# ASC 715-80: Compensation—Retirement Benefits — Multiemployer Plans Source: FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Basic View [Read online](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/) 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): 2026-09-10T01:01:21.184Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:50.542Z Record version: sha256:bb61d05941c276052db785cd417be6da8eabbf3f059f50479b1b093afe157e83 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 715-80: Compensation—Retirement Benefits — Multiemployer Plans ### Machine-generated study aids ```json { "summary": "ASC 715-80 governs an employer's accounting and disclosure for participation in multiemployer pension and other postretirement benefit plans — plans to which two or more unrelated employers contribute, usually under collective-bargaining agreements. The core rule is defined-contribution-like: the employer recognizes as net pension (or net periodic postretirement benefit) cost the required contribution for the period, including cash and the fair value of noncash contributions, and recognizes a liability only for unpaid required contributions (715-80-35-1). Extensive plan-by-plan disclosures (zone status, EIN, contributions, collective-bargaining agreement expirations, withdrawal exposure) are required so users can assess the distinctive risks of multiemployer participation.", "key_points": [ "An employer recognizes as net pension cost or net periodic postretirement benefit cost the required contribution for the period (cash plus fair value of noncash contributions) and records a liability for any unpaid required contributions (715-80-35-1); an executed agreement to make future contributions does not create a liability beyond contributions currently due and unpaid (715-80-55-2).", "If withdrawal from the plan under circumstances giving rise to an obligation, or an increased contribution under a maintenance of benefits clause, is probable or reasonably possible, Topic 450 contingency accounting applies (715-80-35-2; 715-80-50-2).", "The Subtopic applies to all multiemployer pension and OPEB plans but not to multiple-employer plans, which are in substance aggregations of single-employer plans pooled for investment or administrative efficiency and ordinarily do not involve collective bargaining (715-80-15-2 through 15-3).", "For each individually significant multiemployer pension plan, an employer must disclose (in tabular format when feasible) the plan's legal name, EIN/plan number, most recently available PPA certified zone status (or funded-percentage ranges of <65%, 65–80%, at least 80%), collective-bargaining agreement expiration dates, contributions made, whether contributions exceed 5 percent of total plan contributions per Form 5500, and whether a funding improvement or rehabilitation plan is pending or implemented, whether a surcharge was paid, and any required minimum future contributions (715-80-50-5).", "An employer must give a narrative description of the plans and its participation showing how the risks differ from single-employer plans (715-80-50-4), describe changes affecting period-to-period comparability such as business combinations, divestitures, rate changes, or changes in covered employees (715-80-50-6), and disclose in tabular form total contributions to plans that are not individually significant and total contributions to all plans (715-80-50-9).", "When plan-level information is not publicly available, additional disclosures about the nature of benefits, the extent of the employer's potential responsibility for plan obligations, and available quantitative plan data are required; certain quantitative items may be omitted if they cannot be obtained without undue cost and effort, with an explanation of what was omitted and why (715-80-50-7 through 50-8).", "A multiemployer plan cannot be a substantially equivalent successor plan for a terminated single-employer defined benefit plan, so prior service cost in accumulated other comprehensive income must be recognized on an accelerated basis (715-80-55-3 through 55-4); an arrangement in which retirees lose plan coverage when the former employer stops contributing is not a multiemployer plan (715-80-55-5)." ], "categories": [ "Compensation and benefits", "Disclosure", "Recognition", "Contingencies and guarantees" ], "audience_level": "intermediate", "student_note": "The key exam trap is assuming multiemployer plan participation requires defined benefit accounting: it does not — expense equals the required contribution, and no unfunded benefit obligation is recorded unless withdrawal liability becomes probable or reasonably possible under Topic 450. Also distinguish a true multiemployer plan (obligation to retirees survives an employer's withdrawal) from a multiple-employer plan, which is accounted for as an aggregation of single-employer plans.", "related_topics": [ "715-10", "715-30", "715-60", "715-20", "450", "450-20" ], "key_concepts": [ "multiemployer plan", "required contribution", "withdrawal liability", "pension protection act zone status", "collective-bargaining agreement", "multiple-employer plan", "funding improvement or rehabilitation plan", "successor plan" ] } ``` Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:21.184Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:21.184Z Record version: sha256:0abfe5a7bd488a795ef7f0a720870dab9671ed43db07e258e29cc969dd16a20c Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 715-80-00: 00 Status [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#00-status) SEC content: no ##### [715-80-00-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-00-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:21.184Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:21.184Z Record version: sha256:bb189f14e0b08fe7209e6af4d55754338afa9b6cf07f875a134e78052da777fe 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
Nonpublic EntityAddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
