Thursday, January 29, 2026

Frequently Asked Pension Questions


Q. How do I become a Participant in the Plan?
A. When you have performed 435 hours of work in any period of 12 consecutive months under a collective bargaining agreement or other written agreement for one or more employers, you become a participant on the next following May 1 or November 1, whichever is earlier.
Q. What is a Plan Year?
A. A Plan Year is a consecutive 12 month period beginning on a May 1 and ending on an April 30. All of the records of the Fund are kept on a Plan Year basis.
Q. How do I become entitled to Benefits?
A. To become entitled to Pension Benefits, a Participant must become vested. To become vested, you must accrue 5 Vesting Years without a Break in Service.
Q. When can I retire?
A. You can retire when you meet the eligibility requirements for retirement. However, in general, you are eligible for normal benefits at age 65 if you have accrued 5 Credited Years. You are eligible for reduced early retirement at age 55 if you have accrued 10 Credit Years.
Q. I am going through a divorce, what happens to my pension?
A. If your former spouse is awarded a portion of your earned benefit through the Plan, it will be necessary that you and your spouse complete a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) so that the Plan can pay benefits to your former spouse. You may contact the Benefit Office and request that a sample QDRO be provided to you.
Q. Does the Pension Plan affect Social Security benefits in any way?
A. No.
Q. Can pensions be paid or assigned or garnered to others?
A. No. Pensions cannot be assigned to a third party. The only exceptions are for payments in accordance with a "Qualified Domestic Relations Order," or on the death of the Participant to a designated beneficiary.
Q. If benefits are denied, may a retiree or beneficiary appeal?
A. Yes. Any retiree or beneficiary denied a benefit has the right to appeal to the Trustees within 60 days after the date shown on the letter of denial. The rules for filing an appeal are briefly outlined in your Summary Plan Description (SPD).
Q. How far in advance should I request an application for retirement?
A. You can request an application for retirement any time during the 180 days prior to your expected retirement date but in no event, not later than the last working day of the month prior to the month in which you want to retire with this Plan.
Q. In addition to the application for retirement, what other documents do I have to submit to the Fund office?
A. You will need to provide photocopies of the birth certificates for you and your spouse, copy of your marriage license, copy of photo identification for you and your spouse. If you are divorced, you are required to submit a copy of the final judgment of dissolution with copies of the property settlement agreement and/or a copy of the Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO).
Q. I am currently receiving a monthly pension benefit from the Plan and would like to change the tax withholding. What needs to be done?
A. You can change your tax withholding as often as you wish by completing a new W4-P which can be obtained from the Benefit Office or downloaded from the website. Once this form is completed, you must return it to the Benefit Office for implementation.
Q. I am currently receiving a monthly pension benefit from the Plan and would like to change the bank account information. How do I change this information?
A. You can change your direct deposit information by completing a new Direct Deposit Form which can be obtained from the Benefit Office or downloaded from the website. Once this form is completed, you must return it to the Benefit Office for implementation.
Q. I am currently receiving a monthly pension benefit from the Plan, what happens if I do not receive my check?
A. Although, the Benefit Office makes every effort to ensure that your monthly benefit arrives on time, sometimes it is possible that the delivery of your check is delayed beyond reasons out of our control. There is a possibility that your check gets lost in the mail processing. If for any reason, you do not receive your check by the 10th day of the month, you must contact the Benefit Office so that a replacement check can be mail to you.
Q. I recently moved, how do I change my address?
A. For your protection, all address changes must be submitted in writing. You can change your address in one of two ways:

  1. Mail or fax a letter to the Union Office with your new address or
  2. Complete the Address Change Form located on the website and mail or fax to the Union Office for processing.
Q. Whom should I contact if I'm getting a divorce and what documents do I need to submit?
A. Please call the Benefit Office and advise the Eligibility and Pension Departments that you are getting a divorce or have already gotten divorced. You will also need to submit a FULL copy of your Dissolution of Marriage Judgment, QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) and Qualified Medical Child Support Order to this office