MetLife poll shows 95% of de-risking pension sponsors plan full divestment of liabilities
MET•MetLife’s 2026 pension risk transfer poll found that 95% of defined-benefit sponsors with de-risking goals plan to fully divest liabilities. More than half expect full divestment in two to five years, and 32% expect an insurer deal within two years.
1. Divestment plans
The poll found that 95% of defined-benefit sponsors with de-risking goals plan to fully divest liabilities. Fifty-five percent expect full divestment in two to five years, while 25% target it within two years.
2. Funding and insurer choices
The average funded ratio reached 96%, and 36% of plans were overfunded. Plans with at least $3 billion in assets averaged 102%. Pension risk transfer remained central: 88% were considering an insurer solution, and 32% expected a deal within two years. Interest rates were the leading timing catalyst at 50%; 62% cited favorable buyout pricing, and 65% prioritized insurers’ financial strength.
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