Pension BenefitsAddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
Postretirement Benefits Other Than PensionsAddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
Single-Employer PlanAddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
Single-Employer Plan (1st def.)AddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
Single-Employer Plan (2nd def.)SupersededAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
715-80-35-1AmendedAccounting Standards Update No. 2012-0410/01/2012
715-80-50-1SupersededAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
715-80-50-2AmendedAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
715-80-50-3 through 50-11
AddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
715-80-50-4AmendedAccounting Standards Update No. 2014-0603/14/2014
715-80-50-5AmendedAccounting Standards Update No. 2015-1006/12/2015
715-80-55-6 through 55-8
AddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
715-80-65-1AddedAccounting Standards Update No. 2011-0909/21/2011
Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z Record version: sha256:918eef8046a1c3038f75a15ddd17077abce29cc10e7d6e996ff54bd006706fbe Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 715-80-05: 05 Overview and Background [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#05-overview-and-background) SEC content: no ##### [715-80-05-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-05-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z Record version: sha256:d87d4195410795795864cbb40281ad5af39b47fb554c3695e748b8cf1315fc9f Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. This Subtopic provides guidance on the accounting and reporting of multiemployer pension and other postretirement benefit plans. For purposes of this Subtopic, a [multiemployer plan](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/m/#multiemployer-plan "A pension or postretirement benefit plan to which two or more unrelated employers contribute, usually pursuant to one or more collective-bargaining agreements. A characteristic of multiemployer plans is that assets contributed by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers since assets contributed by an employer are not segregated in a separate account or restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer. A multiemployer plan is usually administered by a board of trustees composed of management and labor representatives and may also be referred to as a joint trust or union plan. Generally, many employers participate in a multiemployer plan, and an employer may participate in more than one plan. The employers participating in multiemployer plans usually have a common industry bond, but for some plans the employers are in different industries and the labor union may be their only common bond. Some multiemployer plans do not involve a union. For example, local chapters of a not-for-profit entity (NFP) may participate in a plan established by the related national organization.") is a pension plan or other postretirement benefit plan to which two or more unrelated employers contribute, usually pursuant to one or more collective-bargaining agreements. ##### [715-80-05-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-05-2) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z Record version: sha256:6654af355a000156e63d4beb5aa247ecf547931c41327ba85feedf9d7c15347e Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. In a multiemployer setting, eligibility for benefits is defined by the plan; retired employees continue to receive benefits whether or not their former employers continue to contribute to the plan. ##### [715-80-05-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-05-3) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z Record version: sha256:9d102569c58f378f40b329a2b3c9cefda4d3eff7f412e779cacef92a1fe85c4c Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. However, in a multiemployer postretirement benefit plan, plan participants not yet eligible for benefits may lose accumulated postretirement benefits if their current or former employer withdraws from a plan unless they take or have a job with other employers who participate in the plan. ##### [715-80-05-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-05-4) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:23.025Z Record version: sha256:97ae96f1da38a4d363fffd37c247cef27f29cd0a4d2b86a4cc1893c9d0117d2b Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. While the postretirement benefit plan may have the option of canceling the accrued service credits that apply toward the required service, within the bargaining unit, of plan participants who were employed by a withdrawing employer and who become or are employed by another participating employer, that rarely occurs because of the difficulty of matching employees to specific employers. For example, in certain industries, an employee may work for more than one employer in a single day and different employers on different days, making it difficult to associate any portion of that employee's past service with a specific employer. Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:25.680Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:25.680Z Record version: sha256:a9aefe160d034958a9dd669b5d47021318b0ad6487b4d84fde6033a8bb77c1ee Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 715-80-15: 15 Scope and Scope Exceptions [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#15-scope-and-scope-exceptions) SEC content: no #### Overall Guidance ##### [715-80-15-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-15-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:25.680Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:25.680Z Record version: sha256:629767baf46509920c1f6e03722cfd01cf7307b3798378f2a8a85357214f553f 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 715-10-15, with specific exceptions and qualifications noted below. #### Transactions ##### [715-80-15-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-15-2) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:25.680Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:25.680Z Record version: sha256:ed6c78cb7b1727274a1979a89a8210faeb4ed31967b41ffa11e984f2eae08621 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. The guidance in this Subtopic applies to all multiemployer pension or other postretirement benefit plans. ##### [715-80-15-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-15-3) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:25.680Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:25.680Z Record version: sha256:ecc5b4ff1314162acb77e33782125ea99955b3b05070dbbf70d0edfcd7e1670d Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. The guidance in this Subtopic does not apply to multiple-employer plans - as distinguished from multiemployer plans. Multiple-employer plans are in substance aggregations of single-employer plans, combined to allow participating employers to pool plan assets for investment purposes or to reduce the costs of plan administration. Those plans ordinarily do not involve collective-bargaining agreements. They may also have features that allow participating employers to have different benefit formulas, with the employer's contributions to the plan based on the benefit formula selected by the employer. Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:32.535Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:32.535Z Record version: sha256:4b305ecdb456bf92382eb4677591875f35b3e824fd45797fa6484ecdc312429a Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 715-80-35: 35 Subsequent Measurement [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#35-subsequent-measurement) SEC content: no ##### [715-80-35-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-35-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:32.535Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:32.535Z Record version: sha256:e5794a058e8c1d908933ed2a6d887519c82a1f7f7213e540acf739e7fd7a057a Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An employer participating in a [multiemployer plan](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/m/#multiemployer-plan "A pension or postretirement benefit plan to which two or more unrelated employers contribute, usually pursuant to one or more collective-bargaining agreements. A characteristic of multiemployer plans is that assets contributed by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers since assets contributed by an employer are not segregated in a separate account or restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer. A multiemployer plan is usually administered by a board of trustees composed of management and labor representatives and may also be referred to as a joint trust or union plan. Generally, many employers participate in a multiemployer plan, and an employer may participate in more than one plan. The employers participating in multiemployer plans usually have a common industry bond, but for some plans the employers are in different industries and the labor union may be their only common bond. Some multiemployer plans do not involve a union. For example, local chapters of a not-for-profit entity (NFP) may participate in a plan established by the related national organization.") shall recognize as net pension cost or net periodic postretirement benefit cost the required contribution for the period, which shall include both cash and the fair value of noncash contributions, and shall recognize as a liability any unpaid contributions required for the period. ##### [715-80-35-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-35-2) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:32.535Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:32.535Z Record version: sha256:477b71d9f7f99a231beb4fa9d89099ccdf7267d5725f650e9becb7c38ae66de5 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. In some situations, withdrawal from a multiemployer plan may result in an employer having an obligation to the plan for a portion of the unfunded benefit obligation of the pension or other postretirement benefit plans. If withdrawal under circumstances that would give rise to an obligation is either probable or reasonably possible, the provisions of Topic 450 shall apply. Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:dbd51bd27222313267606c591f12b729482bda2e49d8945d3d1747b8d52c580e Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 715-80-50: 50 Disclosure [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#50-disclosure) SEC content: no ##### [715-80-50-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:23a97dd5037378d7af76f8e8e993d20b45b8be8412861eb574644e7995d19728 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. [Paragraph superseded by Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-09](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2011-09/). ##### [715-80-50-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-2) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:0fcdd2ff270e02fd39a53d4c752b9af1b6cf8282b0bf2576c58dd45df2969edb Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An employer shall apply the provisions of Topic 450 to its participation in a [multiemployer plan](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/m/#multiemployer-plan "A pension or postretirement benefit plan to which two or more unrelated employers contribute, usually pursuant to one or more collective-bargaining agreements. A characteristic of multiemployer plans is that assets contributed by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers since assets contributed by an employer are not segregated in a separate account or restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer. A multiemployer plan is usually administered by a board of trustees composed of management and labor representatives and may also be referred to as a joint trust or union plan. Generally, many employers participate in a multiemployer plan, and an employer may participate in more than one plan. The employers participating in multiemployer plans usually have a common industry bond, but for some plans the employers are in different industries and the labor union may be their only common bond. Some multiemployer plans do not involve a union. For example, local chapters of a not-for-profit entity (NFP) may participate in a plan established by the related national organization.") if it is either probable or reasonably possible that either of the following would occur: 1. a An employer would withdraw from the plan under circumstances that would give rise to an obligation. 2. b An employer's contribution to the fund would be increased during the remainder of the contract period to make up a shortfall in the funds necessary to maintain the negotiated level of benefit coverage (a maintenance of benefits clause). #### Multiemployer Plans That Provide Pension Benefits ##### [715-80-50-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-3) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:7a527311ed68f8d095cf38ce9c1ce35564e8b1b7552f324e719f06804ef1a68d Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An employer shall provide the disclosures required by paragraphs [715-80-50-4 through 50-10](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-4) in annual financial statements. The disclosures of the employer's contributions made to the plan in paragraphs 715-80-50-4 through 50-10 include all items recognized as net pension costs (see paragraph [715-80-35-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-35-1)). The disclosures based on _the most recently available_ information shall be the most recently available through the date at which the employer has evaluated subsequent events. ##### [715-80-50-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-4) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:793f23328f780f698f298e26c97fe10ba11ed8a967ab1adc48b84cf0b89a63f5 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An employer that participates in a multiemployer plan that provides [pension benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#pension-benefits "Periodic (usually monthly) payments made pursuant to the terms of the pension plan to a person who has retired from employment or to that person's beneficiary.") shall provide a narrative description both of the general nature of the multiemployer plans that provide pension benefits and of the employer's participation in the plans that would indicate how the risks of participating in these plans are different from [single-employer plans](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/s/#single-employer-plan "A pension plan or other postretirement benefit plan that is maintained by one employer. The term also may be used to describe a plan that is maintained by related parties such as a parent and its subsidiaries."). ##### [715-80-50-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-5) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:044224ec0066026d56dbd12ab671ed88dd2e465c1f6dcc766235a4fe178fa91f Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. When feasible, the information required by this paragraph shall be provided in a tabular format. Information that requires greater narrative description may be provided outside the table. For each individually significant multiemployer plan that provides pension benefits, an employer shall disclose the following: 1. a Legal name of the plan. 2. b The plan's Employer Identification Number and, if available, its plan number. 3. c For each statement of financial position presented, the most recently available certified zone status provided by the plan, as currently defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 or a subsequent amendment of that Act. The disclosure shall specify the date of the plan's year-end to which the zone status relates and whether the plan has utilized any extended amortization provisions that affect the calculation of the zone status. If the zone status is not available, an employer shall disclose, as of the most recent date available, on the basis of the financial statements provided by the plan, the total plan assets and accumulated benefit obligations, whether the plan was: 1. 1 Less than 65 percent funded 2. 2 Between 65 percent and 80 percent funded 3. 3 At least 80 percent funded. 4. d The expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreement(s) requiring contributions to the plan, if any. If more than one collective-bargaining agreement applies to the plan, the employer shall provide a range of the expiration dates of those agreements, supplemented with a qualitative description that identifies the significant collective-bargaining agreements within that range as well as other information to help investors understand the significance of the collective-bargaining agreements and when they expire (for example, the portion of employees covered by each agreement or the portion of contributions required by each agreement). 