension Costs of Servco
 
$
(126
)
 
$

 
 
OPEB Costs of Servco
 

 
(452
)
 
 
Amounts Recognized (B)
 
$
(126
)
 
$
(452
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Represents projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for other benefits.
(B)
Amounts equal to the accrued pension and OPEB costs of Servco are offset in Long-Term Receivable of VIE on PSEG's Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Pension and OPEB costs of Servco are accounted for according to the OSA. Servco recognizes expenses for contributions to its pension plan trusts and for OPEB payments made to retirees. Operating Revenues are recognized for the reimbursement of these costs. The pension-related revenues and costs for 2014 were $67 million. Servco has contributed its entire planned contribution amount to its pension plan trusts during 2014. The OPEB-related revenues earned or costs incurred in 2014 were immaterial.
The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations of Servco:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
4.50
%
 
4.60
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
3.25
%
 
3.25
%
 
 
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Administrative Expense
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Dental Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2018

 
 
Pre-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
7.50
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2022

 
 
Post-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
7.44
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Effect of a 1% Increase in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
$
160

 
 
Effect of a 1% Decrease in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
$
(106
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Plan Assets
All the investments of Servco's pension plans are held in a trust account by the Trustee and consist of an undivided interest in an investment account of the Master Trust. The investments in the pension are measured at fair value within a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to fair value measurements into three levels. See Note 16. Fair Value Measurements for more information on fair value guidance. The Actuary maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment account to the respective participating plans. The net investment income of the investment assets is allocated by the Actuary to each participating plan based on the relationship of the interest of each plan to the total of the interests of the participating plans.
The following table presents information about Servco's investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014, including the fair value measurements and the levels of inputs used in determining those fair values.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
48

 
48

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
20

 

 
20

 

 
 
Total
 
$
69

 
$
48

 
$
21

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(A)
Certain temporary investments are valued using inputs such as time-to-maturity, coupon rate, quality rating and current yield (Level 2).
(B)
Wherever possible, fair values of equity investments in commingled stock funds are derived from quoted market prices as substantially all of these instruments have active markets (primarily Level 1). Most investments in stocks are priced utilizing the principal market close price or in some cases midpoint, bid or ask price.
(C)
 Investments in fixed income securities including bond funds are priced using an evaluated pricing approach or the most recent exchange or quoted bid (primarily Level 2).
The following table provides the percentage of fair value of total plan assets for each major category of plan assets held for the qualified pension and OPEB plans of Servco as of the measurement date, December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
Equity Securities
 
70
%
 
 
Fixed Income Securities
 
29

 
 
Other Investments
 
1

 
 
Total Percentage
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 

Servco utilizes forecasted returns, risk, and correlation of all asset classes in order to develop a portfolio designed to produce the maximum return opportunity per unit of risk. The results from Servco's latest asset/liability study indicated that a long-term target asset allocation of 70% equities and 30% fixed income is consistent with the funds’ financial objectives. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 7.70% as of December 31, 2014 and will remain unchanged for 2015. This expected return was determined based on the study discussed above, including a premium for active management and considered the plans’ 2014 rate of return, which was 6.3%.
Plan Contributions
Servco may contribute up to $30 million into its pension plan during 2015.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following pension benefit and postretirement benefit payments are expected to be paid to Servco's plan participants:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
2015
 
 
$

 
$
2

 
 
2016
 
 
1

 
4

 
 
2017
 
 
2

 
6

 
 
2018
 
 
3

 
7

 
 
2019
 
 
4

 
9

 
 
2020-2024
 
 
49

 
74

 
 
