Consolidated Annual Report 2016

23 BARBADOS PUBLIC WORKERS’ CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT UNION LIMITED CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT 2016 BARBADOS PUBLIC WORKERS' CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT UNION LIMITED Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended March 31, 2016 (Expressed in Barbados dollars) 11 2. Accounting Policies, continued 2.2 Significant accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions, continued Impairment of assets The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is objective evidence that an asset or group of assets is impaired. An asset or a group of assets is impaired and impairment losses are incurred if, and only if, there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset (a “loss event”) and that loss event (or events) has an impact on the future cash flows of the asset or group of assets that can be reliably estimated. The Group reviews its individually significant loans at each statement of financial position date to assess whether impairment should be recorded in the statement of income. In particular, judgment by management is required in the estimation of the amount and timing of future cash flows when determining individual impairment and also in the determination of collective impairment. In estimating these cash flows, the Group makes judgments about the borrower’s financial situation and the net realisable value of collateral. These estimates are based on assumptions about a number of factors and actual results may differ, resulting in future changes to the allowance for impairment losses. Loans and advances that have been assessed individually and found not to be impaired and all individually insignificant loans and advances are then assessed collectively, in groups of assets with similar risk characteristics, to determine whether a provision should be made due to incurred loss events for which there is objective evidence but whose effects are not yet evident. Pension obligations The cost of the defined benefit pension plan is determined using an actuarial valuation. Accounting for employee pension obligations requires the use of actuarial techniques to make a reliable estimate of the amount of benefit that employees have earned in return for their services in the current and prior period. The actuarial assumptions are based on management’s best estimates of the variables that will determine the ultimate cost of providing post-employment benefits. Variations in these assumptions could cause material adjustments in future years, if it is determined that the actual experience differed from the estimate.