Your Pension Benefits
The Board of Trustees
is pleased to welcome you to the Pension benefit website for the Western UNITE
HERE and Employers Pension Fund, formerly known as San Francisco Culinary,
Bartenders & Service Employees Pension Trust Fund. Within this website, you
will now have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to commonly requested forms,
useful highlighted links, and frequently asked questions regarding your benefit
information. As always, please feel free to contact the Benefit Office at (844)
492-9157 if you have any additional questions or concerns
About
your Pension Benefits
On
January 1, 2024, the San Francisco
Culinary, Bartenders & Service Employees Pension Trust Fund, along
with four other west coast UNITE HERE pension funds (Southern Nevada, San
Diego, Sacramento and Seattle, merged into the Western UNITE HERE and Employers
Pension Fund (the “Western Pension Fund”). The Fund is managed by a Board of Trustees comprised
of both union and employer representatives. Any benefits participants earned
in any of the merging plans before the merger did not change. Also, all service
in the areas covered by the merging plans will apply towards the vesting rules
for entitlement to a benefit under the Western Pension Fund.
The
Western Pension Fund is better positioned to weather economic downturns and
financial crises because the Fund covers a broader, more geographically diverse
contribution base of employees in the gaming, hospitality, restaurant, and
food-service industries. The merger also has resulted in administrative
efficiencies and improved investment opportunities.
You
should file a Pension Application well in advance of the date you expect to
receive your benefit. You may request an Application from the Administrative
Office, as well as seek assistance in the application process. Early filing
will help you to avoid a delay in the processing of your application and the
payment of benefits.
For more information regarding your Pension benefits, please refer to the
Frequently Asked Questions and Documents page. As always, you can also contact
the Benefit Office at (844) 492-9157 if you have any additional questions.