Pension Funds Get a Reprieve in Congress.

Companies whose pension funds suffered big losses this year will not have to replenish the money quickly under a relief measure that flew through the Senate Thursday and will next go to the president for his signature. Because of strong market performance, big contributions made in the past, and a two-year phase-in of tougher financing rules passed in 2006, many companies have not had to pump much money into their pension funds in the last few years. But they suddenly faced the prospect of having to come up with a lot of cash because of this year's financial crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]