discount rate 2014the assumed discount rate is used to determine the current retirement related benefit plan expense and obligations , and represents the interest rate that is used to determine the present value of future cash flows currently expected to be required to effectively settle a plan 2019s benefit obligations . the discount rate assumption is determined for each plan by constructing a portfolio of high quality bonds with cash flows that match the estimated outflows for future benefit payments to determine a single equivalent discount rate . benefit payments are not only contingent on the terms of a plan , but also on the underlying participant demographics , including current age , and assumed mortality . we use only bonds that are denominated in u.s . dollars , rated aa or better by two of three nationally recognized statistical rating agencies , have a minimum outstanding issue of $ 50 million as of the measurement date , and are not callable , convertible , or index linked . since bond yields are generally unavailable beyond 30 years , we assume those rates will remain constant beyond that point . taking into consideration the factors noted above , our weighted average discount rate for pensions was 5.23% ( 5.23 % ) and 5.84% ( 5.84 % ) , as of december 31 , 2011 and 2010 , respectively . our weighted average discount rate for other postretirement benefits was 4.94% ( 4.94 % ) and 5.58% ( 5.58 % ) as of december 31 , 2011 and 2010 , respectively . expected long-term rate of return 2014the expected long-term rate of return on assets is used to calculate net periodic expense , and is based on such factors as historical returns , targeted asset allocations , investment policy , duration , expected future long-term performance of individual asset classes , inflation trends , portfolio volatility , and risk management strategies . while studies are helpful in understanding current trends and performance , the assumption is based more on longer term and prospective views . in order to reflect expected lower future market returns , we have reduced the expected long-term rate of return assumption from 8.50% ( 8.50 % ) , used to record 2011 expense , to 8.00% ( 8.00 % ) for 2012 . the decrease in the expected return on assets assumption is primarily related to lower bond yields and updated return assumptions for equities . unless plan assets and benefit obligations are subject to remeasurement during the year , the expected return on pension assets is based on the fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year . an increase or decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return assumptions would have had the following approximate impacts on pensions : ( $ in millions ) increase ( decrease ) in 2012 expense increase ( decrease ) in december 31 , 2011 obligations .

Table: ( $ in millions ) increase ( decrease ) in 2012 expense increase ( decrease ) in december 31 2011 obligations 25 basis point decrease in discount rate $ 18 $ 146 25 basis point increase in discount rate -17 ( 17 ) -154 ( 154 ) 25 basis point decrease in expected return on assets 8 n.a . 25 basis point increase in expected return on assets -8 ( 8 ) n.a .

differences arising from actual experience or changes in assumptions might materially affect retirement related benefit plan obligations and the funded status . actuarial gains and losses arising from differences from actual experience or changes in assumptions are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income . this unrecognized amount is amortized to the extent it exceeds 10% ( 10 % ) of the greater of the plan 2019s benefit obligation or plan assets . the amortization period for actuarial gains and losses is the estimated average remaining service life of the plan participants , which is approximately 10 years . cas expense 2014in addition to providing the methodology for calculating retirement related benefit plan costs , cas also prescribes the method for assigning those costs to specific periods . while the ultimate liability for such costs under fas and cas is similar , the pattern of cost recognition is different . the key drivers of cas pension expense include the funded status and the method used to calculate cas reimbursement for each of our plans as well as our expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption . unlike fas , cas requires the discount rate to be consistent with the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption , which changes infrequently given its long-term nature . as a result , changes in bond or other interest rates generally do not impact cas . in addition , unlike under fas , we can only allocate pension costs for a plan under cas until such plan is fully funded as determined under erisa requirements . other fas and cas considerations 2014we update our estimates of future fas and cas costs at least annually based on factors such as calendar year actual plan asset returns , final census data from the end of the prior year , and other actual and projected experience . a key driver of the difference between fas and cas expense ( and consequently , the fas/cas adjustment ) is the pattern of earnings and expense recognition for gains and losses that arise when our asset and liability experiences differ from our assumptions under each set of requirements . under fas , our net gains and losses exceeding the 10% ( 10 % ) corridor are amortized .

Question: what was the net change in the 25 basis point decrease and increase in discount rate in 2012 in millions
Answer: 1
Calculation: add(18, -17)
Explanation: the net change in 2012 was the sum of the increase and decrease in the 25 basis point discount rate