FAQs

A participant becomes eligible for monthly reimbursement benefit payments generally after:

1. the participant has earned 10 years of Active Service in the Plan (or five years for an individual already employed when his/her bargaining unit joins the Trust);
2. the Trust has received monthly Contributions for all years of Active Service earned by the participant;
3. the participant has attained age 55; and
4. the participant has ceased all employment (including part time or post-retirement contract work) with any participating employer of this Trust. 

Monthly reimbursement benefit payments commence after retirement, assuming the participant meets the eligibility rules in Sec. C1.

• What is an Active Service Unit (ASU)? An Active Service Unit (ASU) is a factor used to calculate the monthly benefit level for an Eligible Retiree.  The Trust will credit a participant with one ASU for each monthly $50 contribution that the Trust has received on the participant’s behalf over the duration of his/her career.  For example, if the participant’s Association has negotiated a monthly contribution of $150, he/she will receive 3 ASUs for each monthly contribution.
• What is the Unit Multiplier (UM)? The Unit Multiplier is a factor that the Trust uses to calculate benefit levels.  The UM is set from time to time by the Trustees, with the help of a professional actuary, and is based on demographic and financial data.
• How is the Eligible Retiree’s “benefit level” calculated? An Eligible Retiree’s “benefit level” is the maximum amount that he/she may receive in monthly reimbursement benefits from the Trust.  The benefit level for each Eligible Retiree is calculated by multiplying the total number of ASUs he/she has accumulated by the Unit Multiplier, currently $0.77.  The benefit level will change from time to time.  See Appendix A for sample benefit level calculations.

Yes, for a participant who retires before earning the required 10 years (or 5 years, if applicable; see Part C1), the Trust will credit his/her contributions to an Employee Account in the Trust, and he/she will be entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses up to the amount in his/her Employee Account. See Part D.

It is the Trustees’ intent, and the Plan is designed so that monthly reimbursement benefit payments for Eligible Retirees will last until death. However, this is not guaranteed, and the Trustees will have the authority to reduce or terminate benefits earlier, if prudent, to preserve the soundness of the Plan for all of the participants. In any event, all contributions and earnings in the Trust may be spent only on benefits and administrative expenses, as required by federal law.

Yes, the Plan includes monthly reimbursement benefit payments to the Surviving Spouse (at 50% of participant’s monthly benefit) and Children (as defined in the Plan) of an Eligible Retiree.  Further, if the Surviving Spouse has surviving Children in the household, the monthly benefit level will be 100% of the Eligible Retiree’s monthly benefit level.

Note: The Trustees have the authority to modify these benefit rules or terminate benefits at any time, if prudent, to preserve the financial health of the Plan for all participants.