The information below pertains to the retiree health care plan of Thompson Technologies:

$($$ in $000$s$)$

$2021$

Beginning

Balances $2021$

Ending

Balances

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation $ $500$ $ $525$

Plan assets $075$

Funded status $(500)(450)$

Prior service cost$$AOCI $140118$

Net gain$$AOCI $(54)(53)$

Thompson began funding the plan in $2021$ with a contribution of $$131,000$ to the benefit fund at the end of the year. Retirees were paid $$56,000.$ The actuary$$s discount rate is $4\%.$ There were no changes in actuarial estimates and assumptions.

Required:

$1.$ Determine the service cost for $2021.$

$2.$ Determine the postretirement benefit expense for $2021.$

$3.$ Determine the net benefit liability for $2021.$