There were mixed results for defined benefit and defined contribution plans in the first quarter of 2018, the Federal Reserve reports. In short: assets grew, but so did liabilities.
Assets
The Fed reports that assets for private DB and DC plans — showed mixed results since the 4th quarter of 2017, with DB plans’ assets growing slightly and DC plans assets falling. However, assets for both DB and DC plans in the 1st quarter of 2018 were above those of the same period one year before.
Assets, DB and DC plans (in trillions of dollars)
Liabilities
There was a net increase in the 1st quarter of 2018 in liabilities for all retirement plans — private DB and DC plans, state and local government employee retirement funds, and federal government retirement funds. However, the increase was lower than the increase in liabilities in the 4th quarter of 2017, as well as that in the 1st quarter of last year.
Net Increase in Liabilities, all Retirement Plans (in billions of dollars)
Funded Status
While there was a slight decline in the funded status of all retirement plans — private DB and DC plans, state and local government employee retirement funds, and federal government retirement funds — and a slight increase in unfunded status since the 4th quarter of 2017, both improved since one year hence.
Funded and Unfunded Liabilities, all Retirement Plans (in trillions of dollars)
Assets
The Fed reports that assets for private DB and DC plans — showed mixed results since the 4th quarter of 2017, with DB plans’ assets growing slightly and DC plans assets falling. However, assets for both DB and DC plans in the 1st quarter of 2018 were above those of the same period one year before.
Assets, DB and DC plans (in trillions of dollars)
| Type of Plan | 1st Quarter, 2017 | 4th Quarter, 2017 | 1st Quarter, 2018 |
| Private DB | $3.175 | $3.203 | $3.212 |
| Private DC | 5.767 | 6.289 | 6.249 |
Liabilities
There was a net increase in the 1st quarter of 2018 in liabilities for all retirement plans — private DB and DC plans, state and local government employee retirement funds, and federal government retirement funds. However, the increase was lower than the increase in liabilities in the 4th quarter of 2017, as well as that in the 1st quarter of last year.
Net Increase in Liabilities, all Retirement Plans (in billions of dollars)
| 1st Quarter, 2017 | 4th Quarter, 2017 | 1st Quarter, 2018 |
| $419.1 | $504.9 | $329.5 |
Funded Status
While there was a slight decline in the funded status of all retirement plans — private DB and DC plans, state and local government employee retirement funds, and federal government retirement funds — and a slight increase in unfunded status since the 4th quarter of 2017, both improved since one year hence.
Funded and Unfunded Liabilities, all Retirement Plans (in trillions of dollars)
| Status | 1st Quarter, 2017 | 4th Quarter, 2017 | 1st Quarter, 2018 |
| Funded | $8.449 | $9.023 | $8.900 |
| Unfunded | 3.998 | 3.699 | 3.913 |
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