Welfare Fund FAQs
What types of benefits are available from the Welfare Plan?
The Welfare Plan offers medical, prescription, dental, Health Spending Account (HSA), disability, and death benefits. A description of all Plan benefits can be found in the Summary Plan Description.
When do I first become eligible for coverage under the Welfare Plan?
If you are a bargained employee, your coverage begins on the first day of the month, following a period of at least six consecutive months, but not exceeding nine consecutive months (excluding January, February, and March), in which you are credited with at least 600 hours of Employer contributions. Once you become eligible, you remain eligible for at least three consecutive months.
How is my ongoing eligibility for Health Coverage determined?
You must work at least 250 hours during a “Contribution Quarter” to be eligible for health benefits during the “Corresponding Benefit Quarter”. The following chart shows Contribution Quarters and their Corresponding Benefit Quarters.
Contribution Quarter | Corresponding Benefit Quarter |
January, February, March | May, June, July |
April, May, June | August, September, October |
July, August, September | November, December, January |
October, November, December | February, March, April |
If you do not work at least 250 hours during a Contribution Quarter, we will automatically look at your work hours for which required employer contributions were made during the current and previous quarters. You will be eligible during Corresponding Benefit Quarter if you work at least:
- 500 hours in the current and prior Contribution Quarters combined, or
- 750 hours in the current and prior two Contribution Quarters combined, or
- 1000 hours in the current and prior three Contribution Quarters
Example
If you do not work at least 250 hours during a Contribution Quarter, and you do not meet the 500,750-, or 1000-hour requirements as described above, you are eligible to Self-Pay for the number of hours (up to 250) that you are short and maintain eligibility for the Corresponding Benefits Quarter.
Can I make a Self-Payment or a COBRA Payment with a Credit Card or Debit Card?
We now accept credit card payments over the phone or in-person for Self-Pay and COBRA payments. Please call us at (630) 516-8008 to make a payment to maintain your eligibility for health benefits from the Welfare Fund.
Is Cologuard a covered benefit from the Welfare Plan?
Effective May 1, 2022, Cologuard is a covered benefit for routine screening for ages 45+. A Cologuard test will be covered once every three years. Also, there is no longer a limiting top age for routine screening (it used to be age 75).
At what age can I get a colonoscopy for routine screening?
Effective May 1, 2022, colonoscopies for routine screening are covered at age 45+. Colonoscopies for people under age 45 will be covered if there is a demonstrated medical necessity. Also, there is no longer a limiting top age for routine screening (it used to be age 75).
What type of disability benefits are available from the Welfare Plan?
The Plan includes short-term disability protection for you by providing income when you become disabled and cannot work because of a non-work-related disability.
Who is eligible for short-term disability benefits from the Welfare Plan?
You are eligible for weekly disability benefits if:
• You are a bargaining unit employee covered by this Plan;
• The disability begins while you are covered under this Plan;
• You are continuously disabled due to a non-work-related Injury or illness;
• You are unable to perform any job for wage or profit; and
• You are under the care of a Physician.
• Your disability is not due to any occupation or employment for remuneration, wage, or profit or for which
you are or may be entitled to benefits under any Workers’ Compensation, occupational disease, employer’s liability, or similar law; and
• You are not receiving any unemployment compensation.
If I am eligible, when will my short-term disability benefits begin?
The date benefits begin depends on the cause of the disability:
• If the disability is due to an Injury, benefits begin on the first day of disability.
• If the disability is due to an illness, benefits begin on the eighth consecutive day of continuous disability.
What is the benefit amount paid for a short-term disability benefit?
The amount of the weekly disability benefit is:
- $600 a week for up to the first 26 weeks of a disability; and
- $400 a week for up to the next 26 weeks of disability.
The maximum weekly disability payment period is 52 weeks per disability or until you recover, if sooner. Separate periods of disability are considered one period of disability unless the second disability is caused by an illness or Injury totally unrelated to the first disability and you have met the active work requirements.
When will my short-term disability benefits end?
Your weekly disability benefits will end on the earliest of the date:
- You are no longer under the care of a physician for the disability; or
- You recover from your disability; or
- You retire; or
- You die; or
- You receive all disability payments for that period of disability; or
You receive 52 weeks of short-term disability payments.
Am I eligible for short-term disability benefits if I'm covered under COBRA or Plan C?
Participants and dependents are not eligible for weekly disability benefits.
What is the Health Spending Account (HSA) and how does it work?
A Health Spending Account (HSA), sometimes referred to as a “Flex Account”, is available to you and your covered dependents. This benefit helps to pay for health care expenses that are not covered by the Welfare Plan. The maximum benefit is $2,500 per family each calendar year.
To be reimbursed for expenses you must file a claim with the Fund Office, no later than April 1st of the year following the expense. Any amount left in the HSA account at the end of the year will revert back to the Plan.
