Aggregate DB Pension Funding Jumped 15 Percent In 2013

The largest 250 defined-benefit (DB) corporate pensions saw their aggregate funded status increase 15% in 2013, rising from 77% to 92% and recovering most of the ground that was lost during the crisis, and as long as the economy continues to grow pensions will benefit in turn.

DB pension underfunding drops to $166 billion

“The improvement in aggregate funded status of the largest 250 corporate DB pensions in 2013 represented one of its best twelve-month performances of the past ten years,” writes Citi analyst Martin Bernstein. Underfunding was reduced by $320 billion to $166 billion and 29% of assets are in pension plans that are completely funded. The last time the funded status was this high was during the onset...