# ASC 310-960: Receivables — Plan Accounting—Defined Benefit Pension Plans Source: FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Basic View [Read online](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/) Study and research edition. Verify current requirements with the official source. Summaries, enrichment, and tags are machine-generated study aids. Paragraph html preserves source markup; snippet is abbreviated. Pending content is not necessarily effective. Tables and mathematical or amendment markup are retained as HTML where Markdown would lose structure. Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:31.640Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z Record version: sha256:008850e9bf4b6e5705f28f6e1e6b6f7e39cc8ea573c77442748d27a95cfbe5e1 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 310-960: Receivables — Plan Accounting—Defined Benefit Pension Plans ### Machine-generated study aids ```json { "summary": "This Subtopic governs when a defined benefit pension plan recognizes contributions receivable in its own financial statements. Amounts due at the reporting date from employers, participants, or other funding sources (separately identified) are recognized when supported by legal or contractual requirements or a formal commitment, net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. Unfunded prior service costs and any excess of the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits over net assets available for benefits are not plan receivables.", "key_points": [ "Contributions receivable are amounts due as of the reporting date from employers, participants, or other sources of funding such as state subsidies or federal grants, which must be separately identified (310-960-25-1).", "Amounts due include those arising from formal commitments as well as legal or contractual requirements; evidence of an employer's formal commitment includes a governing-body resolution, a consistent pattern of post-year-end payments under an established funding policy attributed to the preceding plan year, a federal tax deduction for periods ending on or before the reporting date, or the employer's recognition of a contribution payable (310-960-25-2).", "The existence of accrued pension costs on the employer's books does not by itself support recognition of a contribution receivable, because employer measurement methods may differ from amounts formally committed (310-960-25-2(d)).", "Funds from sources like federal revenue-sharing used for plan funding at the employer's discretion are, in effect, employer contributions and are reported as such; receipt shortly after year-end is additional evidence of a receivable, and an adequate allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts must be provided (310-960-25-3).", "A multiemployer plan records a receivable for a withdrawing employer's share of the plan's unfunded liability, net of any allowance for uncollectible amounts, when entitlement has been determined (310-960-25-3A).", "Unfunded prior service costs are not plan receivables because they are not due from the employer at the reporting date and are not a recordable resource until formally committed (310-960-25-4).", "Any excess of the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits over net assets available for benefits (excluding contributions receivable) is not a plan asset unless legally, contractually, or by formal commitment due to the plan at the reporting date (310-960-25-4)." ], "categories": [ "Recognition", "Compensation and benefits", "Industry-specific", "Presentation" ], "audience_level": "intermediate", "student_note": "This is plan-level (not employer-level) accounting: the plan is the reporting entity, so the question is whether the plan has a receivable, not whether the employer has a liability. The classic trap is assuming an employer's accrued pension cost or an unfunded benefit obligation automatically creates a plan receivable — it does not without a legal, contractual, or formal commitment.", "related_topics": [ "960-10", "960-205", "960-325", "962", "965", "715" ], "key_concepts": [ "contributions receivable", "formal commitment", "defined benefit pension plan financial statements", "allowance for uncollectible amounts", "unfunded prior service cost", "multiemployer plan withdrawal liability", "accumulated plan benefits", "net assets available for benefits" ] } ``` Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:31.640Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:31.640Z Record version: sha256:4ed28ba0a65e090c19e2788033786d0fc1fe4185d29524755f56c31a245932a5 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 310-960-00: 00 Status [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#00-status) SEC content: no ##### [310-960-00-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#310-960-00-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:31.640Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:31.640Z Record version: sha256:872a03596c1582231bcc10980dc3acd0f18a8a7816a31c072f860403bb71a1c7 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. The following table identifies the changes made to this Subtopic.
