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Retirement benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]  
Retirement benefits
10 · Retirement benefits
Defined benefit plans. Substantially all of the employees of HEI and the Utilities participate in the Retirement Plan for Employees of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. and Participating Subsidiaries (HEI Pension Plan). Substantially all of the employees of ASB and its subsidiaries participated in the American Savings Bank Retirement Plan (ASB Pension Plan) until it was frozen on December 31, 2007. The HEI Pension Plan and the ASB Pension Plan (collectively, the Plans) are qualified, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans and include, in the case of the HEI Pension Plan, benefits for utility union employees determined in accordance with the terms of the collective bargaining agreements between the Utilities and the union. The Plans are subject to the provisions of ERISA. In addition, some current and former executives and directors of HEI and its subsidiaries participate in noncontributory, nonqualified plans (collectively, Supplemental Plans). In general, benefits are based on the employees’ or directors’ years of service and compensation.
The continuation of the Plans and the Supplemental Plans and the payment of any contribution thereunder are not assumed as contractual obligations by the participating employers. The Supplemental Plan for directors has been frozen since 1996. The ASB Pension Plan was frozen as of December 31, 2007. The HEI Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and ASB Supplemental Executive Retirement, Disability, and Death Benefit Plan (noncontributory, nonqualified, defined benefit plans) were frozen as of December 31, 2008. No participants have accrued any benefits under these plans after the respective plan’s freeze and the plans will be terminated at the time all remaining benefits have been paid.
Each participating employer reserves the right to terminate its participation in the applicable plans at any time, and HEI and ASB reserve the right to terminate their respective plans at any time. If a participating employer terminates its participation in the Plans, the interest of each affected participant would become 100% vested to the extent funded. Upon the termination of the Plans, assets would be distributed to affected participants in accordance with the applicable allocation provisions of ERISA and any excess assets that exist would be paid to the participating employers. Participants’ benefits in the Plans are covered up to certain limits under insurance provided by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
To determine pension costs for HEI and its subsidiaries under the Plans and the Supplemental Plans, it is necessary to make complex calculations and estimates based on numerous assumptions, including the assumptions identified under “Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans information” below.
Postretirement benefits other than pensions.  HEI and the Utilities provide eligible employees health and life insurance benefits upon retirement under the Postretirement Welfare Benefits Plan for Employees of Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and participating employers (Hawaiian Electric Benefits Plan). Eligibility of employees and dependents are based on eligibility to retire at termination, the retirement date and the date of hire. The plan was amended in 2011, changing eligibility  for certain bargaining unit employees hired prior to May 1, 2011, based on new minimum age and service requirements effective January 1, 2012, per the collective bargaining agreement, and certain management employees hired prior to May 1, 2011 based on new eligibility minimum age and service requirements effective January 1, 2012. The minimum age and service requirements for management and bargaining unit employees hired May 1, 2011 and thereafter have increased and their dependents are not eligible to receive postretirement benefits. Employees may be eligible to receive benefits from the HEI Pension Plan but may not be eligible for postretirement welfare benefits if the different eligibility requirements are not met.
The executive death benefit plan was frozen on September 10, 2009 to participants and benefit levels as of that date. The electric discount was eliminated for management employees and retirees of Hawaiian Electric in August 2009, Hawaii Electric Light in November 2010, and Maui Electric in August 2010, and for bargaining unit employees and retirees on January 31, 2011 per the collective bargaining agreement.
The Company’s and Utilities' cost for OPEB has been adjusted to reflect the plan amendments, which reduced benefits. The elimination of the electric discount benefit will generate credits through other benefit costs over the next few years as the total amendment credit is amortized. Each participating employer reserves the right to terminate its participation in the Hawaiian Electric Benefits Plan at any time.
