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Benefit Plans | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] |
Benefit Plans | Benefit Plans TVA sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers most of its full-time employees, a qualified defined contribution plan that covers most of its full-time employees, two unfunded post-retirement health care plans that provide for non-vested contributions toward the cost of eligible retirees' medical coverage, other postemployment benefits such as workers' compensation, and the SERP. Overview of Plans and Benefits Defined Benefit Pension Plan. TVA sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan for most of its full-time annual employees that provides two benefit structures: the Original Benefit Structure and the Cash Balance Benefit Structure. Eligible employees initially hired on or after January 1, 1996, must participate in the Cash Balance Benefit Structure. A summary of the benefits provided by each structure is as follows:
• | Original Benefit Structure. The pension benefit for a member participating in the Original Benefit Structure is based on the member’s creditable service, the member’s average monthly salary for the highest three consecutive years of base pay, and a pension factor based on the member’s age and years of service, less a Social Security offset.
• | Cash Balance Benefit Structure. The pension benefit for a member participating in the Cash Balance Benefit Structure is based on credits accumulated in the member’s account and the member’s age. A member’s account receives pay credits equal to six percent of his or her straight-time earnings. The account also receives interest credits at a rate set at the beginning of each calendar year equal to the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers ("CPI-U") plus three percent, with the provision that the rate may not be less than six percent or more than ten percent. The interest crediting rate was six percent for calendar years 2013 and 2012.
There are two investment funds within the defined benefit pension plan: the Fixed Benefit Fund and the Variable Fund. TVA's plan contributions are deposited in the Fixed Benefit Fund. Eligible employees are allowed to make voluntary contributions to either the Variable Fund, the Fixed Fund within the Fixed Benefit Fund, or both. Employee contributions are limited to $10,000 per year per eligible employee. The pension plan pays interest at the lesser of six percent or the actuarial assumed rate of return less 0.5 percent to employees in the Fixed Fund. Employee contributions in the Fixed Fund were credited an annual rate of interest of six percent during 2013 and 2012, resulting in credit amounts of $36 million and $38 million, respectively. Employee contributions to the Variable Fund are invested in an S&P 500 Stock Index Fund. The defined benefit pension plan is administered by a separate legal entity, Tennessee Valley Authority Retirement System ("TVARS"), which is governed by its own board of directors (the "TVARS Board"). Upon notification by the TVARS Board of the minimum required and recommended contributions, TVA determines the level of contribution to make to TVARS for the upcoming fiscal year. In 2009, changes were made to the cost of living adjustment ("COLA") provisions of the defined benefit pension plan. The eligibility for the COLA became age 60 for employees who retire on or after January 1, 2010. In addition, the COLA was subject to caps for calendar years 2010 to 2013. As a result, the COLA for eligible retirees for the four years beginning January 1, 2010 were as follows: •For CY 2010, the COLA was zero. •For CY 2011, the COLA was 1.15 percent. •For CY 2012, the COLA was zero. •For CY 2013, the COLA was 2.3 percent. In CY 2014, the COLA benefit of CPI-U, capped at 5.0 percent, is to be restored. Members of both the Original Benefit Structure and the Cash Balance Benefit Structure can also become eligible for a supplemental pension benefit based on age and years of service at retirement, which is designed to help offset the cost of retiree medical insurance. Defined Contribution Plan. TVARS also administers a qualified defined contribution 401(k) plan to which TVA makes matching contributions of 25 cents on the dollar (up to 1.5 percent of annual pay) for members participating in the Original Benefit Structure and 75 cents on the dollar (up to 4.5 percent of annual pay) for members participating in the Cash Balance Benefit Structure. TVA made matching contributions of approximately $34 million to the plan during 2013, $34 million during 2012, and $31 million during 2011. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. TVA has established a SERP for certain executives in critical positions to provide supplemental pension benefits tied to compensation that exceeds limits imposed by IRS rules applicable to the qualified defined benefit pension plan. TVA has historically funded the annual calculated expense. Other Post-Retirement Benefits. TVA sponsors two unfunded post-retirement benefit plans that provide for non-vested contributions toward the cost of certain eligible retirees’ medical coverage. The first plan covers only certain retirees and surviving dependents who do not qualify for TVARS benefits, including the supplemental pension benefit. The second plan is designed to place a limit on the out-of-pocket amount certain eligible retirees pay for medical coverage and provides a credit based on years of TVA service and monthly base pension amount, reduced by any TVARS supplemental pension benefits or any TVA contribution from the first plan, described above. Other Post-Employment Benefits. TVA employees injured in work-related incidents are covered by the workers’ compensation program for federal employees administered through the Department of Labor by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs in accordance with the provisions of FECA. FECA provides compensation and medical benefits to federal employees for permanent and temporary disability due to employment-related injury or disease. Accounting Mechanisms Regulatory Accounting. TVA has classified all amounts related to unrecognized prior service costs, net actuarial gains or losses, and the funded status as regulatory assets as such amounts are probable of collection in future rates. Cost Method. TVA uses the projected unit credit cost method to determine the service cost and the projected benefit obligation for retirement, termination, and ancillary benefits. Under this method, a “projected accrued benefit” is calculated at the beginning of the year and at the end of the year for each benefit that may be payable in the future. The “projected accrued benefit” is based on the plan’s accrual formula and upon service at the beginning or end of the year, but it uses final average compensation, social security benefits, and other relevant factors projected to the age at which the employee is assumed to leave active service. The