Defined Benefits

In February, the cost of purchasing annuities for retirees in U.S. pension plans jumped to 110 percent of the accounting liability for the plan.

An investment forum on the financial problems facing America's cities delivered a glimpse Monday of what Rhode Islanders could expect from a potential match-up between Gov. Lincoln Chafee and Treasurer Gina Raimondo in next year's gubernatorial race.

A change in PBGC policy saved 50 businesses about $1 billion since November.

A proposal to shore up the long-term finances of a pension system for state and local government workers in New Mexico cleared the Legislature on Wednesday and heads to Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

The Montana Legislature inched closer to finding a fix for its beleaguered pension system when a committee decided to advance both of the major proposed fixes.

Private industry employers spent an average of $8.57 per hour on employee benefits, or nearly 30 percent of total costs, including retirement plans, in December 2012.

Federal authorities announced Monday that Illinois has agreed to settle a securities-fraud charge that accused the state of misleading investors about the financial health of its public-employee pension systems, which are now $96.7 billion short of what's needed to cover promised retirement benefits.

Multiemployer plans with the biggest deficits have taken significant steps to address their funding problems.