Employee Benefit Plans

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Components of net periodic benefit cost recorded by DESC were as follows:

(millions)	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
Three Months Ended March 31,	2021			2020			2021		2020
Service cost	$	3		$	3		$	1	$	1
Interest cost		5			6			1		2
Expected return on assets		(12	)		(11	)		—		—
Amortization of actuarial losses		2			2			—		—
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	(2	)	$	—		$	2	$	3

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, DESC made no contributions to its pension trust and does not expect to make any such contributions in 2021. DESC recovers current pension costs through either a rate rider that may be adjusted annually for retail electric operations or through cost of service rates for gas operations.