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(a) Determine the amounts of the components of pension expense that should be re

ID: 2548090 • Letter: #

Question

(a)

Determine the amounts of the components of pension expense that should be recognized by the company in 2017. (Enter amounts that reduce pension expense with either a negative sign preceding the number e.g. -45 or parenthesis e.g. (45).)

Blue Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan for its employees. The following data relate to the operation of the plan for the year 2017 in which no benefits were paid.
1. The actuarial present value of future benefits earned by employees for services rendered in 2017 amounted to $56,400. 2. The company’s funding policy requires a contribution to the pension trustee amounting to $144,392 for 2017. 3. As of January 1, 2017, the company had a projected benefit obligation of $898,800, an accumulated benefit obligation of $803,800, and a debit balance of $398,900 in accumulated OCI (PSC). The fair value of pension plan assets amounted to $601,100 at the beginning of the year. The actual and expected return on plan assets was $54,200. The settlement rate was 9%. No gains or losses occurred in 2017 and no benefits were paid. 4. Amortization of prior service cost was $50,400 in 2017. Amortization of net gain or loss was not required in 2017.

Explanation / Answer

(a) Pension expense for 2017:

Service Cost                                                                                  $56,400

Interest Cost on Projected Benefit Obligation (9%*898,800)        $80,892

Amortization of prior service cost                                                  $50,400

Expected return on plan assets                                                     ($54,200)

Pension Expense                                                                         $133,492