An entity operates a defined benefit plan that pays employees an annual benefit based on their number of years of service. The annual payment does allow the employer to vary the final benefit. Over the last five years the entity has used this flexibility to increase employees’ pensions by the current growth in earnings per share. How will employees’ benefit be calculated if they retire in the current period?
(a) It will be based on the existing plan rules with no additional award.
(b) It will be based on the existing plan rules plus the current rate of growth of earnings per share.
(c) It will be based on the plan rules plus the current rate of inflation.
(d) It will be based on the plan rules plus the increase in earnings per share anticipated over the remaining working lives of the employees.