Direct your attention to the company with perhaps the largest private pension plan in the world—General Motors. GM’s note relating to its pension plan is included in Exhibit 17-11 on pages 1056–1057. Use that information to answer the following questions.
1. Compute GM’s total PBO as of December 31, 2007. How much has GM set aside in its pension fund to offset the PBO?
2. Now consider GM’s postretirement benefits other than pensions. Add to the PBO from question (1) GM’s accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO). What is GM’s estimated obligation related to pensions and other postretirement benefits?
3. Why do you think there is a separation into U.S. and non-U.S. plans?
4. Note that in 2006 GM’s obligation for its other benefit plans was reduced by $15,091 (in millions) because of “amendments.” What happened?