projected benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of the “projected accrued benefits” at the beginning of the year for employed participants and is the actuarial present value of all benefits for other participants. The service cost is the actuarial present value of the difference between the “projected accrued benefits” at the beginning and end of the year. Amortization of Net Gain or Loss. TVA utilizes the corridor approach for gain/loss amortization. Differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results are deferred and amortized into periodic cost only when the accumulated differences exceed 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets. If necessary, the excess is amortized over the average remaining service period of active employees. Asset Method. TVA recognizes the impact of asset performance on pension expense over a three-year phase-in period through a “market-related” value of assets calculation. Since the “market-related” value of assets recognizes investment gains and losses over a three-year period, the future value of assets will be impacted as previously deferred gains or losses are recognized. The “market-related” value is used in calculating expected return on plan assets and net gain or loss for pension cost determination. Obligations and Funded Status The changes in plan obligations, assets, and funded status for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
Obligations and Funded Status For the year ended September 30
| Pension Benefits |  | Other Post-Retirement Benefits
| 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Change in benefit obligation |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 11,995 |  |  | $ | 11,255 |  |  | $ | 811 |  |  | $ | 800 |
Service cost | 154 |  |  | 139 |  |  | 24 |  |  | 19 |
Interest cost | 468 |  |  | 490 |  |  | 31 |  |  | 35 |
Plan participants’ contributions | 29 |  |  | 30 |  |  | 79 |  |  | 80 |
Amendments | 4 |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Actuarial loss (gain) | (549 | ) |  | 686 |  |  | (163 | ) |  | (2 | )
Net transfers from variable fund/401(k) plan | 4 |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Expenses paid | (6 | ) |  | (5 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Benefits paid | (628 | ) |  | (610 | ) |  | (126 | ) |  | (121 | )
Benefit obligation at end of year | 11,471 |  |  | 11,995 |  |  | 656 |  |  | 811 |
Change in plan assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of net plan assets at beginning of year | 7,029 |  |  | 6,546 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Actual return on plan assets | 787 |  |  | 1,053 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Plan participants’ contributions | 29 |  |  | 30 |  |  | 79 |  |  | 80 |
Net transfers from variable fund/401(k) plan | 4 |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Employer contributions | 6 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 47 |  |  | 41 |
Expenses paid | (6 | ) |  | (5 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Benefits paid | (628 | ) |  | (610 | ) |  | (126 | ) |  | (121 | )
Fair value of net plan assets at end of year | 7,221 |  |  | 7,029 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Funded status | $ | (4,250 | ) |  | $ | (4,966 | ) |  | $ | (656 | ) |  | $ | (811 | )
The pension actuarial gain above for 2013 primarily reflects the impact of the increase in the discount rate from 4.00 percent to 5.00 percent, which decreased the liability by approximately $1.4 billion. The actuarial gain is offset by the impact of including certain retiree benefits in the pension obligation which were not considered in prior periods, which increased the 2013 liability by $705 million. The pension actuarial loss for 2012 primarily reflects the impact of the reduction in the discount rate from 4.50 percent to 4.00 percent, which increased the liability by approximately $683 million. The other post-retirement actuarial gain for 2013 primarily reflects the impact of the increase in the discount rate from 4.00 percent to 5.05 percent, which decreased the liability by $93 million. Additional gains were due to demographic experience related to per capita costs, contributions, participation rates, and changes in plan provisions, which decreased the liability by $43 million. Changes in the adjustment of the impact of the excise tax assumption decreased the liability by $33 million. These decreases in the post-retirement liability were slightly offset by the change in the COLA and mortality assumptions. The other post-retirement actuarial gain for 2012 is primarily due to demographic experience related to per capita costs, contributions, and a slight reduction in the participation rate from 90 percent to 85 percent. These gains were offset by the increase in the health care cost trend rate from 8.00 percent to 8.50 percent and the reduction of the discount rate from 4.50 percent to 4.00 percent, which increased the post-retirement obligation by $46 million and $49 million, respectively. The accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation increased by $11 million from 2011 to 2012. Amounts related to these benefit plans recognized on TVA's consolidated balance sheets consist of regulatory assets that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost at September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the funded status of TVA’s benefit plans, which are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations:
Amounts Recognized on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets At September 30
| Pension Benefits |  | Other Post-Retirement Benefits
| 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Regulatory assets | $ | 3,910 |  |  | $ | 5,168 |  |  | $ | 166 |  |  | $ | 349 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (5 | ) |  | (5 | ) |  | (39 | ) |  | (37 | )
Pension and post-retirement benefit obligations(1) | (4,245 | ) |  | (4,961 | ) |  | (617 | ) |  | (774 | )
Note (1) Table above excludes $486 million and $544 million of post-employment benefit costs that are recorded in Post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Unrecognized amounts included in regulatory assets yet to be recognized as components of accrued benefit cost at September 30 consisted of:
Postretirement Benefit Costs Deferred as Regulatory Assets At September 30
| Pension Benefits |  | Other Post-Retirement Benefits
| 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit) | $ | (203 | ) |  | $ | (229 | ) |  | $ | (45 | ) |  | $ | (51 | )
Unrecognized net loss | 4,113 |  |  | 5,397 |  |  | 211 |  |  | 400 |
Total regulatory assets | $ | 3,910 |  |  | $ | 5,168 |  |  | $ | 166 |  |  | $ | 349 |
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan at September 30, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:
Projected Benefit Obligations and Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets At September 30
| 2013 |  | 2012
