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Strategic Plan FY 2026-2030
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's strategic plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, aimed at preserving plans and protecting pensions of covered workers and retirees, paying pension benefits on time and accurately, and maintaining high standards of stewardship and accountability.
Other Information
Message from the Director ~ Established in 1974 by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), PBGC guarantees the pension benefits of about 30 million workers and retirees who rely on employer-sponsored defined benefit pension plans. ... The agency remains committed to its core strategic goals: to preserve plans and protect the pensions of covered workers and retirees, pay benefits on time and accurately, and maintain high standards of stewardship and accountability. ... PBGC will work to implement the Trump Administration's priorities, including preventing fraud, eliminating waste, streamlining operations, and promoting accountability and transparency. The Strategic Plan also includes ongoing Information Technology (IT) modernization efforts that will strengthen security and streamline processes to improve customer experience. - Janet Dhillon, Director
Agency Overview ~ PBGC is a wholly owned federal government corporation established under ERISA. ERISA Section 4002(a) states its purposes: encourage the continuation and maintenance of voluntary private pension plans; provide for the timely and uninterrupted payment of pension benefits; and maintain premiums at the lowest level consistent with carrying out its obligations. PBGC operates two legally and financially separate insurance programs. The Single-Employer Program is financed by premiums, investment income from trusteed plan assets, and recoveries. The Multiemployer Program is financed by premiums and investment income; under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, eligible troubled multiemployer plans may receive Special Financial Assistance (SFA), funded from Treasury general revenues, projected to enable payment of benefits through 2051. Initial SFA applications were due by December 31, 2025, and revised applications are due by December 31, 2026.
Workforce ~ PBGC's mission is accomplished by public servants who are experts in business operations, retirement law, bankruptcy, information technology, investment management, budget, and finance, including accountants, actuaries, attorneys, auditors, benefits specialists, financial analysts, and IT and cybersecurity experts.
Consultations with External Stakeholders ~ PBGC's Office of Policy and External Affairs is responsible for engagement with Congress, primarily the Senate Committees on Finance and on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the House Committees on Ways and Means and on Education and Workforce.
PBGC Priorities ~ In support of the President's Management Agenda priorities (shrinking the government and eliminating waste; ensuring accountability for Americans; and delivering results and buying American), PBGC's priorities are: (1) alignment to the Administration's priorities by delivering high quality, transparent services to Americans; (2) preventing potential fraud, waste, and abuse; (3) strengthening customer experience for participants, retirees, and plan sponsors; and (4) strengthening PBGC's operational support infrastructure. Actions include reviewing staffing against the future agency structure; returning nearly 123,000 usable square feet to GSA in 2025 and further reducing its real estate footprint in 2026; complying with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019; holding employees and contractors to high performance standards and leveraging the new Acquisition Management System; standardizing IT platforms, prioritizing U.S.-based technology solutions; and establishing a cross-departmental Artificial Intelligence Workgroup led by a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, with new AI use test cases scheduled to begin in early 2026.
Enterprise Risk Management ~ PBGC's ERM Program focuses on nine categories of risk: external, financial, human capital, insurance, legal, operational, reputational, strategic, and technology. The Corporation considered risks in developing the plan and will continue to complete annual risk assessments and integrate their results into strategic planning and performance management.
Notes ~ Goal titles vary slightly within the plan (e.g., Goal 1 includes "and Beneficiaries" in the table of contents, and Goal 2 is titled both "Pay Pension Benefits on Time and Accurately" and "Pay Benefits on Time and Accurately"); this rendition uses the section headings. Objective 1.2 has two performance goals (PG1.2.1 and PG1.2.2), both captured under that objective. The plan does not state its release date. Its corporate values are listed without descriptions.
Submitter's Note: As per the requirement set forth in section 10 of the GPRA Modernization Act, this StratML rendition was compiled from the source by Claude.ai and can be edited in the form at https://stratml.us/forms/Claude/Part1.html. Source: https://www.pbgc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pbgc-fy-2026-2030-strategic-plan.pdf
🏢Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation PBGC A wholly owned federal government corporation established under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 that guarantees the pension benefits of about 30 million workers and retirees in employer-sponsored defined benefit pension plans through its Single-Employer and Multiemployer insurance programs.
Stakeholders:
👤 👥 👥 👥 👥 🏢 🏢 🏢 🏢 🏢 👥 | Source & SubmitterSource:https://www.pbgc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pbgc-f... Period: to Published: |
Vision
A sustainable pension insurance program that supports a robust system of voluntary private pension plans which provide lifetime retirement income.
Mission
To enhance retirement security by preserving and encouraging the continuation of private pension plans and protecting the benefits of workers and retirees in traditional pension plans.
