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Exclusive Benefits For IBEW
Local 500 Members
American Income Life Insurance Company - AIL
$2,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment for all current IBEW Local
500 members at NO COST, plus eligibility for its Health Services
Discount Program for up to 60% discounts on Vision, Hearing,
Pharmacy and Chiropractic as well as optional Dental discounts. AIL
also supplies Child Safe Kits to all who need them. IBEW Local 500
Members and their families may qualify for additional insurance benefits
offered by American Income Life (AIL) and are encouraged to take a few
minutes to listen to the AIL Representative who'll be calling on you.
Local 500 Members
American Income Life Insurance Company - AIL
$2,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment for all current IBEW Local
500 members at NO COST, plus eligibility for its Health Services
Discount Program for up to 60% discounts on Vision, Hearing,
Pharmacy and Chiropractic as well as optional Dental discounts. AIL
also supplies Child Safe Kits to all who need them. IBEW Local 500
Members and their families may qualify for additional insurance benefits
offered by American Income Life (AIL) and are encouraged to take a few
minutes to listen to the AIL Representative who'll be calling on you.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
IBEW Local 500 is pleased to announce that each member now has a $2,000 Accidental Death
and Dismemberment benefit provided to you through the cooperation of your Local Union and
American Income Life Insurance Company. AIL is a 100% Union Life Insurance Company
represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277.
We hope that you are pleased we have been able to secure this benefit at NO-COST to you or
the Local. (That means FREE. We like FREE.)
The OTHER Insurance company hasn't made you that offer yet, have they?
In addition, you are now eligible for a Health Services Discount Card that provides 10%-60%
discounts on the following at no cost to you and your family for one full year:
There is nothing more important to us than the safety of our children and grandchildren.
That's why we are pleased to tell you that we have arranged for you to receive at NO-COST,
Child Safe Kits. These potentially lifesaving kits help you gather vital data, a photo, & even
fingerprints so if the unthinkable happens you can get this information to the authorities
quickly. Endorsed and supported by the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA),
we urge you to request Child Safe Kits for all your children and grandchildren.
Contact the local AIL office in San Antonio at #210-733-5335 or #1-800-851-5509 to schedule
an appointment.
Or, for your convenience, you may reply online at www.ailife.com/benefits/SGH2E
Whichever method you choose, a representative from American Income Life will contact you to
arrange delivery of your benefits, secure information about your beneficiary, and obtain your
signature. Also, you and your family may qualify for additional life insurance benefits at this
time. Please take a few minutes to listen to the AIL representative who delivers your certificate.
AIL and its programs are being presented in the spirit of BE UNION / BUY UNION and are
being made available on a voluntary basis.
*NOTICE FOR CLARIFICATION*
There has recently been some confusion regarding the 5 additional health benefits listed
above. It has been perceived by some Members of the Local that the supplemental insurance
listed above can be used to offset certain expenses, such as deductibles, or replace what the
company insurance provides. THIS IS INCORRECT.
The supplemental insurance listed above DOES NOT replace or supercede anything the
company plan provides. YOU CANNOT USE IT TO OFFSET ANY OF YOUR
DEDUCTIBLES OR CO-PAYS.
You can use it for things that the company plan has no coverage for at this time, such as
Hearing Benefits. You can also use the discounts for certain services that the company plan
has limitations to, such as Vision and Chiropractic care. Only when all expenses have been
met and maxxed out by the companies plan for one of those services, including you satisfying
your deductible, can you then fall back on the supplemental insurance listed above for an
additional discount.
Please keep in mind that the supplemental health insurance offered by AIL is only free for the
first year and should drop from your overall plan if you don't renew it. Also, each one of us has
to be our own judge in order to determine whether or not we really need the additional health
insurance. Only you know what is good for you and your family. If you don't think the health
insurance will benefit you in any way, then don't take it.
Our main objective here at IBEW Local 500 is to provide each of our Members alternatives to
affordable supplemental Life Insurance, and we sincerely hope that each one of you
participates in, and takes advantage of, the $2,000 of free life insurance offered by AIL for
being Union Members.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Frequently Asked Benefits Questions
Questions? We have answers.
Q: What has the union done for me lately?
A: Your union membership not only provides you with the benefits of a contract, solid wages, a
grievance procedure and health insurance, but it also offers you access to other benefits-like
the Union Plus benefits. These union-endorsed benefit programs help you and your extended
family save valuable time and money, and they work for you at home and away. But there is
one catch: You have to be a member to get them.
Just as the union helps members in collective bargaining and handling grievances, Union
Privilege acts as a member advocate. Our consumer information and carefully selected
programs mean savings and better benefits for you. And our continuing work with vendors
means that no matter what your concern when using a Union Plus program, an individual
member's voice is not lost; we'll back you up using the collective strength of union membership.
Q: Why should I join the Union when I get the same benefits?
A: You don't get the same benefits. If you are not a union member, you and your family miss
out on valuable Union Plus consumer benefits. These programs can save you time and money
on everything from buying a new house to planning your vacation
Q: Why should I spend the money on dues?
A: The money you spend in membership dues may be recouped through the savings offered in
the Union Plus benefit programs. With money-saving benefits like these, you can't afford not
to join the union. For example, under the health savings program, you save up to 25% on
routine dental exams, cleanings, fillings and other dental needs.
Q: How can joining the union help me if I don't need or want job protection?
A: The union does more than protect workers' jobs. It also connects you with benefits-offered
through the Union Plus programs-which you wouldn't be able to get on your own. These are
benefits that work for you and your family while you're at home, away from work.
In addition, with Union Plus benefits, members don't have to face a complex and vast
consumer marketplace alone. First, we do the homework to secure valuable programs and fair
deals from reliable vendors. Then, if members face special circumstances or concerns when
using a Union Plus program, Union Privilege member advocates will ensure the issues are
addressed. The collective strength of union membership empowers us to work more effectively
for members' rights. For example, we offer credit card skip-payments for laid off or striking
workers.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
IBEW Local 500 is pleased to announce that each member now has a $2,000 Accidental Death
and Dismemberment benefit provided to you through the cooperation of your Local Union and
American Income Life Insurance Company. AIL is a 100% Union Life Insurance Company
represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277.
We hope that you are pleased we have been able to secure this benefit at NO-COST to you or
the Local. (That means FREE. We like FREE.)
The OTHER Insurance company hasn't made you that offer yet, have they?
In addition, you are now eligible for a Health Services Discount Card that provides 10%-60%
discounts on the following at no cost to you and your family for one full year:
- Vision
- Chiropractic
- Optional Dental Care
- Prescriptions
- Hearing
There is nothing more important to us than the safety of our children and grandchildren.
That's why we are pleased to tell you that we have arranged for you to receive at NO-COST,
Child Safe Kits. These potentially lifesaving kits help you gather vital data, a photo, & even
fingerprints so if the unthinkable happens you can get this information to the authorities
quickly. Endorsed and supported by the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA),
we urge you to request Child Safe Kits for all your children and grandchildren.
Contact the local AIL office in San Antonio at #210-733-5335 or #1-800-851-5509 to schedule
an appointment.
Or, for your convenience, you may reply online at www.ailife.com/benefits/SGH2E
Whichever method you choose, a representative from American Income Life will contact you to
arrange delivery of your benefits, secure information about your beneficiary, and obtain your
signature. Also, you and your family may qualify for additional life insurance benefits at this
time. Please take a few minutes to listen to the AIL representative who delivers your certificate.
AIL and its programs are being presented in the spirit of BE UNION / BUY UNION and are
being made available on a voluntary basis.
