Benefits Connection Summer 2013 | SC IBEW-NECA Trust Funds

Issue 4, Summer 2013

In This Issue...

Retirees, Receive Your Monthly Benefit Payment in a Flash
Actives, Retiring Soon? Do Not Sign the "Out-of-Work" Book
Pension Plan Death Benefits
Tell Us about Your Life Changes
Southern California IBEW-NECA Health Trust ( Loc 11/LA NECA), Better Information = Better Health
Important Contact Information

Retirees

Receive Your Monthly Benefit Payment in a Flash

Do you wish you could access your monthly pension benefit the day the Fund distributes benefit payments? Do you worry when you're out of town on the day your check is due to
arrive? You can ease these concerns simply by enrolling in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

EFT is a system of electronically transferring money from one bank account to another through the secure transfer system that connects all U.S. financial institutions. The funds
are transferred to your bank account less than a day after the scheduled payment date.

The U.S. Postal Service is eliminating First Class next-day mail and possibly Saturday delivery. If you want to be sure you have immediate access to your monthly benefit, contact the Administrative Trust Funds office to enroll in EFT. You can also download the form at scibew-neca.org.

Actives

Retiring Soon? Do Not Sign the"Out-of-Work" Book

Retiring is a big and exciting change – you want to be sure you're prepared. You can review all of the steps for retiring on the Preparing for Retirement Benefits 101 on the Trust
Fund's website www.scibew-neca.org. Removing your name from all "out-of-work" books is one important step that you need to consider when thinking about retiring. Being "on the books" can negatively affect your retroactive retirement benefits when you are registered for employment at any hiring hall.

Pension Plan Death Benefits

Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

An Active Participant is eligible for Death Benefits after:

Completing five Vesting Service Years or ten years of Total Credited Service, at least two of which are Credited Future Service; or
Attaining your Normal Retirement Date, which is:
- The first day of the month that coincides with your 65th birthday, or
- The fifth anniversary of the Employee Contribution Date

An Active Participant is eligible for unreduced Death Benefits after:

Completing:
- Five Vesting Service Years and age 65; or
- Ten years of Total Credited Service (15,000 hours), at least two of which are Credited Future Service and age 55; or
- Twenty-five years of Total Credited Service (37,500 hours) or 42,500 hours with at least 300 hours in each of 23 Plan Years, see Article 3.2 of the Plan.
Attaining your Normal Retirement Date, which is:
- The first day of the month that coincides with your 65th birthday, or
- The fifth anniversary of the Employee Contribution Date

If you are an Active, Vested Participant and eligible for the unreduced Death Benefit, click here to see the benefits that apply to your survivors.

If you are an Active, Vested Participant and NOT eligible for the unreduced Death Benefit, click here to see the benefits that apply to your survivors.

If you are Vested, not an Active Participant, and not retired, click here to see the benefits that apply to your survivors.

Death Benefits for Retired Participants

If you are receiving a Normal Pension and you die before receiving 60 pension payments, your beneficiary will receive the remaining monthly payments.

If you are receiving the Joint and Survivor Pension, your surviving spouse will receive the pension form you elected when you retired. Only your spouse at the time of retirement can receive this benefit.

Tell Us about Your Life Changes

Multiple organizations support IBEW-NECA members. It is very important that you update these offices when you experience a major life event so we can ensure you receive the benefits you have qualified for and earned.

If your contact information or family status changes, you need to inform the following offices by phone or through the website. You can download a change of address form from www.scibew-neca.org.

Local Union Office	Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Plan	National Electrical Benefit Fund	International IBEW Office
IBEW Local 11 626-243-9700 www.ibew11.org IBEW Local 440 951-684-5665 www.ibew440.org	IBEW Local 441 714-939-3131 www.ibewoc.com IBEW Local 477 909-890-0607 www.ibew477.org	323-221-5861 800-824-6935 www.scibew-neca.org	301-556-4300 www.nebf.com	202-728-6206 www.ibew.org

Local Union Office

Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Plan

National Electrical Benefit Fund

International IBEW Office

IBEW Local 11
626-243-9700
www.ibew11.org

IBEW Local 440
951-684-5665
www.ibew440.org

IBEW Local 441
714-939-3131
www.ibewoc.com

IBEW Local 477
909-890-0607
www.ibew477.org

323-221-5861
800-824-6935
www.scibew-neca.org

301-556-4300
www.nebf.com

202-728-6206
www.ibew.org

Note: You must send your updates to each organization separately; the organizations cannot share your information.

