To help you become familiar with the accounting standards, this case is designed to take you to the FASB’s Web site and have you access various publications. Access the FASB’s Web site at http://www.fasb.org. Click on “Pronouncements & EITF Abstracts.”

In this chapter, we discussed the accounting for compensation which includes pensions and other postemployment benefits. For this case, we will use Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Accounting for Pensions.” Open FASB Statement No. 158.

1. Paragraph 4 says that a company must recognize “the funded status of a benefit plan.” What is meant by “the funded status of a benefit plan”?
2. In paragraphs B37 through B41, the FASB includes discussion of two possible ways to account for prior service cost. The option chosen is to recognize prior service cost through other comprehensive income. What was the other option considered?
3. In paragraphs B114 through B117, the FASB discusses “potential economic consequences of recognition of the funded status” of defined benefit pension plans. The FASB mentions the term “neutrality” from the Conceptual Framework. Does neutrality imply that financial accounting rules should NOT have economic consequences?