"Premiums due to the PBGC may rise dramatically for certain plans, because a lower funded status also means higher PBGC premiums. Lump-sum distributions may become key topics of discussion and decision-making. Paying out benefits while the plan is underfunded results in a lower funded status in percentage terms ... [P]ension plan sponsors whose IRS funded status is just above the key threshold levels of 80% or 60% should examine whether the mortality table implementation would cause a violation of these levels, resulting in additional restrictions on the plan."  MORE >>