SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Members of Motorola Employees Credit Unionare probably not too surprised to hear that Motorola Inc. has madethe decision to permanently freeze its U.S. defined benefit pensionplans.

John Fiore, president/CEO of the $650 million CU, said there isa general understanding that economic conditions have affected themobile technology giant's bottom line. So far, members have notexpressed any concerns.

Motorola recently announced that as part of an overall costreduction program, effective March 9, it will permanently freezeits U.S. pension plans, preserving vested benefits accrued byemployees and retirees but eliminating future benefit accruals. Thecompany said it still intends to continue providing funding to meetits pension obligations to present and future retirees.