# ASC 960-20: Plan Accounting—Defined Benefit Pension Plans — Accumulated Plan Benefits

Source: FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Basic View

[Read online](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/)

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.

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## ASC 960-20: Plan Accounting—Defined Benefit Pension Plans — Accumulated Plan Benefits

### Machine-generated study aids

```json
{
  "summary": "ASC 960-20 governs how a defined benefit pension plan measures and reports the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits — the benefits reasonably expected to be paid in exchange for employee service rendered to the benefit information date. Benefits are attributed using the plan's own provisions where possible and otherwise pro rata over years of service to full vesting (vested-type benefits) or to expected separation (nonvested-type benefits), measured using pay and service history as of the benefit information date under an ongoing-plan assumption. The total must be segmented at minimum into vested benefits of participants currently receiving payments, other vested benefits, and nonvested benefits, and the significant factors causing the year-to-year change must be identified.",
  "key_points": [
    "Benefit information shall relate only to benefits reasonably expected to be paid for service rendered to the benefit information date, best represented by vested benefits, nonvested benefits expected to vest, and employees' history of pay and service (960-20-25-1 through 25-2).",
    "Plan provisions govern attribution to the extent possible; if the benefit per year of service is not stated or clearly determinable, it accumulates ratably over years of service to full vesting (if includable in vested benefits) or to projected separation from covered employment (if not) (960-20-25-3 through 25-4; 960-20-55-3 through 55-5).",
    "Accumulated plan benefits are based on pay and service as of the benefit information date; projected years of service are used only to determine expected eligibility for benefits (increased benefits, early retirement, death, disability), automatic plan-specified increases such as cost-of-living increases are recognized, benefits under insurance contracts excluded from plan assets are excluded, and plan amendments adopted after the benefit information date are not recognized (960-20-25-5).",
    "An assumption of an ongoing plan underlies all other assumptions, and each significant assumption must reflect the best estimate of the plan's future experience for that individual assumption; assumed rates of return must be consistent with realistically achievable returns on plan assets and the plan's investment policy, inflation assumptions must be consistent with assumed returns, and plan-paid administrative expenses must be reflected either by adjusting assumed returns or by discounting those expenses (960-20-35-1).",
    "As an acceptable alternative, assumptions inherent in the estimated cost of an insurance contract to provide participants their accumulated plan benefits may be used, with any other necessary assumptions selected under 960-20-35-1 (960-20-35-1A through 35-2).",
    "Changes in actuarial assumptions to reflect changed expected experience are changes in estimates accounted for in the year of change (and future years), never by restating prior years or presenting pro forma amounts (960-20-35-4).",
    "Disclosure must include accounting policies describing the method and significant assumptions (assumed rates of return, inflation rates, retirement ages), present employees' accumulated contributions and any interest rate credited, and the significant effects of plan amendments, changes in the nature of the plan, and changes in actuarial assumptions on the change in the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits (960-20-50-2, 50-3, 50-8)."
  ],
  "categories": [
    "Compensation and benefits",
    "Subsequent measurement",
    "Presentation",
    "Disclosure"
  ],
  "audience_level": "advanced",
  "student_note": "Plan-level pension accounting is not the same as employer-level accounting under ASC 715: the plan measures accumulated plan benefits using pay and service as of the benefit information date (no projected salary increases), with future service used only to test eligibility for particular benefits. A common misunderstanding is assuming the plan's discount rate is a settlement/high-quality bond rate — here it is an expected rate of return consistent with the plan's assets and investment policy (or insurance-contract-based rates under the 960-20-35-1A alternative).",
  "related_topics": [
    "960-10",
    "960-205",
    "960-30",
    "960-325",
    "715",
    "965"
  ],
  "key_concepts": [
    "accumulated plan benefits",
    "actuarial present value",
    "benefit information date",
    "vested and nonvested benefits",
    "benefit attribution",
    "assumed rate of return",
    "ongoing plan assumption",
    "change in actuarial assumptions"
  ]
}
```

Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T02:22:37.329Z to 2026-09-10T02:22:37.329Z

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## ASC 960-20-00: 00 Status

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#00-status)

SEC content: no

##### [960-20-00-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-00-1)

Pending content: no

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The following table identifies the changes made to this Subtopic.

