Under U.S. GAAP, interest cost included in the net pension cost recognized for a period by an employer sponsoring a defined benefit pension plan represents the:

a. Increase in the fair value of plan assets due to the passage of time.

b. Amortization of the discount on unrecognized prior service costs.

c. Increase in the projected benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

d. Shortage between the expected and actual returns on plan assets.

答案：C

Explanation

Choice "c" is correct. Under U.S. GAAP, interest cost included in the net pension cost recognized for a period by an employer sponsoring a defined benefit pension plan represents the increase in the projected benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

Choice "d" is incorrect. The shortage between the expected and actual returns on plan assets represents a net loss from actual experience different from that assumed.

Choice "a" is incorrect. An increase in the fair value of the plan assets due to the passage of time represents the actual return on plan assets. (It excludes the contributions received and benefit payments made during the period.)

Choice "b" is incorrect. Amortization of the discount on unrecognized prior service costs represents the current period's expense relating to prior service costs (which were not recognized until this period).