Beale Management has a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan. On December 31, 2024 (the end of Beale’s fiscal year), the following pension-related data were available:

Required:
1. Prepare the 2024 journal entry to record pension expense.
2. Prepare the journal entry(s) to record any 2024 gains and losses.
3. Prepare the 2024 journal entries to record the contribution to plan assets and benefit payments to retirees.
4. Determine the balances at December 31, 2024, in (a) the net gain—AOCI, and (b) prior service cost—AOCI. Show how the balances changed during 2024. (Hint: You might find T-accounts useful.)
5. What amount will Beale report in its 2024 balance sheet as a net pension asset or net pension liability for the funded status of the plan?

Projected Benefit Obligation Balance, January 1, 2024 Service cost Interest cost, discount rate, 5% Gain due to changes in actuarial assumptions in 2024 Pension benefits paid Balance, December 31, 2024 Plan Assets Balance, January 1, 2024 Actual return on plan assets (Expected return on plan assets, $45) Cash contributions Pension benefits paid Balance, December 31, 2024 January 1, 2024, balances: Pension asset Prior service cost-AOCI (amortization $8 per year) Net gain-AOCI (any amortization over 15 years) ($ in millions) $480 82 24 (10) (40) $536 $500 40 70 (40) $570 $20 48 80