Values
Goal 1: Plan Preservation 🔗
Preserve Plans and Protect Pensions of Covered Workers and Retirees.
Other Information
Overview ~ PBGC protects pensioners and supports the continuation and maintenance of voluntary private pension plans by encouraging plan sponsors to continue to maintain their defined benefit plans; protecting workers and retirees when plans are at risk; creating a regulatory environment that minimizes burden; uniting more missing participants with their pensions; and encouraging flexibility to preserve plans. PBGC also provides technical expertise to plan sponsors, the pension community, Congress, and other stakeholders on ways to strengthen the system.
Objective 1.1: Plan Continuation 🔗
Encourage the continuation and maintenance of voluntary private pension plans for the benefit of their participants.
Stakeholders:
👥Employers
👥Workers
👥Pension Practitioners
🏢Office of Policy and External Affairs : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of General Counsel : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG1.1: Engage with employers, workers, and pension practitioners to encourage pension plan continuation and strengthen retirement security. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Provide timely, concrete, and practical guidance to plans; maintain a regulatory environment that serves stakeholders and minimizes the burdens of sponsoring a plan. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Policy and External Affairs; Office of General Counsel. Alignment with Administration ~ Complying with Executive Orders 14192 and 14219.
Objective 1.2: Worker Protection 🔗
Protect workers when plans are at risk.
Stakeholders:
👥Plan Sponsors : Including those in bankruptcy or other corporate transactions
🏢Office of Negotiations and Restructuring : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of General Counsel : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategies/Performance Goals ~ PG1.2.1: Protect pensioners by proactively monitoring PBGC's largest exposures for transactions that may pose substantial risks to participants and retirees. PG1.2.2: Protect pensioners by timely responding to Reportable Event submissions. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ (PG1.2.1) Reduce exposure to the agency and preserve the American people's pension benefits by preserving plans during plan sponsor bankruptcies and other corporate transactions. (PG1.2.2) Triage Reportable Events based on the risks to pensioners and PBGC that are presented. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Negotiations and Restructuring; Office of General Counsel.
Objective 1.3: Program Reporting 🔗
Inform the Congress, the public, and the pensions community on PBGC operations and the financial stability of PBGC's insurance programs.
Stakeholders:
🏢Congress
👥Pensions Community
🏢Office of Policy and External Affairs : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of Chief Financial Officer : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of Chief Management Officer : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG1.3: Deliver PBGC's Annual Report, annual Projections Report on the future status of the Single-Employer and Multiemployer Programs, and other reports required by law (e.g., annual Section 4010 Report to Congress). Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Publish research and data, and forecast insurance program activities. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Policy and External Affairs; Office of Chief Financial Officer; Office of Chief Management Officer.
Objective 1.4: Special Financial Assistance 🔗
Provide American Rescue Plan (ARP) implementation guidance to multiemployer plans and oversee an orderly completion of the application process in accordance with statutory time frames.
Stakeholders:
👥Multiemployer Plans : Eligible for Special Financial Assistance
🏢Office of Negotiations and Restructuring : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of General Counsel : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG1.4: For remaining eligible plans, ensure efficient operation of the SFA application processing system, and ongoing compliance monitoring for recipient plans. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Protect pension benefits of hard-working Americans by providing special financial assistance to eligible multiemployer plans. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Negotiations and Restructuring; Office of General Counsel.
Goal 2: Benefit Payments 🔗
Pay Pension Benefits on Time and Accurately.
Other Information
Overview ~ Protecting retiree income by paying benefits on time and accurately is both a statutory requirement and one of the fundamental reasons for PBGC's existence. PBGC will focus on ensuring regular monthly benefit payments continue without interruption and providing accurate and timely benefit calculations subject to the limits set by law. When a single-employer plan insured by PBGC terminates with insufficient funds, PBGC steps in as trustee to protect the retirement income of participants and beneficiaries. Alignment with Administration ~ Complying with Executive Orders, including Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Cost Efficiency Initiative.
Objective 2.1: Benefit Calculations 🔗
Provide accurate and timely benefits calculations.
Stakeholders:
👥Participants in Trusteed Plans
🏢Office of Benefits Administration : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of General Counsel : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG2.1: Provide estimated benefits that are within an acceptable/reasonable percentage of the final benefit determination. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Ensure uninterrupted and accurate benefit payments for participants starting at trusteeship. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Benefits Administration; Office of General Counsel.
Objective 2.2: Appeals 🔗
Provide accurate and timely benefits calculations by providing Appeals Board decisions on appeals and written explanations on all other inquiries that do not qualify as appeals.
