Defined benefit plans continue to hold the largest amount of U.S...

Defined benefit plans continue to hold the largest amount of U.S. retirement assets, but the percentage of assets in those plans continues to decline, according to data from Cerulli Associates. U.S. defined benefit plan assets were $3.9 trillion, or 32.7% of all domestic retirement assets as of Dec. 31, with defined contribution plan assets close behind at $3.1 trillion, or 25.9%. Defined benefit plan assets have grown at an average of 5% annually over the past 10 years, while DC plan assets have grown at an average of 7% annually, according to Cerulli's August U.S. newsletter.