FY2023 data · Public Plans Database

Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension

Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension's complete funding picture: assets, unfunded liability, member counts, and investment returns over a 23-year span, as reported to the Public Plans Database (Boston College CRR) and cross-referenced with actuarial valuations.

By · · West Virginia · Police & Fire Plan · Data through FY2023

Funded Ratio: 68.3% (Under-funded) Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension funded ratio compared to national public pension benchmark. FUNDED RATIO 68.3% Under-funded Nat'l avg 75.49869791666667% 0% 60 70 80 100% Healthy > 80% · At-risk 70-80% · Critical < 60%
Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension funded ratio is 68.3 percent, classified as Under-funded. National public-pension benchmark is 75.49869791666667 percent.
Funded ratio
68.3%
Health grade
CReported funded ratio below full funding
Market assets
N/A
Members
330

According to the Public Plans Database, compiled by the Boston College Center for Retirement Research, Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension is one of 197 public pension plans tracked nationwide. The plan card reports FY2023 valuation figures; the multi-year table includes FY2024 where PPD published it; this site’s database copy was last loaded in July 2026. See our methodology for the full source and update cadence.

Unfunded Liability

N/A

actuarial shortfall

Total Members

330

active + retired + vested

1-Year Return

7.5%

net investment return

-0.3pp vs 5-yr avg

5-Year Avg Return

7.8%

annualized, net of fees

How Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension Funded Ratio Compares

Plan Funded Ratio 68.3%
National avg

A ratio of 68.3% compared against the national public-pension average of 75.5%.

Healthy Threshold

Plans above 80% are generally considered adequately funded by NASRA standards.

Participant Composition

Participants: 61 active, 268 retired, 0 separated Plan participant breakdown showing active workers, retirees, and separated-vested members. PARTICIPANT MIX 330 total members 18% 81% Active 61 Retired 268 Separated 0 Active-to-Retiree 0.23 · Mature / At Risk
Plan participant breakdown: 61 active workers, 268 retirees, 0 separated-vested members. Sustainability rating: Mature / At Risk.

The active-to-retiree ratio is a leading indicator of long-term plan sustainability, plans with more retirees than active contributors face mounting cash-flow pressure as benefit payments outpace incoming contributions.

Historical Funded Ratio

Year Funded Ratio
2024 66.3%
2023 68.3%
2022 65.7%
2021 74.0%
2020 60.2%
2019 63.7%
2018 66.4%
2017 65.5%
2016 63.3%
2015 67.1%
2014 62.5%
2013 70.0%
2012 77.0%
2011 82.8%
2010 87.1%
2009 92.5%
2008 100.9%
2007 98.8%
2006 98.2%
2005 96.3%

What the Data Says About Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension

Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension reports a funded ratio of 68.3% as of fiscal year 2023, earning a financial health grade of C in the Public Plans Database. The plan holds N/A in market assets against an unfunded liability of N/A. As a Police & Fire plan operating under West Virginia sponsorship, it covers 330 members (61 active contributors, 268 retirees drawing benefits).

Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension is funded above the midpoint but still carries a real shortfall, 7 points below the 75.5% national average across tracked plans. A 5-year average investment return of 7.8% factors into the plan's overall trajectory.

For West Virginia taxpayers and plan members, the N/A unfunded gap is the actuarial shortfall this plan must close over time.

Where this data comes from + how funding gaps get resolved

These figures come from the Public Plans Database, a collaboration between the Boston College Center for Retirement Research and NASRA that compiles them from each plan's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs) and actuarial valuations. The relationship between contribution adequacy and investment performance determines whether an unfunded liability narrows or expands year over year, and the gap itself is typically closed through some combination of higher contributions, investment returns, or benefit modifications. See our methodology for how public-pension funding differs from ERISA-backed private plans, and our disclaimer below before acting on this data.

Membership

61
Active Members
268
Retirees
330
Total Members

Plan Details

Plan Type
Police & Fire
Source: Public Plans Database (PPD)
Boston College CRR / NASRA

Plans With a Similar Funded Ratio

The closest plans nationwide to Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension's 68.3% funded ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension fully funded?

Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension has a funded ratio of 68.3% as of FY2023, earning a health grade of C. At 100%, reported actuarial assets equal reported accrued liabilities. Plans use different assumptions and valuation methods, so ratios should be read alongside the underlying actuarial valuation.

What happens if Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension runs out of money?

This profile is not a legal or retirement-benefit assessment. For a decision affecting Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension, consult the plan administrator, governing documents, and a qualified professional.

What does a funded ratio of 68.3% mean?

A funded ratio of 68.3% means that Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension currently has assets equal to 68.3% of its projected benefit obligations. The unfunded liability, the gap between assets and liabilities, stands at N/A. This represents a moderate funding gap that requires ongoing monitoring.

How does Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension compare to other public pensions?

Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension is a Police & Fire plan in West Virginia serving 330 members. Nationally, the average funded ratio for public pension plans tracked by the Public Plans Database is approximately 75.5%. Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension's funded ratio of 68.3% places it near the national average.

How many members does Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension have?

Charleston, WV Firemen's Pension covers 330 total members, including 61 active employees and 268 retirees currently receiving benefits. The ratio of active members to retirees is a key indicator of plan sustainability, when the number of retirees grows relative to active contributors, funding pressure increases.

Data sourced from official Public Plans Database and actuarial valuations from federal and state pension systems. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainPension

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the Public Plans Database (PPD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Data sources used on this page
  • Public Plans Database (PPD) - funded ratios, assets, liabilities, and member counts for US state and local public pension plans, maintained by the Boston College Center for Retirement Research with MissionSquare Research Institute and NASRA. publicplansdata.org
  • NASRA - National Association of State Retirement Administrators public-pension actuarial and policy references. nasra.org

Every figure on PlainPension is rendered directly from the Public Plans Database (Boston College Center for Retirement Research), no number is typed in by an editor. This page aggregates this plan's funded ratio, unfunded liability, and multi-year financial history, live from the dataset. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.