I am working with the statement of cash flows and how pension expense is recorded and handled on the statement of cash flows. is it considered a noncash expense and always added back to net income? I am just confused as to how to deal with pension expense regarding the statement of cash flows.

as you can see in the image, the pension expense is added back to net income. why is this?

12 weeks $ 3,078 (In millions) Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net earnings including noncontrolling interests Adjustments to reconcile net earnings including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization LIFO (credit) charge Stock-based employee compensation Expense for company-sponsored pension plans Goodwill impairment charge Deferred income taxes 2,465 29 154 76 (45)