*NOTICE FOR CLARIFICATION*
There has recently been some confusion regarding the 5 additional health benefits listed
above. It has been perceived by some Members of the Local that the supplemental insurance
listed above can be used to offset certain expenses, such as deductibles, or replace what the
company insurance provides. THIS IS INCORRECT.
The supplemental insurance listed above DOES NOT replace or supercede anything the
company plan provides. YOU CANNOT USE IT TO OFFSET ANY OF YOUR
DEDUCTIBLES OR CO-PAYS.
You can use it for things that the company plan has no coverage for at this time, such as
Hearing Benefits. You can also use the discounts for certain services that the company plan
has limitations to, such as Vision and Chiropractic care. Only when all expenses have been
met and maxxed out by the companies plan for one of those services, including you satisfying
your deductible, can you then fall back on the supplemental insurance listed above for an
additional discount.
Please keep in mind that the supplemental health insurance offered by AIL is only free for the
first year and should drop from your overall plan if you don't renew it. Also, each one of us has
to be our own judge in order to determine whether or not we really need the additional health
insurance. Only you know what is good for you and your family. If you don't think the health
insurance will benefit you in any way, then don't take it.
Our main objective here at IBEW Local 500 is to provide each of our Members alternatives to
affordable supplemental Life Insurance, and we sincerely hope that each one of you
participates in, and takes advantage of, the $2,000 of free life insurance offered by AIL for
being Union Members.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Frequently Asked Benefits Questions
Questions? We have answers.
Q: What has the union done for me lately?
A: Your union membership not only provides you with the benefits of a contract, solid wages, a
grievance procedure and health insurance, but it also offers you access to other benefits-like
the Union Plus benefits. These union-endorsed benefit programs help you and your extended
family save valuable time and money, and they work for you at home and away. But there is
one catch: You have to be a member to get them.
Just as the union helps members in collective bargaining and handling grievances, Union
Privilege acts as a member advocate. Our consumer information and carefully selected
programs mean savings and better benefits for you. And our continuing work with vendors
means that no matter what your concern when using a Union Plus program, an individual
member's voice is not lost; we'll back you up using the collective strength of union membership.
Q: Why should I join the Union when I get the same benefits?
A: You don't get the same benefits. If you are not a union member, you and your family miss
out on valuable Union Plus consumer benefits. These programs can save you time and money
on everything from buying a new house to planning your vacation
Q: Why should I spend the money on dues?
A: The money you spend in membership dues may be recouped through the savings offered in
the Union Plus benefit programs. With money-saving benefits like these, you can't afford not
to join the union. For example, under the health savings program, you save up to 25% on
routine dental exams, cleanings, fillings and other dental needs.
Q: How can joining the union help me if I don't need or want job protection?
A: The union does more than protect workers' jobs. It also connects you with benefits-offered
through the Union Plus programs-which you wouldn't be able to get on your own. These are
benefits that work for you and your family while you're at home, away from work.
In addition, with Union Plus benefits, members don't have to face a complex and vast
consumer marketplace alone. First, we do the homework to secure valuable programs and fair
deals from reliable vendors. Then, if members face special circumstances or concerns when
using a Union Plus program, Union Privilege member advocates will ensure the issues are
addressed. The collective strength of union membership empowers us to work more effectively
for members' rights. For example, we offer credit card skip-payments for laid off or striking
workers.
| Benefits |
"A" Card Membership Now Available To Local 500
Membership
REVISED JANUARY 2007
NOTICE
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 provides that all pension plans should make
available to their participants and beneficiaries a Summary Plan Description written in language
calculated to be understood by the average participant or beneficiary. The International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers Pension Benefit Fund Summary Plan Description follows:
SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION FOR THE IBEW PENSION BENEFIT FUND
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is the sponsor of the IBEW Pension Benefit Fund
(IBEW PBF), established in the IBEW Constitution. The IBEW is located at 900 Seventh Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20001. The Employer Identification Number of the IBEW is 530088380. The plan
number assigned by the IBEW to the IBEW PBF is 001. June 30 is the end of the Plan's fiscal year for
the purposes of maintaining the Plan's fiscal records. The IBEW PBF is a defined benefit plan.
The Plan Administrator is the International Secretary-Treasurer (I.S.T.) of the IBEW, currently Jon F.
Walters, who can be reached by mail at 900 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, or by
telephone at (202) 833-7000. Should you have some legal process to serve, the agent for service of
legal process is Jon F. Walters, the Plan Administrator. The Plan trustees, identified later, may also be
served, as well as the attorneys at Potts-Dupre, Difede & Hawkins, located at 900 Seventh Street, NW,
Suite 1020, Washington, DC 20001.
Active “A” membership in the IBEW is required for participation in the Plan. Any member of the IBEW
may elect “A” membership by agreeing to pay the appropriate per capita dues and payments to the
IBEW PBF. The IBEW Constitution provides that, effective January 1, 2007, each “A” member shall pay
$23.00 per month, broken down as follows:
$11.00 into the General Fund
$12.00 into the Pension Benefit Fund
As noted above, the $12.00 payment required by the IBEW Constitution is the source of contributions to
the IBEW PBF. The delegates at the 37th International Convention of the IBEW approved increases in
payments to the IBEW PBF as follows:
$13.00 on January 1, 2008
$14.00 on January 1, 2010
In addition, they approved increases to the per capita dues payable to the IBEW General Fund as
follows:
$ 12.00 on January 1, 2009
$13.00 on January 1, 2011
In addition to the above payments, the IBEW Constitution requires that each “A” member shall pay
$2.00 to the IBEW PBF upon joining the IBEW.
The kinds of benefits payable by the Plan, the basic requirements for eligibility, and conditions relating
to ineligibility under the Plan are summarized below:
Benefits of “A” members in active participation on or after January 1, 2007.
1. Normal Pension. An “A” member of the IBEW in continuous good standing with five or more years
immediately preceding his or her application, who has attained the age of 65 years, shall receive
pension benefits computed on the basis of $4.50 per month for each full year of such continuous “A”
membership. If a member’s benefit will be $30.00 or less, the member shall receive a one-time lump-
sum payment that will be the actuarial equivalent of the benefit otherwise payable.
2. Optional Early Retirement Pension. An “A” member of the IBEW in continuous good standing with 20
or more years immediately preceding his or her application, who has attained the age of 62 years, may
elect to receive reduced pension benefits as long as he or she lives, computed on the basis of $4.50 per
month for each full year of such continuous “A” membership, reduced by 6⅔% for each year or part
thereof the said “A” member was under the age of 65 at the date of his or her retirement. The election of
this option must be made on a form prescribed by the I.S.T. and will become effective on the date he or
she is placed on pension. The election of this option shall be irrevocable. If a member’s benefit will be
$30.00 or less, the rules set forth in Section 1 shall apply.
3. Disability Pension. An “A” member of the IBEW who is totally disabled on or after January 1, 2007,
and who has continuous good standing of 20 or more years immediately preceding his or her
application shall receive disability pension benefits, computed on the basis of $4.50 per month for each
full year of such continuous “A” membership. If a member was totally disabled prior to or on December
31, 2006, the member’s benefits will be based on rates that were in effect at the time of the disability.
