Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions


Health Care


Q.

Who is eligible to become a Participant in the Plan?

A.

You are eligible to participate in the Plan if you work for an Employer that is required to make contributions to the health and welfare Plan for the work you perform. For most Participants, this means working in a position covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Employer and the Union.

Q.

What if I don’t work enough hours to gain eligibility for the month?

A.

If you fail to have the required employer contributions to continue Health Care coverage, you may be eligible to continue with COBRA Continuation Coverage. Please contact the Trust Fund Office at 844-989-2321

Q.

How do I maintain my monthly Health Care coverage?

A.

You must have an employer contribution submitted on your behalf each month, or elect COBRA Continuation Coverage to continue Health Care coverage

More...


Pension


Q.

What is the Pension Plan Year?

A.

The term "Plan Year" shall mean the period of twelve consecutive months commencing on each April 1.

Example: The 2020 Pension Plan Year Starts on April 1, 2019 and ends on March 31, 2020


Q.

How do I become a Participant in the Plan?

A.

Earliest April 1 or October 1, from your date of hire, following 12 consecutive month period during which at least 500 hours of service is completed in Covered Employment or Contiguous Non-Covered Employment.  If you don't meet it in the first 12 consecutive months, then it shall be the Plan Year that contains your anniversary date of hire that you complete the 500 hour of servive requirement.


Q.

Am I automatically entitled to a Pension?

A.

No, you must become 100% Vested (or fully vested). You need 5 years of Credit Service (Vesting Credit) or attain Normal Retirement Age. After March 31, 1976 and before April 1, 1997 the Plan  required 10 years of Vesting Service to be fully vested. Prior to April 1, 1976 the plan required at least 10 Benefit Units, without a Peranent Break in Service, and at least 2 quarters of a Benefit Unit in Covered Employment after his Contribution Date.

More...


Annuity


Q.

When should I contact BeneSys vs Prudential?

A.

Benesys (Fund Office) is the Fund Administrator, your Employer submits your contributions for the Employer only contributions and your Elective Deferral Contributions (401(k)). You should contact Benesys when you need to update your personal information (Name, Date of Birth, Address, etc...) and to verify your hours are being received and reported accurately.

Prudential manages your Individual Account and Individual 401(k) Account. You should contact Prudential to make changes to your account (Investment elections, Elective Deferrals) and for distributions applications (Hardship, Loans, Separation from service).


Q.

How do I manage my Account(s)?

A.

Contact Prudential in one of the following manners;
Phone - 1-877-778-2100 (877-PRU-2100)
Mail - P.O. Box 5410, Scranton, PA 18505-5410
Online - www.prudential.com/8thdist


Q.

How many Accounts do I have with the Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund Annuity Plan?

A.

Your Account with the Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund Annuity Plan may consist of an Individual Account which consists of Employer only Contributions, and an Individual  401(K) Account which is Employee contributions in the form of a wage deferral (salary reduction). This will depend on the Collective Bargaining Agreement you are working under and if you voluntarily elect to participate in the 401(K) feature of the Plan.

More...

 

Claims



Q.

Who is the Prescription Drug Benefit Manager?

A.

Express Scripts

Q.

How can I contact the Prescription Drug Benefit Manager? 

A.

www.expressscripts.com or (855) 202-9582

Q.

If a service I need requires Prior Authorization, who do I (or my provider) contact?

A.

CIGNA at (866) 249-3808 for CT Scans, MRI & PET Scans and CIGNA at (800) 768-4695 for all other inquiries.

More...