Problem:
(Computation of Unrecognized Prior Service Cost Amortization, Pension Expense, Journal Entries, Net Gain or Loss, and Reconciliation Schedule)
Ekedahl Inc. has sponsored a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for its employees since 1984. Prior to 2004, cumulative net pension expense recognized equaled cumulative contributions to the plan. Other relevant information about the pension plan on January 1, 2004, is as follows.
1. The company has 200 employees. All these employees are expected to receive benefits under the plan. The average remaining service life per employee is 13 years.
2. The projected benefit obligation amounted to $5,000,000 and the fair value of pension plan assets was $3,000,000. The market-related asset value was also $3,000,000. Unrecognized prior service cost was $2,000,000.
On December 31, 2004, the projected benefit obligation and the accumulated benefit obligation were $4,750,000 and $4,025,000, respectively. The fair value of the pension plan assets amounted to $3,900,000 at the end of the year. The market-related asset value was $3,790,000. A 10% settlement rate and a 10% expected asset return rate were used in the actuarial present value computations in the pension plan. The present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service in 2004 amounted to $200,000. The employer's contribution to the plan assets amounted to $575,000 in 2004. This problem assumes no payment of pension benefits.
Instructions
(Round all amounts to the nearest dollar)
(Q1) Prepare a schedule, based on the average remaining life per employee, showing the unrecognized prior service cost that would be amortized as a component of pension expense for 2004, 2005, and 2006.
(Q2) Compute pension expense for the year 2004.
(Q3) Prepare the journal entries required to report the accounting for the company's pension plan for 2004.
(Q4) Compute the amount of the 2004 increase/decrease in unrecognized net gains or losses and the amount to be amortized in 2004 and 2005.
(Q5.) Prepare a schedule reconciling the funded status of the plan with the pension amounts reported in the financial statements as of December 31, 2004.