For members who return to work for a period of time and whose disability subsequently recommences, if
the International Executive Council (IEC) determines that total disability has recommenced within a
period less than nine months after the end of the prior period of disability, the disability pensioner need
not reapply for benefits, but may resume disability retirement upon written notice to the I.S.T. However,
if the period of time is more than nine months after the end of the prior period of disability, the member
who seeks reinstatement to total disability pension benefits shall submit an application in accordance
with the disability procedures below. For purposes of the Disability Pension, the Optional Spouse’s
Benefit, discussed immediately below, shall be paid to the surviving spouse only if the “A” member was
receiving the Disability Pension at the time of his or her death or within the nine months after the end of
a prior period of disability.
in lieu of the payment of pension as outlined above, elect to receive a reduced pension as long as he
or she lives, with the provision that after his or her death one-half of such reduced pension shall
continue to be paid to his or her spouse thereafter as long as such spouse survives him or her. The
amount of such reduced pension payable under this election shall be actuarially equivalent to the
pension otherwise payable. This election is effective on the date the member is placed on pension and
shall be irrevocable, except in the event the member and the member’s spouse are subsequently
divorced or in the event the member’s spouse subsequently predeceases the member, in which case the
benefit payable to the member shall be recalculated and shall be equal to the unreduced benefit that
would have been provided under a normal, early retirement, or disability pension, as the case may be.
This recalculated benefit shall commence as of the last day of the month next following either the date
of the divorce or the death of the spouse. If the spouse’s benefit will be $30.00 or less, the rules set forth
in Section 1 shall apply.
4. Vested Pension. An “A” member who has completed 20 or more years of “A” membership in
continuous good standing and who ceases being engaged in the electrical industry prior to the
attainment of age 65 shall, if an application is filed and approved after December 31, 2006, obtain a
vested right to pension benefits, but not disability pension benefits or death benefits. This vested right
will entitle him or her to receive, commencing at age 65, pension benefits computed on the basis of
$4.50 per month for each full year of such continuous “A” membership, less $4.50 per month for each
year or part thereof the said “A” member was under the age of 65 at the date his or her application was
received. The applicant for vested pension rights must maintain his or her continuous good standing as
an “A” member until the date of approval of his or her application by the IEC, and shall, in the event of
such approval, receive a full refund of I.O. dues from the month following receipt of his or her
application. The period following the receipt of such application shall not be counted in computing the
amount of vested pension rights. If a vested pensioner’s benefit will be $30.00 or less, the rules set forth
in Section 1 shall apply.
It should be emphasized that 20 or more years of continuous good standing, alone, does not secure a
vested pension. The conditions on ceasing to be engaged in the electrical industry and making a timely
(i.e., while still enjoying continuous good standing) application must be satisfied. For example, a person
with 20 or more years of continuous good standing who works in the electrical industry without
maintaining membership loses any claim to a vested benefit. Likewise, a person with 20 or more years of
continuous good standing who resigns, is properly expelled from the union, or is automatically dropped
from membership for a failure to stay current with dues and/or assessments, forfeits all claim to a vested
benefit.
5. Death Benefits. Upon the death of an “A” member on or after September 10, 2001, a death benefit
shall be payable as follows:
(a) Benefit Level. Upon the death, on or after January 1, 2007, of a nonretired “A” member who then has
at least six months continuous and active good standing, the beneficiary to receive the death benefits
payable under this paragraph shall be paid the sum of $6,250.00 if the said “A” member died from
natural causes, or the sum of $12,500.00 if the said “A” member died by accidental means. However, no
death benefit shall be payable upon the death of a nonretired “A” member if such member was more
than two months in arrears in dues payments, unless it can be demonstrated that the arrearage was not
the fault of the member, in which case the death benefit shall be reduced by the amount of the
arrearage. Upon the death from either natural causes or accidental means of an “A” member on or after
January 1, 2007, who is retired under a normal, early retirement, or disability pension, the beneficiary to
receive the death benefits shall be paid a sum computed by subtracting from $6,250.00 all pension
benefits paid by the IBEW PBF to the retired member. However, in no event shall the amount of the
death benefit due as a result of the death of an “A” member retired under a normal, early retirement, or
disability pension be less than $3,000.00, except as provided in Section (c) below. All death benefits
payable under this provision are payable without interest.
(b) Beneficiaries. Upon the failure of any member to name an original beneficiary, or to name a new
beneficiary after the death or inability to take of one previously named, the death benefit shall be
payable to the following individual(s) in the indicated order of priority: 1) member’s spouse; 2) member’s
children; 3) member’s parents; and 4) member’s estate. Every “A” member shall have the right to name
the person or persons, including the member’s estate, who are to be the member’s beneficiary or
beneficiaries under the death benefit provisions of the IBEW PBF. Every member shall have the
privilege of changing beneficiaries. If the beneficiary entitled to the death benefit (either the
beneficiary named by the “A” member or the individual(s) in the indicated order of priority stated above)
cannot be located or does not file a claim for the death benefit within 90 days after the date of death,
the death benefit may be paid to a contingent beneficiary or in the indicated order of priority stated
above. If no valid claim is filed, no appropriate beneficiary can be located, and the member has no
estate to which the benefit can be paid, the death benefit shall revert to the IBEW PBF on the second-
year anniversary of the member’s death and no benefit will be paid subsequent to the reversion.
(c) Set Off of Death Benefit. If the IBEW PBF has sent pension checks payable to the deceased member
after the member’s death as a result of a failure to notify the Fund of the death of the member, and the
recipient of those pension checks has not returned them to the Fund, but retained the pension money,
the Fund may set off from the death benefit, and refuse to pay to any beneficiary, the amount equal to
the total amount of the pension overpayment. If the overpayment is less than the amount of the death
benefit, the amount of the overpayment is subtracted from the amount of the death benefit payable,
and the deceased member’s beneficiary will receive the difference. If the overpayment is greater than
the amount of the death benefit payable, the death benefit payable is subtracted from the amount of
the overpayment due and the Fund is fully authorized to recover whatever additional amounts are owed.
Benefits of “A” members who have retired, become disabled, were approved for a vested pension, and/or
died on or before December 31, 2006: The pension benefits of an “A” member of the IBEW who retired
from the electrical industry and was placed on the pension rolls on or before December 31, 2006, shall
be governed by the rules in effect as of the date he or she was placed on the pension rolls. The
disability benefits of an “A” member who became disabled on or before December 31, 2006, shall be
governed by the rules in effect at the time of the disability. The vested pension of an “A” member who
was approved for a vested pension on or before December 31, 2006, shall be governed by the rules in
effect on the date he or she was approved for a vested pension. The death benefits of an “A” member of
the IBEW who has died on or before December 31, 2006, shall be governed by the rules in effect as of
the date of his or her death.
Benefits can be waived or lost under certain circumstances. Any member who desires to waive any
portion of his or her pension, either monthly or yearly, may do so by notifying the I.S.T. Any portion of
the pension so waived will not be returned to the pensioner at a later date. Further, any member who
transfers from “A” membership status to “BA” membership status or who is dropped from membership after
six months’ delinquency in dues payments or who has accepted Honorary Withdrawal Card status shall
not be considered in good standing for purposes of determining eligibility for or in computing benefits.
It is a condition for admission to pension benefits, including vested pension right and the continuation
thereof, that the member shall not perform any work of any kind coming under the IBEW’s jurisdiction
either for compensation or gratis for anyone, except that a member may work as an instructor in an
IBEW-recognized apprenticeship program, or as an electrical inspector for a governmental authority
where electrical inspectors are not covered by an approved IBEW collective bargaining agreement.