Balance sheet recognition of the funded status of retirement plans.  Employers must recognize on their balance sheets the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans with an offset to AOCI in shareholders’ equity (using the projected benefit obligation (PBO), to calculate the funded status).
The PUC allowed the Utilities to adopt pension and OPEB tracking mechanisms in previous rate cases. The amount of the net periodic pension cost (NPPC) and net periodic benefits costs (NPBC) to be recovered in rates is established by the PUC in each rate case. Under the Utilities’ tracking mechanisms, any actual costs determined in accordance with GAAP that are over/under amounts allowed in rates are charged/credited to a regulatory asset/liability. The regulatory asset/liability for each utility will then be amortized over 5 years beginning with the respective utility’s next rate case. Accordingly, all retirement benefit expenses (except for executive life and nonqualified pension plan expenses, which amounted to $1.2 million in 2013 and $1.6 million in 2012) determined in accordance with GAAP will be recovered.
Under the tracking mechanisms, amounts that would otherwise be recorded in AOCI (excluding amounts for executive life and nonqualified pension plans), which amounts include the prepaid pension asset, net of taxes, as well as other pension and OPEB charges, are allowed to be reclassified as a regulatory asset, as those costs will be recovered in rates through the NPPC and NPBC in the future. The Utilities have reclassified to a regulatory asset/(liability) charges for retirement benefits that would otherwise be recorded in AOCI (amounting to the elimination of a potential charge to AOCI of $(364) million pretax and $124 million pretax for 2013 and 2012, respectively).
In 2007, the PUC allowed Hawaii Electric Light to record a regulatory asset in the amount of $12.8 million (representing Hawaii Electric Light’s prepaid pension asset and reflecting the accumulated pension contributions to its pension fund in excess of accumulated NPPC), which is included in rate base, and allowed recovery of that asset over a period of five years. Hawaii Electric Light is required to make contributions to the pension trust in the amount of the actuarially calculated NPPC that would be allowed without penalty by the tax laws.
In 2007, the PUC declined to allow Hawaiian Electric and Maui Electric to include their pension assets (representing the accumulated contributions to their pension fund in excess of accumulated NPPC), in their rate bases. However, under the tracking mechanisms, Hawaiian Electric and Maui Electric are required to fund only the minimum level required under the law until their pension assets are reduced to zero, at which time Hawaiian Electric and Maui Electric will make contributions to the pension trust in the amount of the actuarially calculated NPPC, except when limited by the ERISA minimum contribution requirements or the maximum contribution limitations on deductible contributions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.
The PUC’s exclusion of Hawaiian Electric’s and Maui Electric’s pension assets from rate base does not allow Hawaiian Electric and Maui Electric to earn a return on the pension asset, but this exclusion does not result in the exclusion of any pension benefit costs from their rates. The pension asset is to be (and has been, in the case of Maui Electric) recovered in rates (as NPPC is recorded in excess of contributions). As of December 31, 2013, Hawaiian Electric’s pension asset had been reduced to nil.
The OPEB tracking mechanisms generally require the Utilities to make contributions to the OPEB trust in the amount of the actuarially calculated NPBC, except when limited by material, adverse consequences imposed by federal regulations.
Retirement benefits expense for the Utilities for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $30 million, $32 million and $34 million, respectively.
Retirement benefit plan changes.  On March 11, 2011, the Utilities’ bargaining unit employees ratified a new benefit agreement, which included changes to retirement benefits. Changes to retirement benefits for HEI and utility employees commencing employment after April 30, 2011 include a modified defined benefit plan (the Retirement Plan for Employees of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. and Participating Subsidiaries) (with a lower payment formula than the formula in the plan for employees hired before May 1, 2011) and the addition of a 50% match by the applicable employer on the first 6% of employee elective deferrals by such employees through the defined contribution plan (under the HEIRSP). In addition, new eligibility rules and contribution levels applicable to existing and new HEI and utility employees were adopted for postretirement welfare benefits. In general, defined pension benefits are based on the employees’ years of service and compensation.
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans information.  The changes in the obligations and assets of the Company’s and Utilities' retirement benefit plans and the changes in AOCI (gross) for 2013 and 2012 and the funded status of these plans and amounts related to these plans reflected in the Company’s and Utilities' consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
2013
 
