Delaware pension plans are 83% funded, study finds

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The funded ratio of the Delaware public pension plans stands at 83%, according to a new analysis from the Tax Foundation based on fiscal-year 2017 data.

The state’s pension fund has the 11th highest funded ratio among the 50 states, the Tax Foundation study found. The percentage was calculated by comparing the market value of the pension fund’s assets to its accrued pension liabilities.

The analysis is based on data released by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

A low ratio points to the state’s pension system being not well-funded, and a higher ratio means that pension fund assets are keeping up with liabilities, according to the Tax Foundation.

Historically, state pension funds were classified as defined-benefit plans, which guarantee retiring members an annuity for life. More recently, however, states have created defined-contribution plans for new hires, allowing workers to oversee individual accounts and helping states to reduce liabilities over time, the analysis said. 

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State Pension Plan Funding Percentages, From Highest to Lowest

RankStateFunded Ratio of State Public Pension Plans
1Wisconsin103%
2South Dakota100%
3Tennessee97%
4New York95%
5Idaho91%
6North Carolina91%
7Utah90%
8Nebraska90%
9Washington90%
10Oregon83%
11Delaware83%
12Iowa82%
13Maine82%
14Ohio80%
15Florida79%
16Georgia79%
17West Virginia79%
18Oklahoma78%
18Missouri78%
20Virginia77%
21Arkansas77%
22Texas76%
23Wyoming76%
24Nevada74%
25Montana73%
26Alabama71%
27California69%
28Maryland69%
29Kansas67%
30Alaska67%
31Louisiana65%
31Michigan65%
33Indiana65%
34Vermont64%
35North Dakota64%
36Minnesota63%
37New Hampshire63%
38New Mexico63%
39Arizona62%
40Mississippi62%
41Massachusetts60%
42Pennsylvania55%
43Hawaii55%
44South Carolina54%
45Rhode Island54%
46Colorado47%
47Connecticut46%
48Illinois38%
49New Jersey36%
50Kentucky34%
Source: Tax Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts

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