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Employee Benefit Plans | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] |
Employee Benefit Plans | Note 22. Employee Benefit Plans Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas—Defined Benefit Plans Dominion Energy provides certain retirement benefits to eligible active employees, retirees and qualifying dependents. Dominion Energy Gas participates in a number of the Dominion Energy-sponsored retirement plans. Under the terms of its benefit plans, Dominion Energy reserves the right to change, modify or terminate the plans. From time to time in the past, benefits have changed, and some of these changes have reduced benefits. Dominion Energy maintains qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering virtually all employees. Retirement benefits are based primarily on years of service, age and the employee’s compensation. Dominion Energy’s funding policy is to contribute annually an amount that is in accordance with the provisions of ERISA. The pension programs also provide benefits to certain retired executives under company-sponsored nonqualified employee benefit plans. The nonqualified plans are funded through contributions to grantor trusts. Dominion Energy also provides retiree healthcare and life insurance benefits with annual employee premiums based on several factors such as age, retirement date and years of service. Pension benefits for Dominion Energy Gas employees not represented by collective bargaining units are covered by the Dominion Energy Pension Plan, a defined benefit pension plan sponsored by Dominion Energy that provides benefits to multiple Dominion Energy subsidiaries. Pension benefits for Dominion Energy Gas employees represented by collective bargaining units are covered by a sep a rate pension plan that provides benefits to employees of both DETI and Hope. Employee compensation is the basis for allocating pension costs and obligations between DETI and Hope. Retiree healthcare and life insurance benefits for Dominion Energy Gas employees not represented by collective bargaining units are covered by the Dominion Energy Retiree Health and Welfare Plan, a plan sponsored by Dominion Energy that provides certain retiree healthcare and life insurance benefits to multiple Dominion Energy subsidiaries. Retiree healthcare and life insurance benefits for Dominion Energy Gas employees represented by collective bargaining units are covered by a sep a rate other postretirement benefit plan that provides benefits to both DETI and Hope. Employee headcount is the basis for allocating other postretirement benefit costs and obligations between DETI and Hope. Dominion Energy Gas included the separate pension and other postretirement benefit plans for East Ohio employees covered by collective bargaining units through November 2019, the effective date of the Dominion Energy Gas Restructuring. See Note 3 for more information on the Dominion Energy Gas Restructuring. Pension and other postretirement benefit costs are affected by employee demographics (including age, compensation levels and years of service), the level of contributions made to the plans and earnings on plan assets. These costs may also be affected by changes in key assumptions, including expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, discount rates, healthcare cost trend rates, mortality rates and the rate of compensation increases. Dominion Energy uses December 31 as the measurement date for all of its employee benefit plans, including those in which Dominion Energy Gas participates. Dominion Energy uses the market-related value of pension plan assets to determine the expected return on plan assets, a component of net periodic pension cost, for all pension plans, including those in which Dominion Energy Gas participates. The market-related value recognizes changes in fair value on a straight-line basis over a four-year period, which reduces year-to-year volatility. Changes in fair value are measured as the difference between the expected and actual plan asset returns, including dividends, interest and realized and unrealized investment gains and losses. Since the market-related value recognizes changes in fair value over a four-year period, the future market-related value of pension plan assets will be impacted as previously unrecognized changes in fair value are recognized. Dominion Energy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans hold investments in trusts to fund employee benefit payments. Dominion Energy’s pension and other postretirement plan assets experienced aggregate actual returns (losses) of $2.1 billion and $(605) million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, versus expected returns of $848 million and $806 million, respectively. Dominion Energy Gas’ pension and other postretirement plan assets for employees represented by collective bargaining units experienced aggregate actual returns (losses) of $167 million and $(129) million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, versus expected returns of $70 million and $178 million, respectively. Differences between actual and expected returns on plan assets are accumulated and amortized during future periods. As such, any investment-related declines in these trusts will result in future increases in the net periodic cost recognized for such employee benefit plans and will be included in the determination of the amount of cash to be contributed to the employee benefit plans. Voluntary Retirement Program In March 2019, the Companies announced a voluntary retirement program to employees that meet certain age and service requirements. The voluntary retirement program will not compromise safety or the Companies’ ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations. In 2019, upon the determinations made concerning the number of employees that elected to participate in the program, Dominion Energy recorded a charge of $427 million ($319 million after-tax) included within other operations and maintenance expense ($291 million), other taxes ($24 million) and other income ($112 million), Virginia Power recorded a charge of $198 million ($146 million after-tax) included within other operations and maintenance expense ($190 million) and other taxes ($8 million) and Dominion Energy Gas recorded a charge of $74 million ($58 million after-tax) included within other operations and maintenance expense ($39 million), other taxes ($2 million), other income ($1 million) and discontinued operations ($32 million) in the respective Consolidated Statements of Income. In the second quarter of 2019, Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas remeasured their pension and other postretirement benefit plans as a result of the voluntary