ParagraphActionAccounting Standards UpdateDate
Defined Benefit PlanAddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plan (1st def.)SupersededAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
Funding Policy (1st def.)SupersededAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
Funding Policy (3rd def.)AddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
Service (1st def.)SupersededAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
Service (2nd def.)AddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
960-310-05-1AmendedAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
960-310-25-2AmendedAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
960-310-25-4AmendedAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:35.736Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:35.736Z Record version: sha256:54c261038ba46d2ff94e5c1ca6ab90433405d7166fdefa45b9a8aa881d53f399 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 310-960-05: 05 Overview and Background [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#05-overview-and-background) SEC content: no ##### [310-960-05-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#310-960-05-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:35.736Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:35.736Z Record version: sha256:a6559dbebaf7c33490bc2d20ef34f150d6982f29736a7711ac606811d1035cb1 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. This Subtopic provides guidance on accounting for receivables for [defined benefit pension plans](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/d/#defined-benefit-plan "A defined benefit plan provides participants with a determinable benefit based on a formula provided for in the plan. Defined benefit health and welfare plans—Defined benefit health and welfare plans specify a determinable benefit, which may be in the form of a reimbursement to the covered plan participant or a direct payment to providers or third-party insurers for the cost of specified services. Such plans may also include benefits that are payable as a lump sum, such as death benefits. The level of benefits may be defined or limited based on factors such as age, years of service, and salary. Contributions may be determined by the plan's actuary or be based on premiums, actual claims paid, hours worked, or other factors determined by the plan sponsor. Even when a plan is funded pursuant to agreements that specify a fixed rate of employer contributions (for example, a collectively bargained multiemployer plan), such a plan may nevertheless be a defined benefit health and welfare plan if its substance is to provide a defined benefit. Defined benefit pension plan—A pension plan that defines an amount of pension benefit to be provided, usually as a function of one or more factors such as age, years of service, or compensation. Any pension plan that is not a defined contribution pension plan is, for purposes of Subtopic 715-30, a defined benefit pension plan. Defined benefit postretirement plan—A plan that defines postretirement benefits in terms of monetary amounts (for example, $100,000 of life insurance) or benefit coverage to be provided (for example, up to $200 per day for hospitalization, or 80 percent of the cost of specified surgical procedures). Any postretirement benefit plan that is not a defined contribution postretirement plan is, for purposes of Subtopic 715-60, a defined benefit postretirement plan. (Specified monetary amounts and benefit coverage are collectively referred to as benefits.)"). Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:39.489Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:39.489Z Record version: sha256:c3b9c6b5c9b54ea33141da3c86baee9e322a78713bbb817a405d19588846030f Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 310-960-15: 15 Scope and Scope Exceptions [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#15-scope-and-scope-exceptions) SEC content: no #### Overall Guidance ##### [310-960-15-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#310-960-15-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:39.489Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:39.489Z Record version: sha256:28f190ace2045b4373438b1a32c768ebfacb974ff7d4a0dc121a91feaae12b31 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. This Subtopic follows the same Scope and Scope Exceptions as outlined in the Overall Subtopic, see Section 960-10-15. Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z Record version: sha256:4d068b95d66e0b6c058dc68c76f747cc7f5a3fe150f8c0a06643fab0cae75c69 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 310-960-25: 25 Recognition [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#25-recognition) SEC content: no #### Contributions Receivable ##### [310-960-25-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#310-960-25-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z Record version: sha256:d085911f5f2f8e9b5c5895811dfa20699f2d84572dfce68825fb536c9984c87c Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Contributions receivable are the amounts due as of the [reporting date](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/r/#reporting-date "The date as of which information regarding the net assets available for benefits is presented.") to the plan from any of the following: 1. a Employer(s) 2. b Participants 3. c Other sources of funding (for example, state subsidies or federal grants—which shall be separately identified). ##### [310-960-25-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#310-960-25-2) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z