Thursday, April 2, 2026

Frequently Asked Pension Questions


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 MFOW Money Purchase Pension 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. When can I start Participating in the Plan?
A. You start participating when you begin working for an Employer covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement that requires them to make contributions to the MFOW Money Purchase Pension Plan on your behalf. There are no minimum service requirements to become a Participant and you remain a Participant as long as the Plan holds an Individual Account for you. Contributions to the Plan are always 100% vested.
Q. What is a Plan Year?
A. The Plan Year is June 1st through May 31st.
Q. Do I need to do anything to enroll in the Plan?
A. No, you become a Participant automatically once contributions are made to the Plan on your behalf
Q. When do I become vested?
A. You are always 100% vested in your Plan account.
Q. How do I become eligible to withdraw money from my account?
A. You are eligible to withdraw funds from your account at retirement; if you become totally and permanently disabled; or if you leave employment.
Q. May I borrow against my Annuity Plan?
A. No. The MFOW Money Purchase Pension Plan does not permit loans or hardship withdrawals.
Q. How is my account invested?
A. Under the Plan, you are responsible to make investment elections in a manner and form prescribed by the Plan Manager. From time to time different investment options will be approved by the Board of Trustees and communicated to you for your consideration. If you fail to make an investment election, there will be a default investment made for your Account. You may also change your investment election and transfer funds from one investment fund to another in accordance with the rules and election periods communicated to you by the Plan Manager.
Q. What happens to my account when I die?
A. If you were married, your spouse may receive the money in your Individual Account as monthly payments or a lump-sum payment of your Individual Account balance. If you are not married, or if your spouse has properly consented to your naming of another Beneficiary; that Beneficiary may choose to receive payment of your Individual Account balance as a lump-sum.
Q. How do I designate a Beneficiary for my Individual Account?
A. The Union 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 no designated Beneficiary survives you or you fail to designate a Beneficiary, the balance will be paid to your surviving spouse or, if none, to your surviving children in equal shares or, if none, to your parent or parent(s) in equal shares or, if none, to your estate.
Q. What if I get divorced?
A. If you get divorced, please contact the Union Office to update your records. Please note: Your former spouse may have rights to all or part of your benefit even if you designate a new beneficiary. A court may issue a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) in connection with your divorce requiring the MFOW Money Purchase Pension Plan to pay part or all of your benefit to your former spouse for reasons such as spousal or child support or division of marital property. Please contact the Fund Office for further information regarding QDRO requirements.
Q. How do I apply for a benefit?
A. The Union Office will send you the necessary paperwork upon request.