The 2026 Global Survey of Accounting Assumptions for Defined Benefit Plans is the 37th annual WTW survey of assumptions selected by major corporations for their defined benefit (DB) plans around the world.
Our full report, which represents 1,215 companies with data from 50 countries and regions, includes the following key findings:
- Overall, we observed a general increase in both corporate and government bond yields around the world by year-end 2025. Throughout 2025, government bond yields increased for 27 of the 43 countries listed.
- Long term inflation assumptions generally declined or remained relatively stable over 2025.
- As 2025 unfolded, major stock markets generally delivered positive returns, although performance varied by market.
- For ASC 715 reporters, year-on-year changes in expected rates of return assumptions showed notable dispersion across markets, ranging from -81 bps to +90 bps.
- Among the 33 countries with funded plans included in the report, 18 showed an overfunded status in 2026. Looking into those 31 countries that had both a 2026 and a 2025 projected benefit security ratio, eight had a lower average ratio and 23 had a higher or unchanged average ratio, including four countries (Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden) in which the average ratio improved by more than 10 basis points.
The executive summary can be downloaded by the filling out the form on the right.
For further information on our Global Survey of Accounting Assumptions for Defined Benefit Plans, please contact your regional WTW consultant.
