Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi

COCA-COLA AND PEPSI PENSIONS 1
Coca-Cola and Pepsi Pensions

John Simpson
Professor Susan Lightweis
Intermediate Accounting III
November 17th, 2011


1. Compare the pension plans of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, including type of plan and
funded status at 2007 year-end.
Each company offers a 401K pension plan as well as medical and life insurance benefit
plans for their employees. Not all employees are eligible for participation in all plans.
Coca Cola has a defined contribution plan that includes all U.S. employees and only
some international employees. This is a contributory plan where both the employee and
the employer make contributions. This plan offers substantial tax benefits for the
contributions that are made by the employer. In addition, Coca Cola also has a defined
benefit pension plan. This plan is considered a nonqualified and unfunded plan primarily
for the officers of the organization, most of the U.S. employees, and some international
employees. This plan does not offer tax benefits for contributions made by the
organization. PepsiCo, Inc. has a voluntary defined benefit pension plan that includes all
full time U.S. employees and some international employees. This plan is a
noncontributory plan which means the employer is the only contributor funding the plan
so they bear the entire cost of the plan. This plan is a qualified pension plan allowing tax
incentives for employer contributions which are calculated based on employees years of
service or a combination of service and income. In addition, PepsiCo offers medical and
life insurance benefits and a retiree medical plan that are only funded on a pay as you
go basis. These plans are not generally funded by the employer since they do not fund
plans where no tax benefits are received. The funded status as of December 31, 2007 for
pensions is 89 and 266 million respectively. Other post employment benefits are 192
million and 1,354 million respectively.


2. Calculate the relevant rates that were used by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in computing
their pension amounts.
The relevant rates used by Coca Cola and PepsiCo are shown in the notes of the financial
statements. These rates are disclosed so that users of the statements can assess the
reasonableness of the assumptions made when calculating pension expenses and
liabilities. The discount rate, expected rate of return on plan assets, and rate of
compensation are the relevant rates needed to make the necessary assumptions. The rates
below have been taken from the annual reports of each company. The discount rate
influences pension expense. Coca Colas discount rate that is used to compute pension
information for December 31, 2007 is 5.5% for pension benefits and 6% for other
benefits. PepsiCos discount rate that is used to compute pension information for
December 31, 2007 is 5.8% for U.S. pensions, 5.2% for international pensions, and 5.8%
for other benefits. The expected rate of return on plan assets determines how much
funding the plan assets will earn for the plan. This information is crucial for the company
because it indicates how much additional funding will have to be provided to the plan
above earnings to meet obligations. Coca-Colas expected rate of return that is used to
compute pension information for December 31, 2007 is 7.75%. PepsiCos expected rate
of return that is used to compute pension information for December 31, 2007 is 7.8%.
Pension benefits are determined by considering the employees compensation level at
their time of retirement.


3. Determine which company you would rather invest in if you were a potential
shareholder. Justify your answer.
Coca Cola has been around since 1886. They are primarily marketing and selling one
product and that is beverages. They have a 63.9% gross profit margin for 2007 and show
a reasonable good ratio indicating stability. For the 46
th
consecutive year dividends have
risen. About 74% of their net operating revenue comes from operations outside of the
U.S. PepsiCo, Inc. has been around since 1898. They are also a leader in the beverage
market but have diversified into another area which is snacks. They sell some well known
brand name snacks such as Lays, Doritos, Frito-Lay, Cracker Jacks, Quaker Oatmeal,
and Rice-A-Roni just to mention a few. The diversity is pretty impressive. They also
indicate stability and liquidity with favorable ratios. They have a 53.15% gross profit
margin for 2007 and less than 40% of their net operating revenue comes from operations
outside the U.S. If I were an investor I would choose PepsiCo stock to invest in since the
shareholder returns are much more appealing then Coca-Cola.
4. Determine which company you would rather work for if you were a potential
employee. Justify your answer.
One thing that is important to me when I decide to work for a company is benefits. I
think that I would rather work for PepsiCo because they seem to be a better company.
Also having a feeling of being cared for and belonging in an organization is important.
While reading their financial statements I got a feeling that they really care about their
employees, the environment and the community that they serve. They also said that they
encouraged professional as well as personal growth and also how they cherish their

employees. They speak of product innovations and how they want to nourish consumers
and reinvent brands to produce more healthy products for consumers. They also speak of
forming a partnership with organizations such as The World Health Organization, the
FDA, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation to better focus on these innovations. They
have given foundation grants internationally to battle chronic diseases and encourage
physical fitness thru dance and exercise. In Arizona they have plants that use solar power
to produce products. In my opinion it seems like a friendlier and more positive company.

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COCA-COLA AND PEPSI PENSIONS 1

Coca-Cola and Pepsi Pensions

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