retirement program. The remeasurement resulted in an increase in the pension benefit obligation of $484 million and $32 million and an increase in the fair value of the pension plan assets of $671 million and $146 million for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas, respectively. In addition, the remeasurement resulted in an increase in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation of $101 million and $8 million and an increase in the fair value of the other postretirement benefit plan assets of $156 million and $29 million for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas, respectively. The impact of the remeasurement on net periodic benefit cost (credit) was recognized prospectively from the remeasurement date. The discount rate used for the remeasurement was 4.07%—4.10% for the Dominion Energy pension plans, 4.10% for Dominion Energy Gas pension plans, 4.05%—4.08% for the Dominion Energy other postretirement benefit plans, and 4.05% for the Dominion Energy Gas other postretirement benefit plans. All other assumptions used for the remeasurement were consistent with the measurement as of December 31, 2018. In the third quarter of 2019, Dominion Energy remeasured a pension plan as a result of a settlement from the voluntary retirement program at SCANA. The settlement and related remeasurement resulted in an increase in the pension benefit obligation of $37 million and an increase in the fair value of the pension plan assets of $51 million for Dominion Energy. The impact of the remeasurement on net periodic benefit cost (credit) was recognized prospectively from the remeasurement date. The discount rate used for the remeasurement was 3.57%. All other assumptions used for the remeasurement were consistent with the measurement as of December 31, 2018. Funded Status The following table summarizes the changes in pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan obligations and plan assets and includes a statement of the plans’ funded status for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas (for employees represented by collective bargaining units):
|  | Pension Benefits |  |  | Other Postretirement Benefits |
Year Ended December 31, |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
(millions, except percentages) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Changes in benefit obligation: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation at beginning of year |  | $ | 8,500 |  |  | $ | 9,052 |  |  | $ | 1,363 |  |  | $ | 1,529 |
Dominion Energy SCANA Combination (See Note 3) |  |  | 854 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 253 |  |  |  | — |
Service cost |  |  | 162 |  |  |  | 157 |  |  |  | 26 |  |  |  | 27 |
Interest cost |  |  | 394 |  |  |  | 337 |  |  |  | 68 |  |  |  | 56 |
Benefits paid |  |  | (470 | ) |  |  | (358 | ) |  |  | (96 | ) |  |  | (87 | )
Actuarial (gains) losses during the year |  |  | 1,054 |  |  |  | (688 | ) |  |  | 111 |  |  |  | (158 | )
Plan amendments |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (4 | )
Settlements and curtailments (1) |  |  | (48 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 44 |  |  |  | — |
Benefit obligation at end of year |  | $ | 10,446 |  |  | $ | 8,500 |  |  | $ | 1,769 |  |  | $ | 1,363 |
Changes in fair value of plan assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |  | $ | 7,197 |  |  | $ | 8,062 |  |  | $ | 1,581 |  |  | $ | 1,729 |
Dominion Energy SCANA Combination (See Note 3) |  |  | 727 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Actual return (loss) on plan assets |  |  | 1,747 |  |  |  | (513 | ) |  |  | 349 |  |  |  | (92 | )
Employer contributions |  |  | 557 |  |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 12 |  |  |  | 12 |
Benefits paid |  |  | (470 | ) |  |  | (358 | ) |  |  | (62 | ) |  |  | (68 | )
Settlements (2) |  |  | (127 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |  | $ | 9,631 |  |  | $ | 7,197 |  |  | $ | 1,880 |  |  | $ | 1,581 |
Funded status at end of year |  | $ | (815 | ) |  | $ | (1,303 | ) |  | $ | 111 |  |  | $ | 218 |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noncurrent pension and other postretirement benefit assets |  | $ | 1,266 |  |  | $ | 1,003 |  |  | $ | 442 |  |  | $ | 276 |
Other current liabilities |  |  | (29 | ) |  |  | (34 | ) |  |  | (17 | ) |  |  | (2 | )
Noncurrent pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities |  |  | (2,052 | ) |  |  | (2,272 | ) |  |  | (314 | ) |  |  | (56 | )
Net amount recognized |  | $ | (815 | ) |  | $ | (1,303 | ) |  | $ | 111 |  |  | $ | 218 |
Significant assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  |  | 3.47%–3.63% |  |  |  | 4.42%–4.43% |  |  |  | 3.44%–3.52% |  |  |  | 4.37%–4.38% |
Weighted average rate of increase for compensation |  |  | 4.23% |  |  |  | 4.32% |  |  |  | n/a |  |  |  | n/a |
Dominion Energy Gas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Changes in benefit obligation: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation at beginning of year |  | $ | 730 |  |  | $ | 773 |  |  | $ | 256 |  |  | $ | 290 |
Dominion Energy Gas Restructuring (See Note 3) |  |  | (468 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | (135 | ) |  |  | — |
Service cost |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 18 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 4 |
Interest cost |  |  | 11 |  |  |  | 29 |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  | 11 |
Benefits paid |  |  | (15 | ) |  |  | (34 | ) |  |  | (8 | ) |  |  | (18 | )
Actuarial (gains) losses during the year |  |  | 30 |  |  |  | (56 | ) |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | (27 | )
Plan amendments |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (4 | )
Settlements and curtailments (1) |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | — |
Benefit obligation at end of year |  | $ | 295 |  |  | $ | 730 |  |  | $ | 121 |  |  | $ | 256 |
Changes in fair value of plan assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |  | $ | 1,656 |  |  | $ | 1,803 |  |  | $ | 311 |  |  | $ | 333 |
Dominion Energy Gas Restructuring (See Note 3) |  |  | (1,084 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | $ | (126 | ) |  |  | — |
Actual return (loss) on plan assets |  |  | 129 |  |  |  | (113 | ) |  |  | 38 |  |  |  | (16 | )
Employer contributions |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 12 |  |  |  | 12 |
Benefits paid |  |  | (15 | ) |  |  | (34 | ) |  |  | (8 | ) |  |  | (18 | )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |  | $ | 686 |  |  | $ | 1,656 |  |  | $ | 227 |  |  | $ | 311 |
Funded status at end of year |  | $ | 391 |  |  | $ | 926 |  |  | $ | 106 |  |  | $ | 55 |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noncurrent pension and other postretirement benefit assets |  | $ | 391 |  |  | $ | 310 |  |  | $ | 106 |  |  | $ | 63 |
