Our study makes several important contributions. This is one of the first empirical
studies to comprehensively examine the DB plan freeze decision, a management action
that has consequences to a variety of stakeholders. The issuance of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 132: Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and
Other Postretirement Benefits (FASB, 1998) prior to the beginning of our sample period
allows us to exploit the most expansive set of pension accounting disclosures available
to test our hypotheses. Therefore, we examine this important decision using a rich and
timely data source during a sample period marked by relatively consistent accounting
standards, escalating pressures for change, and ongoing regulatory activity in thepension accounting area.