Reports and Surveys | April 30, 2026

Most Plans Remain "Green"; Fewer Plans in C&D Status

For up-to-date information on the 2026 zone status of multiemployer pension plans, see an infographic of key findings from Segal’s latest survey.

This data, which is based on certifications required under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) that calendar-year plans filed by March 31, 2026, shows more than three-quarters of plans are in the green zone and fewer are in critical and declining (C&D) status.

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Most Plans Remain Green Fewer Plans in C&D Status

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Stronger-than-expected, double-digit 2025 investment performance and receipt of Special Financial Assistance (SFA) from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation were contributing factors to these results. After receiving SFA, more plans moved from C&D status to “deemed critical” status (the red zone).

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Download the zone-status infographic to learn:

How the median net investment return for plans in the survey compares to the median expected return in 2026 and the previous three years
The change in the percentage of plans in the five zone statuses — C&D, SFA recipients (“deemed critical”), critical (red zone), endangered (yellow zone) and green zone — from 2022 to 2026
How the asset smoothing method has resulted in a gradual increase in the average PPA funded percentage from 2022 to 2026
Variation in “burn rate” — the rate of negative cash flow as a percent of total assets, without regard to investment income — among the different zone statuses and why mature plans in particular should monitor that metric

2026 Zone Status infographic thumbnail

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About the survey

The 179 plans included in this survey are those with plan years beginning January 1, 2026. As a group, these plans have more than $202 billion in assets and provide benefits to just over 2.7 million participants.

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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. You are encouraged to discuss the issues raised here with your legal, tax and other advisors before determining how the issues apply to your specific situations.