Projected benefit obligation | $ | 11,471 |  |  | $ | 11,955 |
Accumulated benefit obligation | 11,216 |  |  | 11,680 |
Fair value of net plan assets | 7,221 |  |  | 7,029 |
The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized as changes in regulatory assets for the years ended September 30, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For the years ended September 30
| Pension Benefits |  | Other Post-Retirement Benefits
| 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2011
Service cost | $ | 154 |  |  | $ | 139 |  |  | $ | 120 |  |  | $ | 24 |  |  | $ | 19 |  |  | $ | 13 |
Interest cost | 468 |  |  | 490 |  |  | 502 |  |  | 31 |  |  | 35 |  |  | 32 |
Expected return on plan assets | (428 | ) |  | (437 | ) |  | (488 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of prior service cost | (22 | ) |  | (23 | ) |  | (23 | ) |  | (6 | ) |  | (6 | ) |  | (6 | )
Recognized net actuarial loss | 377 |  |  | 361 |  |  | 282 |  |  | 25 |  |  | 29 |  |  | 22 |
Net periodic benefit cost as actuarially determined | 549 |  |  | 530 |  |  | 393 |  |  | 74 |  |  | 77 |  |  | 61 |
Amount charged (capitalized) due to actions of regulator | — |  |  | — |  |  | 11 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total net periodic benefit cost recognized | $ | 549 |  |  | $ | 530 |  |  | $ | 404 |  |  | $ | 74 |  |  | $ | 77 |  |  | $ | 61 |
The amounts in the regulatory asset that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during the next fiscal year are as follows:
Expected Amortization of Regulatory Assets in 2014 At September 30, 2013
| Pension Benefits |  | Other Post-Retirement Benefits |  | Total
Prior service cost (credit) | $ | (21 | ) |  | $ | (6 | ) |  | $ | (27 | )
Net actuarial loss | 278 |  |  | 11 |  |  | 289 |
Plan Assumptions TVA’s reported costs of providing the plan benefits are impacted by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various assumptions, the most significant of which are noted below.
Actuarial Assumptions At September 30
| Pension Benefits |  | Other Post-Retirement Benefits
| 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Assumptions utilized to determine benefit obligations at September 30 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 5.00 | % |  | 4.00 | % |  | 5.05 | % |  | 4.00 | %
Rate of compensation increase | 5.72 | % |  | 4.44 | % |  | N/A |  |  | N/A |
Initial health care cost trend rate | N/A |  |  | N/A |  |  | 8.00 | % |  | 8.50 | %
Ultimate health care cost trend rate | N/A |  |  | N/A |  |  | 5.00 | % |  | 5.00 | %
Ultimate trend rate is reached in year beginning | N/A |  |  | N/A |  |  | 2019 |  |  | 2019 |
Assumptions utilized to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended September 30 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 4.00 | % |  | 4.50 | % |  | 4.00 | % |  | 4.50 | %
Expected return on plan assets | 7.25 | % |  | 7.25 | % |  | N/A |  |  | N/A |
Rate of compensation increase | 4.44 | % |  | 4.43 | % |  | N/A |  |  | N/A |
Initial health care cost trend rate | N/A |  |  | N/A |  |  | 8.50 | % |  | 8.00 | %
Ultimate health care cost trend rate | N/A |  |  | N/A |  |  | 5.00 | % |  | 5.00 | %
Ultimate trend rate is reached in year beginning | N/A |  |  | N/A |  |  | 2019 |  |  | 2017 |
Discount Rate. In selecting the assumed discount rate, TVA reviews market yields on high-quality corporate debt and long-term obligations of the U.S. Treasury and endeavors to match, through the use of a hypothetical bond portfolio, instrument maturities with the maturities of its pension obligations in accordance with the prevailing accounting standards. The selected bond portfolio is derived from a universe of high quality corporate bonds of Aa-rated quality or higher. After the bond portfolio is selected, a single interest rate is determined that equates the present value of the plan's projected benefit payments discounted at this rate with the market value of the bonds selected. Based on recent market trends, TVA increased its discount rate used to determine the pension benefit obligation and other post-retirement obligation from 4.00 percent at the end of 2012 for both obligations to 5.00 percent and 5.05 percent, respectively, at the end of 2013. TVA had decreased its discount rate from 4.50 percent at the end of 2011 to 4.00 percent at the end of 2012 for both pension and other post-retirement obligations. The discount rate assumptions used to determine the obligations at year-end are used to determine the net periodic benefit costs for the following year. Rate of Return. In determining its expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, TVA uses a process that incorporates actual historical asset class returns and an assessment of expected future performance and takes into consideration external actuarial advice and asset class factors. Changes in the expected return rates are generally based on annual studies performed by third party professional investment consultants. Based on the results from annual studies for 2013, 2012, and 2011, TVA adjusted the expected return on plan assets rate used to develop the net periodic pension benefit cost for 2013, 2012, and 2011 to 7.25 percent, 7.25 percent, and 7.50 percent, respectively. Asset allocations are periodically updated using the pension plan asset/liability studies, and are part of the determination of the estimates of long-term rates of return. The expected rate of return had been reduced in 2011 based upon the annual study performed and a change of investment allocation policies. Investment allocation changes in 2010 shifted a portion of equities to fixed income, and in September 2011, the TVARS Board approved a long-term investment plan which contains a dynamic de-risking strategy that allocates investments to assets that better match the liability, such as long duration fixed-income securities over time as funding status targets are met. In September 2013, the TVARS Board approved a new initial asset allocation policy that includes additional asset class diversification and maintains the long-term expected return of 7.25 percent (see Plan Investments below). The actual rate of return for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were 11.69 percent and 16.81 percent, respectively. Compensation Increases. Assumptions related to compensation increases are based on the results obtained from an actual company experience study performed during the most recent five years for plan participants. TVA obtained an updated study in 2013 and determined that future compensation would likely increase at rates between 3.50 percent and 13.00 percent per year, depending upon the employee's age. Based upon the current active participants, the average assumed compensation increase used to determine benefit obligations for 2013 and 2012 was 5.72 percent and 4.44 percent, respectively. Mortality. Mortality assumptions are based on the results obtained from a recent actual company experience study performed which included retirees as well as other