These are complex matters.

Some elements of variability/volatility of cost can be dealt with by existing measures, e.g. demographic and experience changes can be dealt with by “cap and share arrangements.”  Increasing life expectancy can be dealt with by later retirement (albeit later retirement will have other implications for those that are unable to work partially offsetting the gain from later retirement).

Volatility of cost can also be mitigated by transferring investment risk from the employer to benefit risk to the employee.  The ultimate risk transfer is of course to defined contribution and there are a variety of scheme designs between final salary and defined contribution that “share the risk”.

Another means of risk sharing in defined benefit schemes is the use of discretionary benefits.

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