5. e For each period that a statement of income (statement of activities for a [not-for-profit entity](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/n/#not-for-profit-entity "An entity that possesses the following characteristics, in varying degrees, that distinguish it from a business entity: Contributions of significant amounts of resources from resource providers who do not expect commensurate or proportionate pecuniary return Operating purposes other than to provide goods or services at a profit Absence of ownership interests like those of business entities. Entities that clearly fall outside this definition include the following: All investor-owned entities Entities that provide dividends, lower costs, or other economic benefits directly and proportionately to their owners, members, or participants, such as mutual insurance entities, credit unions, farm and rural electric cooperatives, and employee benefit plans.")) is presented: 1. 1 The employer's contributions made to the plan 2. 2 Whether the employer's contributions represent more than 5 percent of total contributions to the plan as indicated in the plan's most recently available annual report (Form 5500 for U.S. plans). The disclosure shall specify the year-end date of the plan to which the annual report relates. 6. f As of the end of the most recent annual period presented: 1. 1 Whether a funding improvement plan or rehabilitation plan (for example, as those terms are defined by the Employment Retirement Security Act of 1974) had been implemented or was pending 2. 2 Whether the employer paid a surcharge to the plan 3. 3 A description of any minimum contribution(s), required for future periods by the collective-bargaining agreement(s), statutory obligations, or other contractual obligations, if applicable. Factors other than the amount of the employer's contribution to a plan, for example, the severity of the underfunded status of the plan, may need to be considered when determining whether a plan is significant. ##### [715-80-50-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-6) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:95936fb81f2c74bbe80080e4d622cd8ea65d570849b2408d433c6ae4caf2eba7 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An employer shall provide a description of the nature and effect of any significant changes that affect comparability of total employer contributions from period to period, such as: 1. a A business combination or a divestiture 2. b A change in the contractual employer contribution rate 3. c A change in the number of employees covered by the plan during each year. ##### [715-80-50-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-7) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:e37700c98a23c27a73c609c4c356424c6b4cd7ec5f9285286655e1a95842821d Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. The requirements in paragraph [715-80-50-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-5) assume that the other information about the plan is available in the public domain. For example, for U.S. plans, the plan information in Form 5500 is publicly available. In circumstances in which plan level information is not available in the public domain, an employer shall disclose, in addition to the requirements of paragraphs [715-80-50-5 through 50-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-5) , the following information about each significant plan: 1. a A description of the nature of the plan benefits 2. b A qualitative description of the extent to which the employer could be responsible for the obligations of the plan, including benefits earned by employees during employment with another employer 3. c Other quantitative information, to the extent available, as of the most recent date available, to help users understand the financial information about the plan, such as total plan assets, actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits, and total contributions received by the plan. If the quantitative information in paragraph [715-80-50-5(c)](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-5), [715-80-50-5(e)(2)](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-5), or [715-80-50-7(c)](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-7) cannot be obtained without undue cost and effort, that quantitative information may be omitted and the employer shall describe what information has been omitted and why. In that circumstance, the employer also shall provide any qualitative information as of the most recent date available that would help users understand the financial information that otherwise is required to be disclosed about the plan. ##### [715-80-50-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-8) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:c76a2e001fc67662307bd23b58ab294f5e36aed62ebe58953a5f4b3cfc92b70f Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Disclosures about multiemployer plans that are subject to the guidance in the preceding paragraph shall be included in a separate section of the tabular disclosure required by paragraph [715-80-50-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-5). ##### [715-80-50-9](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-9) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:cc7dd4be4b6274a7af527fe155c7a151ee6c8a3476b0ef26871906f56054c1fe Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. In