<table class="asc-table" id="SL29650494-161939"><tbody><tr><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Paragraph</strong></td><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Action</strong></td><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Accounting Standards Update</strong></td><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Date</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="entry"></td><td class="entry"></td><td class="entry"></td><td class="entry"></td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefits" class="term" title="The monetary or in-kind benefits or benefit coverage to which participants may be entitled under a pension plan or a health and welfare plan (which can include active, terminated, and retired employees or their dependents or beneficiaries). Examples of benefits may include, but are not limited to, health care benefits, life insurance, legal, educational, and advisory services, pension benefits, disability benefits, death benefits, and benefits due to termination of employment."><span>Benefits</span></a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2016-19/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-19</a></td><td class="entry">12/14/2016</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Benefits</strong> (1st def.)</td><td class="entry">Superseded</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefits" class="term" title="The monetary or in-kind benefits or benefit coverage to which participants may be entitled under a pension plan or a health and welfare plan (which can include active, terminated, and retired employees or their dependents or beneficiaries). Examples of benefits may include, but are not limited to, health care benefits, life insurance, legal, educational, and advisory services, pension benefits, disability benefits, death benefits, and benefits due to termination of employment."><span>Benefits</span></a> (3rd def.)</td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/d/#defined-benefit-plan" class="term" title="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.)"><span>Defined Benefit Plan</span></a></td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Defined Benefit Pension Plan</strong> (1st def.)</td><td class="entry">Superseded</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Participant</strong> (1st def.)</td><td class="entry">Superseded</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#participant" class="term" title="Any employee or former employee, or any member or former member of a trade or other employee association, or the beneficiaries of those individuals, for whom there are pension plan benefits or other accumulated plan benefits."><span>Participant</span></a> (2nd def.)</td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Pension Benefits</strong> (1st def.)</td><td class="entry">Superseded</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#pension-benefits" class="term" title="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."><span>Pension Benefits</span></a> (2nd def.)</td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#pension-fund" class="term" title="The assets of a pension plan held by a funding agency."><span>Pension Fund</span></a></td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#plan-assets" class="term" title="Assets—usually stocks, bonds, and other investments—that have been segregated and restricted, usually in a trust, to provide for pension benefits. The amount of plan assets includes amounts contributed by the employer, and by employees for a contributory plan, and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. Plan assets ordinarily cannot be withdrawn by the employer except under certain circumstances when a plan has assets in excess of obligations and the employer has taken certain steps to satisfy existing obligations. Assets not segregated in a trust or otherwise effectively restricted so that they cannot be used by the employer for other purposes are not plan assets even though it may be intended that such assets be used to provide pensions. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those nonbenefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets. Amounts accrued by the employer but not yet paid to the plan are not plan assets. Securities of the employer held by the plan are includable in plan assets provided they are transferable."><span>Plan Assets</span></a> (2nd def.)</td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Service</strong> (1st def.)</td><td class="entry">Superseded</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/s/#service" class="term" title="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."><span>Service</span></a> (2nd def.)</td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Sponsor</strong> (1st def.)</td><td class="entry">Superseded</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/s/#sponsor" class="term" title="In the case of a pension plan established or maintained by a single employer, the employer; in the case of a plan established or maintained by an employee entity, the employee entity; in the case of a plan established or maintained jointly by two or more employers or by one or more employers and one or more employee entities, the association, committee, joint board of trustees, or other group of representatives of the parties that have established or that maintain the pension plan."><span>Sponsor</span></a> (3rd def.)</td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><strong class="ph b">Vested Benefits</strong> (1st def.)</td><td class="entry">Superseded</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/v/#vested-benefits" class="term" title="Benefits for which the employee's right to receive a present or future pension benefit is no longer contingent on remaining in the service of the employer. (Other conditions, such as inadequacy of the pension fund, may prevent the employee from receiving the vested benefit.) Under graded vesting, the initial vested right may be to receive in the future a stated percentage of a pension based on the number of years of accumulated credited service; thereafter, the percentage may increase with the number of years of service or of age until the right to receive the entire benefit has vested."><span>Vested Benefits</span></a> (2nd def.)</td><td class="entry">Added</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"></td><td class="entry"></td><td class="entry"></td><td class="entry"></td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-05-1" class="xref">960-20-05-1</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-1" class="xref">960-20-25-1</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-2" class="xref">960-20-25-2</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-5" class="xref">960-20-25-5</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><div class="xref-range displayInline"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-1" class="xref">960-20-35-1 through 35-3</a></div></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-11" class="xref">960-20-35-11</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-12" class="xref">960-20-35-12</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-17" class="xref">960-20-35-17</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-2" class="xref">960-20-45-2</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2012-04/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-04</a></td><td class="entry">10/01/2012</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-3" class="xref">960-20-45-3</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-5" class="xref">960-20-45-5</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-4" class="xref">960-20-50-4</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-6" class="xref">960-20-50-6</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-1" class="xref">960-20-55-1</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr><tr><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-2" class="xref">960-20-55-2</a></td><td class="entry">Amended</td><td class="entry"><a href="https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2014-06/" class="xref">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-06</a></td><td class="entry">03/14/2014</td></tr></tbody></table>

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## ASC 960-20-05: 05 Overview and Background

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#05-overview-and-background)

SEC content: no

##### [960-20-05-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-05-1)

Pending content: no

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This Subtopic provides guidance on [accumulated plan benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/a/#accumulated-plan-benefits "Future benefit payments that are attributable under the provisions of a pension plan to employees' service rendered to the benefit information date. Accumulated plan benefits comprise benefits expected to be paid to any of the following: Retired or terminated employees or their beneficiaries Beneficiaries of deceased employees Present employees or their beneficiaries.") 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.)").

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## ASC 960-20-15: 15 Scope and Scope Exceptions

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#15-scope-and-scope-exceptions)

SEC content: no

#### Overall Guidance

##### [960-20-15-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-15-1)

Pending content: no

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This Subtopic follows the same Scope and Scope Exceptions as outlined in the Overall Subtopic, see Section 960-10-15.

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## ASC 960-20-25: 25 Recognition

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#25-recognition)

SEC content: no

#### Application of Plan Provisions

##### [960-20-25-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-1)

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[Benefit information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information "The actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits.") shall relate to the [benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefits "The monetary or in-kind benefits or benefit coverage to which participants may be entitled under a pension plan or a health and welfare plan (which can include active, terminated, and retired employees or their dependents or beneficiaries). Examples of benefits may include, but are not limited to, health care benefits, life insurance, legal, educational, and advisory services, pension benefits, disability benefits, death benefits, and benefits due to termination of employment.") reasonably expected to be paid in exchange for [employees'](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/e/#employee "A person who has rendered or is presently rendering service.") [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.") to the [benefit information date](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information-date "The date as of which the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits is presented.").