Total
 
 
$
59

 
$
102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Servco 401(k) Plans
Servco sponsors two 401(k) plans, which are defined contribution retirement plans subject to the ERISA. Eligible non-represented employees of Servco participate in the Servco Incentive Thrift Plan I (Thrift Plan I), and eligible represented employees of Servco participate in the Servco Incentive Thrift Plan II. Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their compensation to these plans. For employees in Thrift Plan I, Servco matches 50% of such employee contributions up to 8% and provides core contributions (based on years of service and age) to employees who do not participate in Servco's pension plan.
Power [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]  
Pension, OPEB and Savings Plans
Note 11. Pension, Other Postretirement Benefits (OPEB) and Savings Plans
PSEG sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension plans and OPEB plans covering PSEG’s and its participating affiliates’ current and former employees who meet certain eligibility criteria. Eligible employees participate in non-contributory pension and OPEB plans sponsored by PSEG and administered by Services. In addition, represented and nonrepresented employees are eligible for participation in PSEG’s two defined contribution plans described below.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power are required to record the under or over funded positions of their defined benefit pension and OPEB plans on their respective balance sheets. Such funding positions of each PSEG company are required to be measured as of the date of its respective year-end Consolidated Balance Sheets. For under funded plans, the liability is equal to the difference between the plan’s benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation. For OPEB plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. In addition, GAAP requires that the total unrecognized costs for defined benefit pension and OPEB plans be recorded as an after-tax charge to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), a separate component of Stockholders’ Equity. However, for PSE&G, because the amortization of the unrecognized costs is being collected from customers, the accumulated unrecognized costs are recorded as a Regulatory Asset. The unrecognized costs represent actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs and transition obligations arising from the adoption of the revised accounting guidance for pensions and OPEB, which had not been expensed.
For PSE&G, the Regulatory Asset is amortized and recorded as net periodic pension cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For Power, the charge to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) is amortized and recorded as net periodic pension cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Amounts for Servco are not included in any of the following pension and OPEB benefit information for PSEG and its affiliates but rather are separately disclosed later in this note.
The following table provides a roll-forward of the changes in the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets during each of the two years in the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. It also provides the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized and amounts not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the end of both years.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year (A)
 
$
4,812

 
$
5,235

 
$
1,414

 
$
1,538

 
 
Service Cost
 
104

 
116

 
18

 
21

 
 
Interest Cost
 
234

 
215

 
69

 
63

 
 
Actuarial (Gain) Loss (B)
 
838

 
(501
)
 
210

 
(144
)
 
 
Gross Benefits Paid
 
(266
)
 
(253
)
 
(73
)
 
(64
)
 
 
Benefit Obligation at End of Year (A) (B)
 
$
5,722

 
$
4,812

 
$
1,638

 
$
1,414

 
 
Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at Beginning of Year
 
$
5,116

 
$
4,357

 
$
319

 
$
253

 
 
Actual Return on Plan Assets
 
433

 
857

 
28

 
52

 
 
Employer Contributions
 
10

 
155

 
87

 
78

 
 
Gross Benefits Paid
 
(266
)
 
(253
)
 
(73
)
 
(64
)
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
 
$
5,293

 
$
5,116

 
$
361

 
$
319

 
 
Funded Status
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded Status (Plan Assets less Benefit Obligation)
 
$
(429
)
 
$
304

 
$
(1,277
)
 
$
(1,095
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Assets (included in Other Special Funds)
 
$
21

 
$
434

 
$

 
$

 
 
Current Accrued Benefit Cost
 
(10
)
 
(9
)
 

 

 
 
Noncurrent Accrued Benefit Cost
 
(440
)
 
(121
)
 
(1,277
)
 
(1,095
)
 
 
Amounts Recognized
 
$
(429
)
 
$
304

 
$
(1,277
)
 
$
(1,095
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Regulated Assets and Deferred Assets (C)
 
 
 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
$
(102
)
 
$
(120
)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
(53
)
 
 
Net Actuarial Loss
 
1,724

 
977

 
495

 
310

 
 
