03 October 2012

FRC: Amendments to employee benefits and specialised activities

The limited scope proposed amendments relate to the accounting for multi-employer pensions and service concession arrangements, and are only likely to affect a small proportion of entities applying UK accounting standards.
 
The amendment for multi-employer pensions relates to accounting in specific circumstances where there is an agreement to fund a deficit in a multi-employer pension plan. This is proposed following evidence of diversity in practice in the application of FRS 17 'Retirement benefits'. In making this proposed amendment, the FRC also notes the current requirements of paragraph FRS 17.9(b)(v), which requires disclosure of any implications for an employer of a deficit in a multi-employer scheme. Entities participating in multi-employer defined benefit schemes will need to give careful consideration to compliance with this requirement where they have agreed a schedule of funding for a deficit. 
 
The second amendment relates to accounting, by grantors, for service concession arrangements. This amendment is proposed in response to feedback from respondents and sets out proposed accounting requirements for grantors. 
 
Chairman of the Accounting Council, Roger Marshall, said: “These proposed amendments will reduce diversity in accounting practice when entities have entered into agreements to fund deficits in defined benefit multi-employer pension plans. In addition, grantors of service concession arrangements will now have clear principles underpinning their accounting for such arrangements. We believe this represents the final consultation in completing our review of financial reporting standards and hope to issue the first standards later this year."

Press release

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