The document provides an analysis and the detailed results to the Straw Poll Questionnaire (SPQ), on the basis of the 35 responses that have been returned. On September 17, 2003 the Moderator circulated the SPQ to the contributors of the EDG on pensions and to other EDG members and to other experts (see Appendix 3 to the Interim Report). The SPQ was designed to explore in a more comprehensive way the opinion of EDG contributors who had hitherto generally expressed opinions on a narrower list of items, in order to help prepare a presentation by the Moderator at the OECD (October 7, 2003?see ?notes? of the Moderator, posted on the EDG) and to allow for a perceived acceleration of the SNA Review process.
The responses indicate broad support for a revision of employer pension schemes recording, including:
a) A quasi unanimous support for recognizing pension obligations of unfunded employer schemes as liabilities.
b) A broad support for allocating the pension net assets (autonomous defined benefit schemes) to the sponsor (the employer) and for changing the recording of flows for funded employer schemes?switching from an actual basis to an actuarial basis (employer social contributions and property income receivable by households).
Although many tend to favor abandoning the current SNA "dual recording" of (funded) pensions, a substantial and vocal minority opposes the view.
The responses show a diversity of opinion concerning the type of flows being impacted for specific events (such as: change in benefit structure, change in life expectancy hypothesis, COLA adjustments and granting of additional rights), as well as for the recording of transfers of pension rights/entitlements. This calls for an in-depth review of the SNA recording of such events at the occasion of the SNA Review, and for recommending more detailed guidance.
The SPQ shows that respondents are rather divided on their understanding of what ?funded? and ?segregated reserves? mean in 1993 SNA. The responses also show differences in opinion regarding - in a reviewed SNA - the recognition of pension obligations of social security schemes as a liability, as well as the classification of schemes and the delineation of social insurance.
The Moderator
The author of this contribution to the discussion group on this site bears the sole responsibility for both the substance and the style of the contents. The purpose of the discussion group is to elicit comments and to promote debate on specific topics. As such, the views expressed on any of the issues raised are not to be attributed to the IMF. |
