| Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2019 |
| Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits | RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy) Qualified Pension Plans Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee. Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust. The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers. For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis. Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly. Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments. A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter. Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions. Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $134,193 $155,010 $133,641 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 293,114 267,415 260,824 Expected return on assets (414,947 ) (442,142 ) (408,225 ) Amortization of prior service cost — 398 261 Recognized net loss 241,117 274,104 227,720 Settlement charges 23,492 828 — Net periodic pension costs $276,969 $255,613 $214,221 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $614,600 $394,951 $368,067 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service cost — (398 ) (261 ) Amortization of net loss (241,117 ) (274,104 ) (227,720 ) Settlement charge (23,492 ) (828 ) — Total $349,991 $119,621 $140,086 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $626,960 $375,234 $354,307 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year: Prior service cost $— $— $398 Net loss $349,038 $233,677 $274,104 The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $21,043 $29,137 $6,516 $2,274 $5,401 $6,199 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Expected return on assets (80,705 ) (90,607 ) (23,873 ) (10,785 ) (23,447 ) (18,710 ) Recognized net loss 47,361 46,571 12,416 6,117 9,335 11,400 Net pension cost $44,400 $48,630 $11,331 $5,101 $5,740 $12,345 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $118,898 $99,346 $41,088 $6,531 $10,869 $36,711 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (47,361 ) (46,571 ) (12,416 ) (6,117 ) (9,335 ) (11,400 ) Total $71,537 $52,775 $28,672 $414 $1,534 $25,311 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $115,937 $101,405 $40,003 $5,515 $7,274 $37,656 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $67,588 $66,509 $18,994 $8,018 $13,060 $17,117 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $24,757 $33,783 $7,286 $2,693 $6,356 $7,102 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Expected return on assets (87,404 ) (99,236 ) (26,007 ) (11,973 ) (26,091 ) (19,963 ) Recognized net loss 53,650 57,800 14,438 7,816 10,503 14,859 Net pension cost $43,020 $52,108 $10,792 $5,789 $4,158 $14,905 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss $74,570 $41,642 $19,244 $2,351 $24,121 ($2,359 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (53,650 ) (57,800 ) (14,438 ) (7,816 ) (10,503 ) (14,859 ) Total $20,920 ($16,158 ) $4,806 ($5,465 ) $13,618 ($17,218 ) Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $63,940 $35,950 $15,598 $324 $17,776 ($2,313 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $47,361 $46,571 $12,416 $6,117 $9,335 $11,400 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $20,358 $27,698 $5,890 $2,500 $5,455 $6,145 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 51,776 59,235 14,927 7,163 13,569 12,364 Expected return on assets (81,707 ) (92,067 ) (24,526 ) (11,199 ) (24,722 ) (18,650 ) Recognized net loss 46,560 49,417 12,213 6,632 9,241 11,857 Net pension cost $36,987 $44,283 $8,504 $5,096 $3,543 $11,716 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $51,569 $57,510 $14,681 $8,601 $1,109 $27,733 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (46,560 ) (49,417 ) (12,213 ) (6,632 ) (9,241 ) (11,857 ) Total $5,009 $8,093 $2,468 $1,969 ($8,132 ) $15,876 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $41,996 $52,376 $10,972 $7,065 ($4,589 ) $27,592 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $53,650 $57,800 $14,438 $7,816 $10,503 $14,859 Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $7,404,917 $7,987,087 Service cost 134,193 155,010 Interest cost 293,114 267,415 Actuarial (gain)/loss 1,292,767 (395,242 ) Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Balance at December 31 $8,406,203 $7,404,917 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $5,497,415 $6,071,316 Actual return on plan assets 1,093,114 (348,051 ) Employer contributions 399,419 383,503 Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $6,271,160 $5,497,415 Funded status ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized in the balance sheet Non-current liabilities ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized as a regulatory asset Net loss $2,831,408 $2,468,987 Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $724,575 $737,004 Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Service cost 21,043 29,137 6,516 2,274 5,401 6,199 Interest cost 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Actuarial loss 248,213 248,509 79,453 24,299 49,235 66,460 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Balance at December 31 $1,615,084 $1,784,474 $471,510 $206,962 $396,764 $393,607 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Actual return on plan assets 210,020 239,770 62,238 28,552 61,814 48,460 Employer contributions 75,854 64,951 20,794 4,553 3,725 20,234 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,200,035 $1,364,030 $354,928 $160,777 $339,126 $282,668 Funded status ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $799,235 $759,228 $225,354 $91,862 $160,564 $193,870 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $23,481 $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,580,756 $1,785,700 $457,549 $217,896 $410,720 $384,049 Service cost 24,757 33,783 7,286 2,693 6,356 7,102 Interest cost 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Actuarial gain (79,621 ) (133,520 ) (26,611 ) (18,844 ) (21,656 ) (37,842 ) Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Balance at December 31 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,205,668 $1,365,741 $360,842 $165,747 $363,523 $274,432 Actual return on plan assets (66,787 ) (75,926 ) (19,849 ) (9,221 ) (19,686 ) (15,520 ) Employer contributions 64,062 71,919 14,933 7,250 10,883 13,786 Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Funded status ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $727,703 $686,138 $196,683 $91,448 $159,030 $168,559 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $43,796 $— $— $— $— Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $7.8 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Entergy Arkansas $1,519,998 $1,362,425 Entergy Louisiana $1,643,759 $1,481,158 Entergy Mississippi $438,817 $387,635 Entergy New Orleans $192,561 $179,907 Entergy Texas $371,589 $347,852 System Energy $368,771 $317,848 Other Postretirement Benefits Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees. Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates. The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions. However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf. Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee. Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets. The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses. Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts. Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $18,699 $27,129 $26,915 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) 47,901 50,725 55,838 Expected return on assets (38,246 ) (41,493 ) (37,630 ) Amortization of prior service credit (35,377 ) (37,002 ) (41,425 ) Recognized net loss 1,430 13,729 21,905 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($5,593 ) $13,088 $25,603 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Prior service credit for period $— $— ($2,564 ) Net gain (38,526 ) (274,354 ) (66,922 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 35,377 37,002 41,425 Amortization of net loss (1,430 ) (13,729 ) (21,905 ) Total ($4,579 ) ($251,081 ) ($49,966 ) Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($10,172 ) ($237,993 ) ($24,363 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($17,563 ) ($35,377 ) ($37,002 ) Net loss $800 $1,430 $13,729 Total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $2,363 $4,639 $1,046 $367 $943 $973 Interest cost on APBO 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Expected return on assets (15,962 ) — (4,794 ) (4,947 ) (9,103 ) (2,788 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4,950 ) (7,349 ) (1,756 ) (682 ) (2,243 ) (1,450 ) Recognized net (gain)/ loss 576 (695 ) 723 231 485 354 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,747 ) $7,259 ($2,100 ) ($3,450 ) ($6,503 ) ($1,009 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($26,707 ) ($2,220 ) ($11,950 ) ($10,967 ) ($6,406 ) ($5,539 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 4,950 7,349 1,756 682 2,243 1,450 Amortization of net (gain)/loss (576 ) 695 (723 ) (231 ) (485 ) (354 ) Total ($22,333 ) $5,824 ($10,917 ) ($10,516 ) ($4,648 ) ($4,443 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($33,080 ) $13,083 ($13,017 ) ($13,966 ) ($11,151 ) ($5,452 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($3,174 ) ($3,142 ) ($1,037 ) $— ($1,421 ) ($747 ) Net (gain)/loss $4 ($1,030 ) $75 ($246 ) $810 $51 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,170 $6,225 $1,284 $516 $1,319 $1,223 Interest cost on APBO 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Expected return on assets (17,368 ) — (5,213 ) (5,250 ) (9,784 ) (3,130 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 1,154 1,550 1,508 137 823 932 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,168 ) $11,194 ($1,513 ) ($3,673 ) ($6,204 ) ($490 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($32,219 ) ($73,249 ) ($7,794 ) ($981 ) ($10,561 ) ($6,680 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (1,154 ) (1,550 ) (1,508 ) (137 ) (823 ) (932 ) Total ($28,263 ) ($67,064 ) ($7,479 ) ($373 ) ($9,068 ) ($6,099 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($38,431 ) ($55,870 ) ($8,992 ) ($4,046 ) ($15,272 ) ($6,589 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($4,950 ) ($7,349 ) ($1,756 ) ($682 ) ($2,243 ) ($1,450 ) Net (gain)/loss $576 ($695 ) $723 $231 $485 $354 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,451 $6,373 $1,160 $567 $1,488 $1,278 Interest cost on APBO 9,020 12,101 2,759 1,874 4,494 2,236 Expected return on assets (15,836 ) — (4,801 ) (4,635 ) (8,720 ) (2,869 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 4,460 1,859 1,675 418 3,303 1,560 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($4,015 ) $12,598 ($1,030 ) ($2,521 ) ($1,751 ) $692 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss (29,534 ) (1,256 ) 506 (7,342 ) (22,255 ) (5,459 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (4,460 ) (1,859 ) (1,675 ) (418 ) (3,303 ) (1,560 ) Total ($28,884 ) $4,620 $654 ($7,015 ) ($23,242 ) ($5,506 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($32,899 ) $17,218 ($376 ) ($9,536 ) ($24,993 ) ($4,814 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($5,110 ) ($7,735 ) ($1,823 ) ($745 ) ($2,316 ) ($1,513 ) Net loss $1,154 $1,550 $1,508 $137 $823 $932 Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $1,232,619 $1,563,487 Service cost 18,699 27,129 Interest cost 47,901 50,725 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Actuarial (gain)/loss 23,673 (346,429 ) Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 594 443 Balance at December 31 $1,252,903 $1,232,619 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $609,782 $659,327 Actual return on plan assets 100,445 (30,582 ) Employer contributions 46,618 43,773 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $686,262 $609,782 Funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities ($48,040 ) ($44,276 ) Non-current liabilities (518,601 ) (578,561 ) Total funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,899 ) ($25,778 ) Net (gain)/loss (5,081 ) 51,774 ($16,980 ) $25,996 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit ($21,231 ) ($42,730 ) Net gain (16,670 ) (33,569 ) ($37,901 ) ($76,299 ) Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Service cost 2,363 4,639 1,046 367 943 973 Interest cost 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Actuarial (gain)/loss 166 (2,220 ) (3,778 ) (4,234 ) 8,279 (891 ) Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 82 107 16 14 23 37 Balance at December 31 $185,744 $274,175 $65,979 $38,460 $94,742 $47,348 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Actual return on plan assets 42,835 — 12,966 11,680 23,788 7,436 Employer contributions 1,257 14,284 228 1,659 (596 ) 829 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $284,224 $— $86,085 $93,858 $161,810 $48,471 Funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($18,467 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 98,480 (255,708 ) 20,106 55,398 67,068 1,123 Total funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($6,515 ) $— ($3,108 ) $— ($1,422 ) ($854 ) Net (gain)/loss (18,262 ) — 3,272 (8,046 ) 6,203 2,881 ($24,777 ) $— $164 ($8,046 ) $4,781 $2,027 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($4,915 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (24,739 ) — — — — $— ($29,654 ) $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $249,019 $345,389 $84,621 $53,548 $116,702 $61,381 Service cost 3,170 6,225 1,284 516 1,319 1,223 Interest cost 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Actuarial gain (61,960 ) (73,249 ) (16,762 ) (10,847 ) (27,527 ) (11,985 ) Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 60 64 14 8 13 22 Balance at December 31 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $274,678 $— $82,433 $85,504 $154,171 $49,124 Actual return on plan assets (12,373 ) — (3,755 ) (4,616 ) (7,182 ) (2,175 ) Employer contributions 195 14,314 87 3,793 3,808 569 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($17,740 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 64,225 (257,529 ) 6,877 39,787 56,536 (5,121 ) Total funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,465 ) $— ($4,864 ) ($681 ) ($3,665 ) ($2,304 ) Net loss 9,021 — 15,945 3,151 13,094 8,774 ($2,444 ) $— $11,081 $2,470 $9,429 $6,470 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($12,264 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (23,214 ) — — — — $— ($35,478 ) $— $— $— $— Non-Qualified Pension Plans Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $22.6 million in 2019 , $24.4 million in 2018 , and $37.6 million in 2017 . In 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 Entergy recognized $7.4 million , $7.7 million , and $20.3 million , respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $147 million as of December 31, 2018 of which $17 million was a current liability and $130 million was a non-current liability. The accumulated benefit obligation was $143.4 million and $131.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ( $58.8 million at December 31, 2019 and $51.9 million at December 31, 2018 ) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ( $24.9 million at December 31, 2019 and $19.2 million at December 31, 2018 ). The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $275 $159 $326 $20 $481 2018 $474 $180 $300 $81 $650 2017 $679 $185 $251 $73 $499 Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2017 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $269 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,755 $1,682 $3,286 $231 $7,783 2018 $2,752 $1,881 $2,732 $206 $7,952 The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,248 $1,682 $2,938 $230 $7,391 2018 $2,519 $1,881 $2,427 $206 $7,724 The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($249 ) ($216 ) ($357 ) ($17 ) ($723 ) Non-current liabilities (2,506 ) (1,467 ) (2,930 ) (215 ) (7,060 ) Total funded status ($2,755 ) ($1,683 ) ($3,287 ) ($232 ) ($7,783 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,232 $3 $1,432 ($559 ) ($603 ) 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($198 ) ($229 ) ($128 ) ($16 ) ($672 ) Non-current liabilities (2,554 ) (1,652 ) (2,604 ) (191 ) (7,280 ) Total funded status ($2,752 ) ($1,881 ) ($2,732 ) ($207 ) ($7,952 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,314 $79 $1,009 ($579 ) ($517 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes) $— $5 $— $— $— Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (bef |
