The median return of the Investment Metrics All Defined Benefit Plan Sponsor Universe was 8.6% in the fourth quarter. The universe is made up of corporate, public, Taft-Hartley, and health and welfare plans, as well as endowments and foundations. Corporate pension plans led the way with a median 9.9% return. Health and welfare plans lagged with a 6% return. In the fourth quarter, the Bloomberg Global EQ:FI 60:40 index returned 10.2%.
The one-year returns ranged from health and welfare plans' 9.3% to 14.2% for endowments and foundations. The 60% equity/40% fixed income passive index returned 16.7%.
Over five years, public plans had the highest return at 8.8%.