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations |  |  | — |  |  |  | 616 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (8 | )
Net amount recognized |  | $ | 391 |  |  | $ | 926 |  |  | $ | 106 |  |  | $ | 55 |
Significant assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  |  | 3.63 | % |  |  | 4.42 | % |  |  | 3.44 | % |  |  | 4.37 | %
Weighted average rate of increase for compensation |  |  | 4.64 | % |  |  | 4.55 | % |  |  | n/a |  |  |  | n/a |
(1) | 2019 amounts relate primarily to a settlement as a result of the voluntary retirement program.
The ABO for all of Dominion Energy’s defined benefit pension plans was $9.7 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The ABO for the defined benefit pension plans covering Dominion Energy Gas employees represented by collective bargaining units was $279 million and $689 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Under its funding policies, Dominion Energy evaluates plan funding requirements annually, usually in the fourth quarter after receiving updated plan information from its actuary. Based on the funded status of each plan and other factors, Dominion Energy determines the amount of contributions for the current year, if any, at that time. During 2019, Dominion Energy made $520 million of contributions to its qualified defined benefit pension plans, including 6.1 million shares of its common stock valued at $499 million. The shares were contributed through a private placement, exempt from registration requirements, with an independent fiduciary and investment manager to a separate account within the qualified defined benefit pension plans. Dominion Energy also entered into a registration rights agreement with the independent fiduciary and investment manager pursuant to which Dominion Energy agreed to provide registrations rights on customary terms with respect to the shares. Dominion Energy Gas did not make any contributions to its qualified defined benefit pension plans in 2019. Dominion Energy expects to make $29 million of the minimum required contributions in 2020, and no contributions are currently expected in 2020 for Dominion Energy Gas. Certain regulatory authorities have held that amounts recovered in utility customers’ rates for other postretirement benefits, in excess of benefits actually paid during the year, must be deposited in trust funds dedicated for the sole purpose of paying such benefits. Accordingly, certain of Dominion Energy’s subsidiaries, including Dominion Energy Gas, fund other postretirement benefit costs through VEBAs. Dominion Energy’s remaining subsidiaries do not prefund other postretirement benefit costs but instead pay claims as presented. Dominion Energy’s contributions to VEBAs, all of which pertained to Dominion Energy Gas employees, totaled $12 million for 2019 and 2018, and Dominion Energy expects to contribute approximately $12 million to the Dominion Energy VEBAs in 2020, all of which pertains to Dominion Energy Gas employees. Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas do not expect any pension or other postretirement plan assets to be returned during 2020. The following table provides information on the benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets for plans with a benefit obligation in excess of plan assets for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas (for employees represented by collective bargaining units):
|  | Pension Benefits |  |  | Other Postretirement Benefits |
As of December 31, |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
(millions) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation |  | $ | 9,552 |  |  | $ | 7,705 |  |  | $ | 341 |  |  | $ | 164 |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  | 7,471 |  |  |  | 5,398 |  |  |  | 10 |  |  |  | 136 |
Dominion Energy Gas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 134 |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 126 |
The following table provides information on the ABO and fair value of plan assets for Dominion Energy’s pension plans with an ABO in excess of plan assets:
As of December 31, |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
(millions) |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated benefit obligation |  | $ | 8,852 |  |  | $ | 7,056 |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  | 7,471 |  |  |  | 5,398 |
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ (for employees represented by collective bargaining units) plans:
|  | Estimated Future Benefit Payments |
|  | Pension Benefits |  |  | Other Postretirement Benefits |
(millions) |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2020 |  | $ | 535 |  |  | $ | 120 |
2021 |  |  | 472 |  |  |  | 117 |
2022 |  |  | 511 |  |  |  | 116 |
2023 |  |  | 519 |  |  |  | 114 |
2024 |  |  | 536 |  |  |  | 113 |
2025-2029 |  |  | 2,792 |  |  |  | 528 |
Dominion Energy Gas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2020 |  | $ | 15 |  |  | $ | 8 |
2021 |  |  | 15 |  |  |  | 8 |
2022 |  |  | 15 |  |  |  | 8 |
2023 |  |  | 15 |  |  |  | 8 |
2024 |  |  | 15 |  |  |  | 8 |
2025-2029 |  |  | 79 |  |  |  | 36 |
Plan Assets Dominion Energy’s overall objective for investing its pension and other postretirement plan assets is to achieve appropriate long-term rates of return commensurate with prudent levels of risk. As a participating employer in various pension plans sponsored by Dominion Energy, Dominion Energy Gas is subject to Dominion Energy’s investment policies for such plans. To minimize risk, funds are broadly diversified among asset classes, investment strategies and investment advisors. The strategic target asset allocations for Dominion Energy’s pension funds are 28% U.S. equity, 18% non-U.S. equity, 35% fixed income, 3% real estate and 16% other alternative investments. U.S. equity includes investments in large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap companies located in the U.S. Non-U.S. equity includes investments in large-cap and small-cap companies located outside of the U.S. including both developed and emerging markets. Fixed income includes corporate debt instruments of companies from diversified industries and U.S. Treasuries. The U.S. equity, non-U.S. equity and fixed income investments are in individual securities as well as mutual funds. Real estate includes equity real estate investment trusts and investments in partnerships. Other alternative investments include partnership investments in private equity, debt and hedge funds that follow several different strategies. Dominion Energy also utilizes common/collective trust funds as an investment vehicle for its defined benefit