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Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Disclosure of Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]  
Schedule of CenterPoint Energy’s Expenses
The following table summarizes CenterPoint Energy’s expenses related to LTIPs for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
LTIP compensation expense (1)$34 $65 $51 
Income tax benefit recognized15 12 
Actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions19 17 

(1)Included in Operation and maintenance expense in CenterPoint Energy’s Statements of Consolidated Income, net of any amounts capitalized.
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Activity
The following tables summarize CenterPoint Energy’s LTIP activity for the year ended December 31, 2024:

 Shares
(Thousands)
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Remaining Average
Contractual
Life (Years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (2) (Millions)
Performance Awards (1)
Outstanding and nonvested as of December 31, 20235,225 $25.95   
Granted1,727 27.92   
Forfeited or canceled(220)28.09   
Vested and released to participants(1,824)21.87   
Outstanding and nonvested as of December 31, 20244,908 $28.14 1$105 
Stock Unit Awards
Outstanding and nonvested as of December 31, 20231,861 $26.91 
Granted438 28.25 
Forfeited or canceled(43)27.92 
Vested and released to participants(1,139)25.92 
Outstanding and nonvested as of December 31, 20241,117 $28.20 0.5$36 
 
(1)Reflects maximum performance achievement.
(2)Reflects the impact of current expectations of achievement and stock price.
Schedule of Additional Information Related to the Performance Awards and Stock Unit Awards
Additional information related to the Performance Awards and Stock Unit Awards was as follows for the periods presented:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202420232022
(in millions, except for per unit amounts)
Performance Awards
Weighted-average grant date fair value per unit of awards granted$27.92 $29.18 $28.12 
Total intrinsic value of awards received by participants51 47 13 
Vested grant date fair value40 37 13 
Stock Unit Awards
Weighted-average grant date fair value per unit of awards granted$28.25 $30.83 $28.44 
Total intrinsic value of awards received by participants33 28 14 
Vested grant date fair value30 23 13 
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs
CenterPoint Energy’s net periodic cost includes the following components relating to pension, including the non-qualified benefit plans, for the periods presented:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202420232022
 (in millions)
Service cost (1)$25 $25 $29 
Interest cost (2)73 76 73 
Expected return on plan assets (2)(75)(76)(87)
Amortization of net loss (2)28 28 31 
Settlement cost (2) (3)— — 126 
Net periodic cost$51 $53 $172 
 
(1)Included in Operation and maintenance expense in CenterPoint Energy’s Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.
(2)Included in Other income (expense), net in CenterPoint Energy’s Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.
(3)A one-time, non-cash settlement cost is required when the total lump sum distributions or other settlements of plan benefit obligations during a plan year exceed the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic cost for that year. In 2023 and 2022, CenterPoint Energy recognized non-cash settlement cost due to lump sum settlement payments. The transfer of assets related to the 2022 Annuity Purchase is considered a lump sum settlement payment.
Postretirement benefits are accrued over the active service period of employees. The net postretirement benefit cost includes the following components for the periods presented:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202420232022
 CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
 (in millions)
Service cost (1)$$— $$$— $$$— $
Interest cost (2)13 5413 
Expected return on plan assets (2)(6)(4)(1)(5)(4)(1)(5)(4)(1)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)(2)(5)2(2)(5)(3)(4)
Amortization of net loss (2)(8)(4)(3)(8)(4)(3)(4)(2)(1)
Net postretirement benefit cost (credit)$(2)$(8)$$(1)$(8)$$(1)$(6)$

(1)Included in Operation and maintenance expense in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.
(2)Included in Other income (expense), net in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.
Schedule of Assumptions Used
CenterPoint Energy used the following assumptions to determine net periodic cost relating to pension benefits for the periods presented:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202420232022
Discount rate4.95 %5.15 %2.80 %
Expected return on plan assets6.50 6.50 5.00 
Rate of increase in compensation levels4.97 4.99 4.95 
The following assumptions were used to determine net periodic cost relating to postretirement benefits for the periods presented:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202420232022
CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
Discount rate4.95 %4.95 %4.95 %5.15 %5.15 %5.15 %2.85 %2.85 %2.85 %
Expected return on plan assets5.21 5.36 4.77 5.13 5.26 4.69 3.22 3.32 2.86 
Schedule of Net Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs
The following table summarizes changes in the benefit obligation, changes in plan assets, the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as well as the key actuarial assumptions of CenterPoint Energy’s pension plans. The measurement dates for plan assets and benefit obligations were December 31, 2024 and 2023.
 December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
 (in millions, except for actuarial assumptions)
Change in Benefit Obligation 
Benefit obligation, beginning of year$1,548 $1,553 
Service cost25 25 
Interest cost73 76 
Benefits paid
(127)(147)
Actuarial (gain) loss (1)(42)41 
Benefit obligation, end of year1,477 1,548 
Change in Plan Assets  
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year1,204 1,212 
Employer contributions30 32 
Benefits paid
(127)(147)
Actual investment return 25 107 
Fair value of plan assets, end of year1,132 1,204 
Funded status, end of year$(345)$(344)
Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheets  
Non-current assets$$
Current liabilities-other(7)(7)
Other liabilities-benefit obligations(345)(341)
Net liability, end of year$(345)$(344)
Actuarial Assumptions
Discount rate (2)5.60 %4.95 %
Expected return on plan assets (3)7.00 6.50 
Rate of increase in compensation levels4.79 4.97 
Interest crediting rate3.00 3.00 

