Question

Raspberry Company's actuary has computed its prior service cost to be $8,000,000. Raspberry amortizes the prior service cost by the straight-line method over the remaining 20-year service life of its active employees. During the current year, Raspberry also recognizes service cost of $560,000 and interest cost of $100,000. At the beginning of the year, the plan assets were $1,500,000, and the company expects to earn 10% on its plan assets. Compute Raspberry's pension expense for the current year.

Answer 1

Answer: $910,000

Explanation:

Pension expense is calculated by the formula:

= Prior Service cost  for the year+ Service cost + Interest cost - Expected return on plant assets

Prior Service cost = Prior service cost / Service life of active employees

= 8,000,000 / 20

= $400,000

Expected return on plan assets = Plan assets * Interest rate

= 1,500,000 * 10%

= $150,000

Pension expense = 400,000 + 560,000 + 100,000 - 150,000

= $910,000