2012
(in thousands)
Pension
benefits
 
Other
benefits
 
Pension
benefits
 
Other
benefits
HEI consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation, January 1
$
1,590,304

 
$
194,135

 
$
1,322,430

 
$
190,549

Service cost
56,405

 
4,306

 
43,221

 
4,211

Interest cost
64,788

 
7,569

 
67,480

 
9,009

Actuarial losses (gains)
(203,302
)
 
(21,743
)
 
217,205

 
(1,991
)
Benefits paid and expenses
(61,904
)
 
(8,168
)
 
(60,032
)
 
(7,643
)
Benefit obligation, December 31
1,446,291

 
176,099

 
1,590,304

 
194,135

Fair value of plan assets, January 1
971,314

 
156,731

 
839,580

 
142,992

Actual return on plan assets
194,130

 
29,164

 
115,794

 
18,477

Employer contributions
82,083

 
954

 
74,923

 
2,780

Benefits paid and expenses
(60,858
)
 
(7,519
)
 
(58,983
)
 
(7,518
)
Fair value of plan assets, December 31
1,186,669

 
179,330

 
971,314

 
156,731

Accrued benefit asset (liability), December 31
$
(259,622
)
 
$
3,231

 
$
(618,990
)
 
$
(37,404
)
Other assets
$
24,948

 
$
7,200

 
$

 
$

Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans liability
(284,570
)
 
(3,969
)
 
(618,990
)
 
(37,404
)
Accrued benefit asset (liability), December 31
$
(259,622
)
 
$
3,231

 
$
(618,990
)
 
$
(37,404
)
AOCI debit/(credit), January 1 (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)
$
680,781

 
$
18,846

 
$
533,537

 
$
28,684

Recognized during year – net recognized transition obligation

 

 
(1
)
 

Recognized during year – prior service credit
97

 
1,793

 
325

 
1,793

Recognized during year – net actuarial losses
(38,438
)
 
(1,602
)
 
(25,675
)
 
(1,498
)
Occurring during year – net actuarial losses (gains)
(324,896
)
 
(40,759
)
 
172,595

 
(10,133
)
AOCI debit/(credit) before cumulative impact of PUC D&Os, December 31
317,544

 
(21,722
)
 
680,781

 
18,846

Cumulative impact of PUC D&Os
(294,266
)
 
19,206

 
(621,310
)
 
(18,123
)
AOCI debit/(credit), December 31
$
23,278

 
$
(2,516
)
 
$
59,471

 
$
723

Net actuarial loss (gain)
$
317,639

 
$
(5,840
)
 
$
680,973

 
$
36,521

Prior service gain
(95
)
 
(15,882
)
 
(192
)
 
(17,675
)
AOCI debit/(credit) before cumulative impact of PUC D&Os, December 31
317,544

 
(21,722
)
 
680,781

 
18,846

Cumulative impact of PUC D&Os
(294,266
)
 
19,206

 
(621,310
)
 
(18,123
)
AOCI debit/(credit), December 31
23,278

 
(2,516
)
 
59,471

 
723

Income taxes (benefits)
(9,180
)
 
980

 
(23,489
)
 
(281
)
AOCI debit/(credit), net of taxes (benefits), December 31
$
14,098

 
$
(1,536
)
 
$
35,982

 
$
442

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
2012
(in thousands)
Pension
benefits
 
Other
benefits
 
Pension
benefits
 
Other
benefits
Hawaiian Electric consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation, January 1
$
1,449,445

 
$
187,110

 
$
1,203,943

 
$
184,240

Service cost
54,482

 
4,163

 
41,603

 
4,014

Interest cost
59,119

 
7,288

 
61,453

 
8,703

Actuarial losses (gains)
(185,185
)
 
(20,900
)
 
197,718

 
(2,301
)
Benefits paid and expenses
(57,051
)
 
(8,082
)
 
(55,272
)
 
(7,546
)
Benefit obligation, December 31
1,320,810

 
169,579

 
1,449,445

 
187,110

Fair value of plan assets, January 1
861,778

 
154,186

 
752,285

 
140,764

Actual return on plan assets
172,822

 
28,700

 
103,941

 
18,206

Employer contributions
80,325

 
839

 
60,442

 
2,634

Benefits paid and expenses
(56,665
)
 
(7,434
)
 
(54,890
)
 
(7,418
)
Fair value of plan assets, December 31
1,058,260

 
176,291

 
861,778

 
154,186

Accrued benefit asset (liability), December 31
$
(262,550
)
 
$
6,712

 
$
(587,667
)
 
$
(32,924
)
Other assets
$

 
$
7,200

 
$

 
$

Other liabilities (short-term)
(388
)
 
(488
)
 
(386
)
 

Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans liability
(262,162
)
 

 
(587,281
)
 
(32,924
)
Accrued benefit asset (liability), December 31
$
(262,550
)
 
$
6,712

 
$
(587,667
)
 
$
(32,924
)
AOCI debit/(credit), January 1 (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)
$
623,588

 
$
17,432

 
$
488,556

 
$
27,390

Recognized during year – net recognized transition asset

 

 

