Frequently Asked Questions

The Plan is administered by a Board of Trustees consisting of an equal number of Employee and Employer representatives, in accordance with the law. Except as otherwise specified herein, the Trustees shall have sole and exclusive discretionary authority and responsibility for administering, construing, and interpreting the provisions of the Plan, determining eligibility for benefits, and making all determinations, including factual determinations, hereunder.

• The Plan covers Employees of Contributing Employers who work under collective bargaining agreements.
• Those who work for Local Unions and on whose behalf, contributions are made or required to be made to the Fund.
• Employees who are not covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements but whose employer has elected to pay contributions to the Fund on their behalf.
• Certain leased Employees of a Contributing Employer.

The Plan does not cover any self-employed person, whether a sole proprietor or a partner.

No. The benefits payable under this Plan are in addition to benefits paid under Social Security.

Assignment of your Pension benefits is generally prohibited by the Pension Plan except when required by a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), or to allow you to self-pay to a trust fund supplying you with retiree health coverage, and only to the extent of such self-payments. Such assignments are subject to Board of Trustee approval.

Yes. Any Participant or beneficiary who is denied a benefit has the right to appeal such denial to the Board of Trustees within 60 days after the date shown on the letter of denial. The rules for filing an appeal are set forth in Section 10.04 of the Pension Plan.

The Board of Trustees intends to continue the Plan indefinitely, although it reserves the right to change or discontinue the Plan at any time. If the Plan is changed or terminated, you will be notified of the termination in writing. The Plan will end automatically if every Employer withdraws from the Plan, or as defined by law. Your benefits, accrued to the date of termination, to the extent funded as of that date, will be non-forfeitable. If, after paying all the benefits under the Plan and any administrative expenses incurred, there are remaining assets of the Plan, the remaining Plan assets will be allocated among you and other Participants and beneficiaries.

If the Trustees determine that you are unable to handle your affairs because of mental or physical incapacity, the Trustees may make payments directly to the person or persons the Trustees, in their sole discretion, find to be in charge or responsible for your care. Payments will be made to a legally appointed guardian, committee, or other legal representative if a claim is made before payment is made.

Yes. Copies of the Trust Agreement, Pension Plan, subsequent Amendments, and a summary of the annual report are available for inspection at the Administrative Office during regular business hours and, upon written request, will be furnished by mail. In addition, copies of the collective bargaining agreements and a full annual report (Form 5500) are available for inspection at the Administrative Office during regular business hours and, upon written request, will be furnished by mail for a reasonable charge. Further, all documents required to be produced under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, such as Actuarial Reports, Quarterly Financial Reports, Quarterly Investment Manager Reports, and other applicable documents are available upon written request and can be furnished by mail for a reasonable charge. You should therefore find out what that charge will be before writing and asking for copies of these documents.