Förmånsbestämda pensionsplaner : En studie om koncerners val av diskonteringsränta i pensionsredovisningen utifrån aktuell skuldsättningsgrad

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate the corporations that apply defined benefit pension plans with actuarial assumptions. The study intends to see if there is any correlation between the corporation’s debt-to-equity ratio and the choice of discount rate in their pension plan. Demarcation - The study will be limited to all the corporations that apply defined benefit plans during the fiscal year 2016. The corporation shall report the discount rate as one of the actuarial assumptions in the pension report. Method - The study has chosen a quantitative research strategy with a deductible approach to answer the study's purpose and problem formulation, namely, see if there is a correlation between debt-to-equity ratio and discount rate. Based on previous studies, we then compile and analyze data from the financial reports. Empiricism - The study uses a simple regression analysis to obtain a correlation coefficient to describe if there is a correlation between the study's variables, debt ratio and discount rate. In order to clarify the relationship between the variables, a regression line is used and is illustrated in a scattergram. Analysis/Conclusion - The 92 observations that have been completed by using financial statements have resulted in that there is no correlation between the x variable (debt ratio) and the y-variable (discount rate), both x and y show varying values but not as a result of each other. The size of the corporation does not matter and have no effect on the final result of the study. The study received a greater loss than expected due to the fact that corporations do not apply defined benefit plans to the same extent as before and defined-contribution pension plans is more common today. In addition, many corporations now reported their defined benefit plans according to Alecta's technical insurance bases. Proposals for further research - It would be interesting to apply additional key figures as well as additional actuarial assumptions than just the debt-to-equity ratio and discount rate. Interviews as a complement would also provide a deeper understanding of the defined benefit plans, as well as the underlying motives that may exist in the forecast of actuarial assumptions