Is My Pension Safe? How to Check Your Plan's Health
Published April 1, 2026
The average U.S. pension plan is funded at approximately 72%, meaning it has 72 cents in assets for every dollar of promised benefits. Some plans are fully funded or overfunded. Others have funding ratios below 50%. Here is how to check where your plan stands.
The Three Numbers That Matter
- Funding ratio: Assets divided by liabilities. Above 80% is generally healthy. Below 60% is a concern. Below 40% is critical.
- Funding trend: Is the ratio improving or declining over 3-5 years? A plan at 70% and improving is healthier than one at 80% and declining.
- PBGC risk zone: The PBGC classifies multiemployer plans as Green (healthy), Yellow (endangered), Orange (seriously endangered), or Red (critical/critical and declining).
How to Check Your Plan
Three ways to check your pension plan's health:
- PensionWatch: Search for your plan on our homepage to see its Pension Health Score, funding ratio, and trend.
- Annual Funding Notice: Your plan is required by law to send you this document annually. Look for the "Funding Percentage" or "Funded Status" section.
- DOL EFAST2: All plans file Form 5500 annually with the Department of Labor. These are public records searchable at efast.dol.gov.
What the Funding Levels Mean
| Funding Ratio | Status | What It Means For You |
|---|---|---|
| 100%+ | Fully Funded | Your promised benefits are well-secured by current assets |
| 80-99% | Adequate | Minor shortfall — typically manageable through normal contributions |
| 60-79% | Underfunded | Meaningful gap — requires increased contributions; benefits may not grow |
| Below 60% | Severely Underfunded | Serious concern — PBGC intervention may occur; benefit reductions possible |
See the plans with the worst funding on our worst funded plans ranking. For the broader context, see public pension crisis explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pension funding ratio?
The funding ratio is the most important number for pension health. It measures plan assets divided by plan liabilities. A funding ratio of 100% means the plan has exactly enough assets to cover all promised benefits. Above 100% is well-funded; below 80% is generally considered underfunded.
What happens if my pension is underfunded?
Underfunding does not mean your pension will disappear, but it increases risk. Severely underfunded plans may reduce future benefit accruals, increase employer contribution requirements, or in extreme cases, be taken over by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), which pays benefits up to statutory limits.
How do I find my pension plan's funding ratio?
Your plan must send you an Annual Funding Notice (for single-employer plans) or Annual Funding Notice (for multiemployer plans) that includes the funding percentage. You can also search for your plan on PensionWatch or look up Form 5500 filings on the DOL EFAST2 system.
Does PBGC guarantee my full pension?
PBGC guarantees pension benefits up to statutory maximums, which in 2026 are approximately $7,500/month ($90,000/year) at age 65 for single-employer plans. If your pension exceeds that amount, the portion above the PBGC maximum is not guaranteed. Multiemployer plan guarantees are much lower.
About This Data
Pension data from DOL Form 5500 (EFAST2) for corporate plans and the Public Plans Database for state/local pensions. See our methodology.