Milliman today released the results of its latest Pension Funding Index (PFI), which consists of 100 of the nation's largest defined benefit pension plans. In May, these plans experienced a $29 billion increase in pension liabilities and a $19 billion increase in asset value, resulting in a $10 billion increase in the pension funded status deficit.



In every month of 2014 so far we have seen a decline in interest rates. These pensions have experienced a $43 billion increase in assets, but the market gains have been dwarfed by a $125 billion increase in liabilities.

Looking forward, if the Milliman 100 pension plans were to achieve the expected 7.4% median asset return for their pension portfolios, and if the current discount rate of 4.06% were maintained, funded status would improve, with the funded status deficit shrinking to $241 billion (86.0% funded ratio) by the end of 2014 and to $187 billion (89.2% funded ratio) by the end of 2015.