What kind of things are covered by the Health Spending Account (HSA)?
In general, the HSA covers health care expenses that are not covered by the Welfare Plan, or that are in excess of the amounts the Plan pays. To be eligible, expenses must be incurred while you are covered under the Welfare Plan.
Examples of the types of things that are covered under the HSA include, but are not limited to:
- Vision Care (Glasses, Contact Lenses)
- Prescription Drug Copayments
- Hearing Aides and Exams
- Orthodontic Treatment (for covered adults over age 19)
- Orthopedic Shoes
- Naprapath Services
What is the deadline to submit Health Spending Account (HSA) Claims?
The deadline for filing Health Spending Account (“Flex Account”) claims for the previous year is April 1st. We encourage you to submit these claims, with all receipts and completed claim forms, throughout the year. (2022 Flexible Spending claims are due no later than April 1, 2023.)
Is LASIK Eye surgery a Covered Benefit from the Welfare Plan?
The Board of Trustees of the Health and Welfare Fund made LASIK Eye surgery available to all covered participants and eligible dependents as of June 1, 2020. The Fund will cover LASIK Eye surgery, including Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) surgeries, 100% up to a lifetime maximum of $4,500 per eligible covered participant.
Are there death benefits available from the Welfare Plan?
The Welfare Plan provides certain death benefits – employee, spouse, and child – to help protect your family against the effects of a sudden loss of income due to a death in the family.
What is the amount of death benefit(s) available from the Welfare Plan?
Employee Death Benefit
The amount of benefit payable depends on the employee’s years of service under this Plan at the time of death. If the employee has less than three years of service, the death benefit is $15,000. If the employee has three or more years of service, the death benefit is $30,000.
Spouse’s Death Benefit
If the covered spouse of an eligible employee dies, there is a $12,500 death benefit available to help with funeral and final expenses. This benefit will be paid to the employee or, if both the employee and spouse die at the same time, to the employee’s estate. The IRS treats this benefit as taxable income.
To be eligible for this benefit, you and your spouse must be eligible for Plan benefits at the time of your spouse’s death and not on COBRA or in Plan C, and you must have been married to your spouse for at least one year.
Child’s Death Benefit
If your covered child, under age 22, dies, a $12,500 death benefit is available to help with funeral and final expenses. This benefit will be paid to the employee or, if both the employee and child die at the same time, to the employee’s estate. The IRS treats this benefit as taxable income.
To be eligible for this benefit, you and your child must be eligible for Plan benefits at the time of your child’s death, and not on COBRA or in Plan C.
How can I designate a beneficiary to receive a death benefit, in the event of my death?
In the event of your death, the benefit amount is paid to your beneficiary. When you join the Plan, you complete a beneficiary designation form to name a beneficiary, who can be anyone you choose.
You can change your beneficiary at any time by completing and signing a new beneficiary designation form and submitting it to the Fund Office. You may name more than one beneficiary. If any of your designated beneficiaries dies before you do, your death benefit would be paid in equal shares to any remaining beneficiaries who survive you, unless you indicated otherwise
on the form.
If you don’t name a beneficiary, or no named beneficiary survives you, your benefit is paid to:
- Your spouse; or if none, then
- Your child(ren) in equal shares; or if none, then
- Your parents in equal shares; or if none, then
- Your siblings in equal shares; or if none, then
- Your estate.
You are the beneficiary for the spouse’s death and child’s death benefit.
COBRA and Plan C employees and their dependents are not eligible for death benefits.
Pension Fund FAQs
How is the Pension Plan Paid for?
The entire cost of the Pension Plan is paid by the participating Employers who contribute to the Plan in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and participation agreements. You are not required or permitted to contribute to the fund.
When do I become a participant in the Pension Plan?
You become a participant in the Tuckpointers Pension Plan, at the earlier of January 1st or July 1st following your accumulation of 500 hours of Covered Employment, within the 12-month period following the first hour you work in Covered Employment.
How are hours of Covered Employment Earned?
You earn an hour of Covered Employment for each hour paid in by your Employer.
How is my Accrued Benefit calculated?
Your accrued benefit at retirement is based on the number of hours worked in each Calendar Year and the date you retire, or otherwise leave Covered Employment.
For every 50 hours you work in Covered Employment during a Calendar Year in which you work at least 250 hours, you will earn $5.15 toward your monthly accrued benefit.
You may earn accruals for Calendar Years in which you work less than 250 hours only if you work 250 hours or more in the following Calendar Year or retire in that Calendar Year. The number of hours worked in a Calendar Year is not subject to a maximum, which means your annual benefit is not capped at a certain amount. Two examples of monthly benefit accruals are shown below:
Accrued Benefit Example 1
Chris works 2,200 hours in Covered Employment in 2022. His monthly accrued benefit for the year is calculated by dividing 2,200 by 50, rounding the result down to the next whole number, and multiplying that whole number by the current accrual rate, as follows:
(2,200 hours worked ÷ 50 hours) = 44 x $5.15 = $226.60 monthly benefit accrual for 2022.