##### [960-20-25-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-2)

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The following best represent the benefits attributable to service already rendered:

1.  a
    
    [Vested benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/v/#vested-benefits "Benefits for which the employee's right to receive a present or future pension benefit is no longer contingent on remaining in the service of the employer. (Other conditions, such as inadequacy of the pension fund, may prevent the employee from receiving the vested benefit.) Under graded vesting, the initial vested right may be to receive in the future a stated percentage of a pension based on the number of years of accumulated credited service; thereafter, the percentage may increase with the number of years of service or of age until the right to receive the entire benefit has vested.")
    
2.  b
    
    Nonvested benefits expected to become vested, determined primarily in accordance with the benefit accrual provision
    
3.  c
    
    Employees' history of pay and service to the benefit information date.

##### [960-20-25-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-3)

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To the extent possible, plan provisions shall apply in recognizing [accumulated plan benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/a/#accumulated-plan-benefits "Future benefit payments that are attributable under the provisions of a pension plan to employees' service rendered to the benefit information date. Accumulated plan benefits comprise benefits expected to be paid to any of the following: Retired or terminated employees or their beneficiaries Beneficiaries of deceased employees Present employees or their beneficiaries."). In some plans, benefits are a specified amount for each year of service. Even if a plan does not specify a benefit for each year of service, another of its provisions (for example, a provision applicable to terminated employees or to termination of the plan—if independent of funding patterns) may indicate how to measure accumulated plan benefits.

##### [960-20-25-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-4)

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If the benefit for each year of service is not stated by or clearly determinable from the provisions of the plan, the benefit shall be considered to accumulate in proportion to either of the following:

1.  a
    
    The ratio of the number of years of service completed to the benefit information date to the number that will have been completed when the benefit will first be fully vested, if the type of benefit is includable in vested benefits (for example, a supplemental early retirement benefit that is a vested benefit after a stated number of years of service)
    
2.  b
    
    The ratio of completed years of service to projected years of service upon anticipated separation from covered employment, if the type of benefit is not includable in vested benefits (for example, a death or disability benefit that is payable only if death or disability occurs during active service).

##### [960-20-25-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-5)

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In recognizing and measuring accumulated plan benefits, the following shall apply:

1.  a
    
    Except as indicated in (b) and (c) of this paragraph, accumulated plan benefits shall be based on employees' history of pay and service and other appropriate factors as of the benefit information date. An illustration of the application of this guidance appears in Example 1 (see paragraph [960-20-55-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-6)).
    
2.  b
    
    Projected years of service shall be a factor only in determining employees' expected eligibility for particular benefits, such as any of the following:
    
    1.  1
        
        Increased benefits that are granted provided a specified number of years of service are rendered (for example, a pension benefit that is increased from $9 per month to $10 per month for each year of service if 20 or more years of service are rendered)
        
    2.  2
        
        Early retirement benefits
        
    3.  3
        
        Death benefits
        
    4.  4
        
        Disability benefits.
        
3.  c
    
    Automatic benefit increases specified by the plan (for example, automatic cost-of-living increases) that are expected to occur after the benefit information date shall be recognized.
    
4.  d
    
    Benefits to be provided by means of contracts excluded from [plan assets](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#plan-assets "Assets—usually stocks, bonds, and other investments—that have been segregated and restricted, usually in a trust, to provide for pension benefits. The amount of plan assets includes amounts contributed by the employer, and by employees for a contributory plan, and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. Plan assets ordinarily cannot be withdrawn by the employer except under certain circumstances when a plan has assets in excess of obligations and the employer has taken certain steps to satisfy existing obligations. Assets not segregated in a trust or otherwise effectively restricted so that they cannot be used by the employer for other purposes are not plan assets even though it may be intended that such assets be used to provide pensions. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those nonbenefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets. Amounts accrued by the employer but not yet paid to the plan are not plan assets. Securities of the employer held by the plan are includable in plan assets provided they are transferable.") for which payments to the insurance entity have been made shall be excluded.
    
5.  e
    
    Plan amendments adopted after the benefit information date shall not be recognized.
    
6.  f
    
    If it is necessary to take future compensation into account in the determination of Social Security benefits, employees' compensation as of the benefit information date shall be assumed to remain unchanged during their assumed future service. Increases in the wage base or benefit level pursuant to either the existing Social Security law or possible future amendments of the law shall not be recognized.

##### [960-20-25-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-6)

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[Superseded by Notice to Constituents](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/page-1833002/).

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## ASC 960-20-30: 30 Initial Measurement

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#30-initial-measurement)

SEC content: no

##### [960-20-30-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-30-1)

Pending content: no

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[Section not used](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/page-1833002/).