An IBEW retiree shall be permitted to attend LU meetings and, with the LU’s approval, have a voice at
such meetings, but shall not have a vote. He or she shall observe his or her obligation of membership
and show due obedience to IBEW laws and the bylaws of its LUs. No member, pensioner or beneficiary
shall have the right to assign, transfer, sell, mortgage, encumber or pledge any pension or death
benefits. Any such action shall be void and of no effect whatsoever. So that such benefits shall not in
any way be subject to any legal process, execution, attachment or garnishment or be used for the
payment of any claim against any member, pensioner, or beneficiary, or be subject to the jurisdiction of
any bankruptcy court or insolvency proceedings by operation of law or otherwise, the IEC shall have the
right to postpone any payment under this Plan to a pensioner or beneficiary. Any member violating any
of the provisions of the IBEW Constitution’s Articles describing the Plan, or any member aiding or
abetting a member to do so, after investigation by the IEC and being found guilty, may be permanently
barred from ever participating in these benefits, and may be suspended, expelled, or assessed as the
IEC may decide.
Years of membership for the purposes of determining the years of service for eligibility for a benefit are
determined by IBEW records of dues payment. Credit for a year of service is given only for full years.
Moreover, the period of membership used in determining eligibility or in computing benefits shall
include only consecutive years of “A” membership in good standing in the IBEW at the time an
application is requested, except that years of membership when on pension or disability shall not be
counted.
Applications for pension benefits, other than disability pension benefits, shall be made in
accordance with the following procedure:
1. A written request for a pension application must be sent to the I.S.T. either by the member or his or
her local union. The request should include the name, local union number, card number, date of birth,
and the type of pension benefit sought.
2. For all such requests that meet the appropriate age and membership requirements, an application
will be transmitted to the member’s local union Financial Secretary who will present the application to
the prospective retiree for completion. Participating Withdrawal Card members will exchange their
applications directly with the I.O.
3. Upon receipt of the member’s correctly completed application, the Financial Secretary of the local
union shall report on it at the local union meeting and shall then forward the properly signed and sealed
application to the I.S.T.
4. The I.S.T. shall review and make determinations upon all such applications. Those that appear to be
in order shall be placed on the pension benefit roll. The I.S.T. shall report the I.S.T.’s action on each
application to the IEC at its next meeting.
5. Any member, on being notified that he or she is entitled to such benefits or rights, shall pay his or her
per capita tax for the current month in his or her local union. These members will be placed on the
pension roll the first of the month following favorable action by the I.S.T. or the IEC and after they have
paid their dues in full to their local unions.
6. If the I.S.T. determines that an individual who has claimed a right to receive benefits under the Plan
is not entitled to receive all or any part of the benefits claimed, the I.S.T. will inform the claimant of the
determination in writing and explain the reasons in layman’s terms with specific references to pertinent
Plan provisions on which the determination is based. The determination notice will also include a
description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and
an explanation of why such material or information is necessary. Finally, the notice will provide a
description of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including
a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an
adverse benefit determination. The I.S.T. will notify the claimant of the I.S.T.’s initial determination
within 90 days after receipt by the I.S.T. of the fully filled-out claim, unless special circumstances
require an extension of time for processing the claim, in which case the I.S.T. will notify the claimant,
in writing, of such special circumstances and will act within 180 days after receipt. If an extension of
time is required, an extension notice will be sent to the claimant. The extension notice shall indicate
the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan expects to
render the benefit determination.
The appeal procedure is as follows: The claimant, or a designated representative, may within 60 days
after receipt of the notification of the I.S.T.’s denial, submit to the IEC a written request for review. At
that time, the claimant, or the designated representative, will be given the opportunity to submit written
comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits. The claimant
will also be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all
documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits. The I.S.T. will
furnish all records and data on these applications to the IEC.
The decision on appeal will be made at the IEC’s next regularly scheduled meeting. If the next
regularly scheduled meeting is within 30 days receipt of the request for review, the decision may be
made at the second regularly scheduled meeting of the IEC following the receipt of the request for
review. If special circumstances require a further extension of time, a benefit determination shall be
rendered not later than the third regularly scheduled meeting of the IEC. If such extension of time is
required, the IEC will provide the claimant with written notice of the extension, describing the special
circumstances and the date as of which the determination will be made. The IEC will render its final
decision in writing within five days of the determination. If there is an adverse benefit determination on
review, the IEC shall provide the reasons and reference the Plan’s provisions on which the adverse
benefit determination is based. In such event, the claimant is also entitled to receive, upon request and
free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, and other information
relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits, and will be notified that he or she has the right to bring a
civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).
Applications for disability pension benefits shall be made in accordance with the following
procedure:
1. A written request for a pension application must be sent to the I.S.T. either by the member or his or
her local union. The request should include the name, local union number, card number, date of birth,
and the type of pension benefit sought.
2. For all such requests that meet the membership requirements, an application will be transmitted to
the member’s local union Financial Secretary who will present the application to the prospective
disabled member for completion. Participating Withdrawal Card members will exchange their
applications directly with the I.O.
3. Upon receipt of the member’s correctly completed application, the Financial Secretary of the local
union shall report on it at the local union meeting and shall then forward the properly signed and sealed
application to the I.S.T.
4. The I.S.T. shall review and make determinations upon all such applications. Those that appear to be
in order shall be placed on the pension benefit roll. The I.S.T. shall report the I.S.T.’s action on each
application to the IEC at its next meeting.
5. Any member, on being notified that he or she is entitled to such benefits or rights, shall pay his or her
per capita tax for the current month in his or her local union. These members will be placed on the
pension roll the first of the month following favorable action by the I.S.T. or the IEC and after they have
paid their dues in full to their local unions.
6. The I.S.T. will notify the claimant of the I.S.T.’s determination of the initial claim within 45 days after
receipt by the I.S.T. of the fully filled-out claim, unless the I.S.T. determines that an extension is
necessary due to matters beyond the I.S.T.’s control and notifies the claimant, within the original 45-day
period, that the I.S.T. will require an additional 30 days and will act within 75 days after receipt of the
claim. The determination period may be re-extended for a further 30 days, if circumstances arise, for a
possible determination period of 105 days.
If extensions are required, extension notice(s) will be sent to the claimant. The extension notice shall
explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a
decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues. If further
information is required from the claimant, the claimant shall be afforded at least 45 days within which
to provide the specified information.
If an adverse benefit determination is made, a written determination notice will be sent and will explain,
in layman’s terms, the reasons for the determination, with specific references to pertinent Plan provisions
on which the determination is based. The determination notice will also include a description of any
additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of
why such material or information is necessary. Finally, the notice will provide a description of the Plan’s
review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the
claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit
determination.
The appeal procedure is as follows: If the I.S.T. determines that an individual who has claimed a right
to receive benefits under the Plan is not entitled to receive all or any part of the benefits claimed, the
claimant, or a designated representative may, within 180 days after receipt of the I.S.T.’s denial, submit
to the IEC a written request for review. At that time, the claimant will be given the opportunity to submit
written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits. The
claimant will also be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all
documents, records and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.
The IEC will notify a claimant of the benefit determination on review within 45 days of receipt of the
claimant’s request for review by the Plan, unless the IEC determines that special circumstances require
an extension of time for processing the claim. In no event shall such extension of time exceed a period
of 45 days from the end of the initial period. If the IEC determines that an extension of time for
processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the end
of the initial 45-day period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an
extension of time and the date by which the plan expects to render the determination on review. If there
is an adverse benefit determination on review, the IEC shall provide the reasons and reference the Plan’
s provisions on which the adverse benefit determination is based. In such event, the claimant is also
entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents,
records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits, and will be notified that he
or she has the right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).
