Maximum monthly guarantee tables

It is recommended that you read the FAQs below prior to navigating to the maximum guarantee tables. The FAQs will help you find the table and amount that applies to you. Once you are through the FAQs, you will find the maximum guarantee tables for current and prior years. Each year contains a link that will take you directly to the table for that year. 

FAQs 

Do the maximum monthly guarantees in these tables apply to my plan?

The maximum guarantees in these tables apply only to single-employer pension plans whose benefits PBGC pays as trustee. These guarantees do not apply to multiemployer plans. Information on multiemployer guarantees is included on our Multiemployer FAQ page.

When PBGC becomes trustee of a pension plan, we can guarantee benefits only up to limits set by federal law. One of those legal limits is the maximum guarantee. The maximum amounts that PBGC can guarantee are listed by age in the following Maximum Monthly Guarantee Tables.

Please note: Most benefits in PBGC-trusteed plans are lower than the maximum and not affected by legal limits.

How do I find the maximum monthly guarantee table that applies to me?

There is a separate table for each calendar year. To find your table, you need to know the date your plan ended (called date of plan termination). If your employer was in bankruptcy on that date, you also need to know the date your employer filed in court for bankruptcy protection.

In general, the relevant table is the table for the year in which your plan fails (i.e. the calendar year that includes the plan's termination date).  However, if your plan fails while your employer is in bankruptcy, it’s the table for the year in which your employer entered bankruptcy.

What age do I use to find my maximum guarantee amount?

Your maximum guarantee amount is generally based on your age when you first start receiving a benefit from PBGC. However, if your plan ends while your employer is in bankruptcy, the following special rules apply:

After I find my age on the table, which column applies to me? 

It depends on the form of annuity in which you receive your benefit. The table gives maximum guarantee amounts for the two most common forms of annuity: straight-life annuity (without survivor benefits) and joint-and-50% survivor annuity (which continues to pay 50% of the benefit to a surviving beneficiary).

If you elect a different form of annuity, your maximum guarantee amount will be different. Generally, if your annuity provides a larger percentage as a survivor benefit, your maximum monthly amount will be lower.

Please note: The age reduction does not apply to certain disabled participants (see Guarantees for Disabled Participants).

How does PBGC calculate the maximum guarantee tables?

The PBGC maximum guarantee is determined using a formula in federal law tied to the Social Security index. The formula provides lower amounts for younger ages because younger people are expected to receive more monthly pension checks over their lifetime. Conversely, amounts are higher for older ages. In addition, amounts are lower for retirees who choose an annuity with survivor benefits.

Maximum guarantee tables for current and prior years