Pension Eligibility

Eligibility For A Normal Pension:

If you are age 65 or older, and have at least 5 years of Future Service Credits, or have reached the 5th anniversary of your participation in the Plan and you have not incurred a Break in Service, you will meet the eligibility requirements for a Normal Pension.

Eligibility For An Early Pension:

If you are age 60 but not 65, and have at least 15 years of service credits, at least 5 of which are Future Service Credits, you will meet the eligibility requirements for an Early Pension. Should you retire before age 62, your accrued monthly benefit will be reduced by .5% for each month you are under age 62. Your benefit will not be reduced if you are age 62 or older.

What happens if I become Disabled?

Effective July 1, 1999, if you have at least 10 years of service credits, at least two of which must be Future Service Credits and have been awarded Social Security Disability benefits, you will meet the eligibility requirements for a Disability Pension. Your pension will be calculated as though you are age 65. The effective date of your pension will be the date of your entitlement to disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Your pension benefit will be paid retroactively to the date of your entitlement provided that you apply for this benefit from the Metal Trades Branch Pension Plan within 90 days from the date of the SSA Award.

You are entitled to a Disability Pension only while you continue to receive Social Security disability benefits, so you must notify the Fund Office if such benefits stop. The Trustees may require reasonable proof of your continued disability, such as a copy of the most recent Social Security Disability check or, if the SSA benefit is electronically transferred to bank, a copy of the wire-advice or bank statement.