plan participants. TVA obtained an updated study in 2013, determining an improvement in TVA's mortality experience. Accordingly, TVA adjusted the projection period for the RP-2000 Mortality Tables for males and females projected to 2022 using scale AA at September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the projection period for the RP 2000 Mortality Tables for males and females was projected to 2013 using scale AA. Health Care Cost Trends. TVA reviews actual recent cost trends and projected future trends in establishing health care cost trend rates. As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the medical care trend rates used to determine the post-retirement benefit obligations were 8.00 percent and 8.50 percent, respectively. TVA increased the rate in 2012 based upon exhibited annual increases in costs per covered life due primarily to changes in inflation, utilization, and recent healthcare regulations. The rate is assumed to gradually decrease each successive year until it reaches a 5.00 percent annual increase in health care costs in the year beginning October 1, 2019, and beyond. The assumed health care cost trend rate used to determine the post-retirement net periodic benefit cost was 8.50 percent for 2013, 8.00 percent for 2012, and 8.00 percent for 2011. Cost of Living Adjustment. COLAs are an increase in the benefits for eligible retirees to help maintain the purchasing power of benefits as consumer prices increase. Eligible retirees may receive a COLA in January following any year in which the 12-month average CPI-U exceeded by as much as one percent the 12-month average of the CPI-U for the preceding year on the base pension portion of the monthly pension benefit. The minimum COLA is one percent and the maximum is five percent. The COLA was temporarily reduced for a four-year period beginning January 1, 2010 for current retirees, and the eligibility for the COLA was changed to age 60 from attained age 55 for employees retiring on or after January 1, 2010. The COLA assumption has been 2.50 percent since 2009; however, due to the Federal Reserve System’s long-term monetary policy and the market-based measure of inflation expectations that inflation will remain below two percent into 2015, TVA adjusted the COLA assumption at September 30, 2013 to 1.6 percent with an assumed gradual increase each successive year until it reaches 2.5 percent in 2019. Sensitivity of Costs to Changes in Assumptions. The following chart reflects the sensitivity of pension cost to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:
Sensitivity to Certain Changes in Pension Assumptions At September 30, 2013
Actuarial Assumption |  | Change in Assumption |  | Impact on 2013 Pension Cost |  | Impact on 2013 Projected Benefit Obligation
Discount rate |  | (0.25 | ) |  | $ | 20 |  |  | $ | 335 |
Rate of return on plan assets |  | (0.25 | ) |  | 15 |  |  | N/A |
Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant and excludes any impact for unamortized actuarial gains or losses. The following chart reflects the sensitivity of post-retirement benefit cost to changes in the health care trend rate:
Sensitivity to Changes in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates At September 30, 2013
| 1% Increase |  | 1% Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest cost components for the year | $ | 8 |  |  | $ | (8 | )
Effect on end-of-year accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation | 87 |  |  | (89 | )
Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant and excludes any impact for unamortized actuarial gains or losses. Plan Investments The qualified defined benefit pension plan (the "Plan"), which includes the Original Benefit Structure and the Cash Balance Benefit Structure, is the only plan that includes qualified plan assets. TVARS has a long-term investment plan which contains a dynamic de-risking strategy that allocates investments to assets that better match the liability, such as long duration fixed income securities, over time as funding status targets are met. In September 2013, the TVARS Board approved a new initial asset allocation policy. The approved investment allocation policy has targets of 47 percent equity including U.S., non-U.S., private, and low volatility global public equity investments, 28 percent fixed income securities, 15 percent public real assets including Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities ("TIPS"), commodities, and Master Limited Partnerships ("MLPs"), and 10 percent private real assets. The qualified pension plan assets are invested across global public equity, private equity, cash, core fixed income, long-term core fixed income, investment grade credit, high yield fixed income, global TIPS, MLPs, and private real assets. The TVARS asset allocation policy includes permissible deviations from these target allocations. The TVARS Board can take action, as appropriate, to rebalance the system’s assets consistent with the asset allocation policy. At September 30, 2013 and 2012, the asset holdings of the system included the following:
Asset Holdings of TVARS At September 30
|  |  |  | Plan Assets at September 30
Asset Category |  | Target Allocation |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Global equity |  | 32 | % |  | 48 | % |  | 47 | %
Private equity |  | 10 | % |  | 6 | % |  | 6 | %
Low volatility global public equity |  | 5 | % |  | — | % |  | — | %
Cash |  | 2 | % |  | 2 | % |  | 1 | %
Core fixed income |  | 5 | % |  | 5 | % |  | 8 | %
Long-term core fixed income |  | 5 | % |  | 4 | % |  | 4 | %
Investment grade credit |  | 6 | % |  | 6 | % |  | 9 | %
International emerging markets fixed income |  | 5 | % |  | — | % |  | — | %
High yield fixed income |  | 5 | % |  | 10 | % |  | 10 | %
Global TIPS |  | 5 | % |  | 7 | % |  | 9 | %
Private real assets |  | 10 | % |  | 7 | % |  | 6 | %
Commodities |  | 5 | % |  | — | % |  | — | %
MLPs |  | 5 | % |  | 5 | % |  | — | %
Total |  | 100 | % |  | 100 | % |  | 100 | %
Fair Value Measurements The following table provides the fair value measurement amounts for assets held by TVARS at September 30, 2013:
TVA Retirement System At September 30, 2013
| Total(1) (2) |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity securities | $ | 1,689 |  |  | $ | 1,686 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3 |
Preferred securities | 22 |  |  | 17 |  |  | — |  |  | 5 |
Debt securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Corporate debt securities | 1,352 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,334 |  |  | 18 |
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 355 |  |  | — |  |  | 352 |  |  | 3 |
Debt securities issued by U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agencies | 113 |  |  | 113 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Debt securities issued by foreign governments | 31 |  |  | — |  |  | 30 |  |  | 1 |
Asset-backed securities | 120 |  |  | — |  |  | 110 |  |  | 10 |
