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Health Benefit Plans

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Submitted By knhtu
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Accounting for Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
Kayla Helms

Abstract
Health and welfare benefit plans include many types of plans. These different plans can fall under one if two categories: defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. These plans differ in how contributions to the plans are made.

Overall Employee benefit plans can be separated into three different topics. These topics are: defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans, and health and welfare benefit plans. There are different rules for accounting for each different type of plan. This paper will focus in accounting for health and welfare benefit plans, specifically presentation of financial statements. Health and welfare benefit plans include plans that provide any of the following: 1) Any of the following: a) Medical, dental, visual, psychiatric, or long-term health care b) Life insurance (separate from a pension plan) c) Certain severance benefits d) Accidental death or dismemberment benefits 2) Benefits for unemployment, disability, vacations, or holidays 3) Other benefits, such as apprenticeships, tuition assistance, day care, dependent care, housing subsides, or legal services.(ASC 965-10)
Health and welfare plans can also be divided into two subtopics: defined benefit health and welfare plans and defined contribution health and welfare plans, Defined benefit health and welfare plans specify a determinable benefit. In the private sector, defined benefit plans are typically funded exclusively by employer contributions. In the public sector, defined benefit plans often require employee contributions. Defined contribution health and welfare plans maintain an individual account for each plan participant. The most common type of defined contribution plan is a savings and thrift plan. Under this type of plan, the

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