Description: Standards for accounting for pension and post-retirement plans around the world are changing. The ultimate goal is a global standard to replace International Accounting Standard 19 IAS 19. The changes in the United States to reflect the global standard fall under their Statements of Financial Accounting Standards SFAS.

Description: Deferred bonus policyholder dividend reserves arise because “the policyholders’ share of net income … that cannot be distributed to stockholders shall be excluded from stockholders’ equity” by establishing a reserve. This article provides background on local minimum policyholder participation practices in the US and Europe, presents relevant accounting issues and discuss the two different accounting interpretations and make a recommendation as to which the authors feel is most appropriate at this point in time.