There is little cause for alarm over underfunding of corporate pension...

There is little cause for alarm over underfunding of corporate pension plans, according to a study by Watson Wyatt Worldwide. While almost two-thirds of the nation's largest companies have underfunded pension plans, the shortfall represents less than 4% of the assets of the typical pension plan, the consulting firm noted. "Relative to total corporate assets, the unfunded pension liabilities of most large companies are not excessive," said Sylvester J. Schieber, head of research.