Annual Report 2010/11 - Sonova

eMPLoyee BeNeFIT PLANS
The Sonova Group has various employee benefit plans. Most
of its salaried employees are covered by these plans, of
which some are defined benefit plans. The present value of
the defined benefit obligations at the end of the financial
period 2010/11 amounts to CHF 198.7 million (previous year
CHF 167.3 million) as disclosed in Note 29. With such plans,
actuarial assumptions are made for the purpose of estimating
future developments, including estimates and assumptions
relating to discount rates, the expected return on plan
assets in individual countries, and future wage trends.
Actuaries also use statistical data such as mortality tables
and staff turnover rates with a view to determining employee
benefit obligations. If these factors change due to a change
in economic or market con ditions, the subsequent results
could deviate considerably from the actuarial reports and
calculations. over the medium term such de viations could
have an impact on the equity. The car rying amounts of the
plan assets and liabilities in the balance sheet are set out
in Note 29.
PRovISIoN FoR WARRANTy ANd ReTuRNS
The Group recorded provisions for warranty, product­related
claims and returns of CHF 133.0 million (previous year
CHF 126.5 million) as of March 31, 2011 as disclosed in
Note 20.
The calculation of these provisions is based on turnover,
past experience and projected number and cost of warranty
claims and returns. The actual costs for warranty, claims,
and returns may differ from these estimates.
CoNSoLIdATed FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS 105