August 2026 Pending Funding Status

The average U.S. corporate pension funded status increased in August 2026, according to estimates from MetLife Investment Management. Strong returns across equities, fixed income and alternative assets drove the increase, while a modest rise in pension discount rates provided a small reduction in liabilities.

Key takeaways:

• Funded status reached an all-time high in August.
• Broad-based asset gains supported improvement with public equities, private equity and commodities among the strongest contributors.
• Pension discount rates increased modestly lowering liabilities on the margin and providing a small additional boost to funded status.