IAS 19 — Settlements
Issue
The IFRIC received a request to clarify whether some payments of benefits under a defined benefit plan are settlements as defined in IAS 19. The payments in question arise when an existing plan gives plan members the option to choose to receive a lump sum payment at retirement instead of ongoing payments.
Decision not to add
May 2008
Reason
The IFRIC noted that events that are covered by the actuarial assumptions underlying the measurement of the defined benefit obligation are not treated as settlements under IAS 19. The IFRIC decided not to add the issue to its agenda because there was little diversity in practice.
IFRIC reference: IAS 19-14