addition to the information about the significant multiemployer plans that provide pension benefits required by paragraphs [715-80-50-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-5) and [715-80-50-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-7), an employer shall disclose in a tabular format for each annual period for which a statement of income or statement of activities is presented, both of the following: 1. a Its total contributions made to all plans that are not individually significant 2. b Its total contributions made to all plans. ##### [715-80-50-10](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-10) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:2a0900391305a45c9a60485e1a7131db9918d901987261dcf0c8e6bcd01d6611 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. See Example 1 (paragraph [715-80-55-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-6)) for an illustration of the application of the disclosure requirements in paragraphs [715-80-50-4 through 50-9](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-4) ). #### Multiemployer Plans That Provide Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions ##### [715-80-50-11](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-11) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:36.483Z Record version: sha256:27f60273f38f35ce9ff6cdc051f34c9b44be7fc9b83835806f96e5b78cf44992 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An employer shall disclose the amount of contributions to multiemployer plans that provide [postretirement benefits other than pensions](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#postretirement-benefits-other-than-pensions "See Postretirement Benefits.") for each annual period for which a statement of income or statement of activities is presented. The disclosures shall include a description of the nature and effect of any changes that affect comparability of total employer contributions from period to period, such as: 1. a A business combination or a divestiture 2. b A change in the contractual employer contribution rate 3. c A change in the number of employees covered by the plan during each year. The disclosures also shall include a description of the nature of the benefits and the types of employees covered by these benefits, such as medical benefits provided to active employees and retirees. Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:b95459a3f0860ee70c994f533077c66fb95ceacf5f0844307b667f40c0a681c9 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 715-80-55: 55 Implementation Guidance and Illustrations [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#55-implementation-guidance-and-illustrations) SEC content: no #### Implementation Guidance ##### [715-80-55-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:1d294c3e54d1c80f0117b3b706fc3df8b1322c3471a17562467380faadbbd2f7 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. This Section, which is an integral part of the requirements of this Subtopic, provides general guidance related to accounting and disclosure requirements of multiemployer pension and other postretirement benefit plans. ##### [715-80-55-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-2) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:2eba398ba2e805ac240529cc057f6ee9dd61bad88f50e56cb9b8399278742f09 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An employer participates in a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan. When the employer enters the plan or improves benefits under the plan, the employer unconditionally promises to pay certain future contributions to the plan and executes an agreement that specifies the amounts of those future contributions. The amounts of those future contributions are calculated based on the plan's prior service cost associated with the participants entering the plan or the improved benefits. In return, the plan unconditionally promises to pay retirement benefits to the employer's covered participants in the plan. The existence of the executed agreement does not require that a liability be reported beyond any contributions currently due and unpaid. ##### [715-80-55-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-3) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:9e79e934b7c2cde6294d3a0103afec3061de1ac118e63e0f18ba00de09d85eb0 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. A [multiemployer plan](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/m/#multiemployer-plan "A pension or postretirement benefit plan to which two or more unrelated employers contribute, usually pursuant to one or more collective-bargaining agreements. A characteristic of multiemployer plans is that assets contributed by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers since assets contributed by an employer are not segregated in a separate account or restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer. A multiemployer plan is usually administered by a board of trustees composed of management and labor representatives and may also be referred to as a joint trust or union plan. Generally, many employers participate in a multiemployer plan, and an employer may participate in more than one plan. The employers participating in multiemployer plans usually have a common industry bond, but for some plans the employers are in different industries and the labor union may be their only common bond. Some multiemployer plans do not involve a union. For example, local chapters of a not-for-profit entity (NFP) may participate in a plan established by the related national organization.") shall not be considered a substantially equivalent replacement plan (a successor