SFAS No. 158 no longer allows companies to report the SFAS No. 87 minimum liability in the balance sheet. Instead, the amount reported in the balance sheet is measured using projected benefits rather than accumulated benefits. For the following debate, relate your arguments to appropriate accounting theory, including the conceptual framework and capital maintenance theories. An article you might find helpful in supporting your arguments is “Alternative Accounting Treatments for Pensions,” The Accounting Review ( October 1982), pp. 806– 823.

Team 1: Argue for the use of projected benefits for pension expense and liability purposes. 

Team 2: Argue for the use of accumulated benefits for pension expense and liability purposes.