• According to the textbook, the defined contribution plan and defined benefit plan are the most popular pension plans used by employers. Employers have changed from traditional defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans with no major company establishing a traditional pension plan in the past decade. Differentiate between the defined contribution pension plan and the defined benefit plan. What are the major differences in accounting for defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans? Assess the most likely reasons this trend has occurred and the future impact on accounting for pensions.

Explain how cash-basis accounting for pension plans differs from accrual-basis accounting for pension plans. Why is cash-basis accounting generally considered unacceptable for pension plan accounting?