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## ASC 960-20-35: 35 Subsequent Measurement

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#35-subsequent-measurement)

SEC content: no

#### Assumptions Used in Determining Benefit Information

##### [960-20-35-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-1)

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An assumption of an ongoing plan shall underlie the other assumptions used in determining 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."). Every other significant assumption used in that determination and disclosed pursuant to paragraph [960-20-50-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-8) shall reflect the best estimate of the plan's future experience solely with respect to that individual assumption. As to certain assumptions, all of the following shall apply:

1.  a
    
    Assumed rates of return shall reflect the expected rates of return during the periods for which payment of benefits is deferred and shall be consistent with returns realistically achievable on the types of assets held by the plan and the plan's investment policy. To the extent that assumed rates of return are based on values of existing plan assets, the values used in determining assumed rates of return shall be the values presented in the plan's financial statements pursuant to the requirements of the Plan Accounting—Defined Benefit Pension Plans Topic.
    
2.  b
    
    Expected rates of inflation assumed in estimating automatic cost-of-living adjustments shall be consistent with the assumed rates of return.
    
3.  c
    
    Administrative expenses expected to be paid by the plan (not those paid by the [sponsor](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/s/#sponsor "In the case of a pension plan established or maintained by a single employer, the employer; in the case of a plan established or maintained by an employee entity, the employee entity; in the case of a plan established or maintained jointly by two or more employers or by one or more employers and one or more employee entities, the association, committee, joint board of trustees, or other group of representatives of the parties that have established or that maintain the pension plan.")) that are associated with providing accumulated plan benefits shall be reflected either by appropriately adjusting the assumed rates of return or by assigning those expenses to future periods and discounting them to the benefit information date.

##### [960-20-35-1A](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-1A)

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In selecting certain assumptions to be used in determining the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits, an acceptable alternative to that discussed in the preceding paragraph is to use those assumptions that are inherent in the estimated cost at the [benefit information date](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information-date "The date as of which the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits is presented.") to obtain a contract with an insurance entity to provide participants with their [accumulated plan benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/a/#accumulated-plan-benefits "Future benefit payments that are attributable under the provisions of a pension plan to employees' service rendered to the benefit information date. Accumulated plan benefits comprise benefits expected to be paid to any of the following: Retired or terminated employees or their beneficiaries Beneficiaries of deceased employees Present employees or their beneficiaries."). Those other assumptions that are necessary but are not inherent in that estimated cost shall be selected pursuant to the requirements of the preceding paragraph.

##### [960-20-35-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-2)

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For plans below a certain size, that alternative may be preferable to selection of certain assumptions (for example, mortality rates) appropriate for the [participant](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#participant "Any employee or former employee, or any member or former member of a trade or other employee association, or the beneficiaries of those individuals, for whom there are pension plan benefits or other accumulated plan benefits.") group because the validity of actuarial assumptions is dependent on the law of large numbers. The use of insurance entity premium rates might also reduce for some plans the cost of implementing this Subtopic.

#### Changes in Assumptions

##### [960-20-35-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-3)

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The following discusses the consideration of certain factors related to changes in assumptions used to calculate a plan's accumulated [benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefits "The monetary or in-kind benefits or benefit coverage to which participants may be entitled under a pension plan or a health and welfare plan (which can include active, terminated, and retired employees or their dependents or beneficiaries). Examples of benefits may include, but are not limited to, health care benefits, life insurance, legal, educational, and advisory services, pension benefits, disability benefits, death benefits, and benefits due to termination of employment.").

##### [960-20-35-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-4)

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Changes in actuarial assumptions made to reflect changes in the plan's expected experience shall be viewed as changes in estimates. That is, the effects of those changes shall be accounted for in the year of change (or in the year of change and future years if the change affects both) and shall not be accounted for by restating amounts reported in financial statements for prior years or by reporting pro forma amounts for prior years.

##### [960-20-35-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-5)

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Assumed rates of return used to determine the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits may change periodically due to changes in expected rates of return or as changes occur in the factors affecting estimates. A change in assumed rates of return need not necessarily result when a decision is made to replace fixed-income securities currently held with lower-rated fixed-income securities because the higher yield associated with the lower-rated securities reflects increased risk. Accordingly, a higher ultimate return on the aggregate investment portfolio may not result.

##### [960-20-35-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-6)

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The assumed rates of return required by this Subtopic relate to the periods for which payment of benefits is deferred and therefore encompass the periods on which automatic cost-of-living adjustments are based. Paragraph [960-20-35-10](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-10) discusses a relationship between assumed rates of inflation and assumed rates of return.

##### [960-20-35-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-7)

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The determination of assumed rates of return for most plans is, to a significant degree, a matter of judgment.

##### [960-20-35-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-8)

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Thus, various factors shall be considered in estimating rates of return to be used in determining the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits. Among them are the following:

1.  a
    
    Rates of return expected from investments currently held or available in the marketplace
    
2.  b
    
    Rates of return expected from the reinvestment of actual returns from those investments
    
3.  c
    
    The investment policy of the plan, including the diversity of investments currently held and expected to be held in the future.

##### [960-20-35-9](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-9)

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Accordingly, accumulated plan benefits will generally not be discounted solely at rates of return expected on existing investments, and changes in assumed rates of return will probably not equal the change during the reporting period in either short-term or long-term interest rates. A factor to consider in assessing the extent to which short-term and long-term interest rates should impact assumed rates of return is the degree to which the timing of cash inflows from related existing or potential investments matches the timing of payments of accumulated plan benefits. However, to the extent that assumed rates of return are affected by the rates of return expected from existing investments, this Subtopic requires that those expected rates be based on the values presented for those investments in the plan's financial statements. Further, the assumed rates of return at which accumulated plan benefits are discounted shall be reconsidered in light of changes in the fair values of investments between one period and another.