Debt securities issued by state/local governments | 36 |  |  | — |  |  | 36 |  |  | — |
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 21 |  |  | — |  |  | 18 |  |  | 3 |
Commingled Funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity | 1,182 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,182 |  |  | — |
Debt | 786 |  |  | — |  |  | 786 |  |  | — |
Blended | 263 |  |  | — |  |  | 263 |  |  | — |
Institutional mutual funds | 26 |  |  | 26 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments | 395 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 394 |  |  | — |
Private equity funds | 528 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 528 |
Private real estate funds | 382 |  |  | — |  |  | 297 |  |  | 85 |
Treasury bills, U.S. Government notes, and securities held as futures and other derivative collateral | 39 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 31 |  |  | — |
Securities lending commingled funds | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |
Derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward receivable | 594 |  |  | — |  |  | 594 |  |  | — |
Purchased options | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |
Interest rate swaps | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |
Futures | 4 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  |
Total Assets | $ | 7,951 |  |  | $ | 1,855 |  |  | $ | 5,440 |  |  | $ | 656 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward payable | $ | 594 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 594 |  |  | $ | — |
Credit default swaps | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Written option obligations | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Total Liabilities | $ | 596 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 596 |  |  | $ | — |
Notes (1) Excludes approximately $131 million in net payables associated with security purchases and sales and various other payables. (2) Excludes a $3 million payable for collateral on loaned securities in connection with TVARS’s participation in securities lending programs. The following table provides the fair value measurement amounts for assets held by TVARS at September 30, 2012:
TVA Retirement System At September 30, 2012
| Total(1) (2) |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity securities | $ | 1,294 |  |  | $ | 1,293 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1 |
Preferred securities | 26 |  |  | 18 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 5 |
Debt securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Corporate debt securities | 1,601 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,589 |  |  | 12 |
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 390 |  |  | — |  |  | 386 |  |  | 4 |
Debt securities issued by U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agencies | 184 |  |  | 182 |  |  | 2 |  |  | — |
Debt securities issued by foreign governments | 46 |  |  | — |  |  | 43 |  |  | 3 |
Asset-backed securities | 109 |  |  | — |  |  | 95 |  |  | 14 |
Debt securities issued by state/local governments | 46 |  |  | — |  |  | 41 |  |  | 5 |
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 28 |  |  | — |  |  | 28 |  |  | — |
Commingled Funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity | 1,129 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,129 |  |  | — |
Debt | 802 |  |  | — |  |  | 802 |  |  | — |
Blended | 275 |  |  | — |  |  | 275 |  |  | — |
Institutional mutual funds | 32 |  |  | 32 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments | 311 |  |  | — |  |  | 311 |  |  | — |
Private equity funds | 519 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 519 |
Private real estate funds | 340 |  |  | — |  |  | 270 |  |  | 70 |
Treasury bills, U.S. Government notes, and securities held as futures and other derivative collateral | 37 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 32 |  |  | — |
Securities lending commingled funds | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |
Derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward receivable | 487 |  |  | — |  |  | 487 |  |  | — |
Purchased options | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |
Total Assets | $ | 7,666 |  |  | $ | 1,530 |  |  | $ | 5,503 |  |  | $ | 633 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward payable | $ | 488 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 488 |  |  | $ | — |
Futures | 3 |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Credit default swaps | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Written option obligations | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Total Liabilities | $ | 493 |  |  | $ | 3 |  |  | $ | 490 |  |  | $ | — |
Notes (1) Excludes approximately $141 million in net payables associated with security purchases and sales and various other payables. (2) Excludes a $3 million payable for collateral on loaned securities in connection with TVARS’s participation in securities lending programs. The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis where the determination of fair value includes significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs For the years ended September 30
| Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Balance at October 1, 2011 | $ | 813 |
Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) | 85 |
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net) | (17 | )
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3(1) | (248 | )
Balance at September 30, 2012 | 633 |
Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) | 45 |
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net) | (21 | )
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | (1 | )
Balance at September 30, 2013 | $ | 656 |
Note (1) Transfers in and out of Level 3 in 2012 were primarily due to a change in TVA's policy to classify investments with redemption restriction periods of three months or less as Level 2 and investments with more restrictive redemption terms as Level 3. The following descriptions of the valuation methods and assumptions used by the Plan to estimate the fair value of investments apply to investments held directly by the Plan. Third-party pricing vendors provide valuations for investments held by the Plan in most instances. In instances where pricing is determined to be based on unobservable inputs, a Level 3 classification has been assigned. Vendor-provided prices for the Plan’s investments are subjected to automated tolerance checks by the trustee to identify and avoid, where possible, the use of inaccurate prices. Any questionable prices identified are reported to the vendor that provided the price. If the prices are validated, the primary pricing source is used. If not, a secondary source price that has passed the applicable tolerance check is used (or queried with the vendor if it is out of tolerance), resulting in either the use of a secondary price, where validated, or the last reported default