| Entergy Arkansas [Member] | |
| Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits | RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy) Qualified Pension Plans Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee. Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust. The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers. For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis. Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly. Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments. A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter. Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions. Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $134,193 $155,010 $133,641 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 293,114 267,415 260,824 Expected return on assets (414,947 ) (442,142 ) (408,225 ) Amortization of prior service cost — 398 261 Recognized net loss 241,117 274,104 227,720 Settlement charges 23,492 828 — Net periodic pension costs $276,969 $255,613 $214,221 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $614,600 $394,951 $368,067 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service cost — (398 ) (261 ) Amortization of net loss (241,117 ) (274,104 ) (227,720 ) Settlement charge (23,492 ) (828 ) — Total $349,991 $119,621 $140,086 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $626,960 $375,234 $354,307 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year: Prior service cost $— $— $398 Net loss $349,038 $233,677 $274,104 The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $21,043 $29,137 $6,516 $2,274 $5,401 $6,199 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Expected return on assets (80,705 ) (90,607 ) (23,873 ) (10,785 ) (23,447 ) (18,710 ) Recognized net loss 47,361 46,571 12,416 6,117 9,335 11,400 Net pension cost $44,400 $48,630 $11,331 $5,101 $5,740 $12,345 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $118,898 $99,346 $41,088 $6,531 $10,869 $36,711 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (47,361 ) (46,571 ) (12,416 ) (6,117 ) (9,335 ) (11,400 ) Total $71,537 $52,775 $28,672 $414 $1,534 $25,311 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $115,937 $101,405 $40,003 $5,515 $7,274 $37,656 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $67,588 $66,509 $18,994 $8,018 $13,060 $17,117 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $24,757 $33,783 $7,286 $2,693 $6,356 $7,102 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Expected return on assets (87,404 ) (99,236 ) (26,007 ) (11,973 ) (26,091 ) (19,963 ) Recognized net loss 53,650 57,800 14,438 7,816 10,503 14,859 Net pension cost $43,020 $52,108 $10,792 $5,789 $4,158 $14,905 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss $74,570 $41,642 $19,244 $2,351 $24,121 ($2,359 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (53,650 ) (57,800 ) (14,438 ) (7,816 ) (10,503 ) (14,859 ) Total $20,920 ($16,158 ) $4,806 ($5,465 ) $13,618 ($17,218 ) Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $63,940 $35,950 $15,598 $324 $17,776 ($2,313 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $47,361 $46,571 $12,416 $6,117 $9,335 $11,400 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $20,358 $27,698 $5,890 $2,500 $5,455 $6,145 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 51,776 59,235 14,927 7,163 13,569 12,364 Expected return on assets (81,707 ) (92,067 ) (24,526 ) (11,199 ) (24,722 ) (18,650 ) Recognized net loss 46,560 49,417 12,213 6,632 9,241 11,857 Net pension cost $36,987 $44,283 $8,504 $5,096 $3,543 $11,716 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $51,569 $57,510 $14,681 $8,601 $1,109 $27,733 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (46,560 ) (49,417 ) (12,213 ) (6,632 ) (9,241 ) (11,857 ) Total $5,009 $8,093 $2,468 $1,969 ($8,132 ) $15,876 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $41,996 $52,376 $10,972 $7,065 ($4,589 ) $27,592 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $53,650 $57,800 $14,438 $7,816 $10,503 $14,859 Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $7,404,917 $7,987,087 Service cost 134,193 155,010 Interest cost 293,114 267,415 Actuarial (gain)/loss 1,292,767 (395,242 ) Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Balance at December 31 $8,406,203 $7,404,917 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $5,497,415 $6,071,316 Actual return on plan assets 1,093,114 (348,051 ) Employer contributions 399,419 383,503 Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $6,271,160 $5,497,415 Funded status ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized in the balance sheet Non-current liabilities ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized as a regulatory asset Net loss $2,831,408 $2,468,987 Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $724,575 $737,004 Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Service cost 21,043 29,137 6,516 2,274 5,401 6,199 Interest cost 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Actuarial loss 248,213 248,509 79,453 24,299 49,235 66,460 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Balance at December 31 $1,615,084 $1,784,474 $471,510 $206,962 $396,764 $393,607 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Actual return on plan assets 210,020 239,770 62,238 28,552 61,814 48,460 Employer contributions 75,854 64,951 20,794 4,553 3,725 20,234 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,200,035 $1,364,030 $354,928 $160,777 $339,126 $282,668 Funded status ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $799,235 $759,228 $225,354 $91,862 $160,564 $193,870 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $23,481 $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,580,756 $1,785,700 $457,549 $217,896 $410,720 $384,049 Service cost 24,757 33,783 7,286 2,693 6,356 7,102 Interest cost 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Actuarial gain (79,621 ) (133,520 ) (26,611 ) (18,844 ) (21,656 ) (37,842 ) Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Balance at December 31 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,205,668 $1,365,741 $360,842 $165,747 $363,523 $274,432 Actual return on plan assets (66,787 ) (75,926 ) (19,849 ) (9,221 ) (19,686 ) (15,520 ) Employer contributions 64,062 71,919 14,933 7,250 10,883 13,786 Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Funded status ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $727,703 $686,138 $196,683 $91,448 $159,030 $168,559 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $43,796 $— $— $— $— Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $7.8 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Entergy Arkansas $1,519,998 $1,362,425 Entergy Louisiana $1,643,759 $1,481,158 Entergy Mississippi $438,817 $387,635 Entergy New Orleans $192,561 $179,907 Entergy Texas $371,589 $347,852 System Energy $368,771 $317,848 Other Postretirement Benefits Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees. Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates. The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions. However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf. Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee. Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets. The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses. Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts. Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $18,699 $27,129 $26,915 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) 47,901 50,725 55,838 Expected return on assets (38,246 ) (41,493 ) (37,630 ) Amortization of prior service credit (35,377 ) (37,002 ) (41,425 ) Recognized net loss 1,430 13,729 21,905 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($5,593 ) $13,088 $25,603 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Prior service credit for period $— $— ($2,564 ) Net gain (38,526 ) (274,354 ) (66,922 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 35,377 37,002 41,425 Amortization of net loss (1,430 ) (13,729 ) (21,905 ) Total ($4,579 ) ($251,081 ) ($49,966 ) Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($10,172 ) ($237,993 ) ($24,363 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($17,563 ) ($35,377 ) ($37,002 ) Net loss $800 $1,430 $13,729 Total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $2,363 $4,639 $1,046 $367 $943 $973 Interest cost on APBO 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Expected return on assets (15,962 ) — (4,794 ) (4,947 ) (9,103 ) (2,788 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4,950 ) (7,349 ) (1,756 ) (682 ) (2,243 ) (1,450 ) Recognized net (gain)/ loss 576 (695 ) 723 231 485 354 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,747 ) $7,259 ($2,100 ) ($3,450 ) ($6,503 ) ($1,009 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($26,707 ) ($2,220 ) ($11,950 ) ($10,967 ) ($6,406 ) ($5,539 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 4,950 7,349 1,756 682 2,243 1,450 Amortization of net (gain)/loss (576 ) 695 (723 ) (231 ) (485 ) (354 ) Total ($22,333 ) $5,824 ($10,917 ) ($10,516 ) ($4,648 ) ($4,443 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($33,080 ) $13,083 ($13,017 ) ($13,966 ) ($11,151 ) ($5,452 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($3,174 ) ($3,142 ) ($1,037 ) $— ($1,421 ) ($747 ) Net (gain)/loss $4 ($1,030 ) $75 ($246 ) $810 $51 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,170 $6,225 $1,284 $516 $1,319 $1,223 Interest cost on APBO 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Expected return on assets (17,368 ) — (5,213 ) (5,250 ) (9,784 ) (3,130 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 1,154 1,550 1,508 137 823 932 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,168 ) $11,194 ($1,513 ) ($3,673 ) ($6,204 ) ($490 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($32,219 ) ($73,249 ) ($7,794 ) ($981 ) ($10,561 ) ($6,680 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (1,154 ) (1,550 ) (1,508 ) (137 ) (823 ) (932 ) Total ($28,263 ) ($67,064 ) ($7,479 ) ($373 ) ($9,068 ) ($6,099 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($38,431 ) ($55,870 ) ($8,992 ) ($4,046 ) ($15,272 ) ($6,589 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($4,950 ) ($7,349 ) ($1,756 ) ($682 ) ($2,243 ) ($1,450 ) Net (gain)/loss $576 ($695 ) $723 $231 $485 $354 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,451 $6,373 $1,160 $567 $1,488 $1,278 Interest cost on APBO 9,020 12,101 2,759 1,874 4,494 2,236 Expected return on assets (15,836 ) — (4,801 ) (4,635 ) (8,720 ) (2,869 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 4,460 1,859 1,675 418 3,303 1,560 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($4,015 ) $12,598 ($1,030 ) ($2,521 ) ($1,751 ) $692 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss (29,534 ) (1,256 ) 506 (7,342 ) (22,255 ) (5,459 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (4,460 ) (1,859 ) (1,675 ) (418 ) (3,303 ) (1,560 ) Total ($28,884 ) $4,620 $654 ($7,015 ) ($23,242 ) ($5,506 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($32,899 ) $17,218 ($376 ) ($9,536 ) ($24,993 ) ($4,814 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($5,110 ) ($7,735 ) ($1,823 ) ($745 ) ($2,316 ) ($1,513 ) Net loss $1,154 $1,550 $1,508 $137 $823 $932 Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $1,232,619 $1,563,487 Service cost 18,699 27,129 Interest cost 47,901 50,725 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Actuarial (gain)/loss 23,673 (346,429 ) Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 594 443 Balance at December 31 $1,252,903 $1,232,619 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $609,782 $659,327 Actual return on plan assets 100,445 (30,582 ) Employer contributions 46,618 43,773 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $686,262 $609,782 Funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities ($48,040 ) ($44,276 ) Non-current liabilities (518,601 ) (578,561 ) Total funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,899 ) ($25,778 ) Net (gain)/loss (5,081 ) 51,774 ($16,980 ) $25,996 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit ($21,231 ) ($42,730 ) Net gain (16,670 ) (33,569 ) ($37,901 ) ($76,299 ) Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Service cost 2,363 4,639 1,046 367 943 973 Interest cost 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Actuarial (gain)/loss 166 (2,220 ) (3,778 ) (4,234 ) 8,279 (891 ) Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 82 107 16 14 23 37 Balance at December 31 $185,744 $274,175 $65,979 $38,460 $94,742 $47,348 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Actual return on plan assets 42,835 — 12,966 11,680 23,788 7,436 Employer contributions 1,257 14,284 228 1,659 (596 ) 829 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $284,224 $— $86,085 $93,858 $161,810 $48,471 Funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($18,467 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 98,480 (255,708 ) 20,106 55,398 67,068 1,123 Total funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($6,515 ) $— ($3,108 ) $— ($1,422 ) ($854 ) Net (gain)/loss (18,262 ) — 3,272 (8,046 ) 6,203 2,881 ($24,777 ) $— $164 ($8,046 ) $4,781 $2,027 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($4,915 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (24,739 ) — — — — $— ($29,654 ) $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $249,019 $345,389 $84,621 $53,548 $116,702 $61,381 Service cost 3,170 6,225 1,284 516 1,319 1,223 Interest cost 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Actuarial gain (61,960 ) (73,249 ) (16,762 ) (10,847 ) (27,527 ) (11,985 ) Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 60 64 14 8 13 22 Balance at December 31 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $274,678 $— $82,433 $85,504 $154,171 $49,124 Actual return on plan assets (12,373 ) — (3,755 ) (4,616 ) (7,182 ) (2,175 ) Employer contributions 195 14,314 87 3,793 3,808 569 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($17,740 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 64,225 (257,529 ) 6,877 39,787 56,536 (5,121 ) Total funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,465 ) $— ($4,864 ) ($681 ) ($3,665 ) ($2,304 ) Net loss 9,021 — 15,945 3,151 13,094 8,774 ($2,444 ) $— $11,081 $2,470 $9,429 $6,470 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($12,264 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (23,214 ) — — — — $— ($35,478 ) $— $— $— $— Non-Qualified Pension Plans Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $22.6 million in 2019 , $24.4 million in 2018 , and $37.6 million in 2017 . In 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 Entergy recognized $7.4 million , $7.7 million , and $20.3 million , respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $147 million as of December 31, 2018 of which $17 million was a current liability and $130 million was a non-current liability. The accumulated benefit obligation was $143.4 million and $131.