M.Com. (International Accounting) / Post-employment benefits under IAS 19 include defined benefit plans (DBP’s) and defined contribution plans. The accounting for defined contribution plans is fairly straightforward, since accrual accounting is applied and the employer entity’s legal or constructive obligation is limited to the amount the employer entity agrees to contribute to the defined contribution plan. In contrast, the accounting for DBP’s is complicated and provides a promise/guarantee of future benefits and the investment and actuarial risk of the plan lies with the employer entity. The literature review indicated that accounting and presentation of DBP’s is complicated because of the long-term nature of the liability/asset that is raised for the plan. There are many uncertainties involved in estimating the liability as this involves looking into the future and making estimates and assumptions about the future. The literature also indicated factors such as the market performance of assets, and inaccurate or unrealistic assumptions and decisions that delay making payments to DBP’s affects the funding status. Actuaries and accountants differ somewhat in the roles they play in determining the amount for DBP’s, with accountants choosing the accrued benefit method. The problem with DBP’s is that they are of a long-term nature and require estimates and assumptions to be made in calculating the DBP liability/asset. The long-term nature affects the adequacy of the liability/asset recognised for DBP’s and the related disclosure in the financial statements of large listed companies. The objective of the minor dissertation is to perform a content analysis on the presentation and disclosure of DBPs in the financial statements of a sample of Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed companies in South Africa. The research approach applied includes a broad assessment of the current status of DBP’s and defined contribution plans operated by the top 40 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies, followed by a quantitative and qualitative assessment on the disclosures provided by these companies’ financial statements.

The purpose of this research was to examine the United States population of plans with over 100 participants to determine the extent of the reaction away from defined benefit plans resulting from the 1986 and 1987 legislation.

Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Anlage von Pensionsvermögen im Rahmen von Contractual Trust Arrangements. Es wird untersucht, welche Anlagestrategien sich unter Berücksichtigung bilanzieller, verpflichtungs- und vermögensseitiger Rahmenbedingungen zur Anlage von Pensionsvermögen eignen. Anhand eines geeigneten Anlagemodells für Pensionsvermögen und der Durchführung einer stochastischen Simulation wird analysiert, welchen Einfluss unterschiedliche Anlagestrategien auf die Entwicklung des Pensionsvermögens haben. Die Arbeit geht zunächst den Hintergrund der betrieblichen Altersversorgung und Contractual Trust Arrangements in Deutschland ein. Zur Abbildung der Verpflichtungsseite und der Mitarbeiterstruktur des Unternehmens wird unter Einbezug aktuarischer Ansätze ein Mitarbeitermodell entwickelt. Das in der Arbeit entwickelte Portfoliomodell integriert die Verpflichtungs- und Vermögensseite und zeigt, wie das Vermögen zur Deckung leistungsorientierter Zusagen zur betrieblichen Altersversorgung unter Einbezug der Unternehmensperspektive mit Hilfe dynamischer Risikonebenbedingungen geeignet angelegt werden kann.

Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Anlage von Pensionsvermögen im Rahmen von Contractual Trust Arrangements. Es wird untersucht, welche Anlagestrategien sich unter Berücksichtigung bilanzieller, verpflichtungs- und vermögensseitiger Rahmenbedingungen zur Anlage von Pensionsvermögen eignen. Anhand eines geeigneten Anlagemodells für Pensionsvermögen und der Durchführung einer stochastischen Simulation wird analysiert, welchen Einfluss unterschiedliche Anlagestrategien auf die Entwicklung des Pensionsvermögens haben. Die Arbeit geht zunächst auf den Hintergrund der betrieblichen Altersversorgung und Contractual Trust Arrangements in Deutschland ein. Zur Abbildung der Verpflichtungsseite und der Mitarbeiterstruktur des Unternehmens wird unter Einbezug aktuarischer Ansätze ein Mitarbeitermodell entwickelt. Das in der Arbeit entwickelte Portfoliomodell integriert die Verpflichtungs- und Vermögensseite und zeigt, wie das Vermögen zur Deckung leistungsorientierter Zusagen zur betrieblichen Altersversorgung unter Einbezug der Unternehmensperspektive mit Hilfe dynamischer Risikonebenbedingungen geeignet angelegt werden kann.

