Question

interest cost (the increase in pension costs due to the passage of time), the expected return on plan assets (the amount that managers anticipate they will earn on the plan's investments), and other costs were all reflected in operating income. Under the new rules (which are now in effect), service costs will be reported as an operating cost and all the other pension costs and any expected returns will be reported as non-operating items. What will be the change in operating income for GM

Answer 1

Answer:

The change in operating income for GM is that the operating income will increase by the amount of other pension costs less expected returns.

However, this change will not affect the net income, as all the items will still be accounted for, accordingly.

Explanation:

GM's pension service cost is the present value of the amount that the GM is required by law to set aside annually to meet its employees' pension-benefits obligations.  The reason for the separation is that the service cost is a compensation cost, whereas other pension costs are financial costs and not compensation costs.  By this separation, the operating income of GM will increase.