plans. A common/collective trust fund is a pooled fund operated by a bank or trust company for investment of the assets of various organizations and individuals in a well-diversified portfolio. Common/collective trust funds are funds of grouped assets that follow various investment strategies. Strategic investment policies are established for Dominion Energy’s prefunded benefit plans based upon periodic asset/liability studies. Factors considered in setting the investment policy include employee demographics, liability growth rates, future discount rates, the funded status of the plans and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. Deviations from the plans’ strategic allocation are a function of Dominion Energy’s assessments regarding short-term risk and reward opportunities in the capital markets and/or short-term market movements which result in the plans’ actual asset allocations varying from the strategic target asset allocations. Through periodic rebalancing, actual allocations are brought back in line with the target. Future asset/liability studies will focus on strategies to further reduce pension and other postretirement plan risk, while still achieving attractive levels of returns. Financial derivatives may be used to obtain or manage market exposures and to hedge assets and liabilities. For fair value measurement policies and procedures related to pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets, see Note 6. The fair values of Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ (for employees represented by collective bargaining units) pension plan assets by asset category are as follows:
At December 31, |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
|  | Level 1 |  |  | Level 2 |  |  | Level 3 |  |  | Total |  |  | Level 1 |  |  | Level 2 |  |  | Level 3 |  |  | Total |
(millions) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  |  | $ — |  |  | $ | 23 |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 18 |
Common and preferred stocks: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. (1) |  |  | 2,284 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2,284 |  |  |  | 1,645 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,645 |
International |  |  | 1,634 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,634 |  |  |  | 1,061 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,061 |
Insurance contracts |  |  | — |  |  |  | 360 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 360 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 318 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 318 |
Corporate debt instruments |  |  | 273 |  |  |  | 859 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,132 |  |  |  | 23 |  |  |  | 729 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 752 |
Government securities |  |  | 58 |  |  |  | 757 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 815 |  |  |  | 25 |  |  |  | 605 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 630 |
Total recorded at fair value |  | $ | 4,271 |  |  | $ | 1,977 |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 6,248 |  |  | $ | 2,771 |  |  | $ | 1,653 |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 4,424 |
Assets recorded at NAV (2) : |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common/collective trust funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,355 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,849 |
Alternative investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real estate funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 91 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 108 |
Private equity funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 787 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 633 |
Debt funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 159 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 155 |
Hedge funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 14 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17 |
Total recorded at NAV |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 3,406 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 2,762 |
Total investments (3) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 9,654 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 7,186 |
Dominion Energy Gas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  | $ — |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 4 |
Common and preferred stocks: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. |  |  | 177 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 177 |  |  |  | 378 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 378 |
International |  |  | 114 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 114 |  |  |  | 244 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 244 |
Insurance contracts |  |  | — |  |  |  | 28 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 28 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 73 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 73 |
Corporate debt instruments |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 66 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 69 |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  | 168 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 173 |
Government securities |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 59 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 61 |  |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 139 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 145 |
Total recorded at fair value |  | $ | 297 |  |  | $ | 153 |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 450 |  |  | $ | 637 |  |  | $ | 380 |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 1,017 |
Assets recorded at NAV (2) : |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common/collective trust funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 157 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 425 |
Alternative investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real estate funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25 |
Private equity funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 61 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 146 |
Debt funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36 |
Hedge funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4 |
Total recorded at NAV |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 238 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 636 |
Total investments (4) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 688 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,653 |
(1) | Includes $508 million of Dominion Energy common stock at December 31, 2019.