先前研究指出，財報資訊使用者難以使用確定福利計畫制退休金的資訊，其原因可以歸因於退休金會計的複雜性。在後SFAS 158 時期，由於先前僅揭露的退休金負債已認列於資產負債表上，使得退休金資訊的價值攸關性有所提升。然而有研究指出，額外攸關的資訊依然僅在附註揭露中表達，使得XBRL在能否進一步提升該價值攸關上有可以著墨的空間。本研究探討美國SEC XBRL 強制適用是否能提升確定福利計畫制退休金資訊的價值攸關，以及 XBRL財報的特性是否會影響該價值攸關。實證結果發現，美國SEC XBRL 強制適用提升了提撥狀況的價值攸關。另外，實證結果也發現，GAAP 分類標準概念的數量和提撥狀況的價值攸關有負向的關係；延伸分類標準概念的數量和提撥狀況的價值攸關有正向的關係。本研究亦指出，SEC XBRL 強制適用對於提撥狀況價值攸關的提升，及XBRL財報特性對提撥狀況價值攸關的影響，會因為不同階段之 XBRL 採用者而有不同的效果。 / Studies show that the information of defined benefit due its complexity, users may not have the competence to process it. In the post-SFAS-158 period, the previously disclosed liabilities of defined benefit now recognize in the balance sheet. Prior studies have already shown an improvement in value relevance. However, studies suggest the relevant information still presents in footnotes. It leaves a place for XBRL for further improving. In this study, I investigate whether SEC XBRL mandatory adoption improves the value relevance of defined benefit information, also whether the characteristics of XBRL file affect the value relevance of defined benefit. The empirical results show SEC XBRL mandatory adoption improves the value relevance of funded status. Also, the number of GAAP Taxonomy concepts is negatively associated with the value relevance of funded status. Moreover, the number of extension concepts is positively associated with the value relevance of funded status. The additional results show the improvements by XBRL adoption and the influence of the number of GAAP Taxonomy concepts and extension concepts are sensitive to different phases of the adopters.

<p>Pension fund companies manage and invest large amounts of money on behalf of their members. In return for their contributions, members expect a benefit at termination of their contract. Due to the volatile nature of returns that pension funds attain, pension companies started attaching a minimum guaranteed amount to member&rsquo / s benefits. In this mini-thesis we look at the pioneering work of Brennan and Schwartz [10] for pricing these minimum guarantees. The model they developed prices these minimum guarantees using option pricing theory. We also look at the model proposed by Deelstra et al. which prices minimum guarantees in a stochastic financial setting. We conclude this mini-thesis with new contributions where we look at simple alternative ways of pricing minimum guarantees. We conclude this mini-thesis with an approach, related to the work of Brennan and Schwartz [10], whereby the member&rsquo / s benefit is maximised for a given minimum guaranteed amount, which comprises of multi-period guarantees. We formulate a method to find the optimal stream of these multi-period guarantees.</p>

Due to the combined impact of global population aging, increased life expectancy, fertility decline, and changing family structures, a growing segment of the population facing retirement is in danger of poverty and economic insecurity. As a result of their advanced age many elderly have lost their ability to earn an income, causing some to be penniless the rest of their lives. Therefore, the purpose of a government or a private run pension system is to provide a mechanism using financial tools to protect the entire structure for old age economic security. This paper not only introduces the philosophy and basic concept of a general pension system, but also examines a United States model, providing a closer look at a major developed industrial country’s national social security program, and corporate pension system. It also describes the experience of reforms on the development process of the United States retirement pension system. This paper studies the various corporate pension schemes in the United States and their possible application as models to countries such as Taiwan. In focusing on the United States corporate pension system in private sector, legal and economic issues are scrutinized. Theories which related to the pension system are first analyzed; then the definitions of the various retirement plans are given. The history of private pension schemes of the United States is told, starting with the American Express, then crude railroad retirement plans to the post-war demand to current United States retirement plans. Analysis of the changes in private sector's pension plan participation for defined benefits and defined contribution plans are examined in light of the impact these changes have made upon retirement income resources. Focus on the IBM Corporation is made as an example of a private sector business in the United States, and this study tracks the evolution of the company’s pension schemes from defined benefit pension plans to the newer hybrid cash balance pension plans and the now-popular defined contribution 401(k) pension plans. Findings show that the United States corporate pension system is not feasible as a model at this time because of its many deficiencies in its laws and regulations, and also because of the currently shaky global economy. Suggestions and possible remedies are given on how to strengthen the corporate retirement pension system in United States.