(1)Significant sources of actuarial gain for 2024 include the increase in discount rate from 4.95% to 5.60%, offset by losses due to expected return on plan assets exceeding actual return on plan assets.
(2)The discount rate assumption was determined by matching the projected cash flows of CenterPoint Energy’s plans against a hypothetical yield curve of high-quality corporate bonds represented by a series of annualized individual discount rates from one-half to 99 years.
(3)The expected rate of return assumption was developed using the targeted asset allocation of CenterPoint Energy’s plans and the expected return for each asset class.
The following table summarizes changes in the benefit obligation, changes in plan assets, the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the key actuarial assumptions of the postretirement plans. The measurement dates for plan assets and benefit obligations were December 31, 2024 and 2023.
 December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
 CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
 (in millions, except for actuarial assumptions)
Change in Benefit Obligation  
Benefit obligation, beginning of year$263 $113 $93 $263 $115 $92 
Service cost— — 
Interest cost13 13 
Participant contributions
Benefits paid(21)(8)(9)(20)(8)(8)
Actuarial (gain) loss (1)(22)(9)(8)— (1)— 
Other transfers
— — — 
Benefit obligation, end of year242 104 85 263 113 93 
Change in Plan Assets   
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year112 86 26 109 84 25 
Employer contributions— 
Participant contributions
Benefits paid(21)(8)(9)(20)(8)(8)
Actual investment return 10 
Other transfers
(8)(8)— — — — 
Fair value of plan assets, end of year103 77 26 112 86 26 
Funded status, end of year$(139)$(27)$(59)$(151)$(27)$(67)
Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheets   
Current liabilities — other$(8)$— $(4)$(7)$— $(4)
Other liabilities — benefit obligations(131)(27)(55)(144)(27)(63)
Net liability, end of year$(139)$(27)$(59)$(151)$(27)$(67)
Actuarial Assumptions
Discount rate (2)5.60 %5.60 %5.60 %4.95 %4.95 %4.95 %
Expected return on plan assets (3)5.21 5.36 4.77 5.13 5.26 4.69 
Medical cost trend rate assumed for the next year - Pre-656.75 6.75 6.75 7.25 7.25 7.25 
Medical/prescription drug cost trend rate assumed for the next year - Post-6513.74 13.74 13.74 22.76 22.76 22.76 
Prescription drug cost trend rate assumed for the next year - Pre-6510.00 10.00 10.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 
Year that the cost trend rates reach the ultimate trend rate - Pre-65203420342034203320332033
Year that the cost trend rates reach the ultimate trend rate - Post-65203420342034203320332033

(1)Significant sources of actuarial gain for 2024 include increase in discount rate from 4.95% to 5.60%, offset by losses from updated claims and demographic review.
(2)The discount rate assumption was determined by matching the projected cash flows of the plans against a hypothetical yield curve of high-quality corporate bonds represented by a series of annualized individual discount rates from one-half to 99 years.
(3)The expected rate of return assumption was developed using the targeted asset allocation of the plans and the expected return for each asset class.
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets
The following table displays pension benefits related to CenterPoint Energy’s pension plans that have accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of the dates presented:
 December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
 Pension
(Qualified)
Pension
(Non-qualified)
Pension
(Qualified)
Pension
(Non-qualified)
 (in millions)
Accumulated benefit obligation$1,431 $44 $1,496 $48 
Projected benefit obligation1,433 44 1,500 48 
Fair value of plan assets1,132 — 1,204 — 
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Income)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) consist of the following as of the dates presented:
 December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
 Pension
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
Pension
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
CenterPoint EnergyCenterPoint EnergyCERCCenterPoint EnergyCenterPoint EnergyCERC
 (in millions)
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)$52 $(34)$(26)$69 $(34)$(27)
Unrecognized prior service cost— — 12 10 
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)$52 $(25)$(18)$69 $(22)$(17)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
20242023
CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
(in millions)
Beginning Balance$(35)$— $16 $(31)$— $16 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Remeasurement of pension and other postretirement plans16 (1)(8)— — 
Net deferred gain from cash flow hedges— — — — 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Prior service cost (benefit) (1)— — (2)
Actuarial losses (gain) (1)— (2)— 
Reclassification of deferred gain from cash flow hedges realized in net income
(1)— — — — — 
Tax benefit (expense)(4)— — — — 
Other comprehensive income (loss)18 (1)(4)— — 
Ending Balance$(17)$(1)$17 $(35)$— $16 