(2) | These investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient which are not required to be categorized in the fair value hierarchy.
(3) | Excludes net assets related to pending sales of securities of $52 million, net accrued income of $24 million, and includes net assets related to pending purchases of securities of $99 million at December 31, 2019. Excludes net assets related to pending sales of securities of $12 million, net accrued income of $21 million, and includes net assets related to pending purchases of securities of $22 million at December 31, 2018.
(4) | Excludes net assets related to pending sales of securities of $2 million, net accrued income of $2 million, and includes net assets related to pending purchases of securities of $6 million at December 31, 2019. Excludes net assets related to pending sales of securities of $3 million, net accrued income of $5 million, and includes net assets related to pending purchases of securities of $5 million at December 31, 2018.
The fair values of Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ (for employees represented by collective bargaining units) other postretirement plan assets by asset category are as follows:
At December 31, |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
|  | Level 1 |  |  | Level 2 |  |  | Level 3 |  |  | Total |  |  | Level 1 |  |  | Level 2 |  |  | Level 3 |  |  | Total |
(millions) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 2 |
Common and preferred stocks: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. |  |  | 719 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 719 |  |  |  | 554 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 554 |
International |  |  | 206 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 206 |  |  |  | 170 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 170 |
Insurance contracts |  |  | — |  |  |  | 21 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 21 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 19 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 19 |
Corporate debt instruments |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 51 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 44 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 45 |
Government securities |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 44 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 46 |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 37 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 39 |
Total recorded at fair value |  | $ | 930 |  |  | $ | 115 |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 1,045 |  |  | $ | 728 |  |  | $ | 101 |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 829 |
Assets recorded at NAV (1) : |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common/collective trust funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 717 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 650 |
Alternative investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real estate funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10 |
Private equity funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 80 |
Debt funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10 |
Hedge funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |
Total recorded at NAV |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 836 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 751 |
Total investments (2) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,881 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,580 |
Dominion Energy Gas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common and preferred stocks: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. |  | $ | 86 |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 86 |  |  | $ | 113 |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 113 |
International |  |  | 21 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 21 |  |  |  | 30 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 30 |
Total recorded at fair value |  | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | 143 |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  | $— |  |  | $ | 143 |
Assets recorded at NAV (1) : |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common/collective trust funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 105 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 148 |
Alternative investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real estate funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |
Private equity funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 14 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18 |
Debt funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | — |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | — |
Total recorded at NAV |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 120 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 168 |
Total investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 227 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 311 |
(1) | These investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient which are not required to be categorized in the fair value hierarchy.
(2) | Excludes net assets related to pending sales of securities of $2 million, net accrued income of $2 million, and includes net assets related to pending purchases of securities of $5 million at December 31, 2019. Excludes net assets related to pending sales of securities of $1 million, net accrued income of $2 million, and includes net assets related to pending purchases of securities of $2 million at December 31, 2018.
The Plan’s investments are determined based on the fair values of the investments and the underlying investments, which have been determined as follows:
| • | Cash and Cash Equivalents —Investments are held primarily in short-term notes and treasury bills, which are valued at cost plus accrued interest.
| • | Common and Preferred Stocks —Investments are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
| • | Insurance Contracts —Investments in Group Annuity Contracts with John Hancock were entered into after 1992 and are stated at fair value based on the fair value of the underlying securities as provided by the managers and include investments in U.S. government securities, corporate debt instruments, state and municipal debt securities.
| • | Corporate Debt Instruments —Investments are valued using pricing models maximizing the use of observable inputs for similar securities. This includes basing value on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. When quoted prices are not available for identical or similar instruments, the instrument is valued under a discounted cash flows approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable, such as credit and liquidity risks or a broker quote, if available.
| • | Government Securities —Investments are valued using pricing models maximizing the use of observable inputs for similar securities.
| • | Common/Collective Trust Funds —Common/collective trust funds invest in debt and equity securities and other instruments with characteristics similar to those of the funds’ benchmarks. The primary objectives of the funds are to seek investment returns that approximate the overall performance of their benchmark indexes. These benchmarks are major equity indices, fixed income indices, and money market indices that focus on growth, income, and liquidity strategies, as applicable. Investments in common/collective trust funds are stated at the NAV as determined by the issuer of the common/collective trust funds and are based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its liabilities. The NAV is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The common/collective trust funds do not have any unfunded commitments, and do not have any applicable liquidation periods or defined terms/periods to be held. The majority of the common/collective trust funds have limited withdrawal or redemption rights during the term of the investment.
| • | Alternative Investments —Investments in real estate funds, private equity funds, debt funds and hedge funds are stated at fair value based on the NAV of the Plan’s proportionate share of the partnership, joint venture or other alternative investment’s fair value as determined by reference to audited financial statements or NAV statements provided by the investment manager. The NAV is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value.
