Milliman analysis: Competitive pension risk transfer cost increased from 100.3% to 100.4% during January

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today announced the latest results of its Milliman Pension Buyout Index (MPBI). During January, the estimated cost to transfer retiree pension risk to an insurer in a competitive bidding process inched up 10 basis points, from 100.3% to 100.4% of a plan’s accounting liabilities (accumulated benefit obligation, or ABO). That means the estimated retiree PRT cost is now 100.4% of a plan’s ABO.

“The competitive retiree buyout cost stayed below 101% for the 9th month in a row despite a small increase in January,” said Jake Pringle.

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During the same time period, the average annuity purchase cost across all insurers in our index also increased, from 103.4% to 103.5%. The competitive bidding process is estimated to save plan sponsors about 3.1% of PRT costs as of January 31, 2026.

“The competitive retiree buyout cost stayed below 101% for the 9th month in a row despite a small increase in January,” said Jake Pringle, Milliman principal and co-author of the MPBI. “We continue to see favorable results for plan sponsors looking to de-risk through pension risk transfers.”

The MPBI compares the FTSE Above Median AA Curve to the annuity purchase composite interest rates from nine insurers to estimate the competitive and average costs of a PRT annuity de-risking strategy. Individual plan annuity buyouts can vary based on plan size, complexity, and competitive landscape.

View the complete Milliman Pension Buyout Index. To receive regular updates with Milliman’s pension buyout analysis, contact us at pensionbuyout@milliman.com.

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Milliman leverages deep expertise, actuarial rigor, and advanced technology to develop solutions for a world at risk. We help clients in the public and private sectors navigate urgent, complex challenges—from extreme weather and market volatility to financial insecurity and rising health costs—so they can meet their business, financial, and social objectives. Our solutions encompass insurance, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and employee benefits. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe. Visit us at milliman.com.