Friday, January 23, 2026

Frequently Asked Pension Questions


Q. How do I become a Participant in the Plan?
A.An employee of a Contributing Employer will become a Participant when he begins employment under the collective bargaining agreement between the Construction Unit of the Union and the Association, or under any other agreement that requires his Employer to make contributions for his benefit under the Plan.
Q. When will I be vested in the Pension Plan?
A. If a Participant’s employment with all Contributing Employers terminates before he reaches his Early or Normal Retirement Date of death, but after he has completed five or more Years of Service, he will be vested and entitled to receive a monthly benefit payable for life based on his service up through the date of his termination of employment. With respect to Plan Years beginning after March 31, 1976, the term Year of Service, is any Plan Year during which an employee completes 1,000 or more Hours of Service. If a Participant fails to complete the number of Hours of Service required for him to be credited with a full Year of Service in any Plan Year, he will receive proportionate credit for each one-tenth of a Year of Service completed during that Plan Year.
Q. When can I take money out of the Pension Plan?
A. A participant may be eligible for benefits as early as 55 years of age; however, certain criteria must be met. Normal Retirement benefits are paid at the age of 65. Please contact the Fund Office for more information regarding Early or Normal retirement.
Q. What is a Plan Year?
A. The Pension Plan year runs from April 1 of any year to March 31 of the following year. Credits are based on this fiscal year rather than on a calendar year. Please be aware that the last Sunday of the month ends that month, for example, March 30, 2014 is the last Sunday for March and therefore ends the month. March 31, 2014 is considered as April 2014 hours.
Q. Am I eligible for the bridge?
A. In order to be eligible for the bridge you must meet the requirements of the unreduced early retirement, even if you have reached your normal retirement date. Those requirements are: 1) have at least 20 benefit credits, 2) completed at least 120 Hours of Service in the 5 of the 7 preceding Plan years, and 3) have completed a total of at least 3,000 hours during those seven Plan Years. If you meet these requirements you will be guaranteed at least 48 months of bridge payment.
Q. How far in advance should I request an application for retirement?
A. The retirement process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.
Q. In addition to the application for retirement, what other documents do I have to submit to the Fund Office?
A. Upon retirement, you must submit both a copy of your birth certificate and marriage certificate, if applicable.
Q. If benefits are denied, may a retiree or beneficiary appeal?
A. A Participant who believes the he is entitled to benefits, or who otherwise has a claim involving the Plan, may submit a claim to the Trustees. Please see Section 11 of the Summary Plan Description for more information.
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. Please print the M&T Direct Deposit form available at this website and return it to the Fund Office. If the form is received before the 15th of the month the change will take place the 1st of the following month (with your next pension payout). If it is after the 15th you will have to wait a month before the change will take effect.
Q. I am currently receiving a monthly pension benefit from the Plan, what happens if I do not receive my check?
A. If you have not received your Pension payment within 10 business days following the 1st of the month, please call the Fund Office. We can then cancel and reorder your check. Please consider going direct deposit so that there is no delay in your monthly Pension.
Q. I recently moved, how do I change my address?
A. Please use the contact us section of the website to send an email with your updated address or call the Fund Office.
Q. I am currently receiving my Pension, can I work?
A. Generally, if a Participant completes more than 40 Hours of Service in a month (or a four or five week payroll period ending in a calendar month) in the electrical trade or craft within the state of New York, he will not be eligible to comment pension payments, and any payments that he would normally receive will be suspended while he remains in that employment.
Q. I am going through a divorce, what happens to my pension?
A. If you and your spouse agree that he/she is entitled to a portion of your Pension when you retire, you should contact the Fund Office for the Qualified Domestic Relation Order (QDRO) paperwork. It is your responsibility to make sure the paperwork follows the divorce decree exactly. Once the paperwork is received and approved by the Trustees, it will be on file for when you retire.
Q. Whom should I contact if I’m getting a divorce and what documents do I need to submit?
A. You should submit your divorce papers as soon as possible. If your spouse is entitled to a portion of your pension, you need to request the Qualified Domestic Relation Order (QDRO) paperwork, so that the proper paperwork for division is on file.