Please answer the following questions about defined benefit pension plans:

a. Companies with defined benefit pension plans must recognize pension expenses each period. What are the five components of pension expense? Briefly describe each component.

b. How does each component of pension expense affect pension expense during the period (increase, decrease, or uncertain)?

c. What is the difference between the accumulated pension obligation and the projected pension obligation?

d. What determines whether a pension plan is underfunded or overfunded