The IBEW PBF is a union-dues-financed plan covering “A” members of the Brotherhood. The assets of
the Plan are held by the Trust for the IBEW PBF. The trustees of the Plan are the International
President, International Secretary-Treasurer, and members of the International Executive Council of the
IBEW. Their current names and addresses are as follows:
Edwin D. Hill 900 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Jon F. Walters 900 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Robert W. Pierson c/o IBEW Local Union 9
High Point Plaza Office Ctr.
4415 W. Harrison St., #330
Hillside, IL 60162
Joseph P. Calabro c/o IBEW Local Union 1158
1149 Bloomfield Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07012
Myles J. Calvey c/o IBEW Local Union 2222
1137 Washington Street
Suite 2
Dorchester, MA 02124
Salvatore J. Chilia c/o IBEW Local Union 38
1590 E. 23rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44114
Jackie E. Goodwin c/o IBEW Local Union 136
845 Gadsden Highway
Birmingham, AL 35235
Stephen Schoemehl c/o IBEW Local Union 1
5850 Elizabeth Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
Gregory A. Lucero c/o IBEW Local Union 66
4345 Allen Genoa Road
Pasadena, TX 77504
Patrick Lavin c/o IBEW Local Union 47
600 N. Diamond Bar Blvd.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Rick Dowling c/o IBEW Local Union 213
4220 Norland Avenue
Burnaby, BC, Canada V5G 3X2
The IEC is granted discretionary authority to define the terms used in Article XI of the Constitution and
to make final and binding interpretations of the constitutional provisions and the Plan documents. The
IEC is also granted discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits. The decisions of the IEC
shall be final and binding on all questions arising under the Constitution or the Plan documents,
including cases of eligibility for and computation of the amount of benefits, except that the authority to
require additional information in support of a death benefit determination and to render the final
determination is delegated to the International Secretary-Treasurer. No benefits are authorized other
than those expressly stated in the IBEW Constitution and the Plan documents.
Members on Participating Withdrawal Cards who have maintained their continuous good standing in the
IBEW and who make application for pension benefits, shall be governed and their applications handled
in the same manner as active members of LUs, except that notice of application shall be given to the
LU that issued the withdrawal card to the member. Members on Honorary Withdrawal Card status shall
not be entitled to a pension or death benefit under Article XI of the IBEW Constitution.
The IBEW PBF is regulated, in certain respects, by ERISA. Basically, the Plan is subject to the reporting
and disclosure, the fiduciary, and the administration and enforcement provisions of ERISA (ERISA Title
I, Parts 1, 4, and 5). The Plan is not covered by the insurance protection of the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation created by ERISA. This is because ERISA contains an exemption from the
insurance provision of the law (ERISA Title IV) for plans to which there are no employer contributions.
Thus, plans funded by union dues are not covered. In addition, ERISA contains exemptions from the
participation, vesting and funding requirements (ERISA Title I, Parts 2 and 3) for union-dues-financed
plans.
In particular, as a participant in the Plan you are entitled to certain rights and protections under the
ERISA. ERISA provides that all Plan participants shall be entitled to:
RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PLAN AND BENEFITS
Examine, without charge, at the Plan administrator’s office and at other specified locations, such as
union halls, all documents governing the Plan, including the IBEW Constitution, the Summary Plan
Description, the Rules and Regulations, and the Questions and Answers adopted by the IEC, and a copy
of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor and
available at the Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Obtain, upon written request to the Plan administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of
the Plan, copies of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series), and updated Summary Plan
Description. The administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies.
Receive a summary of the Plan’s annual financial report. The plan administrator is required by law to
furnish each participant with a copy of this summary annual report.
Obtain a statement telling you whether you have a right to receive a pension at normal retirement age
(age 65), assuming you maintain good standing; and if so, what your benefits would be at normal
retirement age if you cease membership now and apply for and are approved for a vested pension. If
you do not have a right to a pension, the statement will tell you how many more years of membership
you need to obtain a right to a pension. This statement must be requested in writing and is not required
to be given more than once every 12 months. The Plan must provide the statement free of charge.
Participants and beneficiaries can obtain, without charge, a copy of procedures governing Qualified
Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) determinations.
PRUDENT ACTIONS BY PLAN FIDUCIARIES
In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are
responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate your Plan, called
“fiduciaries” of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other Plan
participants and beneficiaries. No one, including your employer, your union, or any other person, may
fire you, force you to drop your “A” membership, or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to
prevent you from obtaining a pension benefit or exercising your rights under ERISA.
ENFORCE YOUR RIGHTS
If your claim for a pension benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why
this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any
denial, all within certain time schedules.
Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request a
copy of Plan documents or the latest annual report from the Plan and do not receive them within 30
days, you may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan administrator to
provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials
were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the administrator. If you have a claim for
benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or federal court. In
addition, if you disagree with the Plan’s decision or lack thereof concerning the qualified status of a
domestic relations order, you may file suit in a federal court. If it should happen that plan fiduciaries
misuse the Plan’s money, or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek
assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal court. The court will
decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person
you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and
fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous.
ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about your Plan, you should contact the Plan administrator. If you have any
questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining
documents from the Plan administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits
Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory or the Division of
Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. You may also obtain certain
publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of
the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Please note that this Summary Plan Description is not a legal document to be relied upon as a source
of rights or benefits. It is designed only to give notice and serve as an information device. The
statements with legal significance concerning the IBEW PBF are the IBEW Constitution and the
appropriate Rules and Regulations for the Plan adopted by the IEC.
Membership
REVISED JANUARY 2007
NOTICE
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 provides that all pension plans should make
available to their participants and beneficiaries a Summary Plan Description written in language
calculated to be understood by the average participant or beneficiary. The International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers Pension Benefit Fund Summary Plan Description follows:
SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION FOR THE IBEW PENSION BENEFIT FUND
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is the sponsor of the IBEW Pension Benefit Fund
(IBEW PBF), established in the IBEW Constitution. The IBEW is located at 900 Seventh Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20001. The Employer Identification Number of the IBEW is 530088380. The plan
number assigned by the IBEW to the IBEW PBF is 001. June 30 is the end of the Plan's fiscal year for
the purposes of maintaining the Plan's fiscal records. The IBEW PBF is a defined benefit plan.
The Plan Administrator is the International Secretary-Treasurer (I.S.T.) of the IBEW, currently Jon F.
Walters, who can be reached by mail at 900 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, or by
telephone at (202) 833-7000. Should you have some legal process to serve, the agent for service of
legal process is Jon F. Walters, the Plan Administrator. The Plan trustees, identified later, may also be
served, as well as the attorneys at Potts-Dupre, Difede & Hawkins, located at 900 Seventh Street, NW,
Suite 1020, Washington, DC 20001.
Active “A” membership in the IBEW is required for participation in the Plan. Any member of the IBEW
may elect “A” membership by agreeing to pay the appropriate per capita dues and payments to the
IBEW PBF. The IBEW Constitution provides that, effective January 1, 2007, each “A” member shall pay
$23.00 per month, broken down as follows:
$11.00 into the General Fund
$12.00 into the Pension Benefit Fund
As noted above, the $12.00 payment required by the IBEW Constitution is the source of contributions to
the IBEW PBF. The delegates at the 37th International Convention of the IBEW approved increases in
payments to the IBEW PBF as follows:
$13.00 on January 1, 2008
$14.00 on January 1, 2010
In addition, they approved increases to the per capita dues payable to the IBEW General Fund as
follows:
$ 12.00 on January 1, 2009
$13.00 on January 1, 2011
In addition to the above payments, the IBEW Constitution requires that each “A” member shall pay
$2.00 to the IBEW PBF upon joining the IBEW.
