S&P 1500 Companies’ Pension Funding Improved in September
Marsh estimates that S&P 1500 pension plans reached 113% funding in September, while their combined surplus grew to $181 billion from $175 billion.
- published
- in the api
- on the website
on the website stories appear 15 minutes after publication, in the api at once. connect the api →
what happened
Newsmetry API, citing professional-services firm Marsh, reports that the estimated funded position of pension plans maintained by S&P 1500 companies rose by 1 percentage point to 113% in September. The gain reflected higher discount rates, while a decline in equity markets provided a partial offset.
By the end of September, the plans’ estimated aggregate surplus had expanded by $6 billion to $181 billion, compared with $175 billion at the end of August. Marsh partner Matt McDaniel said pension funding improved after interest rates reached a 17-year high. He added that persistent inflation and elevated energy costs kept pressure on rates, leading the Fed to lift them by a quarter point in September.
why it matters
The figures highlight how interest-rate moves can change the measured value of corporate pension obligations and surpluses. Equity-market performance remains another factor that can moderate the impact of higher discount rates.
instruments
sources
- Companies' Pension Funding Increased in September — Market Talk — Newsmetry API, 12 October 2026 at 17:45 UTC
prepared by the newsmetry newsroom with ai assistance from the sources listed below. not investment advice.
on the website stories appear 15 minutes after publication, in the api at once.
get stories in real time ↗