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The following information pertains to Labrador, Inc.\'s defined benefit pension

ID: 2652237 • Letter: T

Question

The following information pertains to Labrador, Inc.'s defined benefit pension plan ($ in 000s):

12/31/2014

Projected benefit obligation (PBO)

$         1,900

Plan assets

$         1,692

Prior service cost (PSC) - AOCI

$            180

Net loss - AOCI

$            440

At the end of 2014, Labrador made a cash contribution to the pension fund and paid retiree benefits.

Cash contributions to plan assets

$         166

Benefits paid to retirees

$         194

There were no changes in   actuarial estimates and assumptions regarding the PBO.

    Expected return on plan assets

10%

    Actuarial discount rate

9%

Instructions:

Compute each of the following, showing supporting computations:

1. What is the 2014 service cost for Labrador's plan?

2. What is Labrador's 2014 actual return on plan assets?

3. What is Labrador's 2014 gain or loss on plan assets?

4. What is the 2014 pension expense for Labrador's plan?

The following information pertains to Labrador, Inc.'s defined benefit pension plan ($ in 000s):

12/31/2014

Projected benefit obligation (PBO)

$         1,900

Plan assets

$         1,692

Prior service cost (PSC) - AOCI

$            180

Net loss - AOCI

$            440

At the end of 2014, Labrador made a cash contribution to the pension fund and paid retiree benefits.

Cash contributions to plan assets

$         166

Benefits paid to retirees

$         194

There were no changes in   actuarial estimates and assumptions regarding the PBO.

    Expected return on plan assets

10%

    Actuarial discount rate

9%

Instructions:

Compute each of the following, showing supporting computations:

1. What is the 2014 service cost for Labrador's plan?

2. What is Labrador's 2014 actual return on plan assets?

3. What is Labrador's 2014 gain or loss on plan assets?

4. What is the 2014 pension expense for Labrador's plan?

Explanation / Answer

(‘2) Actual Return on Plan Assets

We know that

Let’s assume that fair value of plan assets at the beginning of period is x

Beginning Fair Value of Plan Assets

X

Add: Actual Earning on Plan Assets ( Actual rate is 10 % given in the comment)

0.10x

Add: Contribution

166

Less :Benefit paid to retirees

194

Fair Value of Assets at End

1692

X + 0.10 X + 166 -194 = 1692

X= 1563.64

Actual Return= 1563.64 x 10 %= $ 156.36 ( $ in 000)

(‘3) Gain or loss on plan assets

As actual rate of return and expected rate of return is same that is 10 %.

Hence no gain or loss incurred on plan assets in the year 2014

Note – Actual rate of return is given in comments as actuarial discount rate that is 10 %. However actuarial discount rate in the question is 9 %. It is a discount rate for the estimation of PBO hence 9% is ignored.

(‘1) Service Cost

Service cost is the present value of benefit elated to services rendered in the current period. Even PSC-AOCI given the question is also accumulated value. Amortisation details of PSC is not given hence it cannot be calculated based on information given.

Hence Service Cost will be Nil.

(‘4) Pension Expense

We know that

Beginning PBO + Interest Cost + Service Cost – Benefit paid +/- Actuarial Gain/loss +/- Plan Amendment Gain/Loss = PBO at the year end.

Let’s assume Beginning PBO is x

Then

X + 0.09 x + 0 – 194 = 1900

1.09 x= 2094

X = 1921.10

Beginning PBO= 1921.10 ( $ in 000)

Pension Expense=

Interest Cost + Service Cost – Expected Return on Plan Assets +/- Amortisation of actuarial and Performance Gain/ Loss

Pension Expense = (1921.10 x 0.09 ) + 0 –(1563.64 x 0.10) – 0

Pension Expense= 172.90 -156.36

Pension Expense= $ 16.54 ( $ in 000)

Note – Amortisation of PSC and net loss is not given hence considered as nil.

Beginning Fair Value of Plan Assets

X

Add: Actual Earning on Plan Assets ( Actual rate is 10 % given in the comment)

0.10x

Add: Contribution

166

Less :Benefit paid to retirees

194

Fair Value of Assets at End

1692