plan) for an employer that terminates its single-employer defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. Acceleration of the recognition as a component of net periodic postretirement benefit cost of prior service cost included in accumulated other comprehensive income would be required. ##### [715-80-55-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-4) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:09efcf22103f6058d70a9fa21a429f449c762c1a0f7222e4ec058b9eafc313f3 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. The characteristics and the accounting for a multiemployer plan are sufficiently different from a single-employer plan that neither plan can be a successor plan for the other. The nature of the employer's promise is different in each plan. In a single-employer plan, the employer promises to provide defined benefits. In a multiemployer plan, the employer promises to make a defined contribution. That employees continue to render service is important only if the accounting for a defined benefit plan is being applied, which includes the deferred recognition in earnings of certain items. Because the unit of account is the individual plan, the termination of a single-employer defined benefit plan without replacing it with a successor defined benefit plan concludes the employer's ability to apply defined benefit plan accounting. Therefore, to continue to recognize the prior service cost as a component of net periodic postretirement benefit cost over future periods for the terminated plan in this situation is not appropriate. ##### [715-80-55-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-5) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:d103e3cdffb5b5de22e6f3ec64259c784e502bf3fffca23962ea58c66250e0af Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An employer that has a single-employer postretirement benefit plan decides to provide health care benefits to its retirees through participation with several unrelated employers in a group postretirement health care benefit arrangement that does not result from collective bargaining. The arrangement is administered by an independent board of trustees and provides a uniform level of benefits to all retirees by utilizing group medical insurance contracts. Each participating employer is assessed an annual contribution for its share of insurance premiums, plus administrative costs, and may require its respective retirees to pay a portion of the annual assessment. Retirees whose former employer discontinues paying the annual assessment have the right to continue participation if they assume the cost of the annual premiums needed to maintain their existing benefits. The employer shall not account for this arrangement as a multiemployer plan. A characteristic of a multiemployer plan is that its obligation to retirees continues even if a former employer discontinues its participation in the plan. That characteristic is not present in the arrangement described. #### Illustrations ##### [715-80-55-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-6) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:b80d1b7c9560c06cc501d3ca533ca6eac822a01c3d7ee22e92f0bd2ee9ec0fa2 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. This Example illustrates certain, but not all, of the disclosure requirements in paragraphs [715-80-50-4 through 50-9](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-50-4) . ##### [715-80-55-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-7) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:eaa03ea473a98387759c3dd580068d7dcb4510c2ca7e158cfb569c9954686241 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Entity A contributes to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover its union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects: 1. a Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. 2. b If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. 3. c If Entity A chooses to stop participating in some of its multiemployer plans, Entity A may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. ##### [715-80-55-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-55-8) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:39.176Z Record version: sha256:384a287088d0f8bedc97ef9e8e30ad6342c9d0e37b497e2305f5c4b61571844a Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Entitiy A's participation in these plans for the annual period ended December 31, 20X0, is outlined in the table below. The "EIN/Pension Plan Number" column provides the Employer Identification Number (EIN) and the three-digit plan number, if applicable. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act (PPA) zone status available in 20X0 and 20X9 is for the plan's year-end at December 31, 20X9, and December 31, 20X8, respectively. The zone status is based on information that Entity A received from the plan and is certified by the plan's actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The "FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented" column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreement(s) to which the plans are subject. Finally, the number of employees covered by Entity A's multiemployer plans decreased by 5 percent from 20X9 to 20X0, affecting the period-to-period comparability of the contributions for years 20X9 and 20X0. The significant reduction in covered employees corresponded to a reduction in overall business. There have been no significant changes that affect the comparability of 20X8 and 20X9 contributions. - ![ ](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc-img/GUID-74A4889E-1B7B-4185-BCB7-6BCC3D233761-low.gif) "Pension Fund" EIN/Pension