FAR-Pensions Flashcards
Journal Entry to set up a defined contribution plan.(Both accrued expense and payment)
Debit Pension Expense Credit Accrued pension cost Debit Accrued Pension Cost Credit: Cash
What is a Defined Contribution?
When the employer sets aside specific amounts during the time of service, and the retired employee receives whatever sum the contributions and earnings produce. Contributions are typically paid quickly for tax purposes.
What is a Defined Benefit?
The employer guarantees certain benefits to be paid to retired employees and is responsible for setting aside sufficient amounts to fulfill these promises. . *This type of benefit has much more complicated accounting. 14-2
What is a VBO?
Vested Benefit Obligation. A vested benefit that you earn and keep. You do not lose if you quit before retirement.
What is a ABO?
Accumulated Benefit Obligation. What is owed for service to date and is calculated at current wage rates. Benefit is lost of employee leaves before retirement.
What is a PBO?
Projected Benefit Obligation. Is like a ABO, but uses projected future wages and then is stated at the present value using the benefits-years-of-service method. PBO is the most realistic of pension costs of a going concern. The PBO is measured using assumptions as to future compensation levels.
What assumptions are used by the actuary when calculating a PBO?
Salary Life Expectencie Interest Rates Years employed Costs of administering the plan Turnover rates
How are the ‘SIR’ components of SIR-AGE handled?
The SIR components are all current period accounts, which means that they do not go into Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and are not amortized.
How are the ‘AGE’ components of SIR-AGE handled?
The AGE components go into Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and include amortization.
Are Current service costs (SIRAGE), added or subtracted?
Service costs are always added.
Are prior service costs (SIRAGE), added or subtracted?
Plus or minus. Are to give benefits for periods prior to when there were service costs. Increase if benefits are retroactively given; decreased if benefits are retroactively taken away. Prior service costs are amortized over the remaining service life. They ARE NOT added in one lump sum.
Are interests costs (SIRAGE), added or subtracted?
They are added. Are interest earnings that the service costs are projected to earn for the year. (Beginning PBO*Discount Rate)
Are return on plan assets (SIRAGE), added or subtracted?
They are subtracted. They are subtracted because it is money that is earned and does not need to be set aside to meet estimates. 12:30 in Lecture 14.02
How is the actual return on plan assets calculated?
Beginning Plan Assets * Actual Return A t-account approach can also be used
Are Deferred gain/losses (SIRAGE), added or subtracted?
Deferred gains are added, deferred losses are subtracted. Gains and losses result from differences in expected return on plan assets.