Patel Industries has a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan. Since the inception of the plan, the actuary has used as the discount rate the rate on high quality corporate bonds, which recently has been 7%. During 2018, changing economic conditions caused the rate to change to 6%, and the actuary decided that 6% is the appropriate rate.
Required:
1. Does the change in discount rate create a gain, or does it create a loss for Patel under U.S. GAAP? Why?
2. Assume the magnitude of the change is $13 million. Prepare the appropriate journal entry to record any 2018 gain or loss under U.S. GAAP. If Patel prepares its financial statements according to U.S. GAAP, how will the company report the gain or loss?
3. Would your response to requirement 2 differ if Patel prepares its financial statements according to International Financial Reporting Standards?