Accrued Benefit Example 2
Joe works 2,020 hours in Covered Employment in 2022. His monthly accrued benefit for the year is calculated by dividing 2,020 by 50, rounding the result down to the next whole number and multiplying that whole number by the current accrual rate, as follows:
(2,020 hours ÷ 50 hours) = 40 x $5.15 = $206.00 monthly benefit accrual for 2022
How do my Accrued Benefits for each year add up from year to year? Can I see an example?
The whole numbers, resulting from dividing your annual hours of Covered Employment by 50, are added up from year to year. That total is then multiplied by the accrual rate, currently $5.15, to determine your monthly benefit.
Accrued Benefit at Retirement Example
Chris began participation in the Pension Plan at age 37 in 1998. He wants to retire in 2023, at age 62 with 26 years of pension credit. His yearly Pension Credit is as follows:
When are my benefits Vested?
Your eligibility for benefits is determined by your years of Vesting Service. You earn one year of Vesting Service based on the hours you have worked in Covered Employment and when they were earned. You are vested and have a non-forfeitable right to your accrued benefit once you earn at least five years of Vesting Service under the Plan.
What types of benefits are available from the Pension Plan?
The type of pension benefit you are eligible to receive depends on your age and years of Vesting Service:
A Normal Retirement Pension may be payable at age 62.
A Temporary Supplemental Pension may be payable if you retire or otherwise leave Covered Employment on or after age 60 but before age 65 with 10 years of Vesting Service.
An Unreduced Early Retirement Pension may be payable as early as age 60 with 30 years of Vesting Service if you work at least 250 hours in Covered Employment in the year in which you retire or in the Plan Credit Year immediately prior to retirement.
An Early Retirement Pension may be payable as early as age 55 with 10 years of Vesting Service.
A Deferred Vested Pension may be payable at age 62 if you leave Covered Employment after earning five years of Vesting Service or as early as age 55 if you leave Covered Employment after earning 10 years of Vesting Service.
A Disability Pension may be payable if you become totally and permanently disabled and have five years of Vesting Service.
A Pre-Retirement Death Benefit may be payable to your surviving spouse or beneficiary, before you retire, if you die after earning five years of Vesting Service.
A Post-Retirement Death Benefit may be payable to your surviving spouse or beneficiary if you die after you retire and are eligible for or are receiving a Normal Retirement, Early Retirement, or Disability Pension.
Annuity Fund FAQs
When do I become a participant in the Annuity?
You become a participant after you earn at least one hour of service with a signatory employer. An individual account will be established in your name.
How is my Annuity Account funded?
Your Annuity Account is funded by your employer. For each hour you work, your employer contributes the negotiated hourly amount to your account.
When am I vested in the contributions to the Annuity?
You are always 100% vested in, or entitled to, the money in your individual account. However, you must meet certain eligibility requirements before you can access this money.
When does my participation in the Annuity end?
Your participation ends when your individual account is paid out in full.
How is my account invested?
You determine how your individual account is invested. Fidelity is the record keeper for the Tuckpointers Annuity benefit. You will have your own account with Fidelity, and you can make changes or updates online or on the phone.
How will I know how much is in my account?
You can always log on to the Fidelity website at www.NetBenefits.com, and you will also receive quarterly statements from Fidelity.
When am I eligible to withdraw funds from my account?
In general, you become eligible to withdraw funds from your account when:
- You become totally and permanently disabled; or
- You reach Normal Retirement Age (currently age 60), or reach age 72; or
- You terminate employment (Your employment is considered terminated as of the last day of a 12-consecutive month period in which you worked fewer than 100 hours.)
Who can I name as the Beneficiary for my Annuity Account?
You may name anyone you want as your Beneficiary. However, if you are married and wish to designate someone other than your spouse as Beneficiary, your spouse must consent to the designation in writing in the presence of a notary public.
What happens to my account if I have not designated a beneficiary?
It is very important that you designate a beneficiary, and keep that designation up to date as you have changes in your family situation – marriage, divorce, etc.
If you do not have a designated beneficiary at the time of your death, your benefits will be paid to your:
- Surviving Eligible Spouse; or if none,
- Surviving children; or if none,
- Estate.
Can I choose how my benefit is paid out when I retire?
Yes. You have the option of taking the following forms of payment when you retire:
- Lump Sum Payment of your Account Value; or,
- Partial Payment of your Account Value each calendar year; or,
- Rollover of all or part of your Account Value to an IRA.
What happens to my account in the event of my death?
If you die before payment of your benefits begins, the balance of your account would be transferred to an account created for your eligible spouse or designated beneficiary. They may leave the account in place or request a partial or full withdrawal of the balance.
Questions?
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