In computing the interest component of pension expense, what interest rates may be used?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Interest cost classified under the components of pension expense is a variable deducted from the service cost while ascertaining the value of pension expense during the accounting year.

Step by step solution

01

Interest component

An interest component in the pension expense defines the total amount of interest implied on the outstanding amount of the defined benefit obligation during an accounting year.

02

The interest rates to be used

The assumed rate of interest should be computed to reflect the duration of rates where the total amount of pension benefits can be settled efficiently and effectively by the firm. The rates employed on the fixed income investments that are high in quality can also be used for its computation.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Garner Inc. provides the following information related to its postretirement benefits for the year 2017. Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at January 1, 2017 $710,000 Actual and expected return on plan assets 34,000 Prior service cost amortization 21,000 Discount rate 10% Service cost 83,000

Instructions Compute postretirement benefit expense for 2017.

Hollenbeck Foods Inc. sponsors a postretirement medical and dental benefit plan for its employees. The following balances relate to this plan on January 1, 2017. Plan assets \(200,000 Expected postretirement benefit obligation 820,000 Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 200,000 No prior service costs or OCI balances exist. As a result of the plan’s operation during 2017, the following additional data are provided by the actuary. Service cost is \)70,000 Discount rate is 10% Contributions to plan are \(65,000 Expected return on plan assets is \)10,000 Actual return on plan assets is \(15,000 Benefi ts paid to employees are \)44,000 Average remaining service to full eligibility: 20 years Instructions (a) Using the preceding data, compute the net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 2017 by preparing a worksheet that shows the journal entry for postretirement expense and the year-end balances in the related postretirement benefit memo accounts. (Assume that contributions and benefits are paid at the end of the year.) (b) Prepare any journal entries related to the postretirement plan for 2017 and indicate the postretirement amounts reported in the financial statements for 2017.

Many business organizations have been concerned with providing for the retirement of employees since the late 1800s. Increase in this concern resulted in the establishment of private pension plans in most large companies and in many medium- and small-sized ones. The substantial growth of these plans, both in numbers of employees covered and in amounts of retirement benefits, has increased the significance of pension costs in relation to the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of many companies. In examining the costs of pension plans, a CPA encounters certain terms. The components of pension costs that the terms represent must be dealt with appropriately if generally accepted accounting principles are to be reflected in the financial statements of entities with pension plans.

Instructions

(a) Define a private pension plan. How does a contributory pension plan differ from a noncontributory plan?

(b) Differentiate between “accounting for the employer” and “accounting for the pension fund.”

(c) Explain the terms “funded” and “pension liability” as they relate to: (1) The pension fund. (2) The employer.

(d) (1) Discuss the theoretical justification for accrual recognition of pension costs. (2) Discuss the relative objectivity of the measurement process of accrual versus cash (pay-as-you-go) accounting for annual pension costs.

(e) Distinguish among the following as they relate to pension plans. (1) Service cost. (2) Prior service costs. (3) Vested benefits.

Manno Corporation has the following information available concerning its postretirement benefit plan for 2017. Service cost $40,000 Interest cost 47,400 Actual and expected return on plan assets 26,900 Compute Manno’s 2017 postretirement expense.

Determine the meaning of the following terms. (a) Contributory plan. (b) Vested benefits. (c) Retroactive benefits. (d) Years-of-service method.

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