A. When can I get the money paid on my behalf?

A Plan Participant can receive payment from the Fund only after all of the requirements necessary to qualify for a benefit under the Plan rules have been met. The Plan is a defined benefit plan paid for by employer contributions only. Employees do not have individual accounts with the Fund; rather they accrue credit toward benefit eligibility based upon the hours they work in Covered Employment.

B. How long does it take to process my application?

Your claim for benefits will be processed when the Fund Office receives your Pension Application Form plus all the necessary documentation. If you have included all necessary documentation with your application, the Fund Office will normally complete the processing of your application within 90 days of receipt. However, if all the necessary documentation is not received by the Fund, the time to process the application may be extended to 180 days. If, after 160 days, all necessary information needed to finalize your application is still not received by the Fund Office, application processing will be completed based upon the information available. When the additional information is received, the application will be reviewed again and any necessary adjustments will be made.

C. When will I receive my first check?

After you are in receipt of your Award Letter, and have returned the necessary election of payment option form and other post-application forms, it will take approximately 10 to 15 days before your first benefit check is issued.

D. How long do I have to return my payment forms?

You must return the necessary payment forms to the Fund Office within 90 days of their being sent to you. Failure to provide the forms necessary to pay your benefit within the 90 days following the sending of your award letter will result in the need for you to re-apply for benefits.

E. Can I change the form of my payment after I return my payment forms?

After you submit your election forms you have until your Effective Date of Benefits, or if later, to when payments actually begin, to change your election. Once payments commence, your benefit election is irrevocable.

F. Why does the National Pension Fund need certain documents?

Eligibility for pension benefits and the amount of the benefit payment is dependent upon certain facts about the pensioner and the pensioner's spouse, such as their ages, marital status, disability status, military status, and the pensioner's employment history before his Contribution Date. These events must be verified to provide you with the proper benefit type and amount.

G. How is my benefit calculated?

Pension benefits are based upon your age at retirement, the number of years of earned Pension Credit, and the Contribution Rate to be applied to that credit. Generally, the credit earned prior to December 31, 2004 is based upon your home local's contribution rate as of December 31, 2004, so long as you have worked at least 1500 hours in Covered Employment, including at least one Hour of Work before 2006, at that rate prior to your retirement. Beginning in 2005, the benefit is accrued based upon the Contribution Rate at which the credit was earned and the applicable Schedule of Benefits.

H. What happens to all the money?

Contributions made by employers are deposited into a Trust Fund to provide benefits to all Participants who qualify under the rules of the Plan. The money is not allocated to each employee covered by the Plan. Rather, all of the Fund's assets from whatever source are combined and used to administer the Plan and to pay benefits to those eligible for benefits.

I. Can I freeze my Pension?

There are no provisions in the Plan to "freeze" a Participant's credit. However, anyone who attains Vested or Deferred status with the Fund before incurring a Permanent Break in Service is guaranteed a non-forfeitable benefit when all age requirements have been met.

J. Why can't I get credit for all of my U.A. employment?

Though all local unions may participate in the Fund, some have decided to administer their own pension plans. Pension Credit with the National Pension Fund may only be granted for Covered Employment with an employer in the jurisdiction of a local union that participates in the Fund. (Service credit is also granted for contributions received from funds in non-participating locals in accordance with reciprocal agreements between the Local Pension Fund and the National Pension Fund.)

K. Can I pay into the Fund?

The National Pension Fund is qualified by the Internal Revenue Service as a noncontributory plan. It is not structured to accept contributions from the employees participating in the Plan. Benefits are funded only by hourly contributions from the employers.

L. Why does another member receive more money than I do?

The calculation of pension benefits is based primarily on three factors: age of member, years of Pension Credit, and Contribution Rate. Since each member's employment history is unique, benefit calculations will vary from person to person.

M. Another member told me I could qualify for benefits!

This booklet is provided to assist you in understanding the Plan. If you have any questions about your pension status, the procedures of the National Pension Fund, or how the Plan affects you, you should contact the Fund Office directly. No other person or office is authorized to make statements about the Plan and its effect on your situation or circumstances.

In accordance with the National Pension Plan, the Fund Office is not bound by the representations of any person, other than the Trustees, regarding participation in and eligibility for benefits under this Plan, status of Employees or Employers, or any other matter relating to the Pension Plan or Fund.

N. If I pay 35 years of union dues, will I qualify for a benefit?

Although the Fund is sponsored by the United Association and its local unions, the Fund is a legally separate organization. Pension Credit is based upon work in employment covered by the Plan. The payment of union dues has no bearing on your eligibility for benefits from the Fund.

O. Can I sign over my retirement benefits?

No. The law prohibits any assignment, sale, transfer, or attachment of a pension benefit. However, the Fund can be required to comply with a Qualified Domestic Relations Order in a divorce or child support proceeding.

P. Who can I name as a Beneficiary?

The Plan requires that the designation of a Beneficiary must be a person or persons. However, it may also be your estate or a Trust.

Q. I need to limit my income to be eligible for Medicaid. Can I have my pension paid into an Income Trust to meet this requirement?

No. Such a payment is not allowed under the anti-assignment and anti-alienation rules of federal law and the Plan. However, it is possible for you to set up a Medicaid Income Trust available under 42 U.S.C. § 1396(d)(4)(B), also known as a Miller Trust, according to the Medicaid guidelines. When you have received your pension payment from the Fund, you may then put it into the trust account yourself. Medicaid then excludes all such income from their eligibility test.