Total
 
$
1,622

 
$
857

 
$
456

 
$
257

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Represents projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for other benefits.
(B)
In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries’ Retirement Plans Experience Committee issued its final report on mortality tables (RP-2014 Mortality Tables Report). As of December 31, 2014, PSEG updated its mortality assumptions based on the information contained in this report. The impact of this change is reflected in Actuarial (Gain) Loss in 2014 and added $314 million and $79 million to the Benefit Obligations for Pension and OPEB, respectively, since December 31, 2013.
(C)
Includes $702 million ($411 million, after-tax) and $408 million ($238 million, after-tax) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss related to Pension and OPEB as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The pension benefits table above provides information relating to the funded status of all qualified and nonqualified pension plans and OPEB plans on an aggregate basis. As of December 31, 2014, PSEG had funded approximately 93% of its projected benefit obligation. This percentage does not include $191 million of assets in the Rabbi Trust as of December 31, 2014 which were used partially to fund the nonqualified pension plans. As of December 31, 2014, the nonqualified pension plans included in the benefit obligation in the above table and in the projected benefit obligation were $161 million. The fair values of the Rabbi Trust assets are included in Other Special Funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
The accumulated benefit obligation for all PSEG’s defined benefit pension plans was $5.5 billion as of December 31, 2014 and $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2013.
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits Years Ended December 31,
 
Other Benefits Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service Cost
 
$
104

 
$
116

 
$
101

 
$
18

 
$
21

 
$
17

 
 
Interest Cost
 
234

 
215

 
223

 
69

 
63

 
65

 
 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
(399
)
 
(348
)
 
(306
)
 
(26
)
 
(21
)
 
(17
)
 
 
Amortization of Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transition Obligation
 

 

 

 

 

 
2

 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
(18
)
 
(19
)
 
(18
)
 
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Actuarial Loss
 
56

 
188

 
167

 
23

 
42

 
31

 
 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
167

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
84

 
 
Special Termination Benefits
 

 

 
1

 

 

 

 
 
Effect of Regulatory Asset
 

 

 

 

 

 
19

 
 
Total Benefit Costs (Credit), Including Effect of Regulatory Asset

$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
168

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pension costs and OPEB costs for PSEG, PSE&G and Power are detailed as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
 
Other Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
(19
)
 
$
91

 
$
97

 
$
46

 
$
65

 
$
82

 
 
Power
 
(7
)
 
43

 
52

 
20

 
23

 
18

 
 
Other
 
3

 
18

 
19

 
4

 
3

 
3

 
 
Total Benefit Costs (Credit)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
152

 
$
168

 
$
70

 
$
91

 
$
103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table provides the pre-tax changes recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Regulatory Assets and Deferred Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension
 
OPEB
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Actuarial (Gain) Loss in Current Period
 
$
803

 
$
(1,009
)
 
$
208

 
$
(175
)
 
 
Amortization of Net Actuarial Gain (Loss)
 
(56
)
 
(188
)
 
(23
)
 
(42
)
 
 
Amortization of Prior Service Credit
 
18

 
19

 
14

 
14

 
 
Total
 
$
765

 
$
(1,178
)
 
$
199

 
$
(203
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Amounts that are expected to be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Regulatory Assets and Deferred Assets into Net Periodic Benefit Cost in 2015 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Benefits
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
$
150

 
$
43

 
 
Prior Service Cost
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(14
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations and net periodic benefit costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations as of December 31
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
4.20
%
 
4.21
%
 
5.01
%
 
4.20
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
3.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
3.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years Ended December 31
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
5.00
%
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.01
%
 
4.20
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
4.61
%
 
 
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates as of December 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Administrative Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
 
Dental Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.25
%
 
5.50
%
 
6.00
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016

 
2016

 
2013

 
 
Pre-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.50
%
 
8.00
%
 
8.88
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022

 
2021

 
2023

 
 
Post-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.25
%
 
7.88
%
 
7.98
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022

 
2021

 
2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Effect of a 1% Increase in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
 
 
Total of Service Cost and Interest Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
13

 
$
12

 
$
12

 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
201

 
$
161

 
$
180

 
 
Effect of a 1% Decrease in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
 
 
Total of Service Cost and Interest Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(9
)
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(165
)
 
