Retirement Trends

Poorly structured policies implemented over the past few decades by states and cities are threatening retirement security for public school teachers, according to a new report published by Bellwether Education Partners.

The cost of purchasing annuities from an insurer as a way to pass off pension liabilities stayed about the same in January, at 108.5 percent of the accounting liability of a defined benefit pension plan.

The swaps, tied to pension obligation bonds issued in 2005 and 2006, were designed to protect against rising interest rates by requiring the banks to pay the city if rates rose above a certain level.

The foundation hopes to raise awareness of the retirement crisis in the United States, which has become a critical issue for foundations members, employees and plan participants as well as the general workforce.

The overall average funded status jumped 13 percentage points, from 78 percent at the end of 2012 to 91 percent at the end of 2013.

Research showed that target-date funds are expected to play an increasingly important role in workplace retirement plans.