Question: Sachs Brands' defined benefit pension plan specifies annual retirement benefits equal to: 1.2% × service years × final year's salary, payable at the end of each year. Angela Davenport was hired by Sachs at the beginning of 2002 and is expected to retire at the end of 2036 after 35 years' service. Her retirement is expected to span 18 years. Davenport's salary is $95,000 at the end of 2016 and the company's actuary projects her salary to be $305,000 at retirement. The actuary's discount rate is 9%. (FV of $1, PV of $1, FVA of $1, PVA of $1, FVAD of $1 and PVAD of $1) (Use appropriate factor(s) from the tables provided.)
At the beginning of 2017, the pension formula was amended to: 1.40% × Service years × Final year's salary The amendment was made retroactive to apply the increased benefits to prior service years
Required: 1. What is the company's prior service cost at the beginning of 2017 with respect to Davenport after the amendment described above?
2. Since the amendment occurred at the beginning of 2017, amortization of the prior service cost begins in 2017. What is the prior service cost amortization that would be included in pension expense?
3. What is the service cost for 2017 with respect to Davenport?
4. What is the interest cost for 2017 with respect to Davenport?
5. Calculate pension expense for 2017 with respect to Davenport, assuming plan assets attributable to her of $100,000 and a rate of return (actual and expected) of 10%.