Supplies & More, is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for workplaces. The following is an excerpt from a disclosure note in the company’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017:

NOTE 13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (in part) Pension Benefits (In millions)

Changes in projected benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of period	$	1,360			$	1,140
Service cost		5				9
Interest cost		64				70
Actuarial (gain) loss		115				26
Benefits paid		(113	)			(174	)
Obligation at end of period	$	1,431			$	1,019
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	906			$	1,004
Actual return (loss) on plan assets*		150				120
Employer contribution		26				2
Benefits paid		(113	)			(174	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period		969				952
Net liability recognized at end of period	$	(462	)		$	(67	)

Required:

1. What amount did Supplies & More report in its balance sheet related to the pension plan at December 31, 2017?

2. When calculating pension expense at December 31, what amount did Supplies & More include in its income statement as the amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss (net loss—AOCI)? This AOCI account had a balance of $85 million at the beginning of the year and was the only AOCI account related to pensions. The average remaining service life of employees was 10 was years.

3. What was the pension expense?

4. What were the appropriate journal entries to record Supplies & More pension expense and to record gains and/or losses related to the pension plan?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Answer 1 At the end of year Projected benefit obligation is less than plan asset Thus Funded status ... View the full answer