price, as in the case of a missing price. For monthly valued accounts, where secondary price sources are available, an automated inter-source tolerance report identifies prices with an inter-vendor pricing variance of over two percent at an asset class level. For daily valued accounts, each security is assigned, where possible, an indicative major market index, against which daily price movements are automatically compared. Tolerance thresholds are established by asset class. Prices found to be outside of the applicable tolerance threshold are reported and queried with vendors as described above. Equities. Investment securities, including common stock, mutual funds, and MLPs, listed on either a national or foreign securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter National Market System, are generally valued each business day at the official closing price (typically the last reported sale price) on the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. If there are no current day sales, the securities are valued at their last quoted bid price. Equities priced by an exchange in an active market are classified as Level 1. Preferred Securities. Preferred securities are valued at their quoted market price (Level 1 inputs). Most preferred securities classified as Level 2 have been priced by dealer quote. Others may have been evaluated using theoretical assumptions based on observable market data, such as yields on bonds from the same issuer or industry. Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate bonds are valued based upon recent bid prices or the average of recent bid and asked prices when available (Level 2 inputs) and, if not available, they are valued through matrix pricing models developed by sources considered by management to be reliable. Matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique commonly used to price debt securities that are not actively traded, values debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities. Residential mortgage-backed securities consist of collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and U.S. pass-through security pools related to government-sponsored enterprises ("GSE"). CMO pricing is typically based on either a volatility-driven, multidimensional, single-cash-flow stream model or an option-adjusted spread model. These models incorporate available market data such as trade information, dealer quotes, market color, spreads, bids, and offers. Pricing for GSE securities, including the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and the Government National Mortgage Association, is typically based on quotes from the To Be Announced ("TBA") market, which is highly liquid with multiple electronic platforms that facilitate the execution of trading between investors and broker/dealers. Prices from the TBA market are then compared against other live data feeds as well as input obtained directly from the dealer community. A tolerance check, adjusted dynamically in response to market conditions, is applied to check for consistency across the trading platforms and dealer quotes. If discrepancies are identified, the data is reviewed to resolve the differences and determine an appropriate evaluation. Residential mortgage-backed securities are considered to be priced using Level 2 inputs because of the nature of their market-data-based pricing models. U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities. For U.S. Treasury securities, fair values reflect the closing price reported in the active market in which the security is traded (Level 1 inputs). Agency securities are typically priced using evaluated pricing applications and models incorporating U.S. Treasury yield curves. Agency securities are classified as Level 2 because of the nature of their market-data-based pricing models. Debt Securities Issued by Foreign Governments. These include foreign government bonds and foreign government inflation-linked securities. They are typically priced based on proprietary discounted cash flow models, incorporating option-adjusted spread features as appropriate. Debt securities issued by foreign governments are classified as Level 2 because of the nature of their market-data-based pricing models. Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are typically priced based on a single cash-flow stream model, which incorporates available market data such as trade information, dealer quotes, market color, spreads, bids, and offers. Because of the market-data-based nature of such pricing models, asset-backed securities are classified as Level 2. Debt Securities Issued by State and Local Governments. Debt securities issued by state and local governments are typically priced using market-data-based pricing models, and are therefore classified as Level 2. These pricing models incorporate market data such as quotes, trading levels, spread relationships, and yield curves, as applicable. Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities. Commercial mortgage-backed securities are typically priced based on a single-cash-flow stream model, which incorporates available market data such as trade information, dealer quotes, market color, spreads, bids, and offers. Because of the market-data-based nature of such pricing models, commercial mortgage-backed securities are classified as Level 2. Private Equity Funds. Private equity limited partnerships and other similar alternative investments are reported at fair value, which is derived by independent appraisals or investment management judgment. The inputs used by the General Partners in estimating the fair value of the limited partnerships include the original transaction prices, recent transactions in the same or similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investments or comparable issues, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations, and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt capital markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows. These investments may also be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with the amount of such discounts estimated by the General Partners in the absence of market information. Due to the lack of observable inputs, the determination of the fair value by the General Partners may differ materially from the value ultimately realized by the Partnership. The private equity managers recognize realized gains or losses when they receive income or dispose of an investment. The net realized capital gains or losses, which include management fees and fund expenses, are allocated to the partners in proportion to their commitments. The fair values of the private equity funds are estimated utilizing the net asset values provided by the fund managers and are classified as Level 3. The private equity limited partnerships typically make longer-term investments in private companies and seek to obtain financial returns through long-term appreciation based on corporate stewardship, improved operating