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Valuation of Defined Benefit Pension Schemes in IAS 19 Employee Benefits – True and Fair?

Author

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  • Bridget McNally

    (Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting, Maynooth University.)

  • Thomas O’Connor

    (Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting, Maynooth University.)

  • Anne M Garvey

    (Department of Economics and Management Sciences,Universidad de Alcalá (UAH),Alcalá de Henares, Madrid,)

Abstract

Purpose - This paper argues that the accounting standards’ requirement for pension scheme liabilities to be discounted by reference to market yields at the end of the reporting period on high quality corporate bonds, potentially produces an artificial result which is at odds with the “fair representation” objective of these standards. Design/methodology/approach –The approach is a theoretical analysis of the relevant reporting standards with the use of a theoretical example to demonstrate the impact where trustees adopt a hedged approach to portfolio investment. Findings - Where the fund has adopted a hedging strategy and has invested in “risk – free” assets, the term, quantity and duration/maturity of which, is intended to match the term quantity and maturity of the scheme liabilities, applying the requirements potentially results in the reporting in sponsoring company financial statements of fluctuating surpluses or deficits each year which are potentially ill-informed and misleading. Originality/value – Pension scheme surpluses or deficits reported in the financial statements of listed companies are potentially very significant numbers, however the dangers posed by theoretical nature of the calculation has largely gone unreported.

Suggested Citation

  • Bridget McNally & Thomas O’Connor & Anne M Garvey, 2017. "Valuation of Defined Benefit Pension Schemes in IAS 19 Employee Benefits – True and Fair?," Economics Department Working Paper Series n287-17.pdf, Department of Economics, National University of Ireland - Maynooth.
  • Handle: RePEc:may:mayecw:n287-17.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Anne M. Garvey & Juan Manuel Pérez-Salamero González & Manuel Ventura-Marco & Carlos Vidal-Meliá, 2021. "From “Table 29” to the actuarial balance sheet: is it really that big a leap?," Documentos de Trabajo del ICAE 2021-05, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Instituto Complutense de Análisis Económico.

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