Net Periodic Benefit (Credit) Cost The service cost component and non-service cost components of net periodic benefit (credit) cost are reflected in other operations and maintenance expense and other income, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The components of the provision for net periodic benefit (credit) cost and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income and regulatory assets and liabilities for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ (for employees represented by collective bargaining units) plans are as follows:
|  | Pension Benefits |  |  | Other Postretirement Benefits |
Year Ended December 31, |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
(millions, except percentages) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost |  | $ | 162 |  |  | $ | 157 |  |  | $ | 138 |  |  | $ | 26 |  |  | $ | 27 |  |  | $ | 26 |
Interest cost |  |  | 394 |  |  |  | 337 |  |  |  | 345 |  |  |  | 68 |  |  |  | 56 |  |  |  | 60 |
Expected return on plan assets |  |  | (708 | ) |  |  | (663 | ) |  |  | (639 | ) |  |  | (140 | ) |  |  | (143 | ) |  |  | (128 | )
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | (52 | ) |  |  | (52 | ) |  |  | (51 | )
Amortization of net actuarial loss |  |  | 172 |  |  |  | 193 |  |  |  | 162 |  |  |  | 10 |  |  |  | 11 |  |  |  | 13 |
Settlements and curtailments |  |  | 72 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 42 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost |  | $ | 93 |  |  | $ | 25 |  |  | $ | 7 |  |  | $ | (46 | ) |  | $ | (101 | ) |  | $ | (80 | )
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income and regulatory assets and liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year net actuarial (gain) loss |  | $ | 16 |  |  | $ | 490 |  |  | $ | 142 |  |  | $ | (98 | ) |  | $ | 78 |  |  | $ | 12 |
Prior service (credit) cost |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | (4 | ) |  |  | (73 | )
Settlements and curtailments |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2 |
Less amounts included in net periodic benefit cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of net actuarial loss |  |  | (172 | ) |  |  | (193 | ) |  |  | (162 | ) |  |  | (10 | ) |  |  | (11 | ) |  |  | (13 | )
Amortization of prior service credit (cost) |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  | 52 |  |  |  | 52 |  |  |  | 51 |
Total recognized in other comprehensive income and regulatory assets and liabilities |  | $ | (151 | ) |  | $ | 296 |  |  | $ | (15 | ) |  | $ | (54 | ) |  | $ | 115 |  |  | $ | (21 | )
Significant assumptions used to determine periodic cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  |  | 3.57%- 4.43 | % |  |  | 3.80%-3.81 | % |  |  | 3.31%-4.50 | % |  |  | 4.05% - 4.41 | % |  |  | 3.76 | % |  |  | 3.92%-4.47 | %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets |  |  | 7.00%- 8.65 | % |  |  | 8.75 | % |  |  | 8.75 | % |  |  | 8.50 | % |  |  | 8.50 | % |  |  | 8.50 | %
Weighted average rate of increase for compensation |  |  | 4.20 | % |  |  | 4.09 | % |  |  | 4.09 | % |  |  | n/a |  |  |  | n/a |  |  |  | n/a |
Healthcare cost trend rate (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6.50% - 6.60 | % |  |  | 7.00 | % |  |  | 7.00 | %
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate) (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.00 | % |  |  | 5.00 | % |  |  | 5.00 | %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2023-2025 |  |  |  | 2022 |  |  |  | 2021 |
Dominion Energy Gas (2) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 18 |  |  | $ | 15 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 4 |
Interest cost |  |  | 11 |  |  |  | 29 |  |  |  | 30 |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  | 11 |  |  |  | 12 |
Expected return on plan assets |  |  | (54 | ) |  |  | (150 | ) |  |  | (141 | ) |  |  | (16 | ) |  |  | (28 | ) |  |  | (24 | )
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (5 | ) |  |  | (4 | ) |  |  | (3 | )
Amortization of net actuarial loss |  |  | 7 |  |  |  | 19 |  |  |  | 16 |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 2 |
Settlements and curtailments |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost |  | $ | (29 | ) |  | $ | (84 | ) |  | $ | (80 | ) |  | $ | (11 | ) |  | $ | (14 | ) |  | $ | (9 | )
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income and regulatory assets and liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year net actuarial (gain) loss |  | $ | (46 | ) |  | $ | 207 |  |  | $ | (75 | ) |  | $ | (21 | ) |  | $ | 16 |  |  | $ | 18 |
Prior service cost |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (4 | ) |  |  | (61 | )
Less amounts included in net periodic benefit cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of net actuarial loss |  |  | (7 | ) |  |  | (19 | ) |  |  | (16 | ) |  |  | (3 | ) |  |  | (3 | ) |  |  | (2 | )
Amortization of prior service credit (cost) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  | 4 |  |  |  | 3 |
Total recognized in other comprehensive income and regulatory assets and liabilities |  | $ | (53 | ) |  | $ | 188 |  |  | $ | (91 | ) |  | $ | (19 | ) |  | $ | 13 |  |  | $ | (42 | )
