Plan
Little Rock Firemen
State
Arkansas
Funded Ratio
71.4%
Assets
N/A
Members
N/A
Health Grade: C — Underfunded — significant gap between assets and liabilities
FY2023 data Grade C Public Plans Database

Little Rock Firemen

Funded ratio, unfunded liability, member counts, ARC coverage, and 23-year financial history for Little Rock Firemen — sourced from the Public Plans Database (Boston College CRR) and cross-checked against actuarial valuations.

Funded Ratio: 71.4% (At Risk) Little Rock Firemen funded ratio compared to national public pension benchmark. FUNDED RATIO 71.4% At Risk Nat'l avg 73.5% 0% 60 70 80 100% Healthy > 80% · At-risk 70-80% · Critical < 60%
Little Rock Firemen funded ratio is 71.4 percent — classified as At Risk. National public-pension benchmark is 73.5 percent.
C
Financial Health Grade
Underfunded — significant gap between assets and liabilities

Funded Ratio

71.4%

actuarial assets / liabilities

Unfunded Liability

N/A

actuarial shortfall

Total Members

N/A

active + retired + vested

1-Year Return

9.1%

net investment return

2.6pp vs 5-yr avg

5-Year Avg Return

6.5%

annualized, net of fees

ARC Payment

30.1%

of actuarially required contribution

How Little Rock Firemen Funded Ratio Compares

Plan Funded Ratio 71.4%
National avg

A ratio of 71.4% compared against the national public-pension average of 73.5%.

Healthy Threshold

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

Historical Funded Ratio

Year Funded Ratio
2024 71.4%
2023 73.7%
2022 75.8%
2021 79.0%
2020 73.0%
2019 72.9%
2018 72.8%
2017 73.2%
2016 74.9%
2015 76.6%
2014 75.3%
2013 72.9%
2012 71.6%
2011 70.7%
2010 69.9%
2009 73.6%
2008 82.7%
2007 82.7%
2006 82.0%
2005 82.3%

What the Data Says About Little Rock Firemen

Little Rock Firemen reports a funded ratio of 71.4% 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 Arkansas sponsorship, it covers an undisclosed member base. These figures aggregate from Form 5500 filings submitted to the Department of Labor and actuarial valuations reported through NASRA.

A funded ratio in the 60–80% range indicates moderate underfunding that falls near the national average of 72–75% but leaves the plan exposed to market downturns and demographic shifts. Employer contributions covered 30.1% of the Annual Required Contribution in the most recent reporting cycle, while the plan posted a 5-year average investment return of 6.5%. The relationship between contribution adequacy and investment performance determines whether the unfunded liability narrows or expands year over year.

For Arkansas taxpayers and plan members, the N/A unfunded gap represents the actuarial shortfall that must eventually be closed through a combination of contributions, investment returns, or benefit modifications. Unlike private-sector pensions governed by ERISA and backstopped by the PBGC, public plans like Little Rock Firemen rely on the full faith and credit of Arkansas — meaning funding shortfalls flow through to state and local budgets rather than a federal insurance program. This information summarizes official Public Plans Database disclosures and is provided for research and educational purposes only. It is not financial, legal, or retirement-planning advice; active and retired members with specific benefit questions should consult their plan administrator directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Little Rock Firemen fully funded?

Little Rock Firemen has a funded ratio of 71.4% as of FY2023, earning a health grade of C. A funded ratio of 100% means the plan has enough assets to cover all projected liabilities. Ratios above 80% are generally considered adequately funded; ratios below 60% indicate significant underfunding and risk to future benefits.

What happens if Little Rock Firemen runs out of money?

Public pension plans like Little Rock Firemen are backed by the sponsoring government entity — in this case Arkansas. If a plan's assets are insufficient, the state or local government is typically required to make up the difference through increased contributions, benefit adjustments, or tax measures. Unlike private pensions, public pensions are not insured by the PBGC, but they do carry the full faith and credit of the sponsoring government.

What does a funded ratio of 71.4% mean?

A funded ratio of 71.4% means that Little Rock Firemen currently has assets equal to 71.4% 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 Little Rock Firemen compare to other public pensions?

Little Rock Firemen is a Police & Fire plan in Arkansas. Nationally, the average funded ratio for public pension plans tracked by the Public Plans Database is approximately 72–75%. Little Rock Firemen's funded ratio of 71.4% places it near the national average.

How many members does Little Rock Firemen have?

Little Rock Firemen covers an undisclosed number of members. 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.

What is the ARC payment percentage for Little Rock Firemen?

Little Rock Firemen pays 30.1% of its Annual Required Contribution (ARC). Consistently underpaying the ARC accelerates the growth of unfunded liabilities and places future benefits at greater risk. Employer contribution patterns are tracked annually in the Public Plans Database.

Related

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 Kiznis Studio Editorial

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.

All federal data sources used on this page