##### [960-20-35-10](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-10)

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This Subtopic requires that assumed rates of inflation used in measuring benefits attributable to automatic cost-of-living adjustments be consistent with those inherent in assumed rates of return. If an automatic cost-of-living adjustment is subject to a maximum annual percentage increase (sometimes referred to as a cap), the assumed rate of benefit increase may differ from the assumed rate of inflation.

##### [960-20-35-11](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-11)

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[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.") are not paid unless employees live to retirement, and they cease upon death unless there is a coannuitant, as in the case of a joint and survivor option. Therefore, accumulated plan benefits shall be adjusted to reflect participants' longevity.

##### [960-20-35-12](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-12)

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For reasons other than death or disability, employees may cease rendering [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."). If they do so before their pension benefits become fully vested, some or all of those benefits (depending on the plan's vesting provision) are forfeited.

##### [960-20-35-13](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-13)

Pending content: no

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Nonrecognition of future withdrawals would overstate the benefits reasonably expected to become payable. Consideration of future withdrawals is also consistent with consideration of future service in determining employees' expected eligibility for increased benefits.

##### [960-20-35-14](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-14)

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The selection of assumed rates of return at which to discount accumulated plan benefits is designed to present the net assets and [benefit information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information "The actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits.") on comparable bases and is independent of the plan's benefit formula.

##### [960-20-35-15](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-15)

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Because administrative expenses are incurred when making benefit payments, those expenses shall be considered in determining the benefit information. However, in similar circumstances, their use results in the disclosure (pursuant to paragraph [960-20-50-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-8)) of different rates of return. See paragraph [960-20-35-1(c)](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-1) for alternate methods of reflecting administrative expenses in the determination of benefit information.

#### Use of Averages or Reasonable Approximations

##### [960-20-35-16](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-16)

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The literal application of certain of the requirements of the Plan Accounting—Defined Benefit Pension Plans Topic could require a degree of detail in recordkeeping and computation that might be unduly burdensome. Accordingly, the use of averages or other methods of approximation is appropriate, provided the results obtained are substantially the same as the results contemplated by this Topic.

##### [960-20-35-17](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-17)

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Thus, rolling back to the beginning of the year or projecting to the end of the year detailed [employee](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/e/#employee "A person who has rendered or is presently rendering service.") service-related data as of a date within the year may be acceptable in approximating beginning- or end-of-year [benefit information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information "The actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits."). It is expected that only in unusual circumstances will projecting the data collected during a triennial valuation to a [benefit information date](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information-date "The date as of which the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits is presented.") in a subsequent year satisfy the criterion of providing results that are substantially the same as those that would be obtained using data as of that latter date. An example of such unusual circumstances might be a small plan with a stable participant population.

##### [960-20-35-18](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-18)

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The use of averages and other methods of approximation consistent with recommended actuarial practice may be useful in conjunction with other provisions of the Plan Accounting—Defined Benefit Pension Plans Topic, particularly if applied to plans sponsored by small employers.

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## ASC 960-20-45: 45 Other Presentation Matters

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#45-other-presentation-matters)

SEC content: no

##### [960-20-45-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-1)

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As discussed in paragraph [960-205-45-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/205/960/#205-960-45-1), the annual financial statements of a plan shall include information regarding 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.") as of either the beginning or end of the plan year.

##### [960-20-45-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-2)

Pending content: no

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Certain flexibility is allowed in presenting the information regarding the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits and the year-to-year changes therein. That information may be presented on the face of one or more financial statements or in notes thereto. Regardless of the format selected, each category of information shall be presented in its entirety in the same location. If a statement format is selected for either category, a separate statement may be used to present that information or, provided the information is as of the same date or for the same period, that information may be presented together with information regarding 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.") and the year-to-year changes therein.

#### Actuarial Present Value of Accumulated Plan Benefits

##### [960-20-45-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-3)

Pending content: no

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The total actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits as of the [benefit information date](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information-date "The date as of which the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits is presented.") shall be segmented into at least the following categories:

1.  a
    
    [Vested benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/v/#vested-benefits "Benefits for which the employee's right to receive a present or future pension benefit is no longer contingent on remaining in the service of the employer. (Other conditions, such as inadequacy of the pension fund, may prevent the employee from receiving the vested benefit.) Under graded vesting, the initial vested right may be to receive in the future a stated percentage of a pension based on the number of years of accumulated credited service; thereafter, the percentage may increase with the number of years of service or of age until the right to receive the entire benefit has vested.") of participants currently receiving payments, including [benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefits "The monetary or in-kind benefits or benefit coverage to which participants may be entitled under a pension plan or a health and welfare plan (which can include active, terminated, and retired employees or their dependents or beneficiaries). Examples of benefits may include, but are not limited to, health care benefits, life insurance, legal, educational, and advisory services, pension benefits, disability benefits, death benefits, and benefits due to termination of employment.") due and payable as of the benefit information date
    
2.  b
    
    Other vested benefits
    
3.  c
    
    Nonvested benefits.

##### [960-20-45-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-4)

Pending content: no

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Such minimum segmentation is useful in assessing a plan's near-term versus long-range liquidity requirements. It might also provide some indication of the relative degree of objectivity or subjectivity inherent in determining the [benefit information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information "The actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits.") and will provide information needed by those who wish to make certain judgments or wish to compute certain financial ratios, for example, [net asset information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/n/#net-asset-information "Information regarding the net assets available for benefits.") to [vested benefit information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/v/#vested-benefit-information "The actuarial present value of vested accumulated plan benefits.").