 
9

Recognized during year – prior service credit
464

 
1,803

 
689

 
1,803

Recognized during year – net actuarial losses
(34,597
)
 
(1,544
)
 
(23,428
)
 
(1,455
)
Occurring during year – net actuarial losses (gains)
(293,482
)
 
(39,598
)
 
157,771

 
(10,315
)
AOCI debit/(credit) before cumulative impact of PUC D&Os, December 31
295,973

 
(21,907
)
 
623,588

 
17,432

Cumulative impact of PUC D&Os
(294,266
)
 
19,206

 
(621,310
)
 
(18,123
)
AOCI debit/(credit), December 31
$
1,707

 
$
(2,701
)
 
$
2,278

 
$
(691
)
Net actuarial loss (gain)
$
295,825

 
$
(6,001
)
 
$
623,904

 
$
35,141

Prior service cost (gain)
148

 
(15,906
)
 
(316
)
 
(17,709
)
AOCI debit/(credit) before cumulative impact of PUC D&Os, December 31
295,973

 
(21,907
)
 
623,588

 
17,432

Cumulative impact of PUC D&Os
(294,266
)
 
19,206

 
(621,310
)
 
(18,123
)
AOCI debit/(credit), December 31
1,707

 
(2,701
)
 
2,278

 
(691
)
Income taxes (benefits)
(664
)
 
1,050

 
(886
)
 
269

AOCI debit/(credit), net of taxes (benefits), December 31
$
1,043

 
$
(1,651
)
 
$
1,392

 
$
(422
)

The dates used to determine retirement benefit measurements for the defined benefit plans were December 31 of 2013, 2012 and 2011.
On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which included provisions related to the funding and administration of pension plans. This law does not affect the Company’s accounting for pension benefits; therefore, the net periodic benefit costs disclosed for the plans were not affected. The Company elected to apply MAP-21 for 2012, which improved the plans’ Adjusted Funding Target Attainment Percentage for funding and benefit distribution purposes and thereby reduced the 2012 minimum funding requirement and lifted the restrictions on accelerated distribution options (which restrictions were in effect April 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012) for HEI and the Utilities. MAP-21 caused the minimum required funding under ERISA to be less than the net periodic cost for 2013 and is expected to have the same effect in 2014; therefore, to satisfy the requirements of the Utilities pension and OPEB tracking mechanisms, the Utilities expect to contribute the net periodic cost in 2014.
The Pension Protection Act provides that if a pension plan’s funded status falls below certain levels, more conservative assumptions must be used to value obligations under the pension plan. The HEI Retirement Plan fell below these thresholds in 2011 and the minimum required contribution for 2012 incorporated the more conservative assumptions required. However, the HEI Retirement Plan met the threshold requirements in each of 2012 and 2013 so that the more conservative assumptions do not apply for either the 2013 or 2014 valuation of plan liabilities for purposes of calculating the minimum required contribution. Other factors could cause changes to the required contribution levels.
The Company and the Utilities have determined the market-related value of retirement benefit plan assets by calculating the difference between the expected return and the actual return on the fair value of the plan assets, then amortizing the difference over future years – 0% in the first year and 25% in each of years two through five – and finally adding or subtracting the unamortized differences for the past four years from fair value. The method includes a 15% range around the fair value of such assets (i.e., 85% to 115% of fair value). If the market-related value is outside the 15% range, then the amount outside the range will be recognized immediately in the calculation of annual NPBC.
A primary goal of the plans is to achieve long-term asset growth sufficient to pay future benefit obligations at a reasonable level of risk. The investment policy target for defined benefit pension and OPEB plans reflects the philosophy that long-term growth can best be achieved by prudent investments in equity securities while balancing overall fund volatility by an appropriate allocation to fixed income securities. In order to reduce the level of portfolio risk and volatility in returns, efforts have been made to diversify the plans’ investments by asset class, geographic region, market capitalization and investment style.
The weighted-average asset allocation of defined benefit retirement plans was as follows:
 
Pension benefits
 
Other benefits
 
 
 
 
 
Investment policy
 
 
 
 
 
Investment policy
December 31
2013

 
2012

 
Target

 
Range
 
2013

 
2012

 
Target

 
Range
Asset category
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Equity securities
73
%
 