$
(134
)
 
$
(149
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Plan Assets
All the investments of pension plans and OPEB plans are held in a trust account by the Trustee and consist of an undivided interest in an investment account of the Master Trust. The investments in the pension and OPEB plans are measured at fair value within a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to fair value measurements into three levels. See Note 16. Fair Value Measurements for more information on fair value guidance. Use of the Master Trust permits the commingling of pension plan assets and OPEB plan assets for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets of the plans are commingled in the Master Trust, the Trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment account to the respective participating plans. The net investment income of the investment assets is allocated by the Trustee to each participating plan based on the relationship of the interest of each plan to the total of the interests of the participating plans. As of December 31, 2014, the pension plan interest and OPEB plan interest in such assets of the Master Trust were approximately 94% and 6%, respectively.
The following tables present information about the investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, including the fair value measurements and the levels of inputs used in determining those fair values.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
153

 
$
92

 
$
61

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
2,292

 
2,292

 

 

 
 
Commingled—International
 
1,005

 
1,005

 

 

 
 
Other
 
727

 
727

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government (United States & Foreign)
 
509

 

 
509

 

 
 
Other
 
943

 

 
943

 

 
 
Private Equity (D)
 
25

 

 

 
25

 
 
Total
 
$
5,654

 
$
4,116

 
$
1,513

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
93

 
$
52

 
$
41

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
2,264

 
2,264

 

 

 
 
Commingled—International
 
1,016

 
1,016

 

 

 
 
Other
 
704

 
704

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government (United States & Foreign)
 
596

 

 
596

 

 
 
Other
 
737

 

 
737

 

 
 
Private Equity (D)
 
25

 

 

 
25

 
 
Total
 
$
5,435

 
$
4,036

 
$
1,374

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Certain open-ended mutual funds with mainly short-term investments are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active market (Level 1). Certain temporary investments are valued using inputs such as time-to-maturity, coupon rate, quality rating and current yield (Level 2).
(B)
Wherever possible, fair values of equity investments in stocks and in commingled funds are derived from quoted market prices as substantially all of these instruments have active markets (primarily Level 1). Most investments in stocks are priced utilizing the principal market close price or in some cases midpoint, bid or ask price.
(C)
Investments in fixed income securities including bond funds are priced using an evaluated pricing approach or the most recent exchange or quoted bid (primarily Level 2).
(D)
Limited partnership interests in private equity funds are valued using significant unobservable inputs as there is little, if any, market activity. In addition, there may be transfer restrictions on private equity securities. The process for determining the fair value of such securities relied on commonly accepted valuation techniques, including the use of earnings multiples based on comparable public securities, industry-specific non-earnings-based multiples and discounted cash flow models. These inputs require significant management judgment or estimation (primarily Level 3).
Reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances of the Pension and OPEB Plans’ Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of
January 1, 2014
 
Purchases/
(Sales)
 
Transfer
In/ (Out)
 
Actual
Return on
Asset Sales
 
Actual
Return on
Assets Still
Held
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Private Equity
 
$
25

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of
January 1, 2013
 
Purchases/
(Sales)
 
Transfer
In/ (Out)
 
Actual
Return on
Asset Sales
 
Actual
Return on
Assets Still
Held
 
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Private Equity
 
$
31

 
$
(11
)
 
$

 
$
11

 
$
(6
)
 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table provides the percentage of fair value of total plan assets for each major category of plan assets held for the qualified pension and OPEB plans as of the measurement date, December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
Investments
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Equity Securities
 
71
%
 
73
%
 
 
Fixed Income Securities
 
26

 
25

 
 
Other Investments
 
3

 
2

 
 
