Several years ago, Lewad company established a define benefit plan for its employees. The following information is available for 2013 in regard to its pension plan (1) discount rate 10% (2) service cost $142,000 (3) plan assets (1/1), $659,000 and (4) expected return on plan assets $65,900. There is no amortization of prior to service cost and there is no gain or loss. On December 31,2013 Lewad contributed $143,000 to the pension plan resulting in a credit to Accrued/Prepaid Pension Cost of $8,200.
1. Compute the amount of Lewad's projected benefit obligation on January 1, 2013.
2. How would a decrease in the discount rate affect Lewad's pension expense?