69
%
 
70
%
 
65-75
 
74
%
 
70
%
 
70
%
 
65-75
Fixed income
27

 
31

 
30

 
25-35
 
26

 
30

 
30

 
25-35
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 

See Note 16 for additional disclosures about the fair value of the retirement benefit plans’ assets.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used in the accounting for the plans:
 
Pension benefits
 
Other benefits
December 31
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Benefit obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
5.09
%
 
4.13
%
 
5.19
%
 
5.03
%
 
4.07
%
 
4.90
%
Rate of compensation increase
3.5

 
3.5

 
3.5

 
NA   

 
NA   

 
NA   

Net periodic benefit cost (years ended)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
4.13

 
5.19

 
5.68

 
4.07

 
4.90

 
5.60

Expected return on plan assets
7.75

 
7.75

 
8.00

 
7.75

 
7.75

 
8.00

Rate of compensation increase
3.5

 
3.5

 
3.5

 
NA   

 
NA   

 
NA   

NA  Not applicable
The Company and the Utilities based their selection of an assumed discount rate for 2014 NPBC and December 31, 2013 disclosure on a cash flow matching analysis that utilized bond information provided by Bloomberg for all non-callable, high quality bonds (i.e., rated AA- or better) as of December 31, 2013. In selecting the expected rate of return on plan assets of 7.75% for 2014 NPBC, the Company and the Utilities considered economic forecasts for the types of investments held by the plans (primarily equity and fixed income investments), the Plans’ asset allocations, industry and corporate surveys and the past performance of the plans’ assets.
As of December 31, 2013, the assumed health care trend rates for 2014 and future years were as follows: medical, 7.5%, grading down to 5% for 2024 and thereafter; dental, 5%; and vision, 4%. As of December 31, 2012, the assumed health care trend rates for 2013 and future years were as follows: medical, 8.0%, grading down to 5% for 2019 and thereafter; dental, 5%; and vision, 4%. Medicare Advantage reimbursements are expected to phase out by 2016; therefore, post age 65 medical trends are adjusted to reflect anticipated increases above the ordinary medical trend rates. For post age 65, the medical trend is 4% higher than pre-65 for 2013 through 2014 and 3% higher in 2015.
The components of NPBC were as follows:
 
Pension benefits
 
Other benefits
(in thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
HEI consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
56,405

 
$
43,221

 
$
35,016

 
$
4,306

 
$
4,211

 
$
4,409

Interest cost
64,788

 
67,480

 
64,966

 
7,569

 
9,009

 
9,534

Expected return on plan assets
(72,537
)
 
(71,183
)
 
(68,901
)
 
(10,147
)
 
(10,336
)
 
(10,650
)
Amortization of net transition obligation

 
1

 
2

 

 

 

Amortization of net prior service gain
(97
)
 
(325
)
 
(389
)
 
(1,793
)
 
(1,793
)
 
(1,494
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
38,438

 
25,675

 
16,987

 
1,602

 
1,498

 
234

Net periodic benefit cost
86,997

 
64,869

 
47,681

 
1,537

 
2,589

 
2,033

Impact of PUC D&Os
(38,104
)
 
(15,754
)
 
(3,516
)
 
(1,458
)
 
(2,227
)
 
2,674

Net periodic benefit cost (adjusted for impact of PUC D&Os)
48,893

 
49,115

 
44,165

 
79

 
362

 
4,707

Hawaiian Electric consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
54,482

 
$
41,603

 
$
33,627

 
$
4,163

 
$
4,014

 
$
4,238

Interest cost
59,119

 
61,453

 
59,077

 
7,288

 
8,703

 
9,228

Expected return on plan assets
(64,551
)
 
(64,004
)
 
(61,615
)
 
(10,002
)
 
(10,195
)
 
(10,508
)
Amortization of net transition obligation

 

 

 

 
(9
)
 
(8
)
Amortization of net prior service gain
(464
)
 
(689
)
 
(747
)
 
(1,803
)
 
(1,803
)
 
(1,505
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
34,597

 
23,428

 
15,752

 
1,544

 
1,455

 
212

Net periodic benefit cost
83,183

 
61,791

 
46,094

 
1,190

 
2,165

 
1,657

Impact of PUC D&Os
(38,104
)
 
(15,754
)
 
(3,516
)
 
(1,458
)
 
(2,227
)
 
2,674

Net periodic benefit cost (adjusted for impact of PUC D&Os)
$
45,079

 
$
46,037

 
$
42,578

 
$
(268
)
 