Plan Number Pension Protection Act Zone Status FIP/RP Status Pending/ Contributions of Entity A Surcharge "Expiration Date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement" 20X0 20X9 " Implemented" 20X0 20X9 20X8 Imposed ABC Fund 34 32-1899999 Red as of 9/30/2009 Yellow as of 9/30/2008 Pending " $1,883,000 " " $2,309,000 " " $2,226,000 " Yes 12/31/20X3 ABC Fund 37 52-5599999 - 002 Green Yellow No " 3,342,000 " " 3,609,000 " " 3,586,000 " No "12/31/20X2 to 12/31/20X3" (a) ABC Fund 40 92-3499999 Yellow Yellow No " 5,798,000 " " 6,435,000 " " 6,374,000 " No 12/31/20X5 ABC Fund 43 82-4299999 Red Red Pending " 3,539,000 " " 3,234,000 " " 3,218,000 " Yes 12/31/20X4 ABC Fund 46 (b) 82-6899999 Green Green No " 778,000 " " 816,000 " " 833,000 " No 12/31/20X3 ABC Fund 49 52-6199999 Yellow Yellow No " 534,000 " " 547,000 " " 491,000 " No 12/31/20X2 ABC Fund 52 72-8599999 - 001 Red Green Implemented " 1,349,000 " " 1,134,000 " " 1,050,000 " No 12/31/20X5 ABC Fund 55 82-2999999 Green Green No " 1,224,000 " " 1,046,000 " " 1,151,000 " No 12/31/20X4 Plans for which plan financial information is not publicly available outside Entity A's financial statements ABC Fund 61 (c) N/A N/A N/A N/A " 418,000 " " 482,000 " " 491,000 " N/A 12/31/20X2 ABC Fund 73 (d) N/A N/A N/A N/A " 1,872,000 " " 1,764,000 " " 1,693,000 " N/A 12/31/20X2 Other funds " 147,000 " " 160,000 " " 169,000 " Total contributions: " $20,884,000 " " $21,536,000 " " $21,282,000 " (a) "Entity A is party to two significant collective-bargaining agreements that require contributions to ABC Fund 37. Agreements D and E expire on 12/31/20X2, and 12/31/20X3, respectively. Of the two, Agreement D is more significant because 70 percent of Entity A's employee participants in ABC Fund 37 are covered by that agreement. Agreement E also is significant because its participants are involved in multiple projects that Entity A is scheduled to start in 20X4. " (b) "ABC Fund 46 utilized the special 30-year amortization rules provided by Public Law 111-192, Section 211 to amortize its losses from 2008. The plan recertified its zone status after using the amortization provisions of that law. " (c) "Plan information for ABC Fund 61 is not publicly available. ABC Fund 61 provides fixed, monthly retirement payments on the basis of the credits earned by the participating employees. To the extent that the plan is underfunded, the future contributions to the plan may increase and may be used to fund retirement benefits for employees related to other employers who have ceased operations. Entity A could be assessed a withdrawal liability in the event that it decides to cease participating in the plan. ABC Fund 61's financial statements for the years ended June 30, 20X0 and 20X9 indicated total assets of $62,000,000 and $51,000,000, respectively; total actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits of $120,000,000 and $110,000,000, respectively; and total contributions for all participating employers of $9,000,000 and $8,000,000, respectively. The plan's financial statements for the plan years ended June 30, 20X0 and 20X9 indicate that the plan was less than 65 percent funded in both years." (d) "Plan information for ABC Fund 73 is not publicly available. ABC Fund 73 provides fixed retirement payments on the basis of the credits earned by the participating employees. However, in the event that the plan is underfunded, the monthly benefit amount can be reduced by the trustees of the plan. Entity A is not responsible for the underfunded status of the plan because ABC Fund 73 operates in a jurisdiction that does not require withdrawing participants to pay a withdrawal liability or other penalty. Entity A is unable to provide additional quantitative information on the plan because Entity A is unable to obtain that information without undue cost and effort. The collective-bargaining agreement of ABC Fund 73 requires contributions on the basis of hours worked. The agreement also has a minimum contribution requirement of $1,000,000 each year. " Entity A was listed in its plans' Forms 5500 as providing more than 5 percent of the total contributions for the following plans and plan years: - ![ ](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc-img/GUID-3406A0A0-CD12-41A6-9B1E-AC5F00048321-low.gif) Fund "Year Contributions to Plan Exceeded More Than 5 Percent of Total Contributions (as of December 31 of the Plan's Year-End)" ABC Fund 34 20X9 and 2008 ABC Fund 43 20X8 ABC Fund 52 20X8 ABC Fund 61 20X9 At the date the financial statements were issued, Forms 5500 were not available for the plan years ending in 20X0. Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:48.488Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:48.488Z Record version: sha256:8096146efe0c42ac1a65ef323b3edce23ae09029ebe4d0503f2da1b231b3c09d Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 715-80-65: 65 Transition and Open Effective Date Information [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#65-transition-and-open-effective-date-information) SEC content: no ##### [715-80-65-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/715/80/#715-80-65-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T01:01:48.488Z to 2026-09-10T01:01:48.488Z Record version: sha256:f834448673856657012f8f896c4fa8a74aa60ba664bed4416ce2a238d5921cb4 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Paragraph superseded on 06/17/2013 after the end of the transition period stated in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-09, _Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Multiemployer Plans (Subtopic 715-80): Disclosures about an Employer's Participation in a Multiemployer Plan_.