We discuss pension benefits and other postretirement benefits in this chapter. Accounting for pension benefits recognizes that they represent deferred compensation for current service. Accordingly, the cost of these benefits is recognized on an accrual basis during the years that employees earn the benefits. | Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Chapter 17 Chapter 17: Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Employee compensation comes in many forms. Salaries and wages, of course, provide direct and current payment for services provided. However, it’s commonplace for compensation also to include benefits payable after retirement. We discuss pension benefits and other postretirement benefits in this chapter. Accounting for pension benefits recognizes that they represent deferred compensation for current service. Accordingly, the cost of these benefits is recognized on an accrual basis during the years that employees earn the benefits. Nature of Pension Plans Defined contribution pension plans promise fixed annual contributions to a pension fund (say, 5% of the employees’ pay). Employees choose (from designated options) where funds are invested—usually stocks or fixed-income securities. Retirement pay depends on the size of the fund at retirement. Defined benefit pension plans promise fixed retirement benefits defined by a designated formula. Typically, the pension formula bases retirement pay on the employees’ (a) years of service, (b) annual compensation (often final pay or an average for the last few years), and sometimes (c) age. Employers are responsible for ensuring that sufficient funds are available to provide promised benefits. Today, more than three-fourths of workers covered by pension plans are covered by defined contribution plans, fewer than one-fourth by defined benefit plans. This represents a radical shift from previous years when the traditional defined benefit plan was far more common. Contributions are defined by agreement. Employer deposits an agreed-upon amount into an employee-directed investment fund. Employee bears all risk of pension fund performance. Plan Characteristics Defined Contribution Pension Plans Defined contribution pension plans are becoming increasingly popular vehicles for employers to provide retirement income without the . | Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Chapter 17 Chapter 17: Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Employee compensation comes in many forms. Salaries and wages, of course, provide direct and current payment for services provided. However, it’s commonplace for compensation also to include benefits payable after retirement. We discuss pension benefits and other postretirement benefits in this chapter. Accounting for pension benefits recognizes that they represent deferred compensation for current service. Accordingly, the cost of these benefits is recognized on an accrual basis during the years that employees earn the benefits. Nature of Pension Plans Defined contribution pension plans promise fixed annual contributions to a pension fund (say, 5% of the employees’ pay). Employees choose (from designated options) where funds are invested—usually stocks or fixed-income securities. Retirement pay depends on the size of the fund at retirement. Defined benefit pension plans .