##### [960-20-45-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-5)

Pending content: no

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Information regarding [accumulated plan benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/a/#accumulated-plan-benefits "Future benefit payments that are attributable under the provisions of a pension plan to employees' service rendered to the benefit information date. Accumulated plan benefits comprise benefits expected to be paid to any of the following: Retired or terminated employees or their beneficiaries Beneficiaries of deceased employees Present employees or their beneficiaries.") shall relate only to pension obligations. Even in situations in which separate financial statements are not prepared for a related health and welfare benefit plan, obligations related to retiree health benefits provided pursuant to Section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code shall not be reported in the statement of accumulated plan benefits of the [defined benefit pension plan](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.)") financial statements.

#### Changes in the Actuarial Present Value of Accumulated Plan Benefits

##### [960-20-45-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-6)

Pending content: no

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If significant, either individually or in the aggregate, the effects of certain factors affecting the change in the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits from the preceding to the current benefit information date shall be identified. Effects that are individually significant shall be separately identified.

##### [960-20-45-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-7)

Pending content: no

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The effects of factors comprising the net change in the benefit information will vary depending on the order in which the effects are calculated. No order for such determination is prescribed by this Subtopic.

##### [960-20-45-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-8)

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Information regarding changes in the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits may be presented in either of the following ways:

1.  a
    
    In a statement that accounts for the change between two benefit information dates
    
2.  b
    
    Elsewhere in the financial statements.

##### [960-20-45-9](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-9)

Pending content: no

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If only the minimum required disclosure is presented, presentation in a statement format will necessitate an additional unidentified other category to reconcile the beginning and ending amounts.

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## ASC 960-20-50: 50 Disclosure

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#50-disclosure)

SEC content: no

##### [960-20-50-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-1)

Pending content: no

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See paragraph [960-20-45-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-45-2) for required information regarding 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.") and the year-to-year changes therein that, if not presented in the basic financial statements, shall be disclosed in the notes to financial statements.

#### Actuarial Present Value of Accumulated Plan Benefits

##### [960-20-50-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-2)

Pending content: no

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Present employees' accumulated contributions as of the [benefit information date](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information-date "The date as of which the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits is presented.") (including interest, if any) shall be disclosed. If interest has been credited on employees' contributions, the rate(s) shall be disclosed.

#### Changes in the Actuarial Present Value of Accumulated Plan Benefits

##### [960-20-50-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-3)

Pending content: no

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The effects of certain factors affecting the change in the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits from the preceding to the current benefit information date shall be identified. Minimum disclosure shall include the significant effects of factors such as the following:

1.  a
    
    Plan amendments
    
2.  b
    
    Changes in the nature of the plan (for example, a plan spinoff or a merger with another plan)
    
3.  c
    
    Changes in actuarial assumptions. Plans that measure the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits by insurance entity rates pursuant to the alternative approach described in paragraph [960-20-35-1A](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-1A) shall, if practicable, disclose the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions reflected in changes in those insurance rates.

##### [960-20-50-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-4)

Pending content: no

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Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps.


The significant effects of other factors may also be identified, including, for example, the following:

1.  a
    
    [Benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefits "The monetary or in-kind benefits or benefit coverage to which participants may be entitled under a pension plan or a health and welfare plan (which can include active, terminated, and retired employees or their dependents or beneficiaries). Examples of benefits may include, but are not limited to, health care benefits, life insurance, legal, educational, and advisory services, pension benefits, disability benefits, death benefits, and benefits due to termination of employment.") accumulated (Actuarial experience gains or losses may be included with the effects of additional benefits accumulated rather than being separately disclosed; if the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions discussed in (c) of the preceding paragraph cannot be separately disclosed, those effects shall be included in benefits accumulated.)
    
2.  b
    
    The increase (for interest) as a result of the decrease in the discount period
    
3.  c
    
    Benefits paid.

##### [960-20-50-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-5)

Pending content: no

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Disclosure of the effects of all significant factors affecting the year-to-year change in the [benefit information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information "The actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits.") is encouraged.

##### [960-20-50-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-6)

Pending content: no

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Record version: sha256:6fe481a1b7236891918e7ea3f97212ba95b786fc32d674b80aca54360ee0e4f3

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If presented, benefits paid shall not include benefit payments made by an insurance entity in accordance with a contract that is excluded from [plan assets](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#plan-assets "Assets—usually stocks, bonds, and other investments—that have been segregated and restricted, usually in a trust, to provide for pension benefits. The amount of plan assets includes amounts contributed by the employer, and by employees for a contributory plan, and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. Plan assets ordinarily cannot be withdrawn by the employer except under certain circumstances when a plan has assets in excess of obligations and the employer has taken certain steps to satisfy existing obligations. Assets not segregated in a trust or otherwise effectively restricted so that they cannot be used by the employer for other purposes are not plan assets even though it may be intended that such assets be used to provide pensions. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those nonbenefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets. Amounts accrued by the employer but not yet paid to the plan are not plan assets. Securities of the employer held by the plan are includable in plan assets provided they are transferable."). However, amounts paid by the plan to an insurance entity pursuant to such a contract (including purchasing annuities with amounts allocated from existing investments with the insurance entity) shall be included in benefits paid. Due to the use of different actuarial assumptions, the amount paid by the plan to an insurance entity may be different from the previous measure of the actuarial present value of the related [accumulated plan benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/a/#accumulated-plan-benefits "Future benefit payments that are attributable under the provisions of a pension plan to employees' service rendered to the benefit information date. Accumulated plan benefits comprise benefits expected to be paid to any of the following: Retired or terminated employees or their beneficiaries Beneficiaries of deceased employees Present employees or their beneficiaries."). That difference is an actuarial experience gain or loss (see paragraph [960-20-50-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-4)).