Stakeholders:
🏢PBGC Appeals Board
🏢Office of General Counsel : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of Benefits Administration : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG2.2: Provide accurate and timely benefit calculations to ensure most appeals are resolved timely. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Provide a timely and efficient administrative review process for the American people that is done quickly and fairly. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of General Counsel; Office of Benefits Administration.
Objective 2.3: Uninterrupted Payments 🔗
Ensure regular monthly benefits continue without interruption.
Stakeholders:
👥Retirees and Beneficiaries : In newly trusteed plans
🏢Office of Benefits Administration : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of General Counsel : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG2.3: Process benefit applications timely. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Process benefit applications timely to ensure the American people in newly trusteed plans receive their hard-earned pensions without delay. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Benefits Administration; Office of General Counsel.
Goal 3: Stewardship & Accountability 🔗
Maintain High Standards of Stewardship and Accountability.
Other Information
Overview ~ Nearly 1.4 million current and future retirees in trusteed single-employer pension plans rely on PBGC for their pension benefits. The Corporation continues to attain unmodified audit opinions on its financial statements and will demonstrate its commitment by providing excellent customer service; seeking opportunities to improve PBGC's finances; maintaining a high performing and accountable workforce; maintaining effective IT and security programs; and executing compliant procurement activities with integrity, including leveraging the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul. PBGC solicits feedback through seven customer surveys, will diligently collect premiums, efficiently assume assets of terminated plans, invest assets prudently, adhere to internal controls, and prevent, detect, and recover improper payments.
Objective 3.1: Customer Experience 🔗
Provide excellent customer experience by providing excellent customer service.
Stakeholders:
👥Customers : Participants, retirees, beneficiaries, premium filers, and plan sponsors
🏢Office of Chief Financial Officer : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of Management & Administration : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of Benefits Administration : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of Information Technology : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Office of Policy and External Affairs : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG3.1: Implement improvements each year to PBGC's communications in response to customer feedback and key performance indicators. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Receive direct feedback from customers that helps PBGC maintain the high-quality service it provides to American workers, retirees, beneficiaries, and plan sponsors. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Chief Financial Officer; Office of Management & Administration; Office of Benefits Administration; Office of Information Technology; Office of Policy and External Affairs.
Objective 3.2: IT Security 🔗
Maintain effective Information Technology by ensuring ongoing authorization of all Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) reportable systems, overseen through information security continuous monitoring (ISCM).
Stakeholders:
🏢Office of Information Technology : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG3.2: Ensure ongoing compliance with Executive Orders, OMB Memorandums, and CISA Operational directives, and leverage technology to deliver faster, more secure services. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Protect participant and practitioner data through effective IT security. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Information Technology. Alignment with Administration ~ Accelerating Federal Use of AI through Innovation, Governance, and Public Trust (OMB M-25-21); maintain effective compliance with FISMA and respond to OMB M-22-09 by implementing Zero Trust Architecture and maintaining the use of multi-factor authentication.
Objective 3.3: Payment Integrity 🔗
Meet or exceed financial, ethical, and privacy standards that apply to PBGC as supported by compliance activities.
Stakeholders:
🏢Office of Chief Financial Officer : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Corporate Controls and Review Department : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG3.3: Ensure compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA) to prevent, detect, and recover improper payments. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Maintain a robust control environment that will ensure all pension funds are directed only to eligible pensioners or plans, and other payments (i.e., vendors, employees) are properly made. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Chief Financial Officer; Corporate Controls and Review Department. Alignment with Administration ~ Ensuring Accountability -- how we oversee, audit, and improve (OMB M-25-30); Preventing Improper Payments and Protecting Privacy (OMB M-25-32).
Objective 3.4: Financial Audit 🔗
Meet or exceed financial, ethical, and privacy standards that apply to PBGC as supported by audit activities.
Stakeholders:
🏢Office of Chief Financial Officer : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Financial Operations Department : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG3.4: Attain an unmodified audit opinion on annual financial statements. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Collect insurance premiums due and continue to monitor the efficient use of PBGC's cash flows. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Chief Financial Officer; Financial Operations Department.
Objective 3.5: Investment Management 🔗
Meet or exceed financial, ethical, and privacy standards that apply to PBGC as supported by investment management activities.
Stakeholders:
🏢Office of Chief Financial Officer : Contributing Office/Program
🏢Corporate Investment Department : Contributing Office/Program
Other Information
Implementation Strategy/Performance Goal ~ PG3.5: Manage investments prudently consistent with investment policy. Expected Outcomes or Impacts for the American People ~ Conduct quality due diligence on the PBGC investment portfolios. Contributing Offices/Programs ~ Office of Chief Financial Officer; Corporate Investment Department.