Significant assumptions used to determine periodic cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  |  | 4.10%-4.42 | % |  |  | 3.81 | % |  |  | 4.50 | % |  |  | 4.05%-4.37 | % |  |  | 3.81 | % |  |  | 4.47 | %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets |  |  | 8.65 | % |  |  | 8.75 | % |  |  | 8.75 | % |  |  | 8.50 | % |  |  | 8.50 | % |  |  | 8.50 | %
Weighted average rate of increase for compensation |  |  | 4.55 | % |  |  | 4.11 | % |  |  | 4.11 | % |  |  | n/a |  |  |  | n/a |  |  |  | n/a |
Healthcare cost trend rate (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6.50 | % |  |  | 7.00 | % |  |  | 7.00 | %
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate) (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.00 | % |  |  | 5.00 | % |  |  | 5.00 | %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2025 |  |  |  | 2022 |  |  |  | 2021 |
(1) | Assumptions used to determine net periodic cost for the following year.
(2) | Amounts related to East Ohio are presented within discontinued operations.
The components of AOCI and regulatory assets and liabilities for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ (for employees represented by collective bargaining units) plans that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit (credit) cost are as follows:
|  | Pension Benefits |  |  | Other Postretirement Benefits |
At December 31, |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
(millions) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  | $ | 3,327 |  |  | $ | 3,477 |  |  | $ | 241 |  |  | $ | 350 |
Prior service (credit) cost |  |  | 5 |  |  |  | 7 |  |  |  | (339 | ) |  |  | (393 | )
Total (1) |  | $ | 3,332 |  |  | $ | 3,484 |  |  | $ | (98 | ) |  | $ | (43 | )
Dominion Energy Gas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  | $ | 150 |  |  | $ | 555 |  |  | $ | 44 |  |  | $ | 89 |
Prior service (credit) cost |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (49 | ) |  |  | (52 | )
Total (2) |  | $ | 150 |  |  | $ | 555 |  |  | $ | (5 | ) |  | $ | 37 |
(1) | As of December 31, 2019, of the $3.3 billion and $(98) million related to pension benefits and other postretirement benefits, $2.0 billion and $(65) million, respectively, are included in AOCI, with the remainder included in regulatory assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2018, of the $3.5 billion and $(43) million related to pension benefits and other postretirement benefits, $2.0 billion and $(41) million, respectively, are included in AOCI, with the remainder included in regulatory assets and liabilities.
(2) | As of December 31, 2019, of the $150 million related to pension benefits, $147 million is included in AOCI, with the remainder included in regulatory assets and liabilities; the $(5) million related to other postretirement benefits is included entirely in regulatory assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2018, of the $555 million related to pension benefits, $200 million is included in AOCI, with the remainder included in noncurrent assets of discontinued operations; of the $37 million related to other postretirement benefits , $22 million is included in noncurrent assets of discontinued operations with the remainder included in regulatory assets and liabilities.
The following table provides the components of AOCI and regulatory assets and liabilities for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ (for employees represented by collective bargaining units) plans as of December 31, 2019 that are expected to be amortized as components of net periodic benefit (credit) cost in 2020:
|  | Pension Benefits |  |  | Other Postretirement Benefits |
(millions) |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  |  | $194 |  |  |  | $5 |
Prior service (credit) cost |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | (50 | )
Dominion Energy Gas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  |  | $7 |  |  |  | $2 |
Prior service (credit) cost |  |  | — |  |  |  | (5 | )
The expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, discount rates, healthcare cost trend rates and mortality are critical assumptions in determining net periodic benefit (credit) cost. Dominion Energy develops non-investment related assumptions, which are then compared to the forecasts of an independent investment advisor to ensure reasonableness. An internal committee selects the final assumptions used for Dominion Energy’s pension and other postretirement plans, including those in which Dominion Energy Gas participates, including discount rates, expected long-term rates of return, healthcare cost trend rates and mortality rates. Dominion Energy determines the expected long-term rates of return on plan assets for its pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, including those in which Dominion Energy Gas participates, by using a combination of:
| • | Expected inflation and risk-free interest rate assumptions;
| • | Historical return analysis to determine long term historic returns as well as historic risk premiums for various asset classes;
| • | Expected future risk premiums, asset classes’ volatilities and correlations;
| • | Forward-looking return expectations derived from the yield on long-term bonds and the expected long-term returns of major capital market assumptions; and
| • | Investment allocation of plan assets.
