Description: SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures. This article briefly summarizes SFAS 157 and then turns to the computation of a fair value liability and the use of risk margins, with some expanded discussion of the cost of capital method for establishing the risk margin.

Description: A discussion of a possible replacement of FASB Statement No. 141 SFAS 141. The exposure draft was referred to in this article as “141R.” “141R” provides guidance for application of the acquisition method, which was previously called the purchase method in the case of business combinations. The draft requires that all business combinations including the merger of mutual insurance companies be accounted for by the acquisition method.