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Chapter 20: Question 3CA (page 1175)

In examining the costs of pension plans, Helen Kaufman, 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) (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. (b) Explain the following terms as they apply to accounting for pension plans. (1) Market-related asset value. (2) Projected benefit obligation. (3) Corridor approach. (c) What information should be disclosed about a company’s pension plans in its financial statements and its notes?

Short Answer

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Accounting principlesare those rules an organization should follow while reporting the amount under each financial statement during the fiscal year.

Step by step solution

01

(a) Discussions

1. Accrual recognition of pension costs

The accrual recognition of the total pension cost of an organization strictly depends upon the total pension expense incurred. These types of costs are incurred during the employment service of an employee.

2. Accrual versus cash (pay-as-you-go) accounting

The cash (pay-as-you-go) accounting concept does not consider the total pension cost earned during the year. It is magnified at the end of the computation of annual pension costs. The accrual accounting concept always provides a greater source of objectivity than the cash accounting concept.

02

(b) Explanation of the following terms:

1. Market-related asset value

The market-related asset value or the fair value of the assets determines the actual value of plan assets during a period of an accounting year. Organizations generally use the actuarial value of the plan assets to report an accurate pension value.

2. Projected benefit obligation

Projected benefit obligation is defined under the IAS 19, where the pension benefits depend upon the number of years of service of an employee and its future expected salary.

3. Corridor approach:

The corridor approach is the method used to calculate the unrecognized net gain or loss earned from the pension obligation during the year. The rate of corridor approach as prescribed under IASB is 10%.

03

(c) Information to be disclosed under the pension plans:

(1) The components of the pension expense.

(2) The amount of defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets

(3) A detailed study of the pension plan and the accounting principles used.

(4) The discount rates and settlement rates are used in measuring the pension benefit amount.

(5) The total contributions made by the employer and the employee.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Webb Corp. sponsors a defined benefit pension plan for its employees. On January 1, 2017, the following balances relate to this plan. Plan assets \(480,000 Projected benefit obligation 600,000 Pension asset/liability 120,000 Accumulated OCI (PSC) 100,000 Dr. As a result of the operation of the plan during 2017, the following additional data are provided by the actuary. Service cost \)90,000 Settlement rate, 9% Actual return on plan assets 55,000 Amortization of prior service cost 19,000 Expected return on plan assets 52,000 Unexpected loss from change in projected benefit obligation, due to change in actuarial predictions 76,000 Contributions 99,000 Benefits paid retirees 85,000 Instructions (a) Using the data above, compute pension expense for Webb Corp. for the year 2017 by preparing a pension worksheet. (b) Prepare the journal entry for pension expense for 2017.

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.

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.

Veldre Company provides the following information about its defined benefit pension plan for the year 2017. Service cost $ 90,000 Contribution to the plan 105,000 Prior service cost amortization 10,000 Actual and expected return on plan assets 64,000 Benefits paid 40,000 Plan assets at January 1, 2017 640,000 Projected benefi t obligation at January 1, 2017 700,000 Accumulated OCI (PSC) at January 1, 2017 150,000 Interest/discount (settlement) rate 10% Instructions Compute the pension expense for the year 2017.

Question: What is service cost, and what is the basis of its measurement?
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