Question

Flint Corp. has the following beginning-of-the-year present values for its projected benefit obligation and market-related values for its pension plan assets.

projected benefit obligation

plan assets value

2016

$2,460,000

$2,337,000

2017

2,952,000

3,075,000

2018

3,628,500

3,198,000

2019

4,428,000

3,690,000

The average remaining service life per employee in 2016 and 2017 is 10 years and in 2018 and 2019 is 12 years. The net gain or loss that occurred during each year is as follows: 2016, $344,400 loss; 2017, $110,700 loss; 2018, $13,530 loss; and 2019, $30,750 gain. (In working the solution, the gains and losses must be aggregated to arrive at year-end balances.)

Using the corridor approach, compute the amount of net gain or loss amortized and charged to pension expense in each of the four years, setting up an appropriate schedule.

year	minimum amortization of loss
2016
2017
2018
2019

Answer 1

Using the corridor approach, compute the amount of net gain or loss amortized and charged to pension expense in each of the four years, setting up an appropriate schedule.

Year	Projected Benefit Obligation (a)	Plan Assets	10% Corridor	Accumulated OCI (G/L) (a)	Minimum Amortization of Loss
2016	$2460000	$2337000	$246000	$0	$0
2017	2952000	3075000	307500	344400	3690
2018	3628500	3198000	362850	451410	7380
2019	4428000	3690000	442800	457560	1230

(a) As of the beginning of the year.

(b ) ($344400 – $307500) ÷ 10 years = $3690

(c) $344400 – $3690 + $110700 = $451410

(d) ($451410 – $362850) ÷ 12 years = $7380

(e) $451410 – $7380 + $13530 = $457560

(f) ($457560 – $442800) ÷ 12 years = $1230