Total Percentage
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PSEG utilizes forecasted returns, risk, and correlation of all asset classes in order to develop a portfolio designed to produce the maximum return opportunity per unit of risk. PSEG's latest asset/liability study indicates that a long-term target asset allocation of 70% equities and 30% fixed income is consistent with the funds’ financial objectives. Derivative financial instruments are used by the plans’ investment managers primarily to adjust the fixed income duration of the portfolio and hedge the currency risk component of foreign investments. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.00% as of December 31, 2014 and will remain unchanged for 2015. This expected return was determined based on the study discussed above, including a premium for active management and considered the plans’ historical annualized rate of return since inception, which was 9.5%.
Plan Contributions
PSEG may contribute up to $25 million into its pension plans and up to $14 million into its OPEB plan, respectively, during 2015.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following pension benefit and postretirement benefit payments are expected to be paid to plan participants.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
2015
 
 
$
282

 
$
79

 
 
2016
 
 
283

 
82

 
 
2017
 
 
294

 
84

 
 
2018
 
 
305

 
87

 
 
2019
 
 
318

 
90

 
 
2020-2024
 
 
1,770

 
495

 
 
Total
 
 
$
3,252

 
$
917

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

401(k) Plans
PSEG sponsors two 401(k) plans, which are Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) defined contribution retirement plans. Eligible represented employees of PSEG's subsidiaries participate in the PSEG Employee Savings Plan (Savings Plan), while eligible non-represented employees of PSEG's subsidiaries participate in the PSEG Thrift and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan (Thrift Plan). Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their compensation to these plans. PSEG matches 50% of such employee contributions up to 7% of pay for Savings Plan participants and up to 8% of pay for Thrift Plan participants.
The amount paid for employer matching contributions to the plans for PSEG, PSE&G and Power are detailed as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thrift Plan and Savings Plan
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
20

 
$
19

 
$
18

 
 
Power
 
11

 
$
10

 
10

 
 
Other
 
5

 
4

 
4

 
 
Total Employer Matching Contributions
 
$
36

 
$
33

 
$
32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Servco Pension and OPEB
At the direction of LIPA, effective January 1, 2014, Servco established benefit plans that provide substantially the same benefits to its employees as those previously provided by National Grid Electric Services LLC (NGES), the predecessor T&D system manager for LIPA. Since the vast majority of Servco's employees had worked under NGES' T&D operations services arrangement with LIPA, Servco's plans provide certain of those employees with pension and OPEB vested credit for prior years' services earned while working for NGES. The benefit plans cover all employees of Servco for current service. Under the OSA, all of these and any future employee benefit costs are to be funded by LIPA. See Note 3. Variable Interest Entities. These obligations, as well as the offsetting long-term receivable, are separately presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of PSEG.
The following table provides a roll-forward of the changes in Servco's benefit obligation and the fair value of its plan assets during the year ended December 31, 2014. It also provides the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized and amounts not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the end of 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year
 
$

 
$

 
 
Service
 
20

 
13

 
 
Interest
 
7

 
17

 
 
Differences in Actuarial Assumptions versus Actual Experience
 
42

 
107

 
 
Plan Amendments
 
126

 
315

 
 
Benefit Obligation at End of Year (A)
 
$
195

 
$
452

 
 
Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets at Beginning of Year
 
$

 
$

 
 
Actual Return on Plan Assets
 
2

 

 
 
Employer Contributions
 
67

 

 
 
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
 
$
69

 
$

 
 
Funded Status
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded Status (Plan Assets less Benefit Obligation)
 
$
(126
)
 
$
(452
)
 
 
Additional Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued Pension Costs of Servco
 
$
(126
)
 
$

 
 
OPEB Costs of Servco
 

 
(452
)
 
 
Amounts Recognized (B)
 
$
(126
)
 
$
(452
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Represents projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for other benefits.
(B)
Amounts equal to the accrued pension and OPEB costs of Servco are offset in Long-Term Receivable of VIE on PSEG's Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Pension and OPEB costs of Servco are accounted for according to the OSA. Servco recognizes expenses for contributions to its pension plan trusts and for OPEB payments made to retirees. Operating Revenues are recognized for the reimbursement of these costs. The pension-related revenues and costs for 2014 were $67 million. Servco has contributed its entire planned contribution amount to its pension plan trusts during 2014. The OPEB-related revenues earned or costs incurred in 2014 were immaterial.
The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations of Servco:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
4.50
%
 