The kinds of benefits payable by the Plan, the basic requirements for eligibility, and conditions relating
to ineligibility under the Plan are summarized below:
Benefits of “A” members in active participation on or after January 1, 2007.
1. Normal Pension. An “A” member of the IBEW in continuous good standing with five or more years
immediately preceding his or her application, who has attained the age of 65 years, shall receive
pension benefits computed on the basis of $4.50 per month for each full year of such continuous “A”
membership. If a member’s benefit will be $30.00 or less, the member shall receive a one-time lump-
sum payment that will be the actuarial equivalent of the benefit otherwise payable.
2. Optional Early Retirement Pension. An “A” member of the IBEW in continuous good standing with 20
or more years immediately preceding his or her application, who has attained the age of 62 years, may
elect to receive reduced pension benefits as long as he or she lives, computed on the basis of $4.50 per
month for each full year of such continuous “A” membership, reduced by 6⅔% for each year or part
thereof the said “A” member was under the age of 65 at the date of his or her retirement. The election of
this option must be made on a form prescribed by the I.S.T. and will become effective on the date he or
she is placed on pension. The election of this option shall be irrevocable. If a member’s benefit will be
$30.00 or less, the rules set forth in Section 1 shall apply.
3. Disability Pension. An “A” member of the IBEW who is totally disabled on or after January 1, 2007,
and who has continuous good standing of 20 or more years immediately preceding his or her
application shall receive disability pension benefits, computed on the basis of $4.50 per month for each
full year of such continuous “A” membership. If a member was totally disabled prior to or on December
31, 2006, the member’s benefits will be based on rates that were in effect at the time of the disability.
For members who return to work for a period of time and whose disability subsequently recommences, if
the International Executive Council (IEC) determines that total disability has recommenced within a
period less than nine months after the end of the prior period of disability, the disability pensioner need
not reapply for benefits, but may resume disability retirement upon written notice to the I.S.T. However,
if the period of time is more than nine months after the end of the prior period of disability, the member
who seeks reinstatement to total disability pension benefits shall submit an application in accordance
with the disability procedures below. For purposes of the Disability Pension, the Optional Spouse’s
Benefit, discussed immediately below, shall be paid to the surviving spouse only if the “A” member was
receiving the Disability Pension at the time of his or her death or within the nine months after the end of
a prior period of disability.
in lieu of the payment of pension as outlined above, elect to receive a reduced pension as long as he
or she lives, with the provision that after his or her death one-half of such reduced pension shall
continue to be paid to his or her spouse thereafter as long as such spouse survives him or her. The
amount of such reduced pension payable under this election shall be actuarially equivalent to the
pension otherwise payable. This election is effective on the date the member is placed on pension and
shall be irrevocable, except in the event the member and the member’s spouse are subsequently
divorced or in the event the member’s spouse subsequently predeceases the member, in which case the
benefit payable to the member shall be recalculated and shall be equal to the unreduced benefit that
would have been provided under a normal, early retirement, or disability pension, as the case may be.
This recalculated benefit shall commence as of the last day of the month next following either the date
of the divorce or the death of the spouse. If the spouse’s benefit will be $30.00 or less, the rules set forth
in Section 1 shall apply.
4. Vested Pension. An “A” member who has completed 20 or more years of “A” membership in
continuous good standing and who ceases being engaged in the electrical industry prior to the
attainment of age 65 shall, if an application is filed and approved after December 31, 2006, obtain a
vested right to pension benefits, but not disability pension benefits or death benefits. This vested right
will entitle him or her to receive, commencing at age 65, pension benefits computed on the basis of
$4.50 per month for each full year of such continuous “A” membership, less $4.50 per month for each
year or part thereof the said “A” member was under the age of 65 at the date his or her application was
received. The applicant for vested pension rights must maintain his or her continuous good standing as
an “A” member until the date of approval of his or her application by the IEC, and shall, in the event of
such approval, receive a full refund of I.O. dues from the month following receipt of his or her
application. The period following the receipt of such application shall not be counted in computing the
amount of vested pension rights. If a vested pensioner’s benefit will be $30.00 or less, the rules set forth
in Section 1 shall apply.
It should be emphasized that 20 or more years of continuous good standing, alone, does not secure a
vested pension. The conditions on ceasing to be engaged in the electrical industry and making a timely
(i.e., while still enjoying continuous good standing) application must be satisfied. For example, a person
with 20 or more years of continuous good standing who works in the electrical industry without
maintaining membership loses any claim to a vested benefit. Likewise, a person with 20 or more years of
continuous good standing who resigns, is properly expelled from the union, or is automatically dropped
from membership for a failure to stay current with dues and/or assessments, forfeits all claim to a vested
benefit.
5. Death Benefits. Upon the death of an “A” member on or after September 10, 2001, a death benefit
shall be payable as follows:
(a) Benefit Level. Upon the death, on or after January 1, 2007, of a nonretired “A” member who then has
at least six months continuous and active good standing, the beneficiary to receive the death benefits
payable under this paragraph shall be paid the sum of $6,250.00 if the said “A” member died from
natural causes, or the sum of $12,500.00 if the said “A” member died by accidental means. However, no
death benefit shall be payable upon the death of a nonretired “A” member if such member was more
than two months in arrears in dues payments, unless it can be demonstrated that the arrearage was not
the fault of the member, in which case the death benefit shall be reduced by the amount of the
arrearage. Upon the death from either natural causes or accidental means of an “A” member on or after
January 1, 2007, who is retired under a normal, early retirement, or disability pension, the beneficiary to
receive the death benefits shall be paid a sum computed by subtracting from $6,250.00 all pension
benefits paid by the IBEW PBF to the retired member. However, in no event shall the amount of the
death benefit due as a result of the death of an “A” member retired under a normal, early retirement, or
disability pension be less than $3,000.00, except as provided in Section (c) below. All death benefits
payable under this provision are payable without interest.
(b) Beneficiaries. Upon the failure of any member to name an original beneficiary, or to name a new
beneficiary after the death or inability to take of one previously named, the death benefit shall be
payable to the following individual(s) in the indicated order of priority: 1) member’s spouse; 2) member’s
children; 3) member’s parents; and 4) member’s estate. Every “A” member shall have the right to name
the person or persons, including the member’s estate, who are to be the member’s beneficiary or
beneficiaries under the death benefit provisions of the IBEW PBF. Every member shall have the
privilege of changing beneficiaries. If the beneficiary entitled to the death benefit (either the
beneficiary named by the “A” member or the individual(s) in the indicated order of priority stated above)
cannot be located or does not file a claim for the death benefit within 90 days after the date of death,
the death benefit may be paid to a contingent beneficiary or in the indicated order of priority stated
above. If no valid claim is filed, no appropriate beneficiary can be located, and the member has no
estate to which the benefit can be paid, the death benefit shall revert to the IBEW PBF on the second-
year anniversary of the member’s death and no benefit will be paid subsequent to the reversion.
(c) Set Off of Death Benefit. If the IBEW PBF has sent pension checks payable to the deceased member
after the member’s death as a result of a failure to notify the Fund of the death of the member, and the
recipient of those pension checks has not returned them to the Fund, but retained the pension money,
the Fund may set off from the death benefit, and refuse to pay to any beneficiary, the amount equal to
the total amount of the pension overpayment. If the overpayment is less than the amount of the death
benefit, the amount of the overpayment is subtracted from the amount of the death benefit payable,
and the deceased member’s beneficiary will receive the difference. If the overpayment is greater than
the amount of the death benefit payable, the death benefit payable is subtracted from the amount of
the overpayment due and the Fund is fully authorized to recover whatever additional amounts are owed.
