Question

On January 1, year 8, Derek Co.’s defined benefit pension plan had plan assets with a fair value of $750,000, and a projected benefit obligation of $875,000. In addition: Actual and expected return on plan assets – 7% Interest cost – 9% Service costs - $24,000 Unamortized prior service cost - $120,000 Employer contributions to the plan - $45,000 Distributions to employees from the plan - $60,000 Unamortized prior service cost is being amortized over the expected remaining service lives of covered employees, which consists of a total of 9 employees: 2 employees are each expected to have 9 years remaining 3 employees are each expected to have 6 years remaining 4 employees are each expected to have 1 year remaining How much amortization of prior service cost will be included in Derek Co.’s pension expense for year 8?

Answer 1

Answer: $27,000

Explanation:

Amortization of prior cost = (No. of employees / Total number of years left) * Unamortized prior service cost

Total number of years left:

2 employees are each expected to have 9 years remaining = 2 * 9

= 18 years

3 employees are each expected to have 6 years remaining = 3 * 6

= 18 years

4 employees are each expected to have 1 year remaining = 4 * 1

= 4 years

Total number of years = 18 + 18 + 4

= 40 years

Amortization of prior cost = (9 / 40) * 120,000

= $27,000