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Other Postretirement Benefits | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] |
Other Postretirement Benefits | Other Postretirement Benefits The Utilities and Con Edison Transmission currently have contributory comprehensive hospital, medical and prescription drug programs for eligible retirees, their dependents and surviving spouses. CECONY also has a contributory life insurance program for bargaining unit employees and provides basic life insurance benefits up to a specified maximum at no cost to certain retired management employees. O&R has a non-contributory life insurance program for retirees. Certain employees of the Clean Energy Businesses and Con Edison Transmission are eligible to receive benefits under these programs. Total Periodic Benefit Cost The components of the Companies’ total periodic postretirement benefit costs for 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
| Con Edison | CECONY
(Millions of Dollars) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
Service cost | $21 | $18 | $20 | $16 | $13 | $14
Interest cost on accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation | 37 | 44 | 42 | 31 | 36 | 34
Expected return on plan assets | (66) | (66) | (73) | (54) | (54) | (63)
Recognition of net actuarial loss/(gain) | 37 | (9) | 8 | 36 | (10) | 3
Recognition of prior service credit | (3) | (2) | (6) | (2) | (2) | (2)
TOTAL PERIODIC POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT COST/(CREDIT) | $26 | $(15) | $(9) | $27 | $(17) | $(14)
Cost capitalized | (9) | (7) | (8) | (7) | (5) | (6)
Reconciliation to rate level | (17) | 12 | 8 | (25) | 7 | 9
Total credit recognized | $— | $(10) | ($9) | $(5) | $(15) | ($11)
For information about the adoption of ASU 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” and ASU 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans," see Note E. Funded Status The funded status of the programs at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
| Con Edison | CECONY
(Millions of Dollars) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $1,357 | $1,114 | $1,219 | $1,154 | $913 | $985
Service cost | 21 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 14
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation | 37 | 44 | 42 | 31 | 36 | 34
Amendments | — |  | (14) |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | — |
Net actuarial loss/(gain) | 74 | 264 | (70) | 63 | 252 | (32)
Benefits paid and administrative expenses, net of subsidies | (117) | (110) | (135) | (107) | (100) | (125)
Participant contributions | 53 | 41 | 38 | 52 | 40 | 37
BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF YEAR | $1,425 | $1,357 | $1,114 | $1,209 | $1,154 | $913
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $1,026 | $885 | $1,039 | $872 | $759 | $893
Actual return on plan assets | 142 | 198 | (66) | 117 | 165 | (54)
Employer contributions | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6
Employer group waiver plan subsidies | 20 | 23 | 34 | 19 | 22 | 32
Participant contributions | 53 | 40 | 37 | 51 | 40 | 37
Benefits paid | (133) | (127) | (165) | (123) | (120) | (155)
FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR | $1,115 | $1,026 | $885 | $940 | $872 | $759
FUNDED STATUS | $(310) | $(331) | $(229) | $(269) | $(282) | $(154)
Unrecognized net loss/(gain) | $115 | $155 | $14 | $114 | $149 | $(2)
Unrecognized prior service costs | (16) | (19) | (8) | (1) | (3) | (5)
The decrease in the other postretirement benefits funded status liability at December 31, 2020 for Con Edison and CECONY of $21 million and $13 million, respectively, compared with December 31, 2019, was primarily due to an increase in the fair value of plan assets as a result of the actual return on plan assets, partially offset by an increase in the plans' projected benefit obligation as a result of a decrease in the discount rate. See below for further information on the change in the discount rate and see Note E for determination of the discount rate assumption. The increase in the other postretirement benefits funded status liability at December 31, 2019 for Con Edison and CECONY of $102 million and $128 million, respectively, compared with December 31, 2018, was primarily due to an increase in the plans' projected benefit obligation as a result of an increase in net actuarial loss, partially offset by an increase in plan assets as a result of the actual return on plan assets. For Con Edison, the decrease in funded status liability at December 31, 2020 corresponds with a net decrease to regulatory assets of $36 million for unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs associated with the Utilities consistent with the accounting rules for regulated operations, a credit to OCI of $2 million (net of taxes) for the unrecognized net losses and an immaterial change to OCI for the unrecognized prior service costs associated with the Clean Energy Businesses, Con Edison Transmission, and RECO. For CECONY, the decrease in funded status liability at December 31, 2020 corresponds with a decrease to regulatory assets of $33 million for unrecognized net losses and the unrecognized prior service costs associated with the company consistent with the accounting rules for regulated operations, and immaterial changes to OCI for the unrecognized net losses and the unrecognized prior service costs associated with eligible employees of the Clean Energy Businesses and Con Edison Transmission who previously worked for CECONY. Assumptions The actuarial assumptions were as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31: |  |  |
Discount Rate |  |  |
CECONY | 2.25 | % | 3.10 | % | 4.15 | %
O&R | 2.55 | % | 3.35 | % | 4.30 | %
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31: |  |  |
Discount Rate |  |  |
CECONY | 3.10 | % | 4.15 | % | 3.55 | %
O&R | 3.35 | % | 4.30 | % | 3.70 | %
Expected Return on Plan Assets | 6.80 | % | 6.80 | % | 7.50 | %
Refer to Note E for descriptions of the basis for determining the expected return on assets, investment policies and strategies and the assumed discount rate. The health care cost trend rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was 5.20 percent, 5.40 percent and 5.60 percent, respectively, which was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.50 percent by 2024 and remain at that level thereafter. The health care cost trend rate used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was 7.04 percent, 5.20 percent and 5.40 percent, respectively, which is assumed to decrease gradually to 4.50 percent by 2034 and remain at that level thereafter.
