U.S. employers will be required to contribute more than $108 billion into their defined benefit plans this year, according to Watson Wyatt.

Although the amount is about $16 billion less than employers would have had to contribute without the passage of the new pension funding relief law last year, Watson Wyatt pension experts say employers will still need additional relief.

Watson Wyatt estimates that even with the enactment of the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008, both the required contribution levels in 2009 ($108.7 billion) and 2010 ($102.8 billion) will mark a significant jump from 2008 ($38 billion). Additionally, some employers that fail to meet the minimum 80 percent funded threshold may contribute an additional $3.2 billion. Otherwise, the payment of lump-sum benefits would be restricted under the Pension Protection Act. While the Recovery Act will provide some relief, given the magnitude of declines in pension assets and funded status, companies will still struggle to meet the large and unexpected contributions required in the next two years, Watson Wyatt says.