We find a negative association between a state's fiscal condition and the use of discretion
in applying Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rules to understate
pension funding gaps. We also find that the use of discretion is negatively associated
with states’ decisions to increase taxes and cut spending. In addition, we find that the
funding gap understatement is positively associated with higher future labor costs.
Importantly, this association is primarily attributable to the GASB methodology, which
systematically understates the funding gap. This suggests that the GASB approach is
associated with policy choices that have the potential to exacerbate fiscal stress.
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