11 Researching GAA Directions Situation Panther Company currently sponsors defined benefit pension plan for its employ ees. At the end of 2016, the plan had a pro- jected benefit obligation of $1,456,000 and fair value of plan assets of $1,629,000. Pan- ther recognized a net pension asset in its bal- ance sheet of $173,000 at the end of 2016. Due to the plans overfunded position, Alli son Costello, Panther's CFO, is interested in finding out if it is possible to settle or curtail the plan. Specifically, she is interested in pur- chasing a portfolio of high-quality bonds that have principal and interest payment dates very similar to the estimated dates pension benefits would be paid. 1. Research the GAAP and prepare a short memo to Allison Costello that provides guidance on the following issues: 1. What is a pension settlement and pension curtailment? Can the company recognize a gain or loss if it settles its pension plan? What is the amount of the gain or loss? Can the company recognize a gain or loss if it curtails its pension plan? What is the amount of the gain or loss? Would Allison Costello's plan of purchas- ing high quality bonds qualify as a settle- ment of a pension plan? Why or why not? 2. 3. 4. 11 Researching GAA Directions Situation Panther Company currently sponsors defined benefit pension plan for its employ ees. At the end of 2016, the plan had a pro- jected benefit obligation of $1,456,000 and fair value of plan assets of $1,629,000. Pan- ther recognized a net pension asset in its bal- ance sheet of $173,000 at the end of 2016. Due to the plans overfunded position, Alli son Costello, Panther's CFO, is interested in finding out if it is possible to settle or curtail the plan. Specifically, she is interested in pur- chasing a portfolio of high-quality bonds that have principal and interest payment dates very similar to the estimated dates pension benefits would be paid. 1. Research the GAAP and prepare a short memo to Allison Costello that provides guidance on the following issues: 1. What is a pension settlement and pension curtailment? Can the company recognize a gain or loss if it settles its pension plan? What is the amount of the gain or loss? Can the company recognize a gain or loss if it curtails its pension plan? What is the amount of the gain or loss? Would Allison Costello's plan of purchas- ing high quality bonds qualify as a settle- ment of a pension plan? Why or why not? 2. 3. 4