processes, and financial restructuring, which may involve a merger or acquisition. Significant investment strategies include venture capital; buyout; mezzanine, or subordinated, debt; restructuring, or distressed, debt; and special situations. Venture capital partnerships consist of two main groupings. Early-stage venture capital partnerships invest in businesses still in the conceptual stage where products may not be fully developed and where revenues and/or profits may be several years away. Later-stage venture capital partnerships invest in more mature companies in need of growth or expansion capital. Buyout partnerships provide the equity capital for acquisition transactions either from a private seller or the public, which may represent the purchase of the entire company or a refinancing or recapitalization transaction where equity is invested. Mezzanine or subordinated debt partnerships provide the intermediate capital between equity and senior debt in a buyout or refinancing transaction and typically own a security in the company that carries current interest payments as well as a potential equity interest in the company. Restructuring or distressed debt partnerships purchase opportunities generated by overleveraged or poorly managed companies. Special situation partnerships include organizations with a specific industry focus not covered by the other private equity subclasses or unique opportunities that fall outside the regular subclasses. The private equity funds have no investment withdrawal provisions prior to the termination of the partnerships. Partnerships generally continue 10 to 12 years after the inception of the fund. The partnerships are subject to three to four one-year extensions at the discretion of the General Partner. Partnerships can generally be dissolved by an 80 percent vote in interest by all limited partners, with some funds requiring the occurrence of a specific event. Private Real Estate Investments. The Plan’s ownership in private real estate investments consists of a pro rata share and not a direct ownership of the underlying investments. The fair values of the Plan’s private real estate investments are estimated utilizing net asset values provided by the investment managers. The methodologies utilized by the investment managers to calculate their net asset values are summarized as follows: The Plan is invested in limited partnerships that invest in real estate securities, real estate partnerships, and direct real estate properties. This includes investments in office, multifamily, industrial, and retail investment properties in the U.S. and international markets. The investment strategy focuses on distressed, opportunistic, and value-added opportunities. Partnership investments also include mortgage and/or real estate-related fixed-income instruments and related securities. Investments are diversified by property type and geographic location. The Plan is invested in a commingled fund that develops, renovates, and re-leases real estate properties to create value. Investments are predominantly in top tier real estate markets that offer deep liquidity. Property types include residential, office, industrial, hotel, retail, and land. Properties are diversified by geographic region within the U.S. domestic market. The Plan is invested in a second commingled fund that invests primarily in core, well-leased, operating real estate properties with a focus on income generation. Investments are diversified by property type with a focus on office, industrial, apartment, and retail. Properties are diversified within the U.S. with an overweight to major market and coastal regions. Fair value estimates of the underlying investments in these limited partnerships and commingled fund investments are primarily based upon property appraisal reports prepared by independent real estate appraisers within a reasonable amount of time following acquisition of the real estate and no less frequently than annually thereafter. The appraisals are based on one or a combination of three methodologies: cost of reproduction analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, and sales comparison analysis. Pricing for certain investments in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities is typically based on models that incorporate observable inputs. The Plan is invested in a private real estate investment trust formed to make direct or indirect investments in commercial timberland properties. Pricing for these types of investments is based on comprehensive appraisals that are conducted shortly after initial purchase of properties and at three-year intervals thereafter. All appraisals are conducted by third-party timberland appraisal firms. Appraisals are based on either a sales comparison analysis or a discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value hierarchy level classifications for the Plan’s real estate investments are determined based on redemption terms. Investments which cannot be redeemed at the measurement date, but which can be redeemed at a future date, are evaluated based on the length of time until the investment will become redeemable in determining whether the investment should be reported in either Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Generally, investments which allow redemptions quarterly or more frequently are classified as Level 2, and investments with more restrictive redemption terms are classified as Level 3. Derivatives. The Plan invests in a variety of derivative instruments. The valuation methodologies for these instruments are as follows: Futures. The Plan enters into futures. The futures contracts are listed on either a national or foreign securities exchange and generally valued each business day at the official closing price (typically the last reported sales price) on the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. The pricing is performed by third-party vendors. Since futures are priced by an exchange in an active market, they are classified as Level 1. Options. The Plan enters into purchased and written options. Options that are listed on either a national or foreign securities exchange are generally valued each business day at the official closing price (typically the last reported sales price) on the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. These options are classified as Level 1. Options traded over the counter and not on exchanges are priced by third-party vendors and are classified as Level 2. Swaps. The Plan enters into various types of swaps. Credit default swaps are priced at market using models that consider cash flows, credit curves, recovery rates, and other factors. The pricing is performed by third-party vendors. Interest rate swap contracts are priced at market using forward rates derived from the swap curve, and the pricing is also performed by third-party vendors. Other swaps such as equity index swaps and variance swaps are priced by third-party vendors using market inputs such