Prudential Financial

Private pensions are almost extinct in the U.S., but 1.4 million workers whose pensions were once in danger get paid today by Prudential. The insurer pioneered “pension risk transfers,” taking over and managing the funds of overstretched companies such as GM and Motorola. Those companies come away financially stronger, while retirees get paid what they’re owed—$5.2 billion in 2017.