On October 19, 2026, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) announced updated guarantee limits for single-employer defined benefit plans. PBGC insures private defined benefit plans against the risk of a failure to pay benefits when due, but only up to a maximum limit. For single-employer plans, the maximum guarantee is adjusted annually.
For PBGC-covered single-employer plans that terminate in 2027, the monthly maximum single life annuity benefit payable at age 65 is set at $8,113.64, an increase from $7,789.77 in 2026. This maximum is also adjusted for benefits payable at earlier ages and in different forms. You can view the complete updated table here: Maximum monthly guarantee tables | Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
In contrast, the maximum guarantee for PBGC multiemployer plans is not subject to indexing. The multiemployer maximum remains at 100% of the first $11 of the plan’s monthly benefit, plus 75% of the next $33.
"As a result of the indexing rules under federal law, the guarantee limits for single-employer plans that terminate in 2027 will be 4.16% higher than the limits that applied for 2026."
