"The funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans decreased by $22 billion during May ... The deficit grew to $279 billion from $257 billion at the end of April due to a decrease in the benchmark corporate bond interest rates used to value pension liabilities.... As of May 31, the funded ratio fell to 83.8%, down from 84.9% at the end of April. The funded status deficit and ratio at the end of May is almost spot-on to the level on December 31, 2016 even though the discount rate has declined 23 basis points."  MORE >>