The following data are available pertaining to household appliance company's retiree health care plan for 2018: number of employees covered 2 years employed as of january 1, 2018 3 [each] attribution period 25 years expected postretirement benefit obligation, jan. 1 $ 50,000 expected postretirement benefit obligation, dec. 31 $ 53,000 interest rate 6 % funding none required:
1. what is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at the beginning of 2018?
2. what is interest cost to be included in 2018 postretirement benefit expense?
3. what is service cost to be included in 2018 postretirement benefit expense?
4. prepare the journal entry to record the postretirement benefit expense for 2018.