Retiree pensions are at risk

Retiree pensions are at risk

Fed insurer fears auto failures

Washington — General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC retirees and employees could lose $23 billion in pension benefits if the companies terminate their retirement plans in bankruptcy, the government’s pension insurance agency warned Tuesday.

Neither GM nor Chrysler plans to file for bankruptcy, but both are taking steps to prepare in case they are forced to do so in the coming weeks. While neither has said it plans to terminate its pension program, struggling steel companies and airlines have used bankruptcy to get out from under large pension obligations and turn them over to the government.

GM and Chrysler combined provide pension benefits to about 630,000 retirees and dependents, and cover another 300,000 who haven’t begun drawing benefits.

via Retiree pensions are at risk | detnews.com | The Detroit News.

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