Corporate Pension Plans

Corporate Pension Monthly

May 7, 2026 | 2 minute read
corp-pension-monthly-nov-2025_16-9_1360x765.jpg
Corporate Pension Plans

Corporate Pension Monthly

May 7, 2026 | 2 minute read
corp-pension-monthly-nov-2025_21-9_1840x788.jpg
Corporate Pension Plans

Corporate Pension Monthly

May 7, 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

April Showers Bring Clearing Skies

In April, our estimate of the aggregate corporate defined benefit (DB) funded status was 108.9%, recovered from our estimate of 105.4% from a month prior and surged higher. Corporate earnings strength and geopolitical developments drove investor optimism and led major indices to new highs, more than offsetting a marginal rise in our estimated value of liabilities.

The snapback in equity prices in April highlighted how quickly market environments can change. This underscores the potential benefits of taking an active approach with respect to portfolio management.
Avatar
Michael Moran
Co-Head of Public Investing Market Insights
Funded status estimate surged higher in AprilFunded status estimate surged higher in April

Chart source: MSCI, Bloomberg, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) funded status based on US plans (when specified) of S&P 500 companies (i.e., 225 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 April 30, 2026, and subject to potentially significant revisions over time. Actual returns may vary significantly.

Corporate resilient earnings rallied asset performanceCorporate resilient earnings rallied asset performance

Source: MSCI, Bloomberg, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. As of April 30, 2026. Past performance does not guarantee future results, which may vary.

Recent Matters of Note

In a recent Pension & Investment (P&I) interview, we shared our views on the new realities of corporate pension management strategies given continued strength in the broad system. Here’s the recap:

  • Full funding streak continues in 2025: As previously discussed in our “First Take” report, the US corporate pension system achieved its 4th consecutive year of fully funding, despite market volatility from tariffs and geopolitical tensions. 
  • System’s structural resilience and risk management: The system is significantly more stable than in previous decades due to improved asset-liability matching and the fact that many pension plans have frozen benefit accruals, preventing them from growing faster than their corporate sponsors' market capitalization.
  • From hibernation to surplus utilization: While we believe many sponsors still aim to exit the pension business through risk transfers, a growing number of sponsors are reassessing the role of pensions within broader retirement programs. In some cases, it has led some plans to re-risk, potentially with an eye towards utilizing funding surpluses in the future.
     

Updates on Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) lawsuits

Recently, a US district court in Seattle dismissed a lawsuit against Weyerhaeuser Co., and independent fiduciary State Street Investment Management that had alleged ERISA fiduciary breaches in PRT transactions. 

Following a wave of lawsuits filed against corporate plan sponsors in 2024 regarding PRT transactions, the Weyerhaeuser case became one of five PRT cases dismissed, joining Verizon, AT&T, and General Electric, while two other cases have proceeded past motions to dismiss. 
 

Source: Company 10-K filings and news releases as of April 2026. Any reference to a specific company or security does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or directly invest in the company or its securities. For illustrative purposes only. Please see additional disclosures at the end of this document. There is no guarantee that objectives will be met.

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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