Breaks in Service | Employee Benefit Funds

If You Have Not Become Vested

Leaving Covered Employment over certain periods of time could result in cancellation of your previously earned Pension Credit and Years of Vesting Service.

A One-Year Break in Service

Occurs if you fail to earn at least a partial Pension Credit in any Calendar Year. There is no penalty for a One-Year Break in Service other than not earning any Pension Credit that year.

Extended Break in Service

However, if you incur an Extended Break in Service (see below rules) you will lose your previously earned Pension Credits and Years of Vesting Service as well as your Active Participation status.

Extended Breaks in Service *
If your last hour of Covered Employment was on or after January 1st, 1976:
An Extended Break in Service occurs if you have consecutive One-Year Breaks in Service that equal or exceed your number of Years of Vesting Service.
If your last hour of Covered Employment was on or after January 1st, 1985:
An Extended Break in Service occurs if you have 1.) earned less than five Years of Vesting Service and you have at least five consecutive One-Year Breaks in Service O R 2.) you have consecutive One-Year Breaks in Service that equal or exceed your number of Years of Vesting Service.
If your last hour of Covered Employment was on or after January 1st, 1999:
An Extended Break in Service occurs if you have earned less than five Years of Vesting Service and you have at least five consecutive One-Year Breaks in Service.

*See Extended Break in Service rules prior to 1976.

Once you have incurred an Extended Break in Service, regardless of the years in which it occurred, the only way to restore your cancelled Pension Credits and Years of Vesting Service is if you subsequently return to Covered Employment and earn Pension Credit in ten consecutive Calendar Years. You will also need to re-earn Active Participation status.

Absences Which Do Not Count Toward a Break in Service:

Absences of up to one year due to pregnancy, childbirth, infant care or adoption, will not count towards a One Year Break in Service.
Active service in the Armed Forces will be given a grace period to prevent a Break in Service, provided you make yourself available for Covered Employment within the time period required under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Pension Credit and Years of Vesting Service may also be credited for this time, if required by law.
Time worked for an employer contributing to a Related Plan with which this Plan has entered into a Reciprocal Agreement (see Reciprocal Pension).
Absences of up to twelve weeks that qualify under the Family and Medical Leave Act will not count towards a One Year Break in Service.