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Chapter 20: Q8Q. (page 1161)

Explain how cash-basis accounting for pension plans differs from accrual-basis accounting for pension plans. Why is cash-basis accounting generally considered unacceptable for pension plan accounting?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Cash-basis of accounting is an accounting principle where the transactions in the form of cashare recorded according to theirdate of occurrence.

Step by step solution

01

Difference between cash-basis of accounting and the accrual basis of accounting for pension plans

Cash-basis accounting for pension plans

Accrual-basis accounting for pension plans

This type of accounting practice considers the amount of cash invested by the employer to the organization's pension fund during an accounting year. It is realized as an expense recognition.

This type of accounting concept recognizes the pension cost of an organization when the organization incurs the actual cost.

02

Cash-basis accounting generally considered unacceptable for pension plan accounting

Since the amount of pension fund contributed by the employer is not related to the benefits derived from the pension plan of an organization. The cash-basis of accounting considers the amount of cash invested as a pension cost.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Why didn’t the FASB cover both types of post-retirement benefits—pensions and healthcare—in the earlier pension accounting rules?

For 2017, Sampsell Inc. computed its annual postretirement expense as \(240,900. Sampsell’s contribution to the plan during 2017 was \)180,000. Prepare Sampsell’s 2017 entry to record postretirement expense, assuming Sampsell has no OCI amounts.

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.

Elton Co. has the following postretirement benefit plan balances on January 1, 2017. Accumulated postretirement benefi t obligation \(2,250,000 Fair value of plan assets 2,250,000 The interest (settlement) rate applicable to the plan is 10%. On January 1, 2018, the company amends the plan so that prior service costs of \)175,000 are created. Other data related to the plan are: 2017 2018 Service costs \( 75,000 \) 85,000 Prior service costs amortization –0– 12,000 Contributions (funding) to the plan 45,000 35,000 Benefits paid 40,000 45,000 Actual return on plan assets 140,000 120,000 Expected rate of return on assets 8% 6% Instructions (a) Prepare a worksheet for the postretirement plan in 2017. (b) Prepare any journal entries related to the postretirement plan that would be needed at December 31, 2017. (c) Prepare a worksheet for 2018 and any journal entries related to the postretirement plan as of December 31, 2018. (d) Indicate the postretirement-benefit–related amounts reported in the 2018 financial statements.

The actuary for the pension plan of Gustafson Inc. calculated the following net gains and losses. Incurred during the Year (Gain) or Loss 2017 \(300,000 2018 480,000 2019 (210,000) 2020 (290,000) Other information about the company’s pension obligation and plan assets is as follows. Projected Benefit Plan Assets As of January 1, Obligation (market-related asset value) 2017 \)4,000,000 $2,400,000 2018 4,520,000 2,200,000 2019 5,000,000 2,600,000 2020 4,240,000 3,040,000 Gustafson Inc. has a stable labor force of 400 employees who are expected to receive benefits under the plan. The total serviceyears for all participating employees is 5,600. The beginning balance of accumulated OCI (G/L) is zero on January 1, 2017. The market-related value and the fair value of plan assets are the same for the 4-year period. Use the average remaining service life per employee as the basis for amortization.

Instructions (Round to the nearest dollar.) Prepare a schedule which reflects the minimum amount of accumulated OCI (G/L) amortized as a component of net periodic pension expense for each of the years 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Apply the “corridor” approach in determining the amount to be amortized each year.
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