Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, plans to lower its expected return on pension plan assets in 2003 to 7.5% from 8.5%, and to contribute $150 million to its $2.5 billion pension plan. Coca-Cola said in a statement that the company has "reviewed all of its pension assumptions” and the net effect of its pension changes will negatively affect its earnings next year by 1 cent per share.
Coke executives told Wall Street analysts and investors that its plan is fully funded, and the contribution will help maintain its funded status.