##### [960-20-50-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-7)

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If the minimum required disclosure is presented in other than a statement format, the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits as of the preceding benefit information date shall also be presented.

#### Additional Financial Statement Disclosures

##### [960-20-50-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-8)

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Disclosure of the plan's accounting policies shall include a description of the method and significant assumptions used to determine the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits, such as the following:

1.  a
    
    Assumed rates of return
    
2.  b
    
    Inflation rates
    
3.  c
    
    Retirement ages.

##### [960-20-50-9](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-9)

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Any significant changes of method or assumptions between benefit information dates shall be described.

##### [960-20-50-10](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-10)

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If the method of considering administrative expenses as an adjustment of the assumed rates of return is used as described in paragraph [960-20-35-1(c)](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-35-1), the adjustment shall be separately disclosed (see paragraph [960-20-50-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-8)).

##### [960-20-50-11](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-50-11)

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The usefulness of plan financial statements would be enhanced by disclosure of the estimated effect on the benefit information, or on the difference between the [net asset information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/n/#net-asset-information "Information regarding the net assets available for benefits.") and the benefit information, of a given variation in the assumptions to which that information is most sensitive. Plans are encouraged to experiment with such disclosure.

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## ASC 960-20-55: 55 Implementation Guidance and Illustrations

[Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#55-implementation-guidance-and-illustrations)

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#### Implementation Guidance

##### [960-20-55-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-1)

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For purposes of illustration, the following discussion is in terms of an individual [employee](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/e/#employee "A person who has rendered or is presently rendering service."). In practice, such [benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefits "The monetary or in-kind benefits or benefit coverage to which participants may be entitled under a pension plan or a health and welfare plan (which can include active, terminated, and retired employees or their dependents or beneficiaries). Examples of benefits may include, but are not limited to, health care benefits, life insurance, legal, educational, and advisory services, pension benefits, disability benefits, death benefits, and benefits due to termination of employment.") would be recognized on an aggregate rather than individual basis because it is usually not possible to predict whether and when an individual employee will become disabled (or elect early retirement, die in active [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."), and so forth). It is, however, possible to estimate the disability (or early retirement, death, and so forth) benefits expected to become payable for a group of employees through the application of appropriate probability factors. The basic principle, however, is the same whether the computations are performed on an aggregate or an individual basis.

##### [960-20-55-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-2)

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For certain types of benefits, the amount attributable to each year of service cannot be directly determined from the plan's provisions. The manner in which such benefits should be considered to accumulate depends on whether the benefit is includable in [vested benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/v/#vested-benefits "Benefits for which the employee's right to receive a present or future pension benefit is no longer contingent on remaining in the service of the employer. (Other conditions, such as inadequacy of the pension fund, may prevent the employee from receiving the vested benefit.) Under graded vesting, the initial vested right may be to receive in the future a stated percentage of a pension based on the number of years of accumulated credited service; thereafter, the percentage may increase with the number of years of service or of age until the right to receive the entire benefit has vested.").

##### [960-20-55-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-3)

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To illustrate, assume a plan provides a supplemental early retirement benefit of $200 per month upon early retirement at age 55 with at least 25 years of service, payable from the date of early retirement until age 62 (the eligibility age for collecting Social Security benefits). If that benefit becomes a vested benefit after 25 years of service, it should be considered to accumulate in proportion to the ratio of the number of years of service completed to the [benefit information date](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information-date "The date as of which the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits is presented.") to the projected number of years of service that will have been completed when the benefit first becomes fully vested. Therefore, 1/25 of the $200 benefit (that is, $8) is attributed to each year of service (assuming the employee is expected to render at least 25 years of service).

##### [960-20-55-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-4)

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In the case of a benefit that does not become a vested benefit (for example, a $5,000 death benefit that is payable only if death occurs during active service), the benefit should be considered to accumulate in proportion to the ratio of the number of years of service completed at the benefit information date to the number of years of service completed at the estimated time of separation from covered employment.

##### [960-20-55-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-5)

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For example, if the foregoing $5,000 death benefit is expected to be paid after the 20th year of service (that is, the employee is expected to die at the end of the 20th year of service), 1/20 of the benefit should be attributed to each year of service. Thus, after 5 years of service, the employee's accumulated death benefit is $1,250. In determining the [benefit information](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/b/#benefit-information "The actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits."), such probability factors are used to estimate whether an employee will render at least 25 years of service, and whether and when that employee will elect early retirement.

#### Illustrations

##### [960-20-55-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-6)

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This Example illustrates the guidance in paragraph [960-20-25-5(a) through 25-5(b)](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-25-5).

##### [960-20-55-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-7)

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It is assumed that the actuary uses a full range of decrements including termination rates and disablement rates at ages below age 65, early retirement rates at ages when eligible below age 65, and normal retirement rates at ages 65 and over.

