Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill., will make a voluntary contribution...

Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill., will make a voluntary contribution this year of $563 million to its U.S. pension plans, said Kelly Wojda, company spokeswoman; she did not know the form of the contribution. Caterpillar contributed $135 million to its U.S. plans in 2002 and $3 million in 2001, according to its 2002 10-K form. The plans had $6.4 billion in assets and were 82% funded at the end of 2002, according to the 10-K.