This study analyzes the ‘real' effects of accounting standards in the context of defined benefit pension plans. Specifically, we examine IAS 19R, which increases expected pension-induced equity volatility by eliminating the so-called ‘corridor method', a smoothing device for actuarial gains...

We document equity market reactions to an exogenous increase in expected balance sheet volatility – the time-series variation in equity book values. Our study is motivated by recent trends in accounting standard setting towards a ‘balance sheet approach’, which increases balance sheet...