Several developments in recent months have made settling pension liabilities look more attractive to sponsors of defined benefit plans seeking to de-risk:  First, Ford and GM announced pension settlements of unprecedented size.  Second, Congress passed a pension funding relief bill, known as “MAP-21,” that could encourage pension settlements.  And, third, the IRS issued three private letter rulings providing useful guidance covering lump sum settlements and annuitizations.
Continue Reading De-risking Through Pension Settlements Becomes More Attractive