as spot rates, yield curves, and volatility. The Plan’s swaps are generally classified as Level 2 based on the observable nature of their pricing inputs. Foreign Currency Forwards. The Plan enters into foreign currency forwards. All commitments are marked to market daily at the applicable translation rates, and any resulting unrealized gains or losses are recorded. Foreign currency forwards are priced by third-party vendors and are classified as Level 2. Commingled Funds. The Plan invests in commingled funds, which include collective trusts, unit investment trusts, and similar investment funds that predominantly hold debt and/or equity securities as underlying assets. The Plan’s ownership consists of a pro rata share and not a direct ownership of an underlying investment. These commingled funds are valued at their closing net asset values (or unit value) per share as reported by the managers of the commingled funds and as supported by the unit prices of actual purchases and sale transactions occurring as of or close to the financial statement date (Level 2 inputs). The Plan is invested in actively managed debt commingled funds. The actively managed equity funds seek to outperform certain equity benchmarks through a combination of fundamental and technical analysis. Active funds select portfolio positions based upon their research. The Plan is invested in commingled funds, which invest across multiple asset classes that can be categorized as blended. These funds seek to outperform a passive benchmark through active security selection. The funds invest in securities across equity, fixed income, currency, and commodities. The portfolios employ fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis. The Plan’s investments in equity, debt, and blended commingled funds can generally be redeemed at any time upon notification of the investment managers, with required notice periods varying from same-day to monthly. These investments do not have unfunded commitments. Institutional Mutual Funds. Participation units of institutional mutual funds are stated at their quoted redemption values as reported by the investment managers based on their net asset values, which reflect the fair values of the underlying investments. These funds are traded at published net asset values in an active market (Level 1 inputs). Cash Equivalents and Other Short-Term Investments. Cash equivalents and other short-term investments represent securities with maturities of less than twelve months. Cash equivalents are highly liquid securities and consists of certificates of deposit and commercial paper. The carrying amounts of these instruments approximate their fair values and each are considered a Level 1 valuation classification. Other short-term investments consists of U.S. Treasury securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, and asset-backed securities. U.S. Treasury securities are valued using the closing price reported in the active market in which the security is traded and is considered a Level 1 valuation classification. Residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are typically valued with pricing models using observable market data such as trade information, dealer quotes, market color, spreads, bids, and offers. Accordingly, these securities are considered Level 2 classifications. Corporate bonds are valued based upon recent bid prices or the average of recent bid and asked prices, or are valued through matrix pricing models using market information for similar benchmark quoted securities, and are also considered Level 2 classifications. The valuation methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. Cash Flows Estimated Future Benefit Payments. The following table sets forth the estimated future benefit payments under the benefit plans.
Estimated Future Benefits Payments At September 30, 2013
| Pension Benefits |  | Other Post-Retirement Benefits
2014 | $ | 720 |  |  | $ | 40 |
2015 | 719 |  |  | 42 |
2016 | 727 |  |  | 43 |
2017 | 731 |  |  | 44 |
2018 | 736 |  |  | 45 |
2019 - 2023 | 3,773 |  |  | 210 |
Contributions. In 2013, TVA made contributions of $6 million to the SERP and $47 million to the other post-retirement benefit plans. TVA expects to contribute $6 million to the SERP and $40 million to the other post-retirement benefit plans in 2014. In 2009, TVA entered into an agreement with TVARS resulting in TVA contributing $1.0 billion for 2010 and as an advance on contributions for 2011 through 2013. In 2011, TVA made an additional discretionary contribution to TVARS. TVA plans to contribute $250 million to the defined pension plan in 2014. Other Post-Employment Benefits Post-employment benefit cost estimates are revised to properly reflect changes in actuarial assumptions made at the end of each year. TVA utilizes a discount rate determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturities corresponding to calculated average durations of TVA’s future estimated post-employment claims payments. The use of a 2.64 percent discount rate resulted in the recognition of approximately $(8) million in expenses in 2013 and an unpaid benefit obligation of about $535 million at September 30, 2013. The 2013 current portion of the obligation is $49 million and is recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The 2013 long-term portion of $486 million is recorded in Post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations. TVA utilized discount rates of 1.65 percent and 1.92 percent in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The use of these discount rates resulted in expense and unpaid benefit obligations of $52 million and $597 million, respectively, for 2012 and expense and unpaid benefit obligations of $81 million and $596 million, respectively, for 2011. The 2012 current portion of the obligation is $53 million and is recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The 2012 long-term portion of $544 million is recorded in Post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations. The amounts in the current portion of the obligation represent the total unpaid losses and administrative fees for each year that are due one month following TVA’s fiscal year end. The decrease in the unpaid benefit obligation and expense from 2012 to 2013 is due primarily to the increase in the discount rate from 1.65 percent in 2012 to 2.64 percent in 2013 resulting in a decrease of $45 million. Decreases in loss experiences and other changes in demographic experiences also decreased the unpaid benefit obligation and expense to a lesser degree. While the 2012 discount rate increased the expense for 2012, the overall expense decreased for 2012 in comparison to 2011. The decrease in expense is primarily due to the improvement in TVA's loss experience and the 2012 discount rate dropping only 27 basis points in comparison to the 2011 discount rate dropping 61 basis points from the 2010 discount rate.

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