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Determinants of Actuarial Valuation Method Changes for Pension Funding and Reporting: Evidence from the UK

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  • Paul J.M. Klumpes
  • Mark Whittington

Abstract

This study examines various factors that potentially explain cross‐sectional variations in UK corporate managerial discretion to switch towards a market‐based actuarial pension valuation method for pension funding and reporting purposes. Evidence is based on accounting, actuarial and share market data for an industry‐matched pair sample of 90 UK firms. Consistent with our hypotheses we find that companies have a greater propensity to switch actuarial methods if they use lower discount rates, lower flow funding ratios and sponsor larger pension plans in the pre‐switch valuation year. These findings are consistent with the traditional perspective, which implies that UK corporate switching decisions are explained by characteristics of their defined benefit pension funds. The results run contrary to the findings of earlier US based studies that find that such choices can be explained from an alternative corporate financial perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul J.M. Klumpes & Mark Whittington, 2003. "Determinants of Actuarial Valuation Method Changes for Pension Funding and Reporting: Evidence from the UK," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1‐2), pages 175-204, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:30:y:2003:i:1-2:p:175-204
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-5957.00488
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mitchell, Olivia S & Smith, Robert S, 1994. "Pension Funding in the Public Sector," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 76(2), pages 278-290, May.
    2. Zvi Bodie & John B. Shoven & David A. Wise, 1987. "Issues in Pension Economics," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number bodi87-1, March.
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    7. Bodie, Zvi & Shoven, John B. & Wise, David A. (ed.), 1987. "Issues in Pension Economics," National Bureau of Economic Research Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226062846, December.
    8. Olivia S. Mitchell & Robert S. Smith, "undated". "Public Sector Pension Funding," Pension Research Council Working Papers 94-4, Wharton School Pension Research Council, University of Pennsylvania.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dorothee Franzen, 2020. "Qualität der betrieblichen Altersversorgung. Ergebnisse einer Expertenbefragung," Working Paper Forschungsförderung 169, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf.
    2. Paul Klumpes & Mark Whittington & Yong Li, 2009. "Determinants of the Pension Curtailment Decisions of UK Firms," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(7‐8), pages 899-924, September.
    3. Laswad, Fawzi & Baskerville, Rachel F., 2007. "An analysis of the value of cash flow statements of New Zealand pension schemes," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 347-355.
    4. Paul J. M. Klumpes & Kevin McMeeking, 2007. "Stock Market Sensitivity to U.K. Firms' Pension Discounting Assumptions," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 10(2), pages 221-246, September.

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