Corporate Pension Plans

Corporate Pension Monthly

June 4, 2026 | 2 minute read
corp-pension-monthly-nov-2025_16-9_1360x765.jpg
Corporate Pension Plans

Corporate Pension Monthly

June 4, 2026 | 2 minute read
corp-pension-monthly-nov-2025_21-9_1840x788.jpg
Corporate Pension Plans

Corporate Pension Monthly

June 4, 2026 | 2 minute read
corp-pension-monthly-nov-2025_3-1_2480x827.jpg
Author(s)
Avatar
Michael Moran
Co-Head of Public Investing Market Insights

All's Well That Ends in May

In May, our estimate of the aggregate corporate defined benefit (DB) funded status was 110.1%, surging higher from our estimate of 108.9% in April. 1Q corporate earnings strength and the outlook on artificial intelligence development drove investor optimism and led major indices to new all-time highs. At the same time, cooling oil prices calmed inflation fears from earlier in the year.

Higher year-to-date equity values and fixed income yields have been the perfect combination for corporate DB plans. Historically high funded levels and bond yields provide an excellent entry point for de-risking actions by plan sponsors.
Avatar
Michael Moran
Co-Head of Public Investing Market Insights
Funded status estimate surged higher in MayBar chart showing corporate pension funded status rising to 110.1% in May 2026 from 108.9% in April, and up from 105.8 in December 2025.

Chart source: MSCI, Bloomberg, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management as of May 2026. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) funded status based on US plans (when specified) of S&P 500 companies (i.e., 229 companies with pension data per GS Asset Management research). Past performance does not predict future returns and does not guarantee future results, which may vary. The funded status figures are estimated and unaudited as of May 31, 2026, and subject to potentially significant revisions over time. Actual returns may vary significantly.

Technology-led equity rally pushed asset performance higherTable displaying pension asset returns and discount rate changes, with total assets +2.1% in May 2026, US equity +5.3%, international equity +4.1%, and fixed income +0.8%

Source: MSCI, Bloomberg, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. As of May 31, 2026. Past performance does not predict future returns and does not guarantee future results, which may vary.

Recent Matters of Note

On May 7, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) launched a new Amicus Curiae Program that allows private parties (i.e. plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and other pension stakeholders) to request that the agency file “friend of the court” briefs in litigation involving significant or novel pension-law issues. The program is intended to let PBGC contribute its expertise in cases that could affect the agency or the broader pension system.  

From a policy perspective, the initiative signals a more active PBGC role in shaping pension-related legal precedent, similar to recent amicus efforts by other retirement regulators. PBGC retains full discretion over whether to participate and may also file amicus briefs on its own initiative.

 

For more insights specific to corporate pension plans, we recently explored how liquid hedge fund strategies may assist plans in managing funded level volatility when needed as well as unlock alternative ways for plans to access alpha opportunities.  Our team is ready to explore these topics with you.

 

1 Asset return: Average asset-weighted return of S&P 500 companies’ US plans (when specified). US Equity uses S&P 500 Index.
2 Mix of MSCI EAFE and MSCI ACWI ex-US.
3 Mix of Corporates (Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond), High Yield (Bloomberg US High Yield), Treasuries (Bloomberg 20+ Year Treasuries), and Long Credit (Bloomberg Long US Credit).
4 Discount rate proxy measured by 50% Moody’s AA Corporate Bond and 50% US Long Duration Corporate Bond.
5 Estimated Change in Plan Liabilities based on increase in estimated discount rate and duration of 12. For 2025, uses average change in discount rate change for December year-end filers.

Author(s)
Avatar
Michael Moran
Co-Head of Public Investing Market Insights
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