Expected Benefit Payments Based on current assumptions, the Companies expect to make the following benefit payments over the next ten years, net of receipt of governmental subsidies and participant contributions:
(Millions of Dollars) | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026-2030
Con Edison | $84 | $84 | $84 | $84 | $84 | $409
CECONY | 76 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 358
Expected Contributions Based on estimates as of December 31, 2020, Con Edison and CECONY expect to make a contribution of $6 million (of which $3 million is expected to be made by CECONY) to the other postretirement benefit plans in 2021. The Companies’ policy is to fund the total periodic benefit cost of the plans to the extent tax deductible. Plan Assets The asset allocations for CECONY’s other postretirement benefit plans at the end of 2020, 2019 and 2018, and the target allocation for 2021 are as follows:
| Target Allocation Range | Plan Assets at December 31,
Asset Category | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |  | 2018
Equity Securities | 42%-80% | 54 | % | 54 | % |  | 52 | %
Debt Securities | 20%-58% | 46 | % | 46 | % |  | 48 | %
Total | 100% | 100 | % | 100 | % |  | 100 | %
Con Edison has established postretirement health and life insurance benefit plan trusts for the investment of assets to be used for the exclusive purpose of providing other postretirement benefits to participants and beneficiaries. Refer to Note E for a discussion of Con Edison’s investment policy for its benefit plans. The fair values of the plans' assets at December 31, 2020 by asset category as defined by the accounting rules for fair value measurements (see Note Q) are as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Total
Equity (a) | $— |  |  | $448 |  | $448
Other Fixed Income Debt (b) | — |  |  | 367 |  | 367
Cash and Cash Equivalents (c) | — |  |  | 27 |  | 27
Total investments | $— |  |  | $842 |  | $842
Funds for retiree health benefits (d) | 116 |  |  | 97 |  | 213
Investments (including funds for retiree health benefits) | $116 |  |  | $939 |  | $1,055
Funds for retiree health benefits measured at net asset value (d)(e) |  |  |  |  | 41
Pending activities (f) |  |  |  |  | 19
Total fair value of plan net assets |  |  |  |  | $1,115
(a)Equity includes a passively managed commingled index fund benchmarked to the MSCI All Country World Index. (b)Other Fixed Income Debt includes a passively managed commingled index fund benchmarked to the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Long Credit Index and an active separately managed fund indexed to the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Long Credit Index. (c)Cash and Cash Equivalents include short-term investments and money markets. (d)The Companies set aside funds for retiree health benefits through a separate account within the pension trust, as permitted under Section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In accordance with the Code, the plan’s investments in the 401(h) account may not be used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than providing health benefits for retirees. The net assets held in the 401(h) account are calculated based on a pro-rata percentage allocation of the net assets in the pension plan. The related obligations for health benefits are not included in the pension plan’s obligations and are included in the Companies’ other postretirement benefit obligation. See Note E. (e)In accordance with ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or its equivalent), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. (f)Pending activities include security purchases and sales that have not settled, interest and dividends that have not been received, and reflects adjustments for available estimates at year-end. The fair values of the plans' assets at December 31, 2019 by asset category (see Note Q) are as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Total
Equity (a) | $— |  |  | $404 |  | $404
Other Fixed Income Debt (b) | — |  |  | 331 |  | 331
Cash and Cash Equivalents (c) | — |  |  | 23 |  | 23
Total investments | $— |  |  | $758 |  | $758
Funds for retiree health benefits (d) | 110 |  |  | 98 |  | 208
Investments (including funds for retiree health benefits) | $110 |  |  | $856 |  | $966
Funds for retiree health benefits measured at net asset value (d)(e) |  |  |  |  | 42
Pending activities (f) |  |  |  |  | 18
Total fair value of plan net assets |  |  |  |  | $1,026
(a) - (f) Reference is made to footnotes (a) through (f) in the above table of other postretirement benefit plan assets at December 31, 2020 by asset category.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for postemployment benefits, which may include supplemental unemployment benefits, obligations recognized for all types of benefits provided to former or inactive employees, their beneficiaries, and covered dependents after employment but before retirement. Disclosure may also include discussion that an obligation for postemployment benefits is not accrued in accordance with regulation only because the amount cannot be reasonably estimated. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 712 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6410195&loc=d3e80090-111668 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 712 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2197446 + Details
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