14. Employee future benefits (continued):
Components of net benefit expense recognized are as follows:
2019 | 2018 | |
---|---|---|
Current service cost | $ 1,949 | $ 2,528 |
Interest cost | 2,541 | 2,297 |
Net benefit expense | $ 4,490 | $ 4,825 |
Net benefit expense for the year is recognized as administrative expense on the consolidated statement of income.
The main actuarial assumptions underlying the valuation are as follows:
(a) Health care cost trend rates:
The health care cost trend for prescription drugs is estimated to increase at 6.5% in 2020 grading down to 4.0% by 2041. Other health expenses are estimated to increase at 5.0% grading down to 4.0% by 2041. Dental expenses are estimated to increase at 4.0% per year.
(b) Financial instruments:
The liabilities at the period end and the present value of future liabilities were determined using a discount rate of 3.1% (2018 – 4.0%) representing an estimate of the yield on high quality corporate bonds as at the valuation date.
(c) Mortality decrement:
The rates applicable to public sector retirees in the 2014 Canadian Pensioners Mortality table produced by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries were used as the basis of these assumptions.
A 1% or one year change in actuarial assumptions, assuming all other factors remain constant, has the following impact on the defined benefit liability carrying amount:
December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Increase | Decrease | Increase | Decrease | |
Health care trend rate (1% change) | $ 10,335 | $ (8,260) | $ 12,236 | $ (9,605) |
Discount rate (1% change) | $ (9,534) | $ 12,782 | $(10,312) | $ 13,390 |
Mortality (1 year) | $ 2,540 | $ (2,460) | $ 2,817 | $ (2,721) |