DTE Energy 2008 Annual Report Download - page 30

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The Company also participates in defined contribution retirement savings plans for DTE Energy and its affiliates. Participation in one of these
plans is available to substantially all represented and non-represented employees. The Company matches employee contributions up to certain
predefined limits based upon eligible compensation, the employee’s contribution rate and, in some cases, years of credited service. The cost of
these plans was $4 million in 2008, $4 million in 2007 and $5 million in 2006.
Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company participates in plans sponsored by LLC that provide certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for employees
who are eligible for these benefits. The Company’s policy is to fund certain trusts to meet our postretirement benefit obligations. Separate
qualified Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trusts exist for represented and non-represented employees. In 2008, we made
a $40 million cash contribution to our postretirement benefit plans. At the discretion of management, the Company may make up to an
additional $40 million contribution to the VEBA trusts in 2009.
Net postretirement cost includes the following components:
Special termination benefits in the above table represent costs associated with our Performance Excellence Process.
28
(in Millions) 2008 2007 2006
Service cost $14 $ 14 $14
Interest cost 27 28 26
Expected return on plan assets (17) (14) (12)
Amortization of
Net loss 5 10 9
Prior service cost 1 22
Net transition obligation 3 5 5
Special termination benefits — —2
Net postretirement cos
t
$33 $ 45 $46
(in Millions) 2008 2007
Other chan
g
es in
p
lan assets and APBO reco
g
nized in re
g
ulator
y
assets
Net actuarial (gain) loss $98 $(80)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (6)(10)
Prior service cost
(1) (16)
Amortization of prior service cos
t
(1)(2)
Amortization of transition (asset) (3) (5)
Total recognized in regulatory assets $87 $(113)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and regulatory assets $120 $(68)
Estimated amounts to be amortized from regulatory assets into net periodic benefit cost during next
fiscal
y
ear
Net actuarial loss $8 $5
Prior service cost 11
Net transition obligation 33
$12 $ 9