Pension bill may pinch carmakers

The Detriot Free Press reports:

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill reworking federal rules governing pension plans for about 44 million U.S. workers and retirees.

Supporters hailed the measure Thursday as essential to protecting retirement benefits.

The House bill, which had the support of the UAW and General Motors Corp., now must be reconciled with a version that passed the U.S. Senate carrying several provisions that would increase the financial strain on GM, Ford Motor Co. and Delphi Corp. Action is expected by April.

Private sector pensions are on the way out.