The projected benefit obligation was $460 million at the beginning of the year. Service cost for the year was $25 million. At the end of the year, pension benefits paid by the trustee were $21 million and there were no pension-related other comprehensive income accounts requiring amortization. The actuaries discount rate was 5%.

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Here is the complete question:

The projected benefit obligation was $460 million at the beginning of the year. Service cost for the year was $25 million. At the end of the year, pension benefits paid by the trustee were $21 million and there were no pension-related other comprehensive income accounts requiring amortization. The actuaries discount rate was 5%. The actual return on plan assets was $24 million although it was expected to be only $23 million.

What was the pension expense for the year?

Here is the answer: The pension expense is $25 million.

Explanation:

Pension is the form of defined benefit contribution plan which require employers to make certain periodic contribution on behalf of employees. This contribution is reported as an expense in the income statement if even though the benefit has not been enjoyed by the employees. To determine the value of this expenses to be included in the income statement, the components of the pension expenses are relevant.

Components of pension expense are service cost, interest cost, return on plan asset, amortization of prior service costs and gain or loss from change in asset value.

Here is the determination of the pension expense as required by the question.

$'M

Service cost 25

Interest ($460,000,000*5%) 23

Expected return on plan asset (23)

Amortization of prior service costs -

Gain or loss in change in value -

Pension expense 25