Assume that the pension benefit formula of ABC Corporation calls for paying a pension benefit of $250 per year for each year of service with the company plus 50% of the projected last year’s salary at retirement. Payments begin one year after the employee attains the age of 65 and are paid annually thereafter. The average life expectancy of employees is 76.
The pension plan is adopted on January 1, 2017. One of the company’s employees, I. M. Workaholic, is granted credit for 10 years of prior service. He is 50 years old at the date the plan is adopted. His current annual salary is $20,000, but his salary level when he retires in 15 years is expected to be $30,000.
Required:
a. How much pension expense should ABC Corporation recognize in 2017 for Workaholic? Show the components of pension expense.
b. What would the projected benefit obligation be on December 31, 2017?