Carson Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan. The plan provides pension benefits determined by age, years of service, and compensation. Among the components included in there cognized net pension cost for a period are service cost, interest cost, and actual return on plan assets.

Required:
a. Identify at least two accounting challenges of the defined benefit pension plan. Why do these challenges arise?
b. How does Carson determine the service cost component of the net pension cost?
c. How does Carson determine the interest cost component of the net pension cost?
d. How does Carson determine the actual return on plan assets component of the net pension cost?
(AICPA Adapted)