$
(62
)
 
$
4,331


The estimated prior service credit, net actuarial loss and net transition obligation for defined benefit plans that will be amortized from AOCI or regulatory assets into net periodic benefit cost during 2014 is as follows:
 
HEI consolidated
 
Hawaiian Electric consolidated
(in millions)
Pension benefits
 
Other benefits
 
Pension benefits
 
Other benefits
Estimated prior service cost (credit)
$
0.1

 
$
(1.8
)
 
$
0.1

 
$
(1.8
)
Net actuarial loss
20.2

 

 
18.2

 

Net transition obligation

 

 

 


The Company recorded pension expense of $34 million, $35 million and $32 million and OPEB expense of $0.4 million, $1 million and $4 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and charged the remaining amounts primarily to electric utility plant. The Utilities recorded pension expense of $30 million, $32 million and $31 million and OPEB expense of nil, $0.4 million and $3 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and charged the remaining amounts primarily to electric utility plant.
The health care cost trend rate assumptions can have a significant effect on the amounts reported for other benefits. As of December 31, 2013, for the Company, a one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have increased the total service and interest cost by $0.3 million and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) by $4.5 million, and a one-percentage-point decrease would have reduced the total service and interest cost by $0.3 million and the APBO by $4.9 million. As of December 31, 2013, for the Utilities, a one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have increased the total service and interest cost by $0.3 million and the APBO by $4.5 million, and a one-percentage-point decrease would have reduced the total service and interest cost by $0.3 million and the APBO by $4.8 million.
HEI consolidated. The defined benefit pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations (ABOs), which do not consider projected pay increases (unlike the PBOs shown in the table above), in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, had aggregate ABOs of $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, and plan assets of $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. The defined benefit pension plans with PBOs in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2013, had aggregate PBOs of $1.4 billion and plan assets of $1.1 billion. As of December 31, 2012, all the defined benefit pension plans shown in the table above had PBOs in excess of plan assets. The other postretirement benefit plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2013 had aggregate ABOs of $0.4 million and plan assets of nil. As of December 31, 2012, all the other postretirement benefit plans shown in the table above had ABOs in excess of plan assets.
The Company estimates that the cash funding for the qualified defined benefit pension plans in 2014 will be $59 million, which should fully satisfy the minimum required contributions to those plans, including requirements of the Utilities’ pension tracking mechanisms and the Plan’s funding policy. The Company's current estimate of contributions to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2014 is de minimis.
As of December 31, 2013, the benefits expected to be paid under all retirement benefit plans in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 through 2023 amounted to $72 million, $75 million, $78 million, $81 million, $85 million and $483 million, respectively.
Hawaiian Electric consolidated. The defined benefit pension plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, had aggregate ABOs of $1.2 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, and plan assets of $1.1 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively. All the defined benefit pension plans shown in the table above had PBOs in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. As of December 31, 2013, the other postretirement benefit plan shown in the table above had plan assets in excess of ABO. As of December 31, 2012, the other postretirement benefit plan shown in the table above had an ABO in excess of plan assets.
The Utilities estimate that the cash funding for the qualified defined benefit pension plan in 2014 will be $58 million, which should fully satisfy the minimum required contributions to that Plan, including requirements of the pension tracking mechanisms and the Plan’s funding policy. The Utilities' current estimate of contributions to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2014 is nil.
As of December 31, 2013, the benefits expected to be paid under all retirement benefit plans in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 through 2023 amounted to $67 million, $69 million, $72 million, $75 million, $77 million and $441 million, respectively.
Defined contribution plans information.  The ASB 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan, which includes a discretionary employer profit sharing contribution by ASB (AmeriShare) and a matching contribution by ASB on the first 4% of employee deferrals (AmeriMatch).
Changes to retirement benefits for HEI and utility employees commencing employment after April 30, 2011 include a reduction of benefits provided through the defined benefit plan and the addition of a 50% match by the applicable employer on the first 6% of employee deferrals through the defined contribution plan (under the Hawaiian Electric Industries Retirement Savings Plan).
For 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s expense for its defined contribution pension plans under the HEIRSP and the ASB 401(k) Plan was $5 million, $4 million and $3 million, respectively, and cash contributions were $4 million for each year. The Utilities’ expense for its defined contribution pension plan under the HEIRSP Plan for 2013 was $0.6 million and for 2012 and 2011 was de minimis.