In Its 2018 Annual Report to Shareholders, JDS Corporation Disclosed

question 172

Essay

In its 2018 annual report to shareholders, JDS Corporation disclosed the following information about its pension plan:
$$\begin{array} { | l | r | r | } \hline \text { (\$ in millions) } & \mathbf { 2 0 1 8 } & \mathbf { 2 0 1 7 } \\\hline \text { PROJECTED BENEFIT } & & \\\text { OBLIGATION } & & \\\hline \text { Beginning balance } & \$ 120.0 & \$ 102.2 \\\hline \text { Service cost } & 4.1 & 5.5 \\\hline \text { Interest cost } & 7.0 & 6.5 \\\hline \text { Benefits paid } & ( 2.6 ) & ( 4.4 ) \\\hline \text { Actuarial loss } & \underline { 6.6 } & \underline { 11.4 } \\\hline \text { Ending balance } & \$ 135.1 & \$ 121.2 \\\hline\end{array}$$
The increase in the underfunded projected benefit obligation was primarily attributable to a reduction in the assumed discount rate. This was combined with the effect of increases in benefits under the terms of the plan in excess of current inflation rates. The net result was reflected as a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income.
-Why did the loss result in a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income?

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Definitions:

Variable Costs

These are expenses that vary directly with changes in production volume or activity level.

Relevant Costs

Costs that should be considered when making a decision because they will be affected by the decision; these costs are future-oriented and differ among alternatives.

Sunk Costs

Costs that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered or altered by any current or future actions.

Unproductive

Refers to resources or activities that do not contribute to the output or efficiency of a process or operation.