Benefits Overview | Employee Benefit Funds

Benefits Provided

The Employee Benefit Funds provides a range of services to our members, from scholarships to pension and health benefits for Retirees.

There are no costs to members for these benefits, except for certain Pre-Paid Legal expenses and modest pharmacy co-pays.

To be eligible for the benefits below, you must participate in each benefit and work for an employer who contributes to each respective fund. You must be enrolled prior to using any benefits.

For full benefit rules, read each benefit’s summary plan description.

Benefit	Eligibility Terms	Summary of benefits
Health Benefits	See health eligibility rules.	Read the Summary Plan Description online
401(k) Program	All members can participate after employer’s probationary period	Members can contribute from 1% up to 25% of their pre-tax wages (to a max of $17,000 for 2012) into an individual 401(k) account. Enrollment is available twice a year for plan entry on July 1st and January 1st. An additional $5,500 in “catch-up” contributions are allowed in 2012 for members age 50 and older.
Pension Fund	At least 5 years of Covered Employment once you are a Plan participant	Currently, if you worked at least 5 years (with at least 1,000 hours per year) in Covered Employment, you may be eligible to receive a pension payable upon “normal retirement age”. Prior to 1999, you must have worked at least 10 years (with at least 1,000 hours per year). We urge you to read important rules and requirements in the Pension Fund Summary Plan Description
Pre-Paid Legal Fund	Available after one year of Covered Employment	Attorney services provided for general telephone and office consultation, including negotiation and document preparation. Out-of-pocket costs must be paid by the member, such as court filing fees, transcript fees and travel expenses. Other terms and restrictions apply. Local attorneys are provided by American Legal Services, Inc.
Vito J. Pitta Scholarship Program	Member must be actively working & work 1,000 hours per year for five consecutive years. (Special rules may apply for Club Members). See applicant criteria	The scholarship competition awards a limited number of scholarships each year to reward students who have worked hard toward achieving their goals and to encourage them to continue to strive for excellence. Applicants must be covered dependents who are high school seniors planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the fall.
Retiree Special Death Benefit	Must work to age 62 or older and receive a pension with 20 years of Covered Employment	A $1,000 Special Death Benefit will be issued to a designated beneficiary in the event of the Pensioner’s death. (Benefit will not be paid to a working Pensioner with life insurance with the Health Benefits Fund.)