DTE Energy 2009 Annual Report Download - page 36

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34
Assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligation and net benefit cost are listed below:
2009
2008
2007
Projected benefit obligation
Discount rate
5.90%
6.90%
6.50%
Net benefit costs
Discount rate
6.90%
6.50%
5.70%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
8.75%
8.75%
8.75%
Health care trend rate pre-65
7.00%
7.00%
8.00%
Health care trend rate post-65
7.00%
6.00%
7.00%
Ultimate health care trend rate
5.00%
5.00%
5.00%
Year in which ultimate reached
2016
2011
2011
A one-percentage-point increase in health care cost trend rates would have increased the total service cost and interest cost
components of benefit costs by $6 million and increased the accumulated benefit obligation by $46 million at December 31, 2009. A
one-percentage-point decrease in the health care cost trend rates would have decreased the total service cost and interest cost
components of benefit costs by $7 million and would have decreased the accumulated benefit obligation by $74 million at December
31, 2009.
At December 31, 2009, the benefits expected to be paid, including prescription drug benefits, in each of the next five years and in the
aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter are as follows:
(In millions)
2010 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
$ 28
2011 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
29
2012 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
30
2013 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
31
2014 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
32
2015 - 2019 .............................................................................................................................................................................
176
Total ........................................................................................................................................................................................
$ 326
The process used in determining the long-term rate of return for assets and the investment approach for our other postretirement
benefits plans is similar to those previously described for our pension plans.
In December 2003, the Medicare Act was signed into law which provides for a non-taxable federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree
health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least “actuarially equivalent” to the benefit established by law. The effects of
the subsidy reduced net periodic postretirement benefit costs by $4 million in 2009, $3 million in 2008, and $9 million in 2007.
At December 31, 2009, the gross amount of federal subsidies expected to be received in each of the next five years and in the
aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter was as follows:
(In millions)
2010 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
$ 2
2011 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
2
2012 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
1
2013 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
2
2014 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
2
2015 - 2019 .............................................................................................................................................................................
11
Total ........................................................................................................................................................................................
$ 20