Contributions to the Plan

Contribution Rates

Contributions to the Plan began with the first pay period starting after January 1, 1997. If you are not certain about the contribution rate in effect with respect to you at any time, you should contact the Fund Office.

Under certain circumstances, contributions may be required to be made on your account for periods of military service for which you have reemployment rights under applicable federal law. If you enter the military service, you should notify the Fund Office before you leave Covered Employment and immediately upon your return to Covered Employment.

Special Factors Affecting Contributions

The federal tax laws require that the Plan meet certain general non-discrimination tests each year. In addition, the Internal Revenue Code provides that if more than 60% of the Plan’s benefits accumulate in the accounts of certain key employees, the Plan is considered "top-heavy" and would be subject to certain special Internal Revenue Code provisions. There are also limits on the amount of a participant’s compensation which can be taken into account (currently $255,000) and on the contributions which can be credited to a participant’s account (currently $51,000) during any year. The Plan has been designed not to violate these provisions, and it is not expected that the non-discrimination rules, the top-heavy rules, the compensation limits or the contribution limits will have any effect on the Plan’s normal operation. However