Q) Can I contribute to my pension?

A)  No. Employee contributions are not required or accepted. Your employer, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, is required to pay contributions to this Plan.

Q) How much can I expect when I retire?

A) That will depend on when you terminated covered employment. If you have not worked in covered employment you can go to the section titled INACTIVE VESTED. There, you will find charts based upon the years that you worked in covered employment. If you are currently working in covered employment, you may use the chart on page 36 of the current SPD.

Q) I can no longer work in my profession due to an injury. Am I eligible for a Disability Pension?

A) You must meet all of the following requirement: a) be permanently and totally disabled, b) have at least 10 pension credits and c) earned at least ¼ pension credit within the 24 month period prior to the date you became disabled.

Q) What do I need to apply for my pension?

A) You can contact the Fund office during normal business hours. You will need to provide your anticipated retirement date and if married, your spouse’s date of birth. As a reminder, you should file at least one full month in advance of your anticipated retirement date. You will be asked to provide proof of your birth, your spouse’s birth and if married, your marriage record.

Q) If I take an early pension will my pension benefit be reduced?

A) Yes.

Q) Will I receive a pension benefit for my lifetime?

A) The Plan offers the Participant a lifetime benefit.

Q) How long does it take to be vested?

A) Effective January 1, 1999, you will have a vested pension after earning 5 years of vesting service.

Q) How long does it take to earn one pension credit?

A) You are credited with one pension credit for every calendar year in which you work for 40 or more weeks in covered employment.

Q) What are pension credits?

A) A pension credit is a unit used to measure your work in covered employment in order to qualify for pension benefits and to determine your benefit amount.

Q) What is the difference between a spouse option with and a spouse option without pop-up?

A) The pop-up feature allows for your benefit to be increased upon your spouse’s death.

Q) Are the 5 Year and 10 Year Certain & Life form of payment , payable for my entire life?

A) Yes, provided you were the participant who earned the vested benefit.

Q) Do I have an insurance policy with the Pension Plan?

A) No. A Post Retirement Death Benefit will be available to all retired members (excluding surviving spouses and beneficiaries) drawing a pension benefit on or after January 1, 1995.