Klubby Klubhaus, Inc. offers its retired employees lifetime health benefits. At December 31 of the current year, Klubby computed an accumulated postretirment benefit obligation of $300,000, while the fair value of the postretirement plan assets was $50,000. Klubby expects to pay postretirement benefits of $60,000 next year. Under U.S. GAAP, in its December 31 financial statements, Klubby Klubhaus will display:
A. A noncurrent liability of $250,000
B. A current liability of $10,000 and a noncurrent liability of $240,000.
C. A current liability of $60,000 and a noncurrent liability of $190,000.
D. A footnote disclosure of the funded status of the postretirement benefit plan.
Answer:B
Funded status = Fair value of plan assets ? APBO = $50,000 ? $300,000 = $(250,000)
Choice "B" is correct. Klubby Klubhaus has an underfunded postretirement benefit plan:
Funded status = Fair value of plan assets ? APBO = $50,000 ? $300,000 = $(250,000)
This underfunded plan must be reported as a current liability to the extent that the benefits payable in the next 12 months exceed the fair value of the plan assets ($60,000 benefits payable ? $50,000 FV plan assets = $10,000 current liability). The balance of $240,000 is reported as a noncurrent liability. Choice "D" is incorrect. U.S. GAAP requires that the funded status of a postretirement plan be reported on the balance sheet.
Choice "A" is incorrect. Because the benefits payable in the next 12 months exceed the fair value of the plan assets, the funded status of this postretirement benefit plan must be reported as a current liability and a noncurrent liability, as described in the explanation above.
Choice "C" is incorrect. The current liability is equal to the excess of the benefits payable in the next 12 months over the fair value of the plan assets. The current liability is not equal to postretirement benefits payable.