S&P 1500 Firms See Pension Deficit Increase

This deficit corresponds to an aggregate funded ratio of 83% as of July 31, compared to a funded ratio of 86% at June 30, 2011, and 81% at December 31, 2010.   

Mercer says the decline in funded status was driven by a 2.0% drop in equities, partially offset by a fall in yields on high quality corporate bonds during the month. Discount rates for the typical U.S. pension plan decreased approximately 30 basis points during the month. Mercer’s analysis indicates the S&P 1500 funded status peaked at 88% at the end of April, and has since seen a 5% decline.  

“I think the market’s concern around the US debt ceiling debate really showed up in this month’s numbers,” said Jonathan Barry, a partner in Mercer’s Retirement Risk and Finance group, in a news release.   “The S&P 1500 declined by roughly 4% in the last week of the month, and high quality bond yields declined, as investors looked for safer investments due to the uncertainty.  We saw pretty steady improvement in funded status through the first few months of 2011, but we have seen more volatility the past three months, which has wiped out much of the improvement we saw in funded status year to date.”