Benefits of “A” members who have retired, become disabled, were approved for a vested pension, and/or
died on or before December 31, 2006: The pension benefits of an “A” member of the IBEW who retired
from the electrical industry and was placed on the pension rolls on or before December 31, 2006, shall
be governed by the rules in effect as of the date he or she was placed on the pension rolls. The
disability benefits of an “A” member who became disabled on or before December 31, 2006, shall be
governed by the rules in effect at the time of the disability. The vested pension of an “A” member who
was approved for a vested pension on or before December 31, 2006, shall be governed by the rules in
effect on the date he or she was approved for a vested pension. The death benefits of an “A” member of
the IBEW who has died on or before December 31, 2006, shall be governed by the rules in effect as of
the date of his or her death.
Benefits can be waived or lost under certain circumstances. Any member who desires to waive any
portion of his or her pension, either monthly or yearly, may do so by notifying the I.S.T. Any portion of
the pension so waived will not be returned to the pensioner at a later date. Further, any member who
transfers from “A” membership status to “BA” membership status or who is dropped from membership after
six months’ delinquency in dues payments or who has accepted Honorary Withdrawal Card status shall
not be considered in good standing for purposes of determining eligibility for or in computing benefits.
It is a condition for admission to pension benefits, including vested pension right and the continuation
thereof, that the member shall not perform any work of any kind coming under the IBEW’s jurisdiction
either for compensation or gratis for anyone, except that a member may work as an instructor in an
IBEW-recognized apprenticeship program, or as an electrical inspector for a governmental authority
where electrical inspectors are not covered by an approved IBEW collective bargaining agreement.
An IBEW retiree shall be permitted to attend LU meetings and, with the LU’s approval, have a voice at
such meetings, but shall not have a vote. He or she shall observe his or her obligation of membership
and show due obedience to IBEW laws and the bylaws of its LUs. No member, pensioner or beneficiary
shall have the right to assign, transfer, sell, mortgage, encumber or pledge any pension or death
benefits. Any such action shall be void and of no effect whatsoever. So that such benefits shall not in
any way be subject to any legal process, execution, attachment or garnishment or be used for the
payment of any claim against any member, pensioner, or beneficiary, or be subject to the jurisdiction of
any bankruptcy court or insolvency proceedings by operation of law or otherwise, the IEC shall have the
right to postpone any payment under this Plan to a pensioner or beneficiary. Any member violating any
of the provisions of the IBEW Constitution’s Articles describing the Plan, or any member aiding or
abetting a member to do so, after investigation by the IEC and being found guilty, may be permanently
barred from ever participating in these benefits, and may be suspended, expelled, or assessed as the
IEC may decide.
Years of membership for the purposes of determining the years of service for eligibility for a benefit are
determined by IBEW records of dues payment. Credit for a year of service is given only for full years.
Moreover, the period of membership used in determining eligibility or in computing benefits shall
include only consecutive years of “A” membership in good standing in the IBEW at the time an
application is requested, except that years of membership when on pension or disability shall not be
counted.
Applications for pension benefits, other than disability pension benefits, shall be made in
accordance with the following procedure:
1. A written request for a pension application must be sent to the I.S.T. either by the member or his or
her local union. The request should include the name, local union number, card number, date of birth,
and the type of pension benefit sought.
2. For all such requests that meet the appropriate age and membership requirements, an application
will be transmitted to the member’s local union Financial Secretary who will present the application to
the prospective retiree for completion. Participating Withdrawal Card members will exchange their
applications directly with the I.O.
3. Upon receipt of the member’s correctly completed application, the Financial Secretary of the local
union shall report on it at the local union meeting and shall then forward the properly signed and sealed
application to the I.S.T.
4. The I.S.T. shall review and make determinations upon all such applications. Those that appear to be
in order shall be placed on the pension benefit roll. The I.S.T. shall report the I.S.T.’s action on each
application to the IEC at its next meeting.
5. Any member, on being notified that he or she is entitled to such benefits or rights, shall pay his or her
per capita tax for the current month in his or her local union. These members will be placed on the
pension roll the first of the month following favorable action by the I.S.T. or the IEC and after they have
paid their dues in full to their local unions.
6. If the I.S.T. determines that an individual who has claimed a right to receive benefits under the Plan
is not entitled to receive all or any part of the benefits claimed, the I.S.T. will inform the claimant of the
determination in writing and explain the reasons in layman’s terms with specific references to pertinent
Plan provisions on which the determination is based. The determination notice will also include a
description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and
an explanation of why such material or information is necessary. Finally, the notice will provide a
description of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including
a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an
adverse benefit determination. The I.S.T. will notify the claimant of the I.S.T.’s initial determination
within 90 days after receipt by the I.S.T. of the fully filled-out claim, unless special circumstances
require an extension of time for processing the claim, in which case the I.S.T. will notify the claimant,
in writing, of such special circumstances and will act within 180 days after receipt. If an extension of
time is required, an extension notice will be sent to the claimant. The extension notice shall indicate
the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan expects to
render the benefit determination.
The appeal procedure is as follows: The claimant, or a designated representative, may within 60 days
after receipt of the notification of the I.S.T.’s denial, submit to the IEC a written request for review. At
that time, the claimant, or the designated representative, will be given the opportunity to submit written
comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits. The claimant
will also be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all
documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits. The I.S.T. will
furnish all records and data on these applications to the IEC.
The decision on appeal will be made at the IEC’s next regularly scheduled meeting. If the next
regularly scheduled meeting is within 30 days receipt of the request for review, the decision may be
made at the second regularly scheduled meeting of the IEC following the receipt of the request for
review. If special circumstances require a further extension of time, a benefit determination shall be
rendered not later than the third regularly scheduled meeting of the IEC. If such extension of time is
required, the IEC will provide the claimant with written notice of the extension, describing the special
circumstances and the date as of which the determination will be made. The IEC will render its final
decision in writing within five days of the determination. If there is an adverse benefit determination on
review, the IEC shall provide the reasons and reference the Plan’s provisions on which the adverse
benefit determination is based. In such event, the claimant is also entitled to receive, upon request and
free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, and other information
relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits, and will be notified that he or she has the right to bring a
civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).
Applications for disability pension benefits shall be made in accordance with the following
procedure:
1. A written request for a pension application must be sent to the I.S.T. either by the member or his or
her local union. The request should include the name, local union number, card number, date of birth,
and the type of pension benefit sought.
2. For all such requests that meet the membership requirements, an application will be transmitted to
the member’s local union Financial Secretary who will present the application to the prospective
disabled member for completion. Participating Withdrawal Card members will exchange their
applications directly with the I.O.
3. Upon receipt of the member’s correctly completed application, the Financial Secretary of the local
union shall report on it at the local union meeting and shall then forward the properly signed and sealed
application to the I.S.T.
4. The I.S.T. shall review and make determinations upon all such applications. Those that appear to be
in order shall be placed on the pension benefit roll. The I.S.T. shall report the I.S.T.’s action on each
application to the IEC at its next meeting.
5. Any member, on being notified that he or she is entitled to such benefits or rights, shall pay his or her
per capita tax for the current month in his or her local union. These members will be placed on the
pension roll the first of the month following favorable action by the I.S.T. or the IEC and after they have
paid their dues in full to their local unions.