##### [960-20-55-8](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-8)

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This Example has the following assumptions:

1.  a
    
    Benefit rate of $10 per month per year of service
    
2.  b
    
    Normal retirement at age 65, irrespective of service; retirement not compulsory
    
3.  c
    
    Unreduced immediate benefit upon early retirement from active employment at age 62 with 20 years of service
    
4.  d
    
    Unreduced immediate benefit upon early retirement from active employment before age 62 with 30 years of service; Social Security make-up benefit of $200 per month payable until age 62
    
5.  e
    
    Reduced immediate benefit upon early retirement from active employment after age 55 and before age 62 with 20 years of service; reduction is 4% for each year by which retirement precedes age 62
    
6.  f
    
    Unreduced immediate benefit upon total and permanent disability before age 65 with 10 years of service
    
7.  g
    
    Deferred vested benefit, commencing at age 65, upon termination with 10 years of service; benefit payments (at full actuarially reduced value) may also be elected to commence as early as age 55 if 20 or more years of service have been completed
    
8.  h
    
    Spouse's benefit upon death in service after meeting eligibility requirements for early or normal retirement (30 years of service, age 55 and 20 years of service, or age 65) equal to $5 per month per year of service.

##### [960-20-55-9](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-9)

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The following table illustrates the measurement of [accumulated plan benefits](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/a/#accumulated-plan-benefits "Future benefit payments that are attributable under the provisions of a pension plan to employees' service rendered to the benefit information date. Accumulated plan benefits comprise benefits expected to be paid to any of the following: Retired or terminated employees or their beneficiaries Beneficiaries of deceased employees Present employees or their beneficiaries.").

-   ![ ](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc-img/GUID-F9A17F02-4BC0-4095-A903-74EB8C70B0EA-low.gif)
    
    Type of Benefit Payable Upon Separation From Service at Ages Amount of Benefit Benefit Starts at Duration of Benefit Age 25 and 5 Years of Service (1) Deferred Vested 30-49 $50 Age 65 Life (2) Unreduced Early 50-64 50 Retirement Life (3) Social Security Makeup 50-61 33 (a) Retirement To Age 62 (4) Normal 65 and Over 50 Retirement Life (5) Spouse 50 and Over 25 Death in Service Life of Spouse (6) Disability 30-64 50 Disablement Life Age 40 and 5 Years of Service (1) Deferred Vested 45-54 $50 Age 65 Life (2) Reduced Early 55-61 $36 at Age 55 Increasing $2 a Year to age 65 Retirement Life (3) Unreduced Early 62-64 50 Retirement Life (4) Normal 65 and Over 50 Retirement Life (5) Spouse 55 and Over 25 Death in Service Life of Spouse (6) Disability 45-64 50 Disablement Life Age 45 and 10 Years of Service (1) Deferred Vested 45-54 $100 Age 65 Life (2) Reduced Early 55-61 $72 at Age 55 Increasing $4 a Year to Age 61 Retirement Life (3) Unreduced Early 62-64 100 Retirement Life (4) Normal 65 and Over 100 Retirement Life (5) Spouse 55 and Over 50 Death in Service Life of Spouse (6) Disability 45-64 100 Disablement Life Age 50 and 20 Years of Service (1) Deferred Vested 50-54 $200 Age 65 Life (2) Reduced Early 55-59 $144 at Age 55 Increasing $8 a Year to Age 59 Retirement Life (3) Unreduced Early 60-64 200 Retirement Life (4) Social Security Makeup 60-61 133 (a) Retirement To Age 62 (5) Normal 65 and Over 200 Retirement Life (6) Spouse 55 and Over 100 Death in Service Life of Spouse (7) Disability 50-64 200 Disablement Life Age 50 and 30 Years of Service (1) Unreduced Early 50-64 $300 Retirement Life (2) Social Security Makeup 50-61 200 (a) Retirement To Age 62 (3) Normal 65 and Over 300 Retirement Life (4) Spouse 50 and Over 150 Death in Service Life of Spouse (5) Disability 50-64 300 Disablement Life Age 60 and 10 Years of Service (1) Deferred Vested 60-64 $100 Age 65 Life (2) Normal 65 and Over 100 Retirement Life (3) Spouse 65 and Over 50 Death in Service Life of Spouse (4) Disability 60-64 100 Disablement Life (a) "Because this benefit type is one which is includible in the computation of the present value of vested benefits, the $200 monthly benefit is assumed to accrue uniformly over the first 30 years of service (see paragraph 960-20-25-5\[b\]\[2\]). If, on the other hand, there had been specified a benefit that never is includible in the computation of the present value of vested benefits, such as a $200 monthly benefit payable in the event of the employee's death after 30 years of service, the accrued death benefit to be valued in the age 25 and 5 years of service example would have been $33 (5/30 of $200) for death at age 50, $32 (5/31 of $200) for death at age 51, and so forth."

##### [960-20-55-10](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/960/20/#960-20-55-10)

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If, in this Example, there were a maximum service limit of 30 years applicable at normal or early retirement or disablement, with a pro rata portion of the expected normal retirement benefit payable on vested termination, the only changes in the amount of benefit would be for the deferred vested benefit.

-   ![ ](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc-img/GUID-9DFE1051-02E8-4BF2-B8BE-9A02AD3960CB-low.gif)
    
    Age 25 and 5 Years of Service $33 (5/45 of $300) Age 50 and 20 Years of Service $171 (20/35 of $300)
