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Discretion in the accounting for defined benefit obligations – an empirical analysis of German IFRS statements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2014

MARCUS SALEWSKI  and
HENNING ZÜLCH
MARCUS SALEWSKI
Affiliation:
HHL – Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Chair of Accounting and Auditing; Jahnallee 59, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany (e-mail: marcus.salewski@hhl.de, henning.zuelch@hhl.de)
HENNING ZÜLCH
Affiliation:
HHL – Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Chair of Accounting and Auditing; Jahnallee 59, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany (e-mail: marcus.salewski@hhl.de, henning.zuelch@hhl.de)
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Abstract

Following the research approach of Hann et al. (2007), this study investigates how discretion in the determination of the defined benefit obligation (DBO) is perceived by investors using a sample of listed German companies in the period of 2005–2011. For this, actuarial assumptions – discount interest rates, compensation growth rate and projected future pension increases – are replaced by their respective industry medians to obtain that component of the DBO, which can be attributed to discretion. We find that the discretionary component is not value relevant in overall terms, which is in contrast to prior research. We provide an explanation in the country-specific characteristics of Germany. Furthermore, we find weak evidence that the discretionary component is incorporated in investor's equity valuations when pension plans are distinctly underfunded.

Keywords

M41Defined benefit obligationmanagerial discretionpension accountingIAS 19value relevanceGermany
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Pension Economics & Finance , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , July 2015 , pp. 266 - 292
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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