Deferred Compensation and Life Insurance Policy: Recording and Liability Analysis

Riley Company promises to pay Janet Anderson or her estate $150,000 per year for the next 10 years, even if she leaves the company or passes away to try to induce her to stay with the company. Riley Company wants to properly record this transaction as deferred compensation, but is unsure how to record the cost. In addition, Riley Company purchased a whole life insurance policy for Janet, naming the company as the beneficiary. Riley Company wants to determine if it can offset the cash surrender value of the life insurance policy against the deferred compensation liability.

In a minimum of 5 to 7 sentences, summarize the background of your case and indicate any assumptions that you are making regarding the case. Define your problem statement and research question(s). Provide an APA Reference and Citation. 

Answer to question 1
Deferred compensation liabilities can be measured by the individual with a present value. Since the expected benefits are attributed to the later payment date, it can record the company as the beneficiary. If the term does not specify to record the company as a beneficiary, the company further cannot record it as a beneficiary (Smucker 2019).  Further, as per the IAS 19, costs and services should be recognized immediately right after the event of profit or loss. 

Further, the cash surrender value can be acquired by the company after the cancellation of the insurance policy however, it can be noted that term policy should not have a surrender value. If the policy is not terminated till the point, the policy holder is liable for the income tax if the surrender value is exceeding the amount of premium that has been paid in. If the company does not have the access of coverage however it still needs it, they can opt for accessing the cash in for their policy (Glaum, Keller & Street 2018).  The company cannot get surrender value from their life policies that have a savings or investment. Pure term plan will not get any cash surrender value however if the company has traditional plans, they can get surrender value. In either way, the cash surrender value related to the company cannot be offset since it gradually increased over time with the insurance coverage.