41ASC 712 COMPENSATION—NONRETIREMENT POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
AUTHORITATIVE LITERATURE
ASC 712 provides guidance for employers that provide benefits for former or inactive employees after the employees’ termination. These benefits may include counseling, pay continuation, continuation of health care benefits, and so on. The FASB sees these as benefits provided in exchange for service.
Subtopic
ASC 712, Compensation—Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits, contains one Subtopic:
- ASC 712‐10, Overall, which provides guidance and links to other topics containing guidance on nonretirement postemployment benefits.
Initial Measurement and Recognition
ASC 712 applies the criteria set forth by ASC 710, Compensation—General, to accrue an obligation for postemployment benefits other than pensions if:
- Services have been performed by employees,
- Employees’ rights accumulate or vest,
- Payment is probable, and
- The amount is reasonably estimable.
If these benefits do not vest or accumulate, ASC 450, Contingencies, applies. If neither ASC 710 nor ASC 450 is applicable because the amount is not reasonably estimable, this fact must be disclosed. (ASC 712‐10‐25‐4 and 25‐5)