With a single digit equity market return, a flat yield curve and the weak funding status of many pension plans, sponsors should brace themselves for another tough year.

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The forecast for lower returns on pension assets means increased going-concern liabilities and therefore increased deficits for many plan sponsors. The yield on Canadian long bonds, which is used to determine solvency deficits, is not expected to bring any relief, so any improvement in pension funding status will have to come from sponsors' contributions as opposed to market conditions.

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