4.60
%
 
 
Rate of Compensation Increase
 
3.25
%
 
3.25
%
 
 
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Administrative Expense
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Dental Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2018

 
 
Pre-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
7.50
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2022

 
 
Post-65 Medical Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immediate Rate
 
 
 
7.44
%
 
 
Ultimate Rate
 
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
Year Ultimate Rate Reached
 
 
 
2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Effect of a 1% Increase in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
$
160

 
 
Effect of a 1% Decrease in the Assumed Rate of Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs
 
 
Postretirement Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
$
(106
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Plan Assets
All the investments of Servco's pension plans are held in a trust account by the Trustee and consist of an undivided interest in an investment account of the Master Trust. The investments in the pension are measured at fair value within a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to fair value measurements into three levels. See Note 16. Fair Value Measurements for more information on fair value guidance. The Actuary maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment account to the respective participating plans. The net investment income of the investment assets is allocated by the Actuary to each participating plan based on the relationship of the interest of each plan to the total of the interests of the participating plans.
The following table presents information about Servco's investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014, including the fair value measurements and the levels of inputs used in determining those fair values.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Market Prices
for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Temporary Investment Funds (A)
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

 
$

 
 
Common Stocks (B)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commingled—United States
 
48

 
48

 

 

 
 
Bonds (C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
20

 

 
20

 

 
 
Total
 
$
69

 
$
48

 
$
21

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(A)
Certain temporary investments are valued using inputs such as time-to-maturity, coupon rate, quality rating and current yield (Level 2).
(B)
Wherever possible, fair values of equity investments in commingled stock funds are derived from quoted market prices as substantially all of these instruments have active markets (primarily Level 1). Most investments in stocks are priced utilizing the principal market close price or in some cases midpoint, bid or ask price.
(C)
 Investments in fixed income securities including bond funds are priced using an evaluated pricing approach or the most recent exchange or quoted bid (primarily Level 2).
The following table provides the percentage of fair value of total plan assets for each major category of plan assets held for the qualified pension and OPEB plans of Servco as of the measurement date, December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
Equity Securities
 
70
%
 
 
Fixed Income Securities
 
29

 
 
Other Investments
 
1

 
 
Total Percentage
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 

Servco utilizes forecasted returns, risk, and correlation of all asset classes in order to develop a portfolio designed to produce the maximum return opportunity per unit of risk. The results from Servco's latest asset/liability study indicated that a long-term target asset allocation of 70% equities and 30% fixed income is consistent with the funds’ financial objectives. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 7.70% as of December 31, 2014 and will remain unchanged for 2015. This expected return was determined based on the study discussed above, including a premium for active management and considered the plans’ 2014 rate of return, which was 6.3%.
Plan Contributions
Servco may contribute up to $30 million into its pension plan during 2015.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following pension benefit and postretirement benefit payments are expected to be paid to Servco's plan participants:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
2015
 
 
$

 
$
2

 
 
2016
 
 
1

 
4

 
 
2017
 
 
2

 
6

 
 
2018
 
 
3

 
7

 
 
2019
 
 
4

 
9

 
 
2020-2024
 
 
49

 
74

 
 
Total
 
 
$
59

 
$
102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Servco 401(k) Plans
Servco sponsors two 401(k) plans, which are defined contribution retirement plans subject to the ERISA. Eligible non-represented employees of Servco participate in the Servco Incentive Thrift Plan I (Thrift Plan I), and eligible represented employees of Servco participate in the Servco Incentive Thrift Plan II. Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their compensation to these plans. For employees in Thrift Plan I, Servco matches 50% of such employee contributions up to 8% and provides core contributions (based on years of service and age) to employees who do not participate in Servco's pension plan.