Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/html/web/app/themes/studypress-core-theme/template-parts/header/mobile-offcanvas.php on line 20

Question: What is meant by “past service cost”? When is past service cost recognized as pension expense?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer

Past service costs are associated with the revision ofpension that considers benefits before the revision.

Step by step solution

01

Meaning of Profit and Loss Statement

The statement of profit and loss is a report prepared to ascertain the profits earned or losses incurred during one accounting period throughoperating and non-operating activities.This report includes the revenues and associated expenses of the business concern.

02

Meaning of past service cost

When an employee is allowed to revise his/her pension, in such a case, the benefits earned prior to the revision are termed past service cost. The variations in past service costs can be negative or positive depending upon therevision terms.

03

Accounting treatment for past service cost

The accounting treatment for past service expenses is as follows:

  • Such costs should be immediately recorded in thestatement of profit and losswhen an employee is entitled to receive the amount.
  • Also, such benefits should be recorded on astraight-line basis in the profit and loss statement.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Question: Bill Haley is learning about pension accounting. He is convinced that in years when companies record liability gains and losses, total comprehensive income will not be affected. Is Bill correct? Explain.

At December 31, 2017, Besler Corporation had a projected benefit obligation of \(560,000, plan assets of \)322,000, and prior service cost of $127,000 in accumulated other comprehensive income. Determine the pension asset/liability at December 31, 2017.

The following items appear on Brueggen Company’s financial statements. 1. Under the caption Assets: Pension asset/liability. 2. Under the caption Liabilities: Pension asset/liability. 3. Under the caption Stockholders’ Equity: Prior service cost as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. 4. On the income statement: Pension expense. Instructions Explain the significance of each of the items above on corporate financial statements. (Note: All items set forth above are not necessarily to be found on the statements of a single company.)

Henning 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 \(56,000. 2. The company’s funding policy requires a contribution to the pension trustee amounting to \)145,000 for 2017. 3. As of January 1, 2017, the company had a projected benefit obligation of \(900,000, an accumulated benefit obligation of \)800,000, and a debit balance of \(400,000 in accumulated OCI (PSC). The fair value of pension plan assets amounted to \)600,000 at the beginning of the year. The actual and expected return on plan assets was \(54,000. The settlement rate was 9%. No gains or losses occurred in 2017 and no benefits were paid. 4. Amortization of prior service cost was \)50,000 in 2017. Amortization of net gain or loss was not required in 2017. Instructions (a) Determine the amounts of the components of pension expense that should be recognized by the company in 2017. (b) Prepare the journal entry or entries to record pension expense and the employer’s contribution to the pension trustee in 2017. (c) Indicate the amounts that would be reported on the income statement and the balance sheet for the year 2017.

The accounting staff of Holder Inc. has prepared the following postretirement benefit worksheet. Unfortunately, several entries in the worksheet are not decipherable. The company has asked your assistance in completing the worksheet and completing the accounting tasks related to the pension plan for 2017.

Instructions (a) Determine the missing amounts in the 2017 postretirement worksheet, indicating whether the amounts are debits or credits. (b) Prepare the journal entry to record 2017 postretirement expense for Holder Inc. (c) What discount rate is Holder using in accounting for the interest on its other postretirement benefit plan? Explain

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Business Studies Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free