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ( $58.8 million at December 31, 2019 and $51.9 million at December 31, 2018 ) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ( $24.9 million at December 31, 2019 and $19.2 million at December 31, 2018 ). The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $275 $159 $326 $20 $481 2018 $474 $180 $300 $81 $650 2017 $679 $185 $251 $73 $499 Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2017 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $269 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,755 $1,682 $3,286 $231 $7,783 2018 $2,752 $1,881 $2,732 $206 $7,952 The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,248 $1,682 $2,938 $230 $7,391 2018 $2,519 $1,881 $2,427 $206 $7,724 The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($249 ) ($216 ) ($357 ) ($17 ) ($723 ) Non-current liabilities (2,506 ) (1,467 ) (2,930 ) (215 ) (7,060 ) Total funded status ($2,755 ) ($1,683 ) ($3,287 ) ($232 ) ($7,783 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,232 $3 $1,432 ($559 ) ($603 ) 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($198 ) ($229 ) ($128 ) ($16 ) ($672 ) Non-current liabilities (2,554 ) (1,652 ) (2,604 ) (191 ) (7,280 ) Total funded status ($2,752 ) ($1,881 ) ($2,732 ) ($207 ) ($7,952 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,314 $79 $1,009 ($579 ) ($517 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes) $— $5 $— $— $— Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (bef |
| Entergy Louisiana [Member] | |
| Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits | RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy) Qualified Pension Plans Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee. Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust. The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers. For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis. Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly. Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments. A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter. Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions. Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $134,193 $155,010 $133,641 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 293,114 267,415 260,824 Expected return on assets (414,947 ) (442,142 ) (408,225 ) Amortization of prior service cost — 398 261 Recognized net loss 241,117 274,104 227,720 Settlement charges 23,492 828 — Net periodic pension costs $276,969 $255,613 $214,221 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $614,600 $394,951 $368,067 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service cost — (398 ) (261 ) Amortization of net loss (241,117 ) (274,104 ) (227,720 ) Settlement charge (23,492 ) (828 ) — Total $349,991 $119,621 $140,086 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $626,960 $375,234 $354,307 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year: Prior service cost $— $— $398 Net loss $349,038 $233,677 $274,104 The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $21,043 $29,137 $6,516 $2,274 $5,401 $6,199 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Expected return on assets (80,705 ) (90,607 ) (23,873 ) (10,785 ) (23,447 ) (18,710 ) Recognized net loss 47,361 46,571 12,416 6,117 9,335 11,400 Net pension cost $44,400 $48,630 $11,331 $5,101 $5,740 $12,345 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $118,898 $99,346 $41,088 $6,531 $10,869 $36,711 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (47,361 ) (46,571 ) (12,416 ) (6,117 ) (9,335 ) (11,400 ) Total $71,537 $52,775 $28,672 $414 $1,534 $25,311 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $115,937 $101,405 $40,003 $5,515 $7,274 $37,656 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $67,588 $66,509 $18,994 $8,018 $13,060 $17,117 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $24,757 $33,783 $7,286 $2,693 $6,356 $7,102 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Expected return on assets (87,404 ) (99,236 ) (26,007 ) (11,973 ) (26,091 ) (19,963 ) Recognized net loss 53,650 57,800 14,438 7,816 10,503 14,859 Net pension cost $43,020 $52,108 $10,792 $5,789 $4,158 $14,905 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss $74,570 $41,642 $19,244 $2,351 $24,121 ($2,359 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (53,650 ) (57,800 ) (14,438 ) (7,816 ) (10,503 ) (14,859 ) Total $20,920 ($16,158 ) $4,806 ($5,465 ) $13,618 ($17,218 ) Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $63,940 $35,950 $15,598 $324 $17,776 ($2,313 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $47,361 $46,571 $12,416 $6,117 $9,335 $11,400 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $20,358 $27,698 $5,890 $2,500 $5,455 $6,145 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 51,776 59,235 14,927 7,163 13,569 12,364 Expected return on assets (81,707 ) (92,067 ) (24,526 ) (11,199 ) (24,722 ) (18,650 ) Recognized net loss 46,560 49,417 12,213 6,632 9,241 11,857 Net pension cost $36,987 $44,283 $8,504 $5,096 $3,543 $11,716 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $51,569 $57,510 $14,681 $8,601 $1,109 $27,733 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (46,560 ) (49,417 ) (12,213 ) (6,632 ) (9,241 ) (11,857 ) Total $5,009 $8,093 $2,468 $1,969 ($8,132 ) $15,876 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $41,996 $52,376 $10,972 $7,065 ($4,589 ) $27,592 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $53,650 $57,800 $14,438 $7,816 $10,503 $14,859 Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $7,404,917 $7,987,087 Service cost 134,193 155,010 Interest cost 293,114 267,415 Actuarial (gain)/loss 1,292,767 (395,242 ) Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Balance at December 31 $8,406,203 $7,404,917 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $5,497,415 $6,071,316 Actual return on plan assets 1,093,114 (348,051 ) Employer contributions 399,419 383,503 Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $6,271,160 $5,497,415 Funded status ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized in the balance sheet Non-current liabilities ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized as a regulatory asset Net loss $2,831,408 $2,468,987 Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $724,575 $737,004 Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Service cost 21,043 29,137 6,516 2,274 5,401 6,199 Interest cost 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Actuarial loss 248,213 248,509 79,453 24,299 49,235 66,460 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Balance at December 31 $1,615,084 $1,784,474 $471,510 $206,962 $396,764 $393,607 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Actual return on plan assets 210,020 239,770 62,238 28,552 61,814 48,460 Employer contributions 75,854 64,951 20,794 4,553 3,725 20,234 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,200,035 $1,364,030 $354,928 $160,777 $339,126 $282,668 Funded status ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $799,235 $759,228 $225,354 $91,862 $160,564 $193,870 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $23,481 $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,580,756 $1,785,700 $457,549 $217,896 $410,720 $384,049 Service cost 24,757 33,783 7,286 2,693 6,356 7,102 Interest cost 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Actuarial gain (79,621 ) (133,520 ) (26,611 ) (18,844 ) (21,656 ) (37,842 ) Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Balance at December 31 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,205,668 $1,365,741 $360,842 $165,747 $363,523 $274,432 Actual return on plan assets (66,787 ) (75,926 ) (19,849 ) (9,221 ) (19,686 ) (15,520 ) Employer contributions 64,062 71,919 14,933 7,250 10,883 13,786 Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Funded status ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $727,703 $686,138 $196,683 $91,448 $159,030 $168,559 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $43,796 $— $— $— $— Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $7.8 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Entergy Arkansas $1,519,998 $1,362,425 Entergy Louisiana $1,643,759 $1,481,158 Entergy Mississippi $438,817 $387,635 Entergy New Orleans $192,561 $179,907 Entergy Texas $371,589 $347,852 System Energy $368,771 $317,848 Other Postretirement Benefits Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees. Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates. The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions. However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf. Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee. Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets. The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses. Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts. Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $18,699 $27,129 $26,915 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) 47,901 50,725 55,838 Expected return on assets (38,246 ) (41,493 ) (37,630 ) Amortization of prior service credit (35,377 ) (37,002 ) (41,425 ) Recognized net loss 1,430 13,729 21,905 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($5,593 ) $13,088 $25,603 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Prior service credit for period $— $— ($2,564 ) Net gain (38,526 ) (274,354 ) (66,922 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 35,377 37,002 41,425 Amortization of net loss (1,430 ) (13,729 ) (21,905 ) Total ($4,579 ) ($251,081 ) ($49,966 ) Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($10,172 ) ($237,993 ) ($24,363 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($17,563 ) ($35,377 ) ($37,002 ) Net loss $800 $1,430 $13,729 Total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $2,363 $4,639 $1,046 $367 $943 $973 Interest cost on APBO 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Expected return on assets (15,962 ) — (4,794 ) (4,947 ) (9,103 ) (2,788 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4,950 ) (7,349 ) (1,756 ) (682 ) (2,243 ) (1,450 ) Recognized net (gain)/ loss 576 (695 ) 723 231 485 354 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,747 ) $7,259 ($2,100 ) ($3,450 ) ($6,503 ) ($1,009 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($26,707 ) ($2,220 ) ($11,950 ) ($10,967 ) ($6,406 ) ($5,539 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 4,950 7,349 1,756 682 2,243 1,450 Amortization of net (gain)/loss (576 ) 695 (723 ) (231 ) (485 ) (354 ) Total ($22,333 ) $5,824 ($10,917 ) ($10,516 ) ($4,648 ) ($4,443 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($33,080 ) $13,083 ($13,017 ) ($13,966 ) ($11,151 ) ($5,452 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($3,174 ) ($3,142 ) ($1,037 ) $— ($1,421 ) ($747 ) Net (gain)/loss $4 ($1,030 ) $75 ($246 ) $810 $51 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,170 $6,225 $1,284 $516 $1,319 $1,223 Interest cost on APBO 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Expected return on assets (17,368 ) — (5,213 ) (5,250 ) (9,784 ) (3,130 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 1,154 1,550 1,508 137 823 932 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,168 ) $11,194 ($1,513 ) ($3,673 ) ($6,204 ) ($490 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($32,219 ) ($73,249 ) ($7,794 ) ($981 ) ($10,561 ) ($6,680 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (1,154 ) (1,550 ) (1,508 ) (137 ) (823 ) (932 ) Total ($28,263 ) ($67,064 ) ($7,479 ) ($373 ) ($9,068 ) ($6,099 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($38,431 ) ($55,870 ) ($8,992 ) ($4,046 ) ($15,272 ) ($6,589 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($4,950 ) ($7,349 ) ($1,756 ) ($682 ) ($2,243 ) ($1,450 ) Net (gain)/loss $576 ($695 ) $723 $231 $485 $354 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,451 $6,373 $1,160 $567 $1,488 $1,278 Interest cost on APBO 9,020 12,101 2,759 1,874 4,494 2,236 Expected return on assets (15,836 ) — (4,801 ) (4,635 ) (8,720 ) (2,869 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 4,460 1,859 1,675 418 3,303 1,560 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($4,015 ) $12,598 ($1,030 ) ($2,521 ) ($1,751 ) $692 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss (29,534 ) (1,256 ) 506 (7,342 ) (22,255 ) (5,459 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (4,460 ) (1,859 ) (1,675 ) (418 ) (3,303 ) (1,560 ) Total ($28,884 ) $4,620 $654 ($7,015 ) ($23,242 ) ($5,506 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($32,899 ) $17,218 ($376 ) ($9,536 ) ($24,993 ) ($4,814 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($5,110 ) ($7,735 ) ($1,823 ) ($745 ) ($2,316 ) ($1,513 ) Net loss $1,154 $1,550 $1,508 $137 $823 $932 Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $1,232,619 $1,563,487 Service cost 18,699 27,129 Interest cost 47,901 50,725 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Actuarial (gain)/loss 23,673 (346,429 ) Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 594 443 Balance at December 31 $1,252,903 $1,232,619 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $609,782 $659,327 Actual return on plan assets 100,445 (30,582 ) Employer contributions 46,618 43,773 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $686,262 $609,782 Funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities ($48,040 ) ($44,276 ) Non-current liabilities (518,601 ) (578,561 ) Total funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,899 ) ($25,778 ) Net (gain)/loss (5,081 ) 51,774 ($16,980 ) $25,996 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit ($21,231 ) ($42,730 ) Net gain (16,670 ) (33,569 ) ($37,901 ) ($76,299 ) Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Service cost 2,363 4,639 1,046 367 943 973 Interest cost 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Actuarial (gain)/loss 166 (2,220 ) (3,778 ) (4,234 ) 8,279 (891 ) Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 82 107 16 14 23 37 Balance at December 31 $185,744 $274,175 $65,979 $38,460 $94,742 $47,348 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Actual return on plan assets 42,835 — 12,966 11,680 23,788 7,436 Employer contributions 1,257 14,284 228 1,659 (596 ) 829 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $284,224 $— $86,085 $93,858 $161,810 $48,471 Funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($18,467 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 98,480 (255,708 ) 20,106 55,398 67,068 1,123 Total funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($6,515 ) $— ($3,108 ) $— ($1,422 ) ($854 ) Net (gain)/loss (18,262 ) — 3,272 (8,046 ) 6,203 2,881 ($24,777 ) $— $164 ($8,046 ) $4,781 $2,027 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($4,915 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (24,739 ) — — — — $— ($29,654 ) $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $249,019 $345,389 $84,621 $53,548 $116,702 $61,381 Service cost 3,170 6,225 1,284 516 1,319 1,223 Interest cost 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Actuarial gain (61,960 ) (73,249 ) (16,762 ) (10,847 ) (27,527 ) (11,985 ) Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 60 64 14 8 13 22 Balance at December 31 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $274,678 $— $82,433 $85,504 $154,171 $49,124 Actual return on plan assets (12,373 ) — (3,755 ) (4,616 ) (7,182 ) (2,175 ) Employer contributions 195 14,314 87 3,793 3,808 569 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($17,740 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 64,225 (257,529 ) 6,877 39,787 56,536 (5,121 ) Total funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,465 ) $— ($4,864 ) ($681 ) ($3,665 ) ($2,304 ) Net loss 9,021 — 15,945 3,151 13,094 8,774 ($2,444 ) $— $11,081 $2,470 $9,429 $6,470 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($12,264 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (23,214 ) — — — — $— ($35,478 ) $— $— $— $— Non-Qualified Pension Plans Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $22.6 million in 2019 , $24.4 million in 2018 , and $37.6 million in 2017 . In 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 Entergy recognized $7.4 million , $7.7 million , and $20.3 million , respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $147 million as of December 31, 2018 of which $17 million was a current liability and $130 million was a non-current liability. The accumulated benefit obligation was $143.4 million and $131.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ( $58.8 million at December 31, 2019 and $51.9 million at December 31, 2018 ) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ( $24.9 million at December 31, 2019 and $19.2 million at December 31, 2018 ). The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $275 $159 $326 $20 $481 2018 $474 $180 $300 $81 $650 2017 $679 $185 $251 $73 $499 Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2017 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $269 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,755 $1,682 $3,286 $231 $7,783 2018 $2,752 $1,881 $2,732 $206 $7,952 The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,248 $1,682 $2,938 $230 $7,391 2018 $2,519 $1,881 $2,427 $206 $7,724 The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($249 ) ($216 ) ($357 ) ($17 ) ($723 ) Non-current liabilities (2,506 ) (1,467 ) (2,930 ) (215 ) (7,060 ) Total funded status ($2,755 ) ($1,683 ) ($3,287 ) ($232 ) ($7,783 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,232 $3 $1,432 ($559 ) ($603 ) 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($198 ) ($229 ) ($128 ) ($16 ) ($672 ) Non-current liabilities (2,554 ) (1,652 ) (2,604 ) (191 ) (7,280 ) Total funded status ($2,752 ) ($1,881 ) ($2,732 ) ($207 ) ($7,952 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,314 $79 $1,009 ($579 ) ($517 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes) $— $5 $— $— $— Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (bef |
| Entergy Mississippi [Member] | |
| Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits | RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy) Qualified Pension Plans Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee. Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust. The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers. For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis. Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly. Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments. A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter. Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions. Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $134,193 $155,010 $133,641 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 293,114 267,415 260,824 Expected return on assets (414,947 ) (442,142 ) (408,225 ) Amortization of prior service cost — 398 261 Recognized net loss 241,117 274,104 227,720 Settlement charges 23,492 828 — Net periodic pension costs $276,969 $255,613 $214,221 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $614,600 $394,951 $368,067 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service cost — (398 ) (261 ) Amortization of net loss (241,117 ) (274,104 ) (227,720 ) Settlement charge (23,492 ) (828 ) — Total $349,991 $119,621 $140,086 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $626,960 $375,234 $354,307 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year: Prior service cost $— $— $398 Net loss $349,038 $233,677 $274,104 The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $21,043 $29,137 $6,516 $2,274 $5,401 $6,199 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Expected return on assets (80,705 ) (90,607 ) (23,873 ) (10,785 ) (23,447 ) (18,710 ) Recognized net loss 47,361 46,571 12,416 6,117 9,335 11,400 Net pension cost $44,400 $48,630 $11,331 $5,101 $5,740 $12,345 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $118,898 $99,346 $41,088 $6,531 $10,869 $36,711 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (47,361 ) (46,571 ) (12,416 ) (6,117 ) (9,335 ) (11,400 ) Total $71,537 $52,775 $28,672 $414 $1,534 $25,311 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $115,937 $101,405 $40,003 $5,515 $7,274 $37,656 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $67,588 $66,509 $18,994 $8,018 $13,060 $17,117 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $24,757 $33,783 $7,286 $2,693 $6,356 $7,102 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Expected return on assets (87,404 ) (99,236 ) (26,007 ) (11,973 ) (26,091 ) (19,963 ) Recognized net loss 53,650 57,800 14,438 7,816 10,503 14,859 Net pension cost $43,020 $52,108 $10,792 $5,789 $4,158 $14,905 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss $74,570 $41,642 $19,244 $2,351 $24,121 ($2,359 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (53,650 ) (57,800 ) (14,438 ) (7,816 ) (10,503 ) (14,859 ) Total $20,920 ($16,158 ) $4,806 ($5,465 ) $13,618 ($17,218 ) Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $63,940 $35,950 $15,598 $324 $17,776 ($2,313 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $47,361 $46,571 $12,416 $6,117 $9,335 $11,400 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $20,358 $27,698 $5,890 $2,500 $5,455 $6,145 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 51,776 59,235 14,927 7,163 13,569 12,364 Expected return on assets (81,707 ) (92,067 ) (24,526 ) (11,199 ) (24,722 ) (18,650 ) Recognized net loss 46,560 49,417 12,213 6,632 9,241 11,857 Net pension cost $36,987 $44,283 $8,504 $5,096 $3,543 $11,716 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $51,569 $57,510 $14,681 $8,601 $1,109 $27,733 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (46,560 ) (49,417 ) (12,213 ) (6,632 ) (9,241 ) (11,857 ) Total $5,009 $8,093 $2,468 $1,969 ($8,132 ) $15,876 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $41,996 $52,376 $10,972 $7,065 ($4,589 ) $27,592 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $53,650 $57,800 $14,438 $7,816 $10,503 $14,859 Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $7,404,917 $7,987,087 Service cost 134,193 155,010 Interest cost 293,114 267,415 Actuarial (gain)/loss 1,292,767 (395,242 ) Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Balance at December 31 $8,406,203 $7,404,917 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $5,497,415 $6,071,316 Actual return on plan assets 1,093,114 (348,051 ) Employer contributions 399,419 383,503 Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $6,271,160 $5,497,415 Funded status ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized in the balance sheet Non-current liabilities ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized as a regulatory asset Net loss $2,831,408 $2,468,987 Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $724,575 $737,004 Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Service cost 21,043 29,137 6,516 2,274 5,401 6,199 Interest cost 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Actuarial loss 248,213 248,509 79,453 24,299 49,235 66,460 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Balance at December 31 $1,615,084 $1,784,474 $471,510 $206,962 $396,764 $393,607 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Actual return on plan assets 210,020 239,770 62,238 28,552 61,814 48,460 Employer contributions 75,854 64,951 20,794 4,553 3,725 20,234 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,200,035 $1,364,030 $354,928 $160,777 $339,126 $282,668 Funded status ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $799,235 $759,228 $225,354 $91,862 $160,564 $193,870 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $23,481 $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,580,756 $1,785,700 $457,549 $217,896 $410,720 $384,049 Service cost 24,757 33,783 7,286 2,693 6,356 7,102 Interest cost 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Actuarial gain (79,621 ) (133,520 ) (26,611 ) (18,844 ) (21,656 ) (37,842 ) Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Balance at December 31 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,205,668 $1,365,741 $360,842 $165,747 $363,523 $274,432 Actual return on plan assets (66,787 ) (75,926 ) (19,849 ) (9,221 ) (19,686 ) (15,520 ) Employer contributions 64,062 71,919 14,933 7,250 10,883 13,786 Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Funded status ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $727,703 $686,138 $196,683 $91,448 $159,030 $168,559 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $43,796 $— $— $— $— Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $7.8 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Entergy Arkansas $1,519,998 $1,362,425 Entergy Louisiana $1,643,759 $1,481,158 Entergy Mississippi $438,817 $387,635 Entergy New Orleans $192,561 $179,907 Entergy Texas $371,589 $347,852 System Energy $368,771 $317,848 Other Postretirement Benefits Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees. Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates. The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions. However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf. Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee. Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets. The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses. Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts. Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $18,699 $27,129 $26,915 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) 47,901 50,725 55,838 Expected return on assets (38,246 ) (41,493 ) (37,630 ) Amortization of prior service credit (35,377 ) (37,002 ) (41,425 ) Recognized net loss 1,430 13,729 21,905 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($5,593 ) $13,088 $25,603 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Prior service credit for period $— $— ($2,564 ) Net gain (38,526 ) (274,354 ) (66,922 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 35,377 37,002 41,425 Amortization of net loss (1,430 ) (13,729 ) (21,905 ) Total ($4,579 ) ($251,081 ) ($49,966 ) Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($10,172 ) ($237,993 ) ($24,363 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($17,563 ) ($35,377 ) ($37,002 ) Net loss $800 $1,430 $13,729 Total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $2,363 $4,639 $1,046 $367 $943 $973 Interest cost on APBO 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Expected return on assets (15,962 ) — (4,794 ) (4,947 ) (9,103 ) (2,788 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4,950 ) (7,349 ) (1,756 ) (682 ) (2,243 ) (1,450 ) Recognized net (gain)/ loss 576 (695 ) 723 231 485 354 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,747 ) $7,259 ($2,100 ) ($3,450 ) ($6,503 ) ($1,009 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($26,707 ) ($2,220 ) ($11,950 ) ($10,967 ) ($6,406 ) ($5,539 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 4,950 7,349 1,756 682 2,243 1,450 Amortization of net (gain)/loss (576 ) 695 (723 ) (231 ) (485 ) (354 ) Total ($22,333 ) $5,824 ($10,917 ) ($10,516 ) ($4,648 ) ($4,443 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($33,080 ) $13,083 ($13,017 ) ($13,966 ) ($11,151 ) ($5,452 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($3,174 ) ($3,142 ) ($1,037 ) $— ($1,421 ) ($747 ) Net (gain)/loss $4 ($1,030 ) $75 ($246 ) $810 $51 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,170 $6,225 $1,284 $516 $1,319 $1,223 Interest cost on APBO 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Expected return on assets (17,368 ) — (5,213 ) (5,250 ) (9,784 ) (3,130 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 1,154 1,550 1,508 137 823 932 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,168 ) $11,194 ($1,513 ) ($3,673 ) ($6,204 ) ($490 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($32,219 ) ($73,249 ) ($7,794 ) ($981 ) ($10,561 ) ($6,680 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (1,154 ) (1,550 ) (1,508 ) (137 ) (823 ) (932 ) Total ($28,263 ) ($67,064 ) ($7,479 ) ($373 ) ($9,068 ) ($6,099 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($38,431 ) ($55,870 ) ($8,992 ) ($4,046 ) ($15,272 ) ($6,589 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($4,950 ) ($7,349 ) ($1,756 ) ($682 ) ($2,243 ) ($1,450 ) Net (gain)/loss $576 ($695 ) $723 $231 $485 $354 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,451 $6,373 $1,160 $567 $1,488 $1,278 Interest cost on APBO 9,020 12,101 2,759 1,874 4,494 2,236 Expected return on assets (15,836 ) — (4,801 ) (4,635 ) (8,720 ) (2,869 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 