Articles | May 8, 2024

6-Point Jump in Model Pension Plan's Funded Status

During the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, the funded status of the model pension plan examined in each issue of Prism rose by 6 percentage points, to 112 percent, as illustrated in the graph below.

This increase in funded status is attributable to a 4 percent increase in assets and a 1 percent decrease in liabilities.

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Change in Assets, Liabilities and Funded Ratio

Change in Assets, Liabilities and Funded Ratio


Source: Prism Review of First Quarter 2024

Aspects of investment performance that contributed to the model plan’s increase in asset value

Both domestic and international equities had positive returns in Q1 — with domestic equities outperforming both developed international and emerging market equities.

U.S. unemployment remains low, corporate profits remain strong and market sentiment indicates a resilient consumer, all supporting strong market performance.

Fixed-income returns were slightly negative domestically and in developed international markets, with interest rates ticking slightly higher during the quarter.

Examine your own DB plan’s experience

Plan sponsors should examine changes in their own DB plans’ assets, liabilities and funded ratios from the vantage point of both accounting and funding metrics.

We can help employers project their DB plans’ funded ratios with a complete view of the range of a plan’s possible future statuses, presenting early warning signs of potential challenges.

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See 3 graphs that explain the increase — and learn how plan sponsor should examine changes in their own DB plans.

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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. You are encouraged to discuss the issues raised here with your legal, tax and other advisors before determining how the issues apply to your specific situations.