Boeing Co., Chicago, made a $1.2 billion discretionary pension contribution in the third quarter, according to the company's earnings statement. "As a result of the contribution, future pension funding requirements will be reduced, depending on plan and market performance," the statement said. Strong cash flow generated by the company during the quarter enabled Boeing to make the contribution.
Pension expense for the nine months ended Sept. 30 was $140 million, compared with an expense of $427 million for the same period last year.
Boeing has $19.7 billion in pension assets and $23.7 billion in accumulated benefit obligations. Officials at Boeing couldn't be reached for comment.