<p>Background: At the turn of the year 2004/2005, IAS 19 replaced Tryggandelagen (TrL) and RR 29 as the accounting standard in Swedish concerns. This introduction was associated with a certain apprehension for the possible changes in the companies’ pension liabilities and equity.</p><p>Purpose: To illustrate the difficulties of the introduction of IAS 19 by observing how it differs from TrL, and what kind of problems these differences can cause.</p><p>Procedure: Individuals who are well up in, and work with pension liabilities have been interviewed. After this follows an example of the calculated pension liability of a company, to illustrate the differences between the calculations according to TrL and IAS 19. To conclude the chapter, a comparison between a number of companies from the Stockholm stock exchange is made to establish their various actuarial assumptions.</p><p>Method: The essay mainly follows the qualitative research method, since this method is more appropriate when the substance in the matter is based on detailed differences and opinions.</p><p>Results and conclusions: The introduction of IAS 19 has taken time and been an expensive matter, although the expenses weren’t as great as feared. The introduction gave positive effects, such as an increased control of the pension liabilities. Because of this, there is a positive attitude towards IAS among the accounting profession. However, problems connected with the introduction have occurred, such as complicated procedures and “teething troubles”, but the advantages and disadvantages make up for the other.</p><p>The companies’ right of self-determination when it comes to actuarial assumptions seems to cause problems with for example the transparency. Therefore it is recommended that the companies should have to justify their choice of assumptions. It is also recommended that there should be more specified criteria of which assumptions that should be included in the annual report.</p> / <p>Bakgrund: Vid årsskiftet 2004/2005 ersatte IAS 19 Tryggandelagen (TrL) och RR 29 som redovisningsstandard i svenska koncerner. Det här införandet förknippades med en viss oro över förändringar i företagens pensionsskulder och eget kapital.</p><p>Syfte: Att belysa svårigheterna vid införandet av IAS 19 genom att se hur IAS 19 skiljer sig från Tryggandelagen och vilka problem som de här skillnaderna kan medföra.</p><p>Tillvägagångssätt: Personer som arbetar med och är väl insatta i ämnet redovisning av pensionsskulder intervjuas. Företagsexempel visas för att belysa skillnader vid uträkning av pensionsskulder enligt TrL och IAS 19. Avslutningsvis görs en jämförelse mellan ett antal företag på Stockholmsbörsen för att visa deras olika aktuariella antaganden.</p><p>Metod: Huvudsakligen följer uppsatsen den kvalitativa forskningsmetoden eftersom den metoden lämpar sig bäst för att få substans i materialet som baseras på detaljerade skillnader och åsikter.</p><p>Resultat och slutsatser: Införandet av IAS 19 har tagit tid och varit kostsamt, men kostnaden blev inte lika stor som befarat. Införandet gav positiva fördelar, såsom ökad kontroll av kostnaden för pensionsförpliktelser. Därför råder en positiv inställning till IAS bland redovisningsprofessionen. Problem i form av både komplicerat förfarande och barnsjukdomar finns sammankopplat med införandet, men fördelarna uppväger nackdelarna.</p><p>Företagens självbestämmanderätt gällandes de aktuariella antagandena förefaller kunna orsaka problem med bland annat transparensen. Därför rekommenderas motivering av antagandena och mer specifika regler för vilka antaganden som ska anges i årsredovisningarna.</p>

This report provides an extensive overview of the history of the Swedish pension system. Starting with the implementation of the world's first universal public pension system in 1913, the report discusses the political as well as the economic background to each major public pension reform up until today. It presents the rules and the institutional details of these reforms and discuss their implications for retirement behavior, the general state of the economy and the political environment. Parallel to the development of the public pension system, a comprehensive and quite complex occupational pension system has emerged. This report describes the historical background and the institutional details of the four largest agreement-based occupational pension schemes in Sweden.