Record version: sha256:6fecf08078f15b286216e214a79c830e97108d1cbefa1bd821f2a0eab4104167 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Amounts due include those pursuant to formal commitments as well as legal or contractual requirements. With respect to an employer's contributions, evidence of a formal commitment may include any of the following: 1. a A resolution by the employer's governing body approving a specified contribution 2. b A consistent pattern of making payments after the plan's year-end pursuant to an established [funding policy](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/f/#funding-policy "The program regarding the amounts and timing of contributions by the employers, plan participants, and any other sources (for example, state subsidies or federal grants) to provide the benefits a pension plan or other postretirement benefit plan specifies.") that attributes such subsequent payments to the preceding plan year 3. c A deduction of a contribution for federal tax purposes for periods ending on or before the reporting date 4. d The employer's recognition as of the reporting date of a contribution payable to the plan. The existence of accrued pension costs does not, by itself, provide sufficient support for recognition of a contribution receivable. For various reasons, amounts recorded as accrued pension costs by an employer may differ from amounts formally committed to the plan. For example, the method used for measurement of periodic pension costs for the employer's financial statements may differ from the method used for determining the amount and incidence of employer contributions. ##### [310-960-25-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#310-960-25-3) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z Record version: sha256:0ca6d4ecc2232d578c180e7bb1c080d28c689d950bb39cbcc709760527709b8b Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Funds from sources such as federal revenue-sharing programs that are used for plan funding purposes at the employer's discretion are, in effect, employer contributions and shall be reported as such. Receipt of formally committed amounts soon after the plan's year-end provides additional evidence of the existence of a receivable at year-end. An adequate allowance shall be provided for estimated uncollectible amounts. ##### [310-960-25-3A](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#310-960-25-3A) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z Record version: sha256:49eb3c71e98c19d176b0cee6566b2c72a7f5e7d0b610ba82feb89d6b0ed21da6 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. A multiemployer plan may also have a receivable for a withdrawing employer's share of the plan's unfunded liability. The plan should record the receivable, net of any allowance for an amount deemed uncollectible, when entitlement has been determined. #### Unfunded Prior Service Costs ##### [310-960-25-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/310/960/#310-960-25-4) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z to 2026-09-09T23:32:45.897Z Record version: sha256:a17d4c79d51b9160dd528e253f62c08019a90442564b1c63017e3a675dbb7643 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Unfunded [prior service costs](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#prior-service-costs "See Supplemental Actuarial Value.") are not receivables of the plan because at the reporting date those amounts are not due from the employer(s). The employer(s) may or may not intend to eventually contribute amounts sufficient to eliminate the unfunded prior [service](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/s/#service "Employment taken into consideration under a pension plan. Years of employment before the inception of a plan constitute an employee's past service; years thereafter are classified in relation to the particular actuarial valuation being made or discussed. Years of employment (including past service) before the date of a particular valuation constitute prior service; years of employment following the date of the valuation constitute future service; a year of employment adjacent to the date of valuation, or in which such date falls, constitutes current service.") costs. Until such payments are formally committed to the plan, unfunded prior service costs do not constitute a recordable resource of the plan. For similar reasons, any existing excess of the [actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/a/#actuarial-present-value-of-accumulated-plan-benefits "The amount as of a benefit information date that results from applying actuarial assumptions to the benefit amounts determined pursuant to paragraphs 960-20-25-3960-20-25-4960-20-25-5 (that is, the accumulated plan benefits), with the actuarial assumptions being used to adjust those amounts to reflect the time value of money (through discounts for interest) and the probability of payment (by means of decrements such as for death, disability, withdrawal, or retirement) between the benefit information date and the expected date of payment.") over the [net assets available for benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/n/#net-assets-available-for-benefits "The difference between a plan's assets and its liabilities. For purposes of this definition, a plan's liabilities do not include participants' accumulated plan benefits.") (excluding contributions receivable) is not a plan asset unless at the reporting date that amount is legally, contractually, or pursuant to a formal commitment due the plan.