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The impact of duration on management's discount rate choice

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  • Fried, Abraham
  • Davis-Friday, Paquita
  • Davis, Harry Z.

Abstract

Previous research finds that firms increase their assumed discount rates to minimize their reported pension benefit obligation. This paper demonstrates that firms whose pension plans have short durations lower their discount rates (rather than increase them), since a lower discount rate decreases their pension expense. These results are especially relevant in the present climate of low interest rates and more firms freezing their defined benefit pension plans, thereby shortening the duration of their obligations. Given its importance in shaping management motivation we believe that firms should be required to disclose the duration of their future obligations.

Suggested Citation

  • Fried, Abraham & Davis-Friday, Paquita & Davis, Harry Z., 2014. "The impact of duration on management's discount rate choice," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 217-221.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reacre:v:26:y:2014:i:2:p:217-221
    DOI: 10.1016/j.racreg.2014.09.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Comprix, Joseph & Muller III, Karl A., 2011. "Pension plan accounting estimates and the freezing of defined benefit pension plans," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(1-2), pages 115-133, February.
    2. Fried, Abraham N. & Davis-Friday, Paquita Y., 2013. "Economic consequences of mandatory GAAP changes: The case of SFAS No. 158," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 186-194.
    3. Houmes, Robert & Boylan, Robert & Crosby, William, 2012. "On the value relevance of SFAS No. 158," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 112-114.
    4. Comprix, Joseph & Muller, Karl A., 2011. "Pension plan accounting estimates and the freezing of defined benefit pension plans," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 115-133.
    5. Martin Feldstein & Randall Morck, 1983. "Pension Funding Decisions, Interest Rate Assumptions, and Share Prices," NBER Chapters, in: Financial Aspects of the United States Pension System, pages 177-210, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Sharad Asthana, 1999. "Determinants of Funding Strategies and Actuarial Choices for Defined†Benefit Pension Plans," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(1), pages 39-74, March.
    7. Fried, Abraham N., 2012. "Disclosure versus recognition: Evidence from lobbying behavior in response to SFAS No. 158," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 25-32.
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    Cited by:

    1. James P. Naughton, 2019. "Regulatory oversight and trade-offs in earnings management: evidence from pension accounting," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 456-490, June.
    2. Foltin, Craig, 2018. "An examination of state and local government pension underfunding – Implications and guidance for governance and regulation," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 112-120.

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