"The estimated aggregate funding level of pension plans sponsored by S&P 1500 companies improved by 2% to 82% as of April 30th, 2015, due to a slight rise in equity markets and an increase in interest rates used to calculate corporate pension plan liabilities. The estimated aggregate deficit of $424 billion as of April 30th, 2015 improved by $56 billion from the end of March. Funded status is up by $80 billion from the $504 billion deficit measured at the end of 2014[.]"