6. The I.S.T. will notify the claimant of the I.S.T.’s determination of the initial claim within 45 days after
receipt by the I.S.T. of the fully filled-out claim, unless the I.S.T. determines that an extension is
necessary due to matters beyond the I.S.T.’s control and notifies the claimant, within the original 45-day
period, that the I.S.T. will require an additional 30 days and will act within 75 days after receipt of the
claim. The determination period may be re-extended for a further 30 days, if circumstances arise, for a
possible determination period of 105 days.
If extensions are required, extension notice(s) will be sent to the claimant. The extension notice shall
explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a
decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues. If further
information is required from the claimant, the claimant shall be afforded at least 45 days within which
to provide the specified information.
If an adverse benefit determination is made, a written determination notice will be sent and will explain,
in layman’s terms, the reasons for the determination, with specific references to pertinent Plan provisions
on which the determination is based. The determination notice will also include a description of any
additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of
why such material or information is necessary. Finally, the notice will provide a description of the Plan’s
review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the
claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit
determination.
The appeal procedure is as follows: If the I.S.T. determines that an individual who has claimed a right
to receive benefits under the Plan is not entitled to receive all or any part of the benefits claimed, the
claimant, or a designated representative may, within 180 days after receipt of the I.S.T.’s denial, submit
to the IEC a written request for review. At that time, the claimant will be given the opportunity to submit
written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits. The
claimant will also be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all
documents, records and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.
The IEC will notify a claimant of the benefit determination on review within 45 days of receipt of the
claimant’s request for review by the Plan, unless the IEC determines that special circumstances require
an extension of time for processing the claim. In no event shall such extension of time exceed a period
of 45 days from the end of the initial period. If the IEC determines that an extension of time for
processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the end
of the initial 45-day period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an
extension of time and the date by which the plan expects to render the determination on review. If there
is an adverse benefit determination on review, the IEC shall provide the reasons and reference the Plan’
s provisions on which the adverse benefit determination is based. In such event, the claimant is also
entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents,
records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits, and will be notified that he
or she has the right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).
The IBEW PBF is a union-dues-financed plan covering “A” members of the Brotherhood. The assets of
the Plan are held by the Trust for the IBEW PBF. The trustees of the Plan are the International
President, International Secretary-Treasurer, and members of the International Executive Council of the
IBEW. Their current names and addresses are as follows:
Edwin D. Hill 900 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Jon F. Walters 900 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Robert W. Pierson c/o IBEW Local Union 9
High Point Plaza Office Ctr.
4415 W. Harrison St., #330
Hillside, IL 60162
Joseph P. Calabro c/o IBEW Local Union 1158
1149 Bloomfield Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07012
Myles J. Calvey c/o IBEW Local Union 2222
1137 Washington Street
Suite 2
Dorchester, MA 02124
Salvatore J. Chilia c/o IBEW Local Union 38
1590 E. 23rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44114
Jackie E. Goodwin c/o IBEW Local Union 136
845 Gadsden Highway
Birmingham, AL 35235
Stephen Schoemehl c/o IBEW Local Union 1
5850 Elizabeth Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
Gregory A. Lucero c/o IBEW Local Union 66
4345 Allen Genoa Road
Pasadena, TX 77504
Patrick Lavin c/o IBEW Local Union 47
600 N. Diamond Bar Blvd.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Rick Dowling c/o IBEW Local Union 213
4220 Norland Avenue
Burnaby, BC, Canada V5G 3X2
The IEC is granted discretionary authority to define the terms used in Article XI of the Constitution and
to make final and binding interpretations of the constitutional provisions and the Plan documents. The
IEC is also granted discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits. The decisions of the IEC
shall be final and binding on all questions arising under the Constitution or the Plan documents,
including cases of eligibility for and computation of the amount of benefits, except that the authority to
require additional information in support of a death benefit determination and to render the final
determination is delegated to the International Secretary-Treasurer. No benefits are authorized other
than those expressly stated in the IBEW Constitution and the Plan documents.
Members on Participating Withdrawal Cards who have maintained their continuous good standing in the
IBEW and who make application for pension benefits, shall be governed and their applications handled
in the same manner as active members of LUs, except that notice of application shall be given to the
LU that issued the withdrawal card to the member. Members on Honorary Withdrawal Card status shall
not be entitled to a pension or death benefit under Article XI of the IBEW Constitution.
The IBEW PBF is regulated, in certain respects, by ERISA. Basically, the Plan is subject to the reporting
and disclosure, the fiduciary, and the administration and enforcement provisions of ERISA (ERISA Title
I, Parts 1, 4, and 5). The Plan is not covered by the insurance protection of the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation created by ERISA. This is because ERISA contains an exemption from the
insurance provision of the law (ERISA Title IV) for plans to which there are no employer contributions.
Thus, plans funded by union dues are not covered. In addition, ERISA contains exemptions from the
participation, vesting and funding requirements (ERISA Title I, Parts 2 and 3) for union-dues-financed
plans.
In particular, as a participant in the Plan you are entitled to certain rights and protections under the
ERISA. ERISA provides that all Plan participants shall be entitled to:
RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PLAN AND BENEFITS
Examine, without charge, at the Plan administrator’s office and at other specified locations, such as
union halls, all documents governing the Plan, including the IBEW Constitution, the Summary Plan
Description, the Rules and Regulations, and the Questions and Answers adopted by the IEC, and a copy
of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor and
available at the Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Obtain, upon written request to the Plan administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of
the Plan, copies of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series), and updated Summary Plan
Description. The administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies.
Receive a summary of the Plan’s annual financial report. The plan administrator is required by law to
furnish each participant with a copy of this summary annual report.
Obtain a statement telling you whether you have a right to receive a pension at normal retirement age
(age 65), assuming you maintain good standing; and if so, what your benefits would be at normal
retirement age if you cease membership now and apply for and are approved for a vested pension. If
you do not have a right to a pension, the statement will tell you how many more years of membership
you need to obtain a right to a pension. This statement must be requested in writing and is not required
to be given more than once every 12 months. The Plan must provide the statement free of charge.
Participants and beneficiaries can obtain, without charge, a copy of procedures governing Qualified
Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) determinations.
PRUDENT ACTIONS BY PLAN FIDUCIARIES
In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are
responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate your Plan, called
“fiduciaries” of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other Plan
participants and beneficiaries. No one, including your employer, your union, or any other person, may
fire you, force you to drop your “A” membership, or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to
prevent you from obtaining a pension benefit or exercising your rights under ERISA.
ENFORCE YOUR RIGHTS
If your claim for a pension benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why
this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any
denial, all within certain time schedules.
Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request a
copy of Plan documents or the latest annual report from the Plan and do not receive them within 30
days, you may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan administrator to
provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials
were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the administrator. If you have a claim for
benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or federal court. In
addition, if you disagree with the Plan’s decision or lack thereof concerning the qualified status of a
domestic relations order, you may file suit in a federal court. If it should happen that plan fiduciaries
misuse the Plan’s money, or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek
assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal court. The court will
decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person
you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and
fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous.
ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about your Plan, you should contact the Plan administrator. If you have any
questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining
documents from the Plan administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits
Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory or the Division of
Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. You may also obtain certain
publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of
the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Please note that this Summary Plan Description is not a legal document to be relied upon as a source
of rights or benefits. It is designed only to give notice and serve as an information device. The
statements with legal significance concerning the IBEW PBF are the IBEW Constitution and the
appropriate Rules and Regulations for the Plan adopted by the IEC.