Thursday, February 5, 2026

Frequently Asked Pension Questions


Q. How do I become a Participant in the PacifiCorp/IBEW Local 57 Retirement Trust Fund?
A. No new employees are allowed in this Plan as of June 26, 2013. The Plan is frozen as to new entrants as of June 26, 2013 and going forward. See the Plan Rules and Regulations for specific terms and conditions of participation.
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. The QDRO must be issued by a state court judge or other government authority with power to issue orders. You may contact the Benefit Office and request that a sample QDRO and a copy of the QDRO Procedures 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 no more than 180 days prior to your retirement; however, the completed application must be received at least 30 days prior to the retirement date.
Q. In addition to the application for retirement, what other documents do I have to submit to the Fund office?
A. The Benefit Office will need photocopies of the birth certificates for you and your spouse, copy of your marriage license, copy of current photo ID for you and your spouse. If you were divorced, you will also be required to submit a copy of the final judgment in your marital dissolution with any copies of the marital property settlement agreement.
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. Enrollment in direct deposit will ensure the quickest receipt of your monthly pension benefits.
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:
  • Mail or fax a letter to the Benefit Office with your new address or
  • Complete the Address Change Form located on the website and mail or fax to the Benefit 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.
Q. What is a Plan Year?
A. The Plan Year is July 1st through June 30th.
Q. When do I become vested?
A. When three years of service is completed you become 100% vested.
Q. What happens to my account when I die?
A. On the death of a participant prior to retirement, if the participant is unmarried or if the spouse has consented in writing to another beneficiary, then the benefit is payable only as a lump sum.
Q. When do I become Eligible for Benefits?
A. When you retire or terminate after you are vested.
Q. How do I designate a Beneficiary for my PacifiCorp/IBEW Local 57 Retirement Trust Fund benefit?
A. The Benefit Office will send you a Designation of Beneficiary form upon request. If you are married and wish to designate someone other than your legal spouse as Beneficiary, you must obtain your spouse’s written consent, witnessed by a Notary Public. If there is no surviving spouse, the balance is paid to the estate.