Changes in Your Life and/or Work
What if I change my address?
If you change your address you can follow the steps:
-
Update your address and other contact information with the Fund Office, and be sure to update your information with your employer, as well.
-
If you are receiving your pension benefit from the Fund, you may change your address by sending written notification (Change of Address Form for Benefit Recipients available here (PDF), to the Fund Office or by calling. If you are a benefit recipient and you call, additional information (including written confirmation with your signature) may be required to make such a change.
-
All other participants may call the Customer Service Department Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time., write, or update their address online.
What if I get married?
If you get married after your plan entry date, you may need to update your plan beneficiary information. When you apply for your pension benefits, you will need to send the Fund Office official copies of your marriage certificate and your spouse's birth certificate if electing 50%, 75% or 100% Joint and Survivor Benefit.
What if I get divorced or legally separated?
If you get divorced or legally separated after your plan entry date, you may need to update your plan beneficiary information. Make sure that any Qualified Domestic Relation Orders are forwarded to the Fund Office for approval. When you apply for your pension benefits, send the Fund Office a copy of your divorce certificate with related agreements or legal separation if you have not previously submitted a Qualified Domestic Relations Order.
What if I am planning to retire?
First, you will need to decide on your retirement effective date. In general, your Pension Effective Date will be the first of the month following this date. Then, follow these steps:
-
Complete your application online (login required) or request a pension application from the Fund Office up to 180 days before your retirement effective date.
-
Select your pension payment options when the Fund provides you with the Option Selection Form.
-
Sign where required and have signature notarized if required.
-
Provide official copies of all documents requested including acceptable proof of age, marriage certificate, divorce decree and related agreements, as well as all name change documents, if applicable.
-
Sign up for direct deposit for your pension benefit payments. You can sign up for direct deposit online or by returning an Authorization for Automatic Deposits form (PDF) to the Fund Office.
What if I become disabled?
If you become disabled, you may be eligible to receive a disability pension. The requirements are outlined in the plan's Summary Plan Description on page 17.
You may need to take these steps to apply for a disability pension:
-
Apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
-
Submit an application for disability pension; you may complete an application online (log-in required) or request a hard copy application from the Fund Office at 800-424-9608.
-
Provide a copy of your disability notification letter from the Social Security Administration. (Note: If a determination is still pending from the Social Security Administration do not hold your application; submit it as soon as possible.
What if I stop working under covered employment?
Keep the Fund notified of any change in your address on file with the Fund Office, as necessary. Apply for your pension when you are ready to retire if you are vested and meet the eligibility requirements.
What if I enter or return from active military duty?
A person who is serving a period of qualified military service will be treated as if working in covered employment, to the extent required by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
You may need to take these actions while entering or returning from active military duty:
-
Check your reemployment rights and plan eligibility criteria under USERRA.
-
Submit a copy of your military induction/separation orders (Form DD-214) to the Fund Office when you return to covered employment after your discharge from military service.
What if I die before retirement?
If you die as a vested participant before going into pay status, a range of death benefits may be available to your beneficiary(ies) or surviving spouse. Refer to the National Pension Plan Summary Plan Description for more information about preretirement benefits.
Your beneficiary(ies) will need to take these steps to apply for death benefits if you die prior to going into pay status under the plan:
-
Contact the Fund to report a death and request a preretirement death application.
-
Provide a copy of your death certificate to the Fund Office.
-
Provide other documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree or birth certificates), as requested by the Fund Office.