Thursday, January 16, 2025

Frequently Asked Pension Questions


Q. How do I become a Participant in the Plan?
A. In order to become a Participant in Plan A, you must have at least 1,000 Hours of Service in a period of 12 consecutive months beginning with your initial date of employment in the geographical area covered by Plan A and in a job of the type for which the Employer must make contributions to this Pension Trust Fund under a Collective Bargaining Agreement or other written agreement (“Covered Employment”). You will become an active Participant in Plan A on the January 1 or July 1 next following the end of such 12 month period.
Q.What do I need to do if I have a marital status change?
A. You may obtain a beneficiary card on this website, but must also provide pertinent documents, i.e. divorce decree including separation agreement, death certificate, or marriage certificate.

If a Participant has undergone a divorce or marriage settlement, the Plans’ benefits may be split or assigned by court order. The Plans must recognize any Qualified Domestic Relations Order (“QDRO”) and make payments as directed by the QDRO to any Participant’s spouse (“Spouse”), former Spouse, child or other dependent (“Alternate Payee”).

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. For the protection of the person or persons you want the Plan’s death benefits to go to, be sure that you have made your designated Beneficiary known to the Trust Fund Office by using the proper Beneficiary Designation form.
Q.If benefits are denied, may a retiree or beneficiary appeal?
A. Yes. Any Participant or Beneficiary who is denied a benefit or disagrees with the type or amount of benefits allowed has the right to appeal to the Board. This must be done within 60 days of the date of the letter notifying the Participant or Beneficiary of the Board’s decisions.
Q.How far in advance should I request an application for retirement?
A. Please request an application for retirement at least 90 days before retirement. You will be considered as having applied for a pension only when your completed application has been received by the Trust Fund Office. Payments cannot begin before the completed application is received, processed and approved. Note that the Trust Fund Office must verify the Participant’s Pension Credits and Benefit Credits. For Past Service Credits, based on employment before contributions to Plan A began, this proof often has to be obtained from the Social Security Administration. Therefore it may take as long as 60 to 90 days after the Trust Fund Office receives an application to complete processing.
Q.In addition to the application for retirement, what other documents do I have to submit to the Trust Fund office?
A. You must provide a certified copy of your birth certificate or other proof of your date of birth. If you are to receive a Husband-and-Wife Pension or an Optional 75% Husband-and-Wife Pension, you must also submit proof of marriage and your Spouse’s date of birth. After processing of your application has begun, the Trust Fund Office will send you additional forms regarding how your pension may be paid and a declaration of your retirement. If you have any questions about these forms, contact the Trust Fund Office as soon as possible. The signed completed forms must be received by the Trust Fund Office before your application can be approved for payment.
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 Trust Fund office or downloaded from the website. Once this form is completed, return it to the Trust Fund 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 Trust Fund 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 can get 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 Trust Fund Office so that a replacement check can be mailed to you.
Q.I recently moved, how do I change my address?
A.For your protection, all address changes must be submitted to the Trust Fund Office. You can change your address several ways: Call the Trust Fund Office; mail or fax a letter to the Trust Fund Office with your new address; or complete the Address Change Form located on the website and mail or fax to the Trust Fund Office.
Q. Whom should I contact if I'm getting a divorce and what documents do I need to submit?
A. Please call the Trust Fund office and advise the Eligibility and Pension Departments that you are going through a divorce or are divorced. You will need to submit a complete copy of your Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), and Qualified Medical Child Support Order to the Trust Fund office.