RETIREMENT FAQ'S
- How do I become vested?
- Do my credits with another fund(s) count towards my pension?
- What is a Plan Year?
- Can I pay into my pension?
- Can I withdraw or rollover my contributions?
- What is a Break in Service?
- What is Forfeited Service?
- How are benefits calculated?
- How do I change my mailing address?
You become vested after you have earned 5 pension credits (five years of service).
You generally earn one year of Service for each year you work 300 hours or more.
However, a number of special rules apply in calculating service.Please refer to the
definitions, beginning on page 3 of the Summary Plan Description or contact the Fund
office for complete information.
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Your pension credit with another fund(s) could be counted towards your years of service with our Fund,
provided the other fund(s) participate in a reciprocal agreement and you have at least one year of service in each fund.
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A Plan Year (also called a fiscal year) is the 12-month period that begins June 1 and ends on the following May 31.
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No. Your employer contributes a specific amount based on the number of hours you work.
This amount is set by the collective bargaining agreement between your union and participating employers.
You are not required or allowed to contribute to the Pension Trust Fund.
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No. Contributions are employer paid. The contributions plus investment earnings of
the Fund are used to pay Plan benefits.
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You have a one-year break in service for each Plan Year after June 1, 1976
that you do not work for a participating employer and do not have any contributions
made to the Plan on your behalf. You will not have a break in service if you are not
working because of an accident or illness.
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If you terminate your service without a vested benefit under the Plan and incur
5 consecutive one-year breaks in service, you lose credit for the years you had
accumulated when you terminated employment under the Plan.
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A. The amount of your Normal Retirement Benefit is based on the following formula:
5.2% of all contributions accrued before June 1, 2001; PLUS
4.5% of all contributions accrued on and after June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2003; PLUS
3.5% of all contributions accrued on and after June 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004; PLUS
For the 5 month period beginning January 1, 2005 and ending May 31, 2005, $12.50, provided you
worked 500 or more hours during this period; if you worked at least 125 hours but less than 500 hours,
you will accrue a benefit equal to your hours divided by 500 and multiplied by $12.50; PLUS
For hours worked on and after June 1, 2005, $30.00 per Plan Year provided you work 1,200 or more
hours during the Plan Year; if you work at least 300 hours but less than 1,200 hours, you will accrue
a benefit equal to your hours divided by 1,200 and multiplied by $30.00.
Following is an example of how a Normal Retirement Benefit might be calculated for retirement on May 31, 2009.
This calculation is based on the assumptions the participant worked 500 hours between 1/1/05 and 5/31/05
and at least 1,200 hours per Plan Year for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Dates of Covered Service |
Employer Contributions |
|
Multiplier |
|
Monthly Pension Benefit |
| 6/1/1962 – 5/31/2001 |
$30,000 |
x |
5.2% |
= |
$1,560.00 (each month for life) |
| 6/1/2001 – 5/31/2003 |
$4,000 |
x |
4.5% |
= |
180.00 (each month for life) |
| 6/1/2003 – 12/31/2004 |
$3,000 |
x |
3.5% |
= |
105.00 (each month for life) |
| 1/1/2005 – 5/31/2005 |
n/a |
|
$12.50 |
= |
12.50 (each month for life) |
| 6/1/2005 – 5/31/2009 |
n/a |
|
$30.00 x 4 yrs |
= |
120.00 (each month for life) |
See SMM dated May 1st for additions and changes to
calculations
Updated SMM
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If you are currently receiving a pension payment, you must submit your new
address in writing, over your signature.
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- When am I eligible to retire?
- How do I apply for retirement benefits?
- When should I apply for retirement benefits?
- What documents are required for retirement?
- When will I receive my first check?
- When will my benefit be deposited?
- How long will I receive pension payments?
- What happens to my joint and survivor benefit if my spouse predeceases me?
- What is the early retirement reduction amount?
- What happens if I elect a joint and survivor benefit, but my spouse and I divorce during my retirement? Will my monthly payment amount increase?
- If I divorce and remarry, will my new spouse be eligible for a benefit from my pension?
- Can I change my form of payment after I start receiving benefits?
- Will my pension benefit be affected after I begin receiving Social Security Benefits?
- Will I get a cost-of-living increase?
- Is there a limit on the amount I can receive?
- Is my pension a taxable distribution?
- Can I temporarily suspend my pension benefits and return to work full-time?
- Can I continue employment beyond retirement?
- Can I get a lump sum payment?
- Can I appeal the denial of an application?
- What death benefits are available to my spouse or beneficiary?
- Who are eligible beneficiaries?
- How do I become eligible for disability benefits?
- How do I apply for disability benefits?
- I am receiving Social Security disability benefits. Does that mean I will automatically be approved for disability benefits from the Pension Fund?
- Can I appeal the denial of an application?
- Can I work while drawing my disability benefit?
A. Early Retirement Benefits: You qualify for an Early Retirement Benefit if you retire at any time after you:
· Are at least age 55 and have earned at least 5 years of service under the Plan. Have earned at least 30 years of service
Normal Retirement Benefits:You qualify for a Normal Retirement Benefit if you retire after you are age 60 and have accrued at least 5 years of service under the Plan, whichever occurs later.
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Please contact the Pension Fund office at 812-238-2551 or toll free at 800-962-3158.
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You should contact the Fund office at least 60 days before you wish payments to begin.
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