4,460 1,859 1,675 418 3,303 1,560 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($4,015 ) $12,598 ($1,030 ) ($2,521 ) ($1,751 ) $692 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss (29,534 ) (1,256 ) 506 (7,342 ) (22,255 ) (5,459 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (4,460 ) (1,859 ) (1,675 ) (418 ) (3,303 ) (1,560 ) Total ($28,884 ) $4,620 $654 ($7,015 ) ($23,242 ) ($5,506 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($32,899 ) $17,218 ($376 ) ($9,536 ) ($24,993 ) ($4,814 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($5,110 ) ($7,735 ) ($1,823 ) ($745 ) ($2,316 ) ($1,513 ) Net loss $1,154 $1,550 $1,508 $137 $823 $932 Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $1,232,619 $1,563,487 Service cost 18,699 27,129 Interest cost 47,901 50,725 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Actuarial (gain)/loss 23,673 (346,429 ) Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 594 443 Balance at December 31 $1,252,903 $1,232,619 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $609,782 $659,327 Actual return on plan assets 100,445 (30,582 ) Employer contributions 46,618 43,773 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $686,262 $609,782 Funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities ($48,040 ) ($44,276 ) Non-current liabilities (518,601 ) (578,561 ) Total funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,899 ) ($25,778 ) Net (gain)/loss (5,081 ) 51,774 ($16,980 ) $25,996 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit ($21,231 ) ($42,730 ) Net gain (16,670 ) (33,569 ) ($37,901 ) ($76,299 ) Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Service cost 2,363 4,639 1,046 367 943 973 Interest cost 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Actuarial (gain)/loss 166 (2,220 ) (3,778 ) (4,234 ) 8,279 (891 ) Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 82 107 16 14 23 37 Balance at December 31 $185,744 $274,175 $65,979 $38,460 $94,742 $47,348 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Actual return on plan assets 42,835 — 12,966 11,680 23,788 7,436 Employer contributions 1,257 14,284 228 1,659 (596 ) 829 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $284,224 $— $86,085 $93,858 $161,810 $48,471 Funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($18,467 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 98,480 (255,708 ) 20,106 55,398 67,068 1,123 Total funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($6,515 ) $— ($3,108 ) $— ($1,422 ) ($854 ) Net (gain)/loss (18,262 ) — 3,272 (8,046 ) 6,203 2,881 ($24,777 ) $— $164 ($8,046 ) $4,781 $2,027 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($4,915 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (24,739 ) — — — — $— ($29,654 ) $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $249,019 $345,389 $84,621 $53,548 $116,702 $61,381 Service cost 3,170 6,225 1,284 516 1,319 1,223 Interest cost 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Actuarial gain (61,960 ) (73,249 ) (16,762 ) (10,847 ) (27,527 ) (11,985 ) Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 60 64 14 8 13 22 Balance at December 31 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $274,678 $— $82,433 $85,504 $154,171 $49,124 Actual return on plan assets (12,373 ) — (3,755 ) (4,616 ) (7,182 ) (2,175 ) Employer contributions 195 14,314 87 3,793 3,808 569 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($17,740 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 64,225 (257,529 ) 6,877 39,787 56,536 (5,121 ) Total funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,465 ) $— ($4,864 ) ($681 ) ($3,665 ) ($2,304 ) Net loss 9,021 — 15,945 3,151 13,094 8,774 ($2,444 ) $— $11,081 $2,470 $9,429 $6,470 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($12,264 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (23,214 ) — — — — $— ($35,478 ) $— $— $— $— Non-Qualified Pension Plans Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $22.6 million in 2019 , $24.4 million in 2018 , and $37.6 million in 2017 . In 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 Entergy recognized $7.4 million , $7.7 million , and $20.3 million , respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $147 million as of December 31, 2018 of which $17 million was a current liability and $130 million was a non-current liability. The accumulated benefit obligation was $143.4 million and $131.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ( $58.8 million at December 31, 2019 and $51.9 million at December 31, 2018 ) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ( $24.9 million at December 31, 2019 and $19.2 million at December 31, 2018 ). The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $275 $159 $326 $20 $481 2018 $474 $180 $300 $81 $650 2017 $679 $185 $251 $73 $499 Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2017 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $269 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,755 $1,682 $3,286 $231 $7,783 2018 $2,752 $1,881 $2,732 $206 $7,952 The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,248 $1,682 $2,938 $230 $7,391 2018 $2,519 $1,881 $2,427 $206 $7,724 The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($249 ) ($216 ) ($357 ) ($17 ) ($723 ) Non-current liabilities (2,506 ) (1,467 ) (2,930 ) (215 ) (7,060 ) Total funded status ($2,755 ) ($1,683 ) ($3,287 ) ($232 ) ($7,783 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,232 $3 $1,432 ($559 ) ($603 ) 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($198 ) ($229 ) ($128 ) ($16 ) ($672 ) Non-current liabilities (2,554 ) (1,652 ) (2,604 ) (191 ) (7,280 ) Total funded status ($2,752 ) ($1,881 ) ($2,732 ) ($207 ) ($7,952 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,314 $79 $1,009 ($579 ) ($517 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes) $— $5 $— $— $— Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (bef |
| Entergy New Orleans [Member] | |
| Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits | RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy) Qualified Pension Plans Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee. Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust. The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers. For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis. Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly. Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments. A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter. Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions. Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $134,193 $155,010 $133,641 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 293,114 267,415 260,824 Expected return on assets (414,947 ) (442,142 ) (408,225 ) Amortization of prior service cost — 398 261 Recognized net loss 241,117 274,104 227,720 Settlement charges 23,492 828 — Net periodic pension costs $276,969 $255,613 $214,221 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $614,600 $394,951 $368,067 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service cost — (398 ) (261 ) Amortization of net loss (241,117 ) (274,104 ) (227,720 ) Settlement charge (23,492 ) (828 ) — Total $349,991 $119,621 $140,086 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $626,960 $375,234 $354,307 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year: Prior service cost $— $— $398 Net loss $349,038 $233,677 $274,104 The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $21,043 $29,137 $6,516 $2,274 $5,401 $6,199 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Expected return on assets (80,705 ) (90,607 ) (23,873 ) (10,785 ) (23,447 ) (18,710 ) Recognized net loss 47,361 46,571 12,416 6,117 9,335 11,400 Net pension cost $44,400 $48,630 $11,331 $5,101 $5,740 $12,345 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $118,898 $99,346 $41,088 $6,531 $10,869 $36,711 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (47,361 ) (46,571 ) (12,416 ) (6,117 ) (9,335 ) (11,400 ) Total $71,537 $52,775 $28,672 $414 $1,534 $25,311 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $115,937 $101,405 $40,003 $5,515 $7,274 $37,656 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $67,588 $66,509 $18,994 $8,018 $13,060 $17,117 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $24,757 $33,783 $7,286 $2,693 $6,356 $7,102 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Expected return on assets (87,404 ) (99,236 ) (26,007 ) (11,973 ) (26,091 ) (19,963 ) Recognized net loss 53,650 57,800 14,438 7,816 10,503 14,859 Net pension cost $43,020 $52,108 $10,792 $5,789 $4,158 $14,905 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss $74,570 $41,642 $19,244 $2,351 $24,121 ($2,359 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (53,650 ) (57,800 ) (14,438 ) (7,816 ) (10,503 ) (14,859 ) Total $20,920 ($16,158 ) $4,806 ($5,465 ) $13,618 ($17,218 ) Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $63,940 $35,950 $15,598 $324 $17,776 ($2,313 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $47,361 $46,571 $12,416 $6,117 $9,335 $11,400 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $20,358 $27,698 $5,890 $2,500 $5,455 $6,145 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 51,776 59,235 14,927 7,163 13,569 12,364 Expected return on assets (81,707 ) (92,067 ) (24,526 ) (11,199 ) (24,722 ) (18,650 ) Recognized net loss 46,560 49,417 12,213 6,632 9,241 11,857 Net pension cost $36,987 $44,283 $8,504 $5,096 $3,543 $11,716 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $51,569 $57,510 $14,681 $8,601 $1,109 $27,733 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (46,560 ) (49,417 ) (12,213 ) (6,632 ) (9,241 ) (11,857 ) Total $5,009 $8,093 $2,468 $1,969 ($8,132 ) $15,876 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $41,996 $52,376 $10,972 $7,065 ($4,589 ) $27,592 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $53,650 $57,800 $14,438 $7,816 $10,503 $14,859 Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $7,404,917 $7,987,087 Service cost 134,193 155,010 Interest cost 293,114 267,415 Actuarial (gain)/loss 1,292,767 (395,242 ) Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Balance at December 31 $8,406,203 $7,404,917 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $5,497,415 $6,071,316 Actual return on plan assets 1,093,114 (348,051 ) Employer contributions 399,419 383,503 Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $6,271,160 $5,497,415 Funded status ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized in the balance sheet Non-current liabilities ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized as a regulatory asset Net loss $2,831,408 $2,468,987 Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $724,575 $737,004 Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Service cost 21,043 29,137 6,516 2,274 5,401 6,199 Interest cost 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Actuarial loss 248,213 248,509 79,453 24,299 49,235 66,460 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Balance at December 31 $1,615,084 $1,784,474 $471,510 $206,962 $396,764 $393,607 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Actual return on plan assets 210,020 239,770 62,238 28,552 61,814 48,460 Employer contributions 75,854 64,951 20,794 4,553 3,725 20,234 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,200,035 $1,364,030 $354,928 $160,777 $339,126 $282,668 Funded status ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $799,235 $759,228 $225,354 $91,862 $160,564 $193,870 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $23,481 $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,580,756 $1,785,700 $457,549 $217,896 $410,720 $384,049 Service cost 24,757 33,783 7,286 2,693 6,356 7,102 Interest cost 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Actuarial gain (79,621 ) (133,520 ) (26,611 ) (18,844 ) (21,656 ) (37,842 ) Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Balance at December 31 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,205,668 $1,365,741 $360,842 $165,747 $363,523 $274,432 Actual return on plan assets (66,787 ) (75,926 ) (19,849 ) (9,221 ) (19,686 ) (15,520 ) Employer contributions 64,062 71,919 14,933 7,250 10,883 13,786 Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Funded status ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $727,703 $686,138 $196,683 $91,448 $159,030 $168,559 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $43,796 $— $— $— $— Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $7.8 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Entergy Arkansas $1,519,998 $1,362,425 Entergy Louisiana $1,643,759 $1,481,158 Entergy Mississippi $438,817 $387,635 Entergy New Orleans $192,561 $179,907 Entergy Texas $371,589 $347,852 System Energy $368,771 $317,848 Other Postretirement Benefits Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees. Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates. The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions. However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf. Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee. Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets. The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses. Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts. Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $18,699 $27,129 $26,915 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) 47,901 50,725 55,838 Expected return on assets (38,246 ) (41,493 ) (37,630 ) Amortization of prior service credit (35,377 ) (37,002 ) (41,425 ) Recognized net loss 1,430 13,729 21,905 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($5,593 ) $13,088 $25,603 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Prior service credit for period $— $— ($2,564 ) Net gain (38,526 ) (274,354 ) (66,922 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 35,377 37,002 41,425 Amortization of net loss (1,430 ) (13,729 ) (21,905 ) Total ($4,579 ) ($251,081 ) ($49,966 ) Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($10,172 ) ($237,993 ) ($24,363 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($17,563 ) ($35,377 ) ($37,002 ) Net loss $800 $1,430 $13,729 Total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $2,363 $4,639 $1,046 $367 $943 $973 Interest cost on APBO 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Expected return on assets (15,962 ) — (4,794 ) (4,947 ) (9,103 ) (2,788 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4,950 ) (7,349 ) (1,756 ) (682 ) (2,243 ) (1,450 ) Recognized net (gain)/ loss 576 (695 ) 723 231 485 354 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,747 ) $7,259 ($2,100 ) ($3,450 ) ($6,503 ) ($1,009 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($26,707 ) ($2,220 ) ($11,950 ) ($10,967 ) ($6,406 ) ($5,539 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 4,950 7,349 1,756 682 2,243 1,450 Amortization of net (gain)/loss (576 ) 695 (723 ) (231 ) (485 ) (354 ) Total ($22,333 ) $5,824 ($10,917 ) ($10,516 ) ($4,648 ) ($4,443 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($33,080 ) $13,083 ($13,017 ) ($13,966 ) ($11,151 ) ($5,452 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($3,174 ) ($3,142 ) ($1,037 ) $— ($1,421 ) ($747 ) Net (gain)/loss $4 ($1,030 ) $75 ($246 ) $810 $51 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,170 $6,225 $1,284 $516 $1,319 $1,223 Interest cost on APBO 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Expected return on assets (17,368 ) — (5,213 ) (5,250 ) (9,784 ) (3,130 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 1,154 1,550 1,508 137 823 932 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,168 ) $11,194 ($1,513 ) ($3,673 ) ($6,204 ) ($490 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($32,219 ) ($73,249 ) ($7,794 ) ($981 ) ($10,561 ) ($6,680 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (1,154 ) (1,550 ) (1,508 ) (137 ) (823 ) (932 ) Total ($28,263 ) ($67,064 ) ($7,479 ) ($373 ) ($9,068 ) ($6,099 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($38,431 ) ($55,870 ) ($8,992 ) ($4,046 ) ($15,272 ) ($6,589 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($4,950 ) ($7,349 ) ($1,756 ) ($682 ) ($2,243 ) ($1,450 ) Net (gain)/loss $576 ($695 ) $723 $231 $485 $354 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,451 $6,373 $1,160 $567 $1,488 $1,278 Interest cost on APBO 9,020 12,101 2,759 1,874 4,494 2,236 Expected return on assets (15,836 ) — (4,801 ) (4,635 ) (8,720 ) (2,869 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 4,460 1,859 1,675 418 3,303 1,560 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($4,015 ) $12,598 ($1,030 ) ($2,521 ) ($1,751 ) $692 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss (29,534 ) (1,256 ) 506 (7,342 ) (22,255 ) (5,459 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (4,460 ) (1,859 ) (1,675 ) (418 ) (3,303 ) (1,560 ) Total ($28,884 ) $4,620 $654 ($7,015 ) ($23,242 ) ($5,506 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($32,899 ) $17,218 ($376 ) ($9,536 ) ($24,993 ) ($4,814 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($5,110 ) ($7,735 ) ($1,823 ) ($745 ) ($2,316 ) ($1,513 ) Net loss $1,154 $1,550 $1,508 $137 $823 $932 Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $1,232,619 $1,563,487 Service cost 18,699 27,129 Interest cost 47,901 50,725 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Actuarial (gain)/loss 23,673 (346,429 ) Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 594 443 Balance at December 31 $1,252,903 $1,232,619 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $609,782 $659,327 Actual return on plan assets 100,445 (30,582 ) Employer contributions 46,618 43,773 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $686,262 $609,782 Funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities ($48,040 ) ($44,276 ) Non-current liabilities (518,601 ) (578,561 ) Total funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,899 ) ($25,778 ) Net (gain)/loss (5,081 ) 51,774 ($16,980 ) $25,996 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit ($21,231 ) ($42,730 ) Net gain (16,670 ) (33,569 ) ($37,901 ) ($76,299 ) Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Service cost 2,363 4,639 1,046 367 943 973 Interest cost 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Actuarial (gain)/loss 166 (2,220 ) (3,778 ) (4,234 ) 8,279 (891 ) Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 82 107 16 14 23 37 Balance at December 31 $185,744 $274,175 $65,979 $38,460 $94,742 $47,348 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Actual return on plan assets 42,835 — 12,966 11,680 23,788 7,436 Employer contributions 1,257 14,284 228 1,659 (596 ) 829 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $284,224 $— $86,085 $93,858 $161,810 $48,471 Funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($18,467 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 98,480 (255,708 ) 20,106 55,398 67,068 1,123 Total funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($6,515 ) $— ($3,108 ) $— ($1,422 ) ($854 ) Net (gain)/loss (18,262 ) — 3,272 (8,046 ) 6,203 2,881 ($24,777 ) $— $164 ($8,046 ) $4,781 $2,027 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($4,915 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (24,739 ) — — — — $— ($29,654 ) $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $249,019 $345,389 $84,621 $53,548 $116,702 $61,381 Service cost 3,170 6,225 1,284 516 1,319 1,223 Interest cost 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Actuarial gain (61,960 ) (73,249 ) (16,762 ) (10,847 ) (27,527 ) (11,985 ) Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 60 64 14 8 13 22 Balance at December 31 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $274,678 $— $82,433 $85,504 $154,171 $49,124 Actual return on plan assets (12,373 ) — (3,755 ) (4,616 ) (7,182 ) (2,175 ) Employer contributions 195 14,314 87 3,793 3,808 569 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($17,740 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 64,225 (257,529 ) 6,877 39,787 56,536 (5,121 ) Total funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,465 ) $— ($4,864 ) ($681 ) ($3,665 ) ($2,304 ) Net loss 9,021 — 15,945 3,151 13,094 8,774 ($2,444 ) $— $11,081 $2,470 $9,429 $6,470 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($12,264 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (23,214 ) — — — — $— ($35,478 ) $— $— $— $— Non-Qualified Pension Plans Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $22.6 million in 2019 , $24.4 million in 2018 , and $37.6 million in 2017 . In 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 Entergy recognized $7.4 million , $7.7 million , and $20.3 million , respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $147 million as of December 31, 2018 of which $17 million was a current liability and $130 million was a non-current liability. The accumulated benefit obligation was $143.4 million and $131.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ( $58.8 million at December 31, 2019 and $51.9 million at December 31, 2018 ) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ( $24.9 million at December 31, 2019 and $19.2 million at December 31, 2018 ). The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $275 $159 $326 $20 $481 2018 $474 $180 $300 $81 $650 2017 $679 $185 $251 $73 $499 Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2017 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $269 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,755 $1,682 $3,286 $231 $7,783 2018 $2,752 $1,881 $2,732 $206 $7,952 The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,248 $1,682 $2,938 $230 $7,391 2018 $2,519 $1,881 $2,427 $206 $7,724 The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($249 ) ($216 ) ($357 ) ($17 ) ($723 ) Non-current liabilities (2,506 ) (1,467 ) (2,930 ) (215 ) (7,060 ) Total funded status ($2,755 ) ($1,683 ) ($3,287 ) ($232 ) ($7,783 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,232 $3 $1,432 ($559 ) ($603 ) 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($198 ) ($229 ) ($128 ) ($16 ) ($672 ) Non-current liabilities (2,554 ) (1,652 ) (2,604 ) (191 ) (7,280 ) Total funded status ($2,752 ) ($1,881 ) ($2,732 ) ($207 ) ($7,952 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,314 $79 $1,009 ($579 ) ($517 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes) $— $5 $— $— $— Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (bef |
| Entergy Texas [Member] | |
| Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits | RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy) Qualified Pension Plans Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee. Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust. The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers. For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis. Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly. Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments. A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter. Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions. Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $134,193 $155,010 $133,641 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 293,114 267,415 260,824 Expected return on assets (414,947 ) (442,142 ) (408,225 ) Amortization of prior service cost — 398 261 Recognized net loss 241,117 274,104 227,720 Settlement charges 23,492 828 — Net periodic pension costs $276,969 $255,613 $214,221 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $614,600 $394,951 $368,067 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service cost — (398 ) (261 ) Amortization of net loss (241,117 ) (274,104 ) (227,720 ) Settlement charge (23,492 ) (828 ) — Total $349,991 $119,621 $140,086 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $626,960 $375,234 $354,307 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year: Prior service cost $— $— $398 Net loss $349,038 $233,677 $274,104 The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $21,043 $29,137 $6,516 $2,274 $5,401 $6,199 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Expected return on assets (80,705 ) (90,607 ) (23,873 ) (10,785 ) (23,447 ) (18,710 ) Recognized net loss 47,361 46,571 12,416 6,117 9,335 11,400 Net pension cost $44,400 $48,630 $11,331 $5,101 $5,740 $12,345 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $118,898 $99,346 $41,088 $6,531 $10,869 $36,711 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (47,361 ) (46,571 ) (12,416 ) (6,117 ) (9,335 ) (11,400 ) Total $71,537 $52,775 $28,672 $414 $1,534 $25,311 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $115,937 $101,405 $40,003 $5,515 $7,274 $37,656 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $67,588 $66,509 $18,994 $8,018 $13,060 $17,117 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $24,757 $33,783 $7,286 $2,693 $6,356 $7,102 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Expected return on assets (87,404 ) (99,236 ) (26,007 ) (11,973 ) (26,091 ) (19,963 ) Recognized net loss 53,650 57,800 14,438 7,816 10,503 14,859 Net pension cost $43,020 $52,108 $10,792 $5,789 $4,158 $14,905 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss $74,570 $41,642 $19,244 $2,351 $24,121 ($2,359 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (53,650 ) (57,800 ) (14,438 ) (7,816 ) (10,503 ) (14,859 ) Total $20,920 ($16,158 ) $4,806 ($5,465 ) $13,618 ($17,218 ) Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $63,940 $35,950 $15,598 $324 $17,776 ($2,313 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $47,361 $46,571 $12,416 $6,117 $9,335 $11,400 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $20,358 $27,698 $5,890 $2,500 $5,455 $6,145 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 51,776 59,235 14,927 7,163 13,569 12,364 Expected return on assets (81,707 ) (92,067 ) (24,526 ) (11,199 ) (24,722 ) (18,650 ) Recognized net loss 46,560 49,417 12,213 6,632 9,241 11,857 Net pension cost $36,987 $44,283 $8,504 $5,096 $3,543 $11,716 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $51,569 $57,510 $14,681 $8,601 $1,109 $27,733 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (46,560 ) (49,417 ) (12,213 ) (6,632 ) (9,241 ) (11,857 ) Total $5,009 $8,093 $2,468 $1,969 ($8,132 ) $15,876 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $41,996 $52,376 $10,972 $7,065 ($4,589 ) $27,592 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $53,650 $57,800 $14,438 $7,816 $10,503 $14,859 Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $7,404,917 $7,987,087 Service cost 134,193 155,010 Interest cost 293,114 267,415 Actuarial (gain)/loss 1,292,767 (395,242 ) Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Balance at December 31 $8,406,203 $7,404,917 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $5,497,415 $6,071,316 Actual return on plan assets 1,093,114 (348,051 ) Employer contributions 399,419 383,503 Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $6,271,160 $5,497,415 Funded status ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized in the balance sheet Non-current liabilities ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized as a regulatory asset Net loss $2,831,408 $2,468,987 Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $724,575 $737,004 Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Service cost 21,043 29,137 6,516 2,274 5,401 6,199 Interest cost 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Actuarial loss 248,213 248,509 79,453 24,299 49,235 66,460 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Balance at December 31 $1,615,084 $1,784,474 $471,510 $206,962 $396,764 $393,607 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Actual return on plan assets 210,020 239,770 62,238 28,552 61,814 48,460 Employer contributions 75,854 64,951 20,794 4,553 3,725 20,234 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,200,035 $1,364,030 $354,928 $160,777 $339,126 $282,668 Funded status ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $799,235 $759,228 $225,354 $91,862 $160,564 $193,870 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $23,481 $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,580,756 $1,785,700 $457,549 $217,896 $410,720 $384,049 Service cost 24,757 33,783 7,286 2,693 6,356 7,102 Interest cost 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Actuarial gain (79,621 ) (133,520 ) (26,611 ) (18,844 ) (21,656 ) (37,842 ) Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Balance at December 31 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,205,668 $1,365,741 $360,842 $165,747 $363,523 $274,432 Actual return on plan assets (66,787 ) (75,926 ) (19,849 ) (9,221 ) (19,686 ) (15,520 ) Employer contributions 64,062 71,919 14,933 7,250 10,883 13,786 Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Funded status ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $727,703 $686,138 $196,683 $91,448 $159,030 $168,559 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $43,796 $— $— $— $— Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $7.8 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Entergy Arkansas $1,519,998 $1,362,425 Entergy Louisiana $1,643,759 $1,481,158 Entergy Mississippi $438,817 $387,635 Entergy New Orleans $192,561 $179,907 Entergy Texas $371,589 $347,852 System Energy $368,771 $317,848 Other Postretirement Benefits Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees. Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates. The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions. However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf. Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee. Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets. The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses. Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts. Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $18,699 $27,129 $26,915 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) 47,901 50,725 55,838 Expected return on assets (38,246 ) (41,493 ) (37,630 ) Amortization of prior service credit (35,377 ) (37,002 ) (41,425 ) Recognized net loss 1,430 13,729 21,905 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($5,593 ) $13,088 $25,603 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Prior service credit for period $— $— ($2,564 ) Net gain (38,526 ) (274,354 ) (66,922 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 35,377 37,002 41,425 Amortization of net loss (1,430 ) (13,729 ) (21,905 ) Total ($4,579 ) ($251,081 ) ($49,966 ) Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($10,172 ) ($237,993 ) ($24,363 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($17,563 ) ($35,377 ) ($37,002 ) Net loss $800 $1,430 $13,729 Total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $2,363 $4,639 $1,046 $367 $943 $973 Interest cost on APBO 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Expected return on assets (15,962 ) — (4,794 ) (4,947 ) (9,103 ) (2,788 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4,950 ) (7,349 ) (1,756 ) (682 ) (2,243 ) (1,450 ) Recognized net (gain)/ loss 576 (695 ) 723 231 485 354 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,747 ) $7,259 ($2,100 ) ($3,450 ) ($6,503 ) ($1,009 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($26,707 ) ($2,220 ) ($11,950 ) ($10,967 ) ($6,406 ) ($5,539 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 4,950 7,349 1,756 682 2,243 1,450 Amortization of net (gain)/loss (576 ) 695 (723 ) (231 ) (485 ) (354 ) Total ($22,333 ) $5,824 ($10,917 ) ($10,516 ) ($4,648 ) ($4,443 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($33,080 ) $13,083 ($13,017 ) ($13,966 ) ($11,151 ) ($5,452 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($3,174 ) ($3,142 ) ($1,037 ) $— ($1,421 ) ($747 ) Net (gain)/loss $4 ($1,030 ) $75 ($246 ) $810 $51 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,170 $6,225 $1,284 $516 $1,319 $1,223 Interest cost on APBO 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Expected return on assets (17,368 ) — (5,213 ) (5,250 ) (9,784 ) (3,130 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 1,154 1,550 1,508 137 823 932 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,168 ) $11,194 ($1,513 ) ($3,673 ) ($6,204 ) ($490 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($32,219 ) ($73,249 ) ($7,794 ) ($981 ) ($10,561 ) ($6,680 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (1,154 ) (1,550 ) (1,508 ) (137 ) (823 ) (932 ) Total ($28,263 ) ($67,064 ) ($7,479 ) ($373 ) ($9,068 ) ($6,099 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($38,431 ) ($55,870 ) ($8,992 ) ($4,046 ) ($15,272 ) ($6,589 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($4,950 ) ($7,349 ) ($1,756 ) ($682 ) ($2,243 ) ($1,450 ) Net (gain)/loss $576 ($695 ) $723 $231 $485 $354 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,451 $6,373 $1,160 $567 $1,488 $1,278 Interest cost on APBO 9,020 12,101 2,759 1,874 4,494 2,236 Expected return on assets (15,836 ) — (4,801 ) (4,635 ) (8,720 ) (2,869 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 4,460 1,859 1,675 418 3,303 1,560 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($4,015 ) $12,598 ($1,030 ) ($2,521 ) ($1,751 ) $692 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss (29,534 ) (1,256 ) 506 (7,342 ) (22,255 ) (5,459 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (4,460 ) (1,859 ) (1,675 ) (418 ) (3,303 ) (1,560 ) Total ($28,884 ) $4,620 $654 ($7,015 ) ($23,242 ) ($5,506 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($32,899 ) $17,218 ($376 ) ($9,536 ) ($24,993 ) ($4,814 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($5,110 ) ($7,735 ) ($1,823 ) ($745 ) ($2,316 ) ($1,513 ) Net loss $1,154 $1,550 $1,508 $137 $823 $932 Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $1,232,619 $1,563,487 Service cost 18,699 27,129 Interest cost 47,901 50,725 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Actuarial (gain)/loss 23,673 (346,429 ) Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 594 443 Balance at December 31 $1,252,903 $1,232,619 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $609,782 $659,327 Actual return on plan assets 100,445 (30,582 ) Employer contributions 46,618 43,773 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $686,262 $609,782 Funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities ($48,040 ) ($44,276 ) Non-current liabilities (518,601 ) (578,561 ) Total funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,899 ) ($25,778 ) Net (gain)/loss (5,081 ) 51,774 ($16,980 ) $25,996 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit ($21,231 ) ($42,730 ) Net gain (16,670 ) (33,569 ) ($37,901 ) ($76,299 ) Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Service cost 2,363 4,639 1,046 367 943 973 Interest cost 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Actuarial (gain)/loss 166 (2,220 ) (3,778 ) (4,234 ) 8,279 (891 ) Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 82 107 16 14 23 37 Balance at December 31 $185,744 $274,175 $65,979 $38,460 $94,742 $47,348 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Actual return on plan assets 42,835 — 12,966 11,680 23,788 7,436 Employer contributions 1,257 14,284 228 1,659 (596 ) 829 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $284,224 $— $86,085 $93,858 $161,810 $48,471 Funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($18,467 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 98,480 (255,708 ) 20,106 55,398 67,068 1,123 Total funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($6,515 ) $— ($3,108 ) $— ($1,422 ) ($854 ) Net (gain)/loss (18,262 ) — 3,272 (8,046 ) 6,203 2,881 ($24,777 ) $— $164 ($8,046 ) $4,781 $2,027 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($4,915 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (24,739 ) — — — — $— ($29,654 ) $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $249,019 $345,389 $84,621 $53,548 $116,702 $61,381 Service cost 3,170 6,225 1,284 516 1,319 1,223 Interest cost 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Actuarial gain (61,960 ) (73,249 ) (16,762 ) (10,847 ) (27,527 ) (11,985 ) Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 60 64 14 8 13 22 Balance at December 31 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $274,678 $— $82,433 $85,504 $154,171 $49,124 Actual return on plan assets (12,373 ) — (3,755 ) (4,616 ) (7,182 ) (2,175 ) Employer contributions 195 14,314 87 3,793 3,808 569 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($17,740 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 64,225 (257,529 ) 6,877 39,787 56,536 (5,121 ) Total funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,465 ) $— ($4,864 ) ($681 ) ($3,665 ) ($2,304 ) Net loss 9,021 — 15,945 3,151 13,094 8,774 ($2,444 ) $— $11,081 $2,470 $9,429 $6,470 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($12,264 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (23,214 ) — — — — $— ($35,478 ) $— $— $— $— Non-Qualified Pension Plans Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $22.6 million in 2019 , $24.4 million in 2018 , and $37.6 million in 2017 . In 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 Entergy recognized $7.4 million , $7.7 million , and $20.3 million , respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $147 million as of December 31, 2018 of which $17 million was a current liability and $130 million was a non-current liability. The accumulated benefit obligation was $143.4 million and $131.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ( $58.8 million at December 31, 2019 and $51.9 million at December 31, 2018 ) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ( $24.9 million at December 31, 2019 and $19.2 million at December 31, 2018 ). The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $275 $159 $326 $20 $481 2018 $474 $180 $300 $81 $650 2017 $679 $185 $251 $73 $499 Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2017 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $269 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,755 $1,682 $3,286 $231 $7,783 2018 $2,752 $1,881 $2,732 $206 $7,952 The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,248 $1,682 $2,938 $230 $7,391 2018 $2,519 $1,881 $2,427 $206 $7,724 The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($249 ) ($216 ) ($357 ) ($17 ) ($723 ) Non-current liabilities (2,506 ) (1,467 ) (2,930 ) (215 ) (7,060 ) Total funded status ($2,755 ) ($1,683 ) ($3,287 ) ($232 ) ($7,783 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,232 $3 $1,432 ($559 ) ($603 ) 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($198 ) ($229 ) ($128 ) ($16 ) ($672 ) Non-current liabilities (2,554 ) (1,652 ) (2,604 ) (191 ) (7,280 ) Total funded status ($2,752 ) ($1,881 ) ($2,732 ) ($207 ) ($7,952 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,314 $79 $1,009 ($579 ) ($517 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes) $— $5 $— $— $— Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (bef |
| System Energy [Member] | |
| Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits | RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy) Qualified Pension Plans Entergy has eight defined benefit qualified pension plans covering substantially all employees. The Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III, and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees are non-contributory final average pay plans and provide pension benefits that are based on employees’ credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). Certain bargaining employees hired or rehired after June 30, 2014, or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreements, participate in the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. The assets of the six final average pay defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy, and the assets of the two cash balance pension plans are held in a second master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in its respective master trust that is maintained by a trustee. Use of the master trusts permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets in the master trusts are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in each trust to the various participating pension plans in that particular trust. The fair value of the trusts’ assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers. For each trust, the trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trusts on a pro rata basis. Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly. Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions, and are decreased for benefit payments. A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e. interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter. Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions. Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $134,193 $155,010 $133,641 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 293,114 267,415 260,824 Expected return on assets (414,947 ) (442,142 ) (408,225 ) Amortization of prior service cost — 398 261 Recognized net loss 241,117 274,104 227,720 Settlement charges 23,492 828 — Net periodic pension costs $276,969 $255,613 $214,221 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $614,600 $394,951 $368,067 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service cost — (398 ) (261 ) Amortization of net loss (241,117 ) (274,104 ) (227,720 ) Settlement charge (23,492 ) (828 ) — Total $349,991 $119,621 $140,086 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $626,960 $375,234 $354,307 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year: Prior service cost $— $— $398 Net loss $349,038 $233,677 $274,104 The Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $21,043 $29,137 $6,516 $2,274 $5,401 $6,199 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Expected return on assets (80,705 ) (90,607 ) (23,873 ) (10,785 ) (23,447 ) (18,710 ) Recognized net loss 47,361 46,571 12,416 6,117 9,335 11,400 Net pension cost $44,400 $48,630 $11,331 $5,101 $5,740 $12,345 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $118,898 $99,346 $41,088 $6,531 $10,869 $36,711 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (47,361 ) (46,571 ) (12,416 ) (6,117 ) (9,335 ) (11,400 ) Total $71,537 $52,775 $28,672 $414 $1,534 $25,311 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $115,937 $101,405 $40,003 $5,515 $7,274 $37,656 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $67,588 $66,509 $18,994 $8,018 $13,060 $17,117 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $24,757 $33,783 $7,286 $2,693 $6,356 $7,102 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Expected return on assets (87,404 ) (99,236 ) (26,007 ) (11,973 ) (26,091 ) (19,963 ) Recognized net loss 53,650 57,800 14,438 7,816 10,503 14,859 Net pension cost $43,020 $52,108 $10,792 $5,789 $4,158 $14,905 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss $74,570 $41,642 $19,244 $2,351 $24,121 ($2,359 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (53,650 ) (57,800 ) (14,438 ) (7,816 ) (10,503 ) (14,859 ) Total $20,920 ($16,158 ) $4,806 ($5,465 ) $13,618 ($17,218 ) Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $63,940 $35,950 $15,598 $324 $17,776 ($2,313 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $47,361 $46,571 $12,416 $6,117 $9,335 $11,400 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Net periodic pension cost: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $20,358 $27,698 $5,890 $2,500 $5,455 $6,145 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 51,776 59,235 14,927 7,163 13,569 12,364 Expected return on assets (81,707 ) (92,067 ) (24,526 ) (11,199 ) (24,722 ) (18,650 ) Recognized net loss 46,560 49,417 12,213 6,632 9,241 11,857 Net pension cost $36,987 $44,283 $8,504 $5,096 $3,543 $11,716 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net loss $51,569 $57,510 $14,681 $8,601 $1,109 $27,733 Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic pension cost in the current year: Amortization of net loss (46,560 ) (49,417 ) (12,213 ) (6,632 ) (9,241 ) (11,857 ) Total $5,009 $8,093 $2,468 $1,969 ($8,132 ) $15,876 Total recognized as net periodic pension cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) $41,996 $52,376 $10,972 $7,065 ($4,589 ) $27,592 Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic cost in the following year Net loss $53,650 $57,800 $14,438 $7,816 $10,503 $14,859 Qualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $7,404,917 $7,987,087 Service cost 134,193 155,010 Interest cost 293,114 267,415 Actuarial (gain)/loss 1,292,767 (395,242 ) Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Balance at December 31 $8,406,203 $7,404,917 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $5,497,415 $6,071,316 Actual return on plan assets 1,093,114 (348,051 ) Employer contributions 399,419 383,503 Benefits paid (including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68,203) in 2019 and ($1,794) in 2018) (718,788 ) (609,353 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $6,271,160 $5,497,415 Funded status ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized in the balance sheet Non-current liabilities ($2,135,043 ) ($1,907,502 ) Amount recognized as a regulatory asset Net loss $2,831,408 $2,468,987 Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $724,575 $737,004 Qualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Service cost 21,043 29,137 6,516 2,274 5,401 6,199 Interest cost 56,701 63,529 16,272 7,495 14,451 13,456 Actuarial loss 248,213 248,509 79,453 24,299 49,235 66,460 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Balance at December 31 $1,615,084 $1,784,474 $471,510 $206,962 $396,764 $393,607 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Actual return on plan assets 210,020 239,770 62,238 28,552 61,814 48,460 Employer contributions 75,854 64,951 20,794 4,553 3,725 20,234 Benefits paid (154,681 ) (156,617 ) (44,820 ) (18,296 ) (41,927 ) (31,542 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,200,035 $1,364,030 $354,928 $160,777 $339,126 $282,668 Funded status ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($415,049 ) ($420,444 ) ($116,582 ) ($46,185 ) ($57,638 ) ($110,939 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $799,235 $759,228 $225,354 $91,862 $160,564 $193,870 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $23,481 $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) Balance at January 1 $1,580,756 $1,785,700 $457,549 $217,896 $410,720 $384,049 Service cost 24,757 33,783 7,286 2,693 6,356 7,102 Interest cost 52,017 59,761 15,075 7,253 13,390 12,907 Actuarial gain (79,621 ) (133,520 ) (26,611 ) (18,844 ) (21,656 ) (37,842 ) Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Balance at December 31 $1,443,808 $1,599,916 $414,089 $191,190 $369,604 $339,034 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $1,205,668 $1,365,741 $360,842 $165,747 $363,523 $274,432 Actual return on plan assets (66,787 ) (75,926 ) (19,849 ) (9,221 ) (19,686 ) (15,520 ) Employer contributions 64,062 71,919 14,933 7,250 10,883 13,786 Benefits paid (134,101 ) (145,808 ) (39,210 ) (17,808 ) (39,206 ) (27,182 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $1,068,842 $1,215,926 $316,716 $145,968 $315,514 $245,516 Funded status ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet (funded status) Non-current liabilities ($374,966 ) ($383,990 ) ($97,373 ) ($45,222 ) ($54,090 ) ($93,518 ) Amounts recognized as regulatory asset Net loss $727,703 $686,138 $196,683 $91,448 $159,030 $168,559 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Net loss $— $43,796 $— $— $— $— Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation The accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $7.8 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Entergy Arkansas $1,519,998 $1,362,425 Entergy Louisiana $1,643,759 $1,481,158 Entergy Mississippi $438,817 $387,635 Entergy New Orleans $192,561 $179,907 Entergy Texas $371,589 $347,852 System Energy $368,771 $317,848 Other Postretirement Benefits Entergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees. Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefit costs through rates. The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions. However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefit costs collected in rates into external trusts. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf. Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee. Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets. The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses. Beneficial interest from these investments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts. Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCI Entergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components: 2019 2018 2017 (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $18,699 $27,129 $26,915 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) 47,901 50,725 55,838 Expected return on assets (38,246 ) (41,493 ) (37,630 ) Amortization of prior service credit (35,377 ) (37,002 ) (41,425 ) Recognized net loss 1,430 13,729 21,905 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($5,593 ) $13,088 $25,603 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and /or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Prior service credit for period $— $— ($2,564 ) Net gain (38,526 ) (274,354 ) (66,922 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and /or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 35,377 37,002 41,425 Amortization of net loss (1,430 ) (13,729 ) (21,905 ) Total ($4,579 ) ($251,081 ) ($49,966 ) Total recognized as net periodic benefit (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($10,172 ) ($237,993 ) ($24,363 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($17,563 ) ($35,377 ) ($37,002 ) Net loss $800 $1,430 $13,729 Total 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $2,363 $4,639 $1,046 $367 $943 $973 Interest cost on APBO 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Expected return on assets (15,962 ) — (4,794 ) (4,947 ) (9,103 ) (2,788 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4,950 ) (7,349 ) (1,756 ) (682 ) (2,243 ) (1,450 ) Recognized net (gain)/ loss 576 (695 ) 723 231 485 354 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,747 ) $7,259 ($2,100 ) ($3,450 ) ($6,503 ) ($1,009 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($26,707 ) ($2,220 ) ($11,950 ) ($10,967 ) ($6,406 ) ($5,539 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 4,950 7,349 1,756 682 2,243 1,450 Amortization of net (gain)/loss (576 ) 695 (723 ) (231 ) (485 ) (354 ) Total ($22,333 ) $5,824 ($10,917 ) ($10,516 ) ($4,648 ) ($4,443 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($33,080 ) $13,083 ($13,017 ) ($13,966 ) ($11,151 ) ($5,452 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($3,174 ) ($3,142 ) ($1,037 ) $— ($1,421 ) ($747 ) Net (gain)/loss $4 ($1,030 ) $75 ($246 ) $810 $51 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,170 $6,225 $1,284 $516 $1,319 $1,223 Interest cost on APBO 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Expected return on assets (17,368 ) — (5,213 ) (5,250 ) (9,784 ) (3,130 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 1,154 1,550 1,508 137 823 932 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($10,168 ) $11,194 ($1,513 ) ($3,673 ) ($6,204 ) ($490 ) Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net gain ($32,219 ) ($73,249 ) ($7,794 ) ($981 ) ($10,561 ) ($6,680 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (1,154 ) (1,550 ) (1,508 ) (137 ) (823 ) (932 ) Total ($28,263 ) ($67,064 ) ($7,479 ) ($373 ) ($9,068 ) ($6,099 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($38,431 ) ($55,870 ) ($8,992 ) ($4,046 ) ($15,272 ) ($6,589 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($4,950 ) ($7,349 ) ($1,756 ) ($682 ) ($2,243 ) ($1,450 ) Net (gain)/loss $576 ($695 ) $723 $231 $485 $354 2017 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Other postretirement costs: Service cost - benefits earned during the period $3,451 $6,373 $1,160 $567 $1,488 $1,278 Interest cost on APBO 9,020 12,101 2,759 1,874 4,494 2,236 Expected return on assets (15,836 ) — (4,801 ) (4,635 ) (8,720 ) (2,869 ) Amortization of prior service credit (5,110 ) (7,735 ) (1,823 ) (745 ) (2,316 ) (1,513 ) Recognized net loss 4,460 1,859 1,675 418 3,303 1,560 Net other postretirement benefit (income)/cost ($4,015 ) $12,598 ($1,030 ) ($2,521 ) ($1,751 ) $692 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as a regulatory asset and/or AOCI (before tax) Arising this period: Net (gain)/loss (29,534 ) (1,256 ) 506 (7,342 ) (22,255 ) (5,459 ) Amounts reclassified from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the current year: Amortization of prior service credit 5,110 7,735 1,823 745 2,316 1,513 Amortization of net loss (4,460 ) (1,859 ) (1,675 ) (418 ) (3,303 ) (1,560 ) Total ($28,884 ) $4,620 $654 ($7,015 ) ($23,242 ) ($5,506 ) Total recognized as net periodic other postretirement (income)/cost, regulatory asset, and/or AOCI (before tax) ($32,899 ) $17,218 ($376 ) ($9,536 ) ($24,993 ) ($4,814 ) Estimated amortization amounts from regulatory asset and/or AOCI to net periodic (income)/cost in the following year Prior service credit ($5,110 ) ($7,735 ) ($1,823 ) ($745 ) ($2,316 ) ($1,513 ) Net loss $1,154 $1,550 $1,508 $137 $823 $932 Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance Sheet Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $1,232,619 $1,563,487 Service cost 18,699 27,129 Interest cost 47,901 50,725 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Actuarial (gain)/loss 23,673 (346,429 ) Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 594 443 Balance at December 31 $1,252,903 $1,232,619 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $609,782 $659,327 Actual return on plan assets 100,445 (30,582 ) Employer contributions 46,618 43,773 Plan participant contributions 38,640 37,049 Benefits paid (109,223 ) (99,785 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $686,262 $609,782 Funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities ($48,040 ) ($44,276 ) Non-current liabilities (518,601 ) (578,561 ) Total funded status ($566,641 ) ($622,837 ) Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,899 ) ($25,778 ) Net (gain)/loss (5,081 ) 51,774 ($16,980 ) $25,996 Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit ($21,231 ) ($42,730 ) Net gain (16,670 ) (33,569 ) ($37,901 ) ($76,299 ) Other postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Service cost 2,363 4,639 1,046 367 943 973 Interest cost 7,226 10,664 2,681 1,581 3,415 1,902 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Actuarial (gain)/loss 166 (2,220 ) (3,778 ) (4,234 ) 8,279 (891 ) Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 82 107 16 14 23 37 Balance at December 31 $185,744 $274,175 $65,979 $38,460 $94,742 $47,348 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Actual return on plan assets 42,835 — 12,966 11,680 23,788 7,436 Employer contributions 1,257 14,284 228 1,659 (596 ) 829 Plan participant contributions 8,125 8,876 2,197 1,343 2,602 1,765 Benefits paid (20,048 ) (23,160 ) (5,159 ) (2,598 ) (8,830 ) (5,229 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $284,224 $— $86,085 $93,858 $161,810 $48,471 Funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($18,467 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 98,480 (255,708 ) 20,106 55,398 67,068 1,123 Total funded status $98,480 ($274,175 ) $20,106 $55,398 $67,068 $1,123 Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($6,515 ) $— ($3,108 ) $— ($1,422 ) ($854 ) Net (gain)/loss (18,262 ) — 3,272 (8,046 ) 6,203 2,881 ($24,777 ) $— $164 ($8,046 ) $4,781 $2,027 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($4,915 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (24,739 ) — — — — $— ($29,654 ) $— $— $— $— 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas System Energy (In Thousands) Change in APBO Balance at January 1 $249,019 $345,389 $84,621 $53,548 $116,702 $61,381 Service cost 3,170 6,225 1,284 516 1,319 1,223 Interest cost 7,986 11,154 2,731 1,669 3,754 1,998 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Actuarial gain (61,960 ) (73,249 ) (16,762 ) (10,847 ) (27,527 ) (11,985 ) Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Medicare Part D subsidy received 60 64 14 8 13 22 Balance at December 31 $187,830 $275,269 $68,976 $41,987 $88,310 $48,791 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of assets at January 1 $274,678 $— $82,433 $85,504 $154,171 $49,124 Actual return on plan assets (12,373 ) — (3,755 ) (4,616 ) (7,182 ) (2,175 ) Employer contributions 195 14,314 87 3,793 3,808 569 Plan participant contributions 8,136 8,162 2,233 1,171 2,565 1,837 Benefits paid (18,581 ) (22,476 ) (5,145 ) (4,078 ) (8,516 ) (5,685 ) Fair value of assets at December 31 $252,055 $— $75,853 $81,774 $144,846 $43,670 Funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in the balance sheet Current liabilities $— ($17,740 ) $— $— $— $— Non-current liabilities 64,225 (257,529 ) 6,877 39,787 56,536 (5,121 ) Total funded status $64,225 ($275,269 ) $6,877 $39,787 $56,536 ($5,121 ) Amounts recognized in regulatory asset Prior service credit ($11,465 ) $— ($4,864 ) ($681 ) ($3,665 ) ($2,304 ) Net loss 9,021 — 15,945 3,151 13,094 8,774 ($2,444 ) $— $11,081 $2,470 $9,429 $6,470 Amounts recognized in AOCI (before tax) Prior service credit $— ($12,264 ) $— $— $— $— Net gain — (23,214 ) — — — — $— ($35,478 ) $— $— $— $— Non-Qualified Pension Plans Entergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $22.6 million in 2019 , $24.4 million in 2018 , and $37.6 million in 2017 . In 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 Entergy recognized $7.4 million , $7.7 million , and $20.3 million , respectively in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above. The projected benefit obligation was $162.8 million as of December 31, 2019 of which $18.1 million was a current liability and $144.6 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $147 million as of December 31, 2018 of which $17 million was a current liability and $130 million was a non-current liability. The accumulated benefit obligation was $143.4 million and $131.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ( $58.8 million at December 31, 2019 and $51.9 million at December 31, 2018 ) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ( $24.9 million at December 31, 2019 and $19.2 million at December 31, 2018 ). The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $275 $159 $326 $20 $481 2018 $474 $180 $300 $81 $650 2017 $679 $185 $251 $73 $499 Included in the 2019 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $40 thousand for Entergy Mississippi related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2018 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $30 thousand and $139 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2017 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $269 thousand for Entergy Arkansas related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. The projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,755 $1,682 $3,286 $231 $7,783 2018 $2,752 $1,881 $2,732 $206 $7,952 The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) 2019 $2,248 $1,682 $2,938 $230 $7,391 2018 $2,519 $1,881 $2,427 $206 $7,724 The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($249 ) ($216 ) ($357 ) ($17 ) ($723 ) Non-current liabilities (2,506 ) (1,467 ) (2,930 ) (215 ) (7,060 ) Total funded status ($2,755 ) ($1,683 ) ($3,287 ) ($232 ) ($7,783 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,232 $3 $1,432 ($559 ) ($603 ) 2018 Entergy Arkansas Entergy Louisiana Entergy Mississippi Entergy New Orleans Entergy Texas (In Thousands) Current liabilities ($198 ) ($229 ) ($128 ) ($16 ) ($672 ) Non-current liabilities (2,554 ) (1,652 ) (2,604 ) (191 ) (7,280 ) Total funded status ($2,752 ) ($1,881 ) ($2,732 ) ($207 ) ($7,952 ) Regulatory asset/(liability) $1,314 $79 $1,009 ($579 ) ($517 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes) $— $5 $— $— $— Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (bef |