Bakgrund och problem: IAS 19 genomgår en ny förändring då en av redovisningsmetoderna för aktuariella vinster och förluster avskaffas. Korridormetoden, som fungerar som en utjämningsmekanism är den mest frekvent tillämpade metoden av stora börsnoterade bolag i Sverige. Avskaffningen av metoden väntas få effekter på dessa företags finansiella ställning då företag 2013 kommer tvingas ta fram sina oredovisade aktuariella förluster och redovisa dessa i sin helhet. Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att studera berörda aktörers uppfattning om nya IAS 19 som träder i kraft 2013 samt vilken påverkan den förväntas ha på börsnoterade företag som idag tillämpar korridormetoden. Metod: Genom intervjuer inhämtade vi material av kvalitativ natur. Data av denna karaktär är bäst lämpad för vår studie då vi vill undersöka inställningar till en förändring som ännu inte har trätt i kraft och som kommer beröra företags finansiella rapportering. Resultat och slutsats: Kritiken från två av de tillfrågade gällande korridormetoden rör inte den utjämningsmekanism som finns, utan snarare att metoden inte har genomfört sitt syfte som man upptäckt på senare år.  Detta har i sin tur lett till att företag samlat på sig stora aktuariella förluster i samband med sina pensionsåtaganden. Då IAS 19 har krävt flera omarbetningar och den senaste modifieringen av standarden kan ses som en tillfällig lösning tills att man kommer fram till en metod som speglar skulden på ett mer korrekt sätt. Borttagandet av korridormetoden har enligt respondenterna fler fördelar än nackdelar vilket för pensionsredovisningen vidare i utvecklingen. Dock medger alla respondenter att komplexiteten fortfarande är för bred för att IAS 19 inte ska kräva ännu mera omarbetning. Vi ser ännu inte att problemen med pensionsredovisningen är nära att nå sitt slut. Respondenternas attityder kring problemet är att en förenkling eftersträvas men vägledning som leder till lösning på problemet är ännu mer avlägset. Ingen av våra respondenter har framfört att borttagandet av korridormetoden är självaste lösningen på problemet. Förslag till vidare forskning: Vi skulle tycka det vore intressant om man undersökte efter övergången till en av de andra två metoderna för att mäta de effekter som slopandet av korridormetoden medförde. Hur stora aktuariella förluster fick företag inom Large Cap? / Background to problem: IAS 19, is undergoing a new change when one of the accounting methods to actuarial gains and losses is eliminated. The corridor method, which acts as a clearing mechanism is the most frequently applied method of large listed companies. Abolishment of the method is expected to have an impact on their financial position starting in the year 2013. Companies are forced to report its unrecognized actuarial losses and account these entirely. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to study the actors' perception of the new IAS 19 which comes into force in 2013 and the expected impact on the large listed companies applying the corridor method at present. Methodology: We acquired materials of a qualitative nature through interviews. Data of this nature is best suited for our study because we want to examine the settings for a change that has not yet entered into force and is expected to affect the company’s financial reporting. Conclusions: The criticism from two of the surveyed does not concern the meaning of the standard IAS 19 parse, but rather that the method has not fulfilled its purpose as exposed in recent years. This has in turn led to accumulated actuarial losses related to its pension commitments.IAS 19 has required several revisions, and the latest modification of the standard can be viewed as a temporary solution until a method that reflects the debt in a more accurate way is achieved. Removal of the corridor method, according to respondents, has more advantages than disadvantages which leads the pension accounting further in development. However, all respondents admit that the complexity is still too wide for IAS 19, and will require more adjustments. We do not see that the problems with pension accounting are close to reaching its end. Respondents' attitudes to the problem are that the simplification is needed, but guidance that leads to the solution of the problem is even more remote. None of our respondents have said that the removal of the corridor approach is the solution to the major problem of pension accounting. Suggestions for further research: We would find it interesting if a study is made after the transition to one of the other two methods, measuring the impact of the abolition of the corridor approach. How large actuarial losses were companies in the large-cap hit of?