Assumption | Impact of Assumption on Balance Sheet | Impact of Assumption on Periodic Cost |
Higher discount rate. | Lower obligation. | Periodic pension costs will typically be lower because of lower opening obligation and lower service costs. |
Higher rate of compensation increase. | Higher obligation. | Higher service costs. |
Higher expected return on plan assets. | No effect, because fair value of plan assets is used on balance sheet. | Not applicable for IFRS. Lower periodic pension expense under US GAAP. |