(1)Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic cost and are reflected in Other income (expense), net in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income.
Schedule of Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations
The changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2024 are as follows:
 Pension
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
CenterPoint EnergyCenterPoint EnergyCERC
(in millions)
Net actuarial loss (gain)
$(13)$(4)$— 
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)
(4)(2)
Amortization of prior service cost— (1)
Settlement— — — 
Total recognized in comprehensive income$(17)$(3)$(1)
Total recognized in net periodic costs and other comprehensive income
$34 $$
Schedule of Target Allocation of Plan Assets
As part of the investment strategy discussed above, CenterPoint Energy maintained the following weighted-average allocation targets for its pension plans as of December 31, 2024:
MinimumMaximum
U.S. equity17 %27 %
International equity%19 %
Real estate%%
Fixed income54 %64 %
Cash%%
As part of the investment strategy discussed above, the Registrants maintained the following weighted-average allocation targets for the postretirement plans as of December 31, 2024:
CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
MinimumMaximumMinimumMaximumMinimumMaximum
U.S. equities14 %24 %13 %23 %15 %25 %
International equities%13 %%13 %%12 %
Fixed income69 %79 %69 %79 %68 %78 %
Cash%%%%%%
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets
The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy (see Note 9), CenterPoint Energy’s pension plan assets at fair value as of the dates presented:
December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
 Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
(in millions)
Cash$36 $— $— $36 $21 $— $— $21 
Equity securities:     
U.S. companies28 — — 28 30 — — 30 
Cash received as collateral from securities lending88 — — 88 94 — — 94 
Obligation to return cash received as collateral from securities lending(88)— — (88)(94)— — (94)
U.S. treasuries and government agencies156 — — 156 178 — — 178 
Corporate bonds:   
Investment grade or above— 428 — 428 — 469 — 469 
Mortgage-backed securities
— 12 — 12 — 15 — 15 
Asset-backed securities
—  — — 
Municipal bonds— 19 — 19 — 25 — 25 
International government bonds— 13 — 13 — — 
Financial instruments— (3)— (3)— (4)— (4)
Total investments at fair value$220 $470 $— 690 $229 $515 $— 744 
Investments measured by net asset value per share or its equivalent (1) (2)442 460 
Fair value of plan assets
$1,132 $1,204 

(1)Represents investments in pooled investment funds and common collective trust funds.
(2)The amounts invested in pooled investment funds were 100% allocated to real estate. The amounts invested common collective trust funds were allocated as follows as of the dates presented:
December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
International equities38 %40 %
U.S. equities61 %59 %
Fixed income%%
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy (see Note 9), the Registrants’ postretirement plan assets, all of which were mutual funds, at fair value as of the dates presented:
December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
 Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
(in millions)
CenterPoint Energy$103 $— $— $103 $113 $— $— $113 
Houston Electric77 — — 77 86 — — 86 
CERC26 — — 26 26 — — 26 

The amounts invested in mutual funds were allocated as follows as of the dates presented:
December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
U.S. equities19 %18 %21 %20 %19 %22 %
International equities%%%%%%
Fixed income74 %74 %72 %72 %72 %71 %
Schedule of Benefit Plan Contributions
The Registrants made the following contributions in 2024 and are required to make the following minimum contributions in 2025 to the indicated benefit plans below:
Contributions in 2024Expected Minimum Contributions in 2025
CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
(in millions)
Qualified pension plans$23 $— $— $105 $— $— 
Non-qualified pension plans— — — — 
Postretirement benefit plans
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments
Benefit payments are expected to be paid by the pension and postretirement benefit plans as follows:
 Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
CenterPoint
Energy
CenterPoint
Energy
Houston ElectricCERC
(in millions)
2025$144 $16 $$
2026144 18 
2027141 19 
2028138 20 
2029134 21 
2030-2034609 102 46 35 
Schedule of Savings Plan Benefit Expense
CenterPoint Energy allocates the savings plan benefit expense to Houston Electric and CERC related to their respective employees. The following table summarizes the Registrants’ savings plan benefit expense for the periods presented:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202420232022
 CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
 (in millions)
Savings plan benefit expenses (1)
$72 $27 $23 $67 $23 $20 $72 $23 $22 

(1)Amounts presented in the table above are included in Operation and maintenance expense in the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income and shown prior to any amounts capitalized.
Schedule of Other Benefit Plans
Expenses related to other benefit plans were recorded as follows for the periods presented:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202420232022
 CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
 (in millions)
Deferred compensation plans$$— $— $(1)$— $— $$— $— 
 December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
 CenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERCCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
 (in millions)
Deferred compensation plans$22 $$$26 $$
Split-dollar life insurance arrangements 46 — 46 — 
Schedule of Other Employee Matters
As of December 31, 2024, the Registrants’ employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements as follows:
Percentage of Employees Covered
 Agreement ExpirationCenterPoint EnergyHouston ElectricCERC
IBEW Local 66May 202617 %53 %— %
OPEIU Local 12December 2025%— %%
Gas Workers Union Local 340April 2025%— %12 %
IBEW Locals 1393 and USW Locals 12213 & 7441December 2026%— %%
IBEW Locals 949December 2025%— %%
USW Locals 13-227 June 2027%— %13 %
USW Locals 13-1June 2027— %— %%
IBEW Local 702June 2025%— %— %
Teamsters Local 135/215
September 2027
— %— %— %
UWUA Local 175
October 2027
%— %%
Total39 %53 %47 %