Types of Retirement

  • Normal Retirement: The Plan’s normal retirement age is 65, unless you are not yet vested. Full vesting occurs on the fifth anniversary of your participation in the Plan without a break in service. You are considered retired when you reach age 65 and work less than 40 hours in a month in the Electrical Construction Industry in San Mateo County.
  • Early Retirement: The Plan’s early retirement age is 55. You are considered retired when you reach age 55 and thirty days without working elapse. You must file a written certification that you have terminated or intend to terminate your Covered Employment and any other employment in the electrical industry before your benefits commence.
  • Permanent and Total Disability: Regardless of age if you are totally and permanently disabled, you may apply for the money credited to your individual account. You will be considered totally and permanently disabled only if you are entitled to a Social Security Disability Benefit.

Application Procedures

The Plan recommends you apply 60 days prior to your planned retirement date. To be entitled to a distribution from your Defined Contribution Pension Plan you must be a vested member of the Plan and have terminated your work in covered Employment or any Electrical Construction Industry for thirty (30) days and you should not be on the Unions out of work list during that 30-day period. Applications are processed in the order received. The fund office has 30 business days to process your request.

Complete the Retirement Application and return to the Fund office along with copies of the following documents:

    1. Birth Certificate or other proof of age (see Proof of Age Examples)
    2. Spouse’s Birth Certificate or other proof of age, if married
    3. Marriage Certificate, if married
    4. Disability Notice of Award from Social Security, if applicable
    5. Divorce – Final Dissolution of Marriage, if applicable
    6. Your Community Property Settlement Agreement, Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), if applicable

If you are married, your spouse must sign the pension distribution type and it must be notarized or signed by Plan Representative; otherwise, the default is a 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity. In addition, if your primary beneficiary is not your spouse, the Beneficiary Designation form must be notarized or signed by Plan Representative; otherwise, the default is that your spouse will be your primary beneficiary.

You may also be eligible for the National Electrical Benefit Fund and the IBEW Pension Benefit Fund (PBF). We’ve provided a Comparison of Pension Funds.You must also apply for retiree health care benefits. See the eligibility rules and return the application form. If you have questions regarding your Health and Welfare please contact the eligibility department at (408)288-4433.

After Retirement – Stay Up-To-Date

Use the pension forms listed below to:

    1. Start or update distributions (remember that Required Minimum Distributions start at age 72 for most people)
    2. Change tax withholdings (federal and state)
    3. Update your address, phone, and/or email
    4. Change direct deposit information (EFT) for your bank
    5. Change beneficiaries

Use the health care forms on the Retirees page to:

    1. Change medical plan during open enrollment or if you move and lose coverage under your current plan
    2. Manage dependents
    3. Select a Medicare Supplement Plan when you turn 65
    4. Use your HRA for health care premium payments (optional)
    5. Update contact information (address, phone, email)

Forms

Before you retire:

Retirement application:

Making changes after you are retired:

Tax form links:

More Pension Information

    Pension Documents

    Useful Links