Dominion Energy determines discount rates from analyses of AA/Aa rated bonds with cash flows matching the expected payments to be made under its plans, including those in which Dominion Energy Gas participates. Mortality rates are developed from actual and projected plan experience for postretirement benefit plans. Dominion Energy’s actuary conducts an experience study periodically as part of the process to select its best estimate of mortality. Dominion Energy considers both standard mortality tables and improvement factors as well as the plans’ actual experience when selecting a best estimate. Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for Dominion Energy’s retiree healthcare plans, including those in which Dominion Energy Gas participates. A one percentage point change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have had the following effects for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ (for employees represented by collective bargaining units) other postretirement benefit plans:
|  | Other Postretirement Benefits |
|  | One percentage point increase |  |  | One percentage point decrease |
(millions) |  |  |  |  |  |
Dominion Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Effect on net periodic cost for 2020 |  |  | $20 |  |  |  | $(11) |
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2019 |  |  | 153 |  |  |  | (128) |
Dominion Energy Gas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Effect on net periodic cost for 2020 |  |  | $2 |  |  |  | $(2) |
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2019 |  |  | 14 |  |  |  | (12) |
Dominion Energy Gas (Employees Not Represented by Collective Bargaining Units) and Virginia Power—Participation in Defined Benefit Plans Virginia Power employees and Dominion Energy Gas employees not represented by collective bargaining units are covered by the Dominion Energy Pension Plan described above. As participating employers, Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas are subject to Dominion Energy’s funding policy, which is to contribute annually an amount that is in accordance with ERISA. During 2019, Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas made no contributions to the Dominion Energy Pension Plan, and no contributions to this plan are currently expected in 2020. Virginia Power’s net periodic pension cost related to this plan was $152 million, $126 million and $110 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Dominion Energy Gas’ net periodic pension credit related to this plan was $(8) million, $(35) million and $(35) million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Net periodic pension (credit) cost is reflected in other operations and maintenance expense in their respective Consolidated Statements of Income, except for $(14) million, $(21) million and $(20) million of Dominion Energy Gas’ costs in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, that are recorded in net income from discontinued operations. The funded status of various Dominion Energy subsidiary groups and employee compensation are the basis for determining the share of total pension costs for participating Dominion Energy subsidiaries. See Note 25 for Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas amounts due to/from Dominion Energy related to this plan. Retiree healthcare and life insurance benefits, for Virginia Power employees and for Dominion Energy Gas employees not represented by collective bargaining units, are covered by the Dominion Energy Retiree Health and Welfare Plan described above. Virginia Power’s net periodic benefit (credit) cost related to this plan was $(27) million, $(51) million and $(42) million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Dominion Energy Gas’ net periodic benefit (credit) cost related to this plan was $(4) million, $(8) million and $(6) million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Net periodic benefit (credit) cost is reflected in other operations and maintenance expenses in their respective Consolidated Statements of Income, except for less than $(1 ) million, $(2) million and $(2) million of Dominion Energy Gas’ costs in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, that are recorded in net income from discontinued operations. Employee headcount is the basis for determining the share of total other postretirement benefit costs for participating Dominion Energy subsidiaries. See Note 25 for Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas amounts due to/from Dominion Energy related to this plan. Dominion Energy holds investments in trusts to fund employee benefit payments for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans in which Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas’ employees participate. Any investment-related declines in these trusts will result in future increases in the net periodic cost recognized for such employee benefit plans and will be included in the determination of the amount of cash that Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas will provide to Dominion Energy for their shares of employee benefit plan contributions. Certain regulatory authorities have held that amounts recovered in rates for other postretirement benefits, in excess of benefits actually paid during the year, must be deposited in trust funds dedicated for the sole purpose of paying such benefits. Accordingly, Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas fund other postretirement benefit costs through VEBAs. During 2019 and 2018, Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas made no contributions to the VEBAs and does no t expect to contribute to the VEBAs in 2020. Defined Contribution Plans Dominion Energy also sponsors defined contribution employee savings plans that cover substantially all employees. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, Dominion Energy recognized $73 million, $51 million and $45 million, respectively, as employer matching contributions to these plans. Dominion Energy Gas participates in these employee savings plans, both specific to Dominion Energy Gas and that cover multiple Dominion Energy subsidiaries. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, Dominion Energy Gas recognized $4 million, $8 million and $8 million, respectively, as employer matching contributions to these plans. Virginia Power also participates in these employee savings plans. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, Virginia Power recognized $20 million, $20 million and $19 million, respectively, as employer matching contributions to these plans.

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