v3.26.1
Retirement Plan and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Retirement Plan and Other Post-Retirement Benefits Retirement Plan and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 
    Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (in thousands):
 
 Retirement PlanOther Post-Retirement Benefits
Three Months Ended March 31,2026202520262025
Service Cost$861 $1,023 $105 $130 
Interest Cost8,944 9,223 3,836 3,625 
Expected Return on Plan Assets(14,710)(14,647)(7,374)(6,536)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)63 76 (65)(107)
Amortization of (Gains) Losses2,421 1,620 152 9 
Net Amortization and Deferral for Regulatory Purposes (Including Volumetric Adjustments) (1)
(2,879)(2,946)(3,560)(4,158)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)$(5,300)$(5,651)$(6,906)$(7,037)
 Retirement PlanOther Post-Retirement Benefits
Six Months Ended March 31,2026202520262025
Service Cost$1,723 $2,046 $210 $259 
Interest Cost17,889 18,446 7,672 7,251 
Expected Return on Plan Assets(29,421)(29,293)(14,748)(13,072)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)126 151 (130)(214)
Amortization of (Gains) Losses4,841 3,240 304 18 
Net Amortization and Deferral for Regulatory Purposes (Including Volumetric Adjustments) (1)
(2,977)(3,111)(3,709)(4,885)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)$(7,819)$(8,521)$(10,401)$(10,643)
(1)The Company’s policy is to record retirement plan and other post-retirement benefit costs in the Utility segment on a volumetric basis to reflect the fact that the Utility segment experiences higher throughput of natural gas in the winter months and lower throughput of natural gas in the summer months.
 
    The components of net periodic benefit cost other than service cost are presented in Other Income (Deductions) on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Employer Contributions.    The Company did not make any contributions to its tax-qualified, noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan (Retirement Plan) during the six months ended March 31, 2026, and does not anticipate making any such contributions during the remainder of fiscal 2026. The Company also did not make any contributions to its VEBA trusts for its other post-retirement benefits during the six months ended March 31, 2026, and does not anticipate making any such contributions during the remainder of fiscal 2026.