Southern California IBEW-NECA Health Trust Fund ( Loc 11/LA NECA)

Better Information = Better Health

It's not always easy to know the best ways to stay healthy. The benefits you receive through the Fund are designed to help you stay informed – even when life is hectic! Below is a list of some of the benefit providers that give you the help and information you need to keep yourself and your family healthy.

MEDICAL
HealthAdvocate	www.healthadvocate.com	One-on-one help to resolve health care issues ranging from finding doctors, specialists and eldercare to untangling medical bills, negotiating fees and clarifying insurance coverage.
Member Assistance Program (MAP) through Optum Health	www.liveandworkwell.com	Confidential access to professional care, selfhelp programs, interactive tools and educational resources to help with life's changes and challenges.
Anthem Blue Cross	www.anthem.com/ca	Inform yourself on topics such as COPD, autism, diabetes, cancer, pregnancy and tobacco use. Determine your overall health status by completing a Health Assessment. Identify your health risks and learn what steps you can take to make the biggest improvements.
UnitedHealthcare	www.uhcwest.com
Kaiser Permanente	www.kp.org
PRESCRIPTION
Citizen's Rx	www.citizensrx.com/member	Access your claim history, drug information, pharmacy locater, mail order information, consulting services and other support for managing your prescription drugs.
DENTAL
United Concordia (PPO and HMO)	www.ucci.com	Helpful tips to encourage good oral health care, treatments, conditions and nutrition.
DeltaCare USA	www.deltadentalins.com
Metlife/Safeguard Dental	www.metlife.com/mybenefits
CIGNA Dental	www.cigna.com
VISION
VSP	www.vsp.com	Read articles about eye health and fitness.

Important Contact Information

Southern California IBEW/NECA Health, Pension, and Defined Contribution plans
(IBEW Local 11/LA NECA)
Phone: 323-221-5861 or 800-824-6935
Website: www.scibew-neca.org

Orange County Electrical Industry Health & Welfare Trust
(IBEW Local 441)
United Administrative Services
Phone: 800-748-6417
Website: www.uastpa.com

Orange County IBEW/NECA Electrical Workers Defined Contribution Pension Plan
(IBEW Local 441)
United Administrative Services
Phone: 800-743-5274
Website: https://www.massmutual.com

Local 440 Health Trust
Allied Administrators
2831 Camino del Rio South Suite 311
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone: 619-297-8235
Fax: 619-574-0645
Email: seatchel@alliedadministrators.com

Local 477 Health Trust
Delta Fund Administrators, LLC
1234 W. Oak
Stockton, CA 95203
Phone: 209-474-5671
Fax: 209-474-5771
Email: pat.cororan@delapro.com

Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

	Spousal Beneficiary	Non-Spousal Beneficiary	Children
Beneficiary* of an Active, Vested Participant– Eligible for the Unreduced Death Benefit	Your surviving spouse will receive a monthly pension, for his/her lifetime, equal to 100% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have accrued as of the date of your death. If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary. Example: Mr. Smith is over age 55 and has more than 15,000 hours. He dies before applying for his pension. Mrs. Smith will receive 100% of the Normal Pension Benefit that Mr. Smith would have accrued as of the date of his death.	Your beneficiary will receive 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death. Your beneficiary is guaranteed 120 payments. If your beneficiary dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary. If you marry, your spouse automatically becomes your beneficiary unless he/she signs a waiver agreeing to another beneficiary. If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary.	If your beneficiary dies and you are survived by a child or children who are under age 21, he/she/they will receive a monthly benefit equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death. If you are survived by more than one child under age 21, the benefit will be divided equally among the children under age 21; Each child shall cease to be eligible at age 21; and Once the last child turns 21, the remaining benefit (120-month guarantee) will be divided between all children.

Spousal Beneficiary

Non-Spousal Beneficiary

Children

Beneficiary* of an Active, Vested Participant– Eligible for the Unreduced Death Benefit

Your surviving spouse will receive a monthly pension, for his/her lifetime, equal to 100% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have accrued as of the date of your death.

If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary.

Example: Mr. Smith is over age 55 and has more than 15,000 hours. He dies before applying for his pension. Mrs. Smith will receive 100% of the Normal Pension Benefit that Mr. Smith would have accrued as of the date of his death.

Your beneficiary will receive 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death.

Your beneficiary is guaranteed 120 payments. If your beneficiary dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary.
If you marry, your spouse automatically becomes your beneficiary unless he/she signs a waiver agreeing to another beneficiary.
If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary.

If your beneficiary dies and you are survived by a child or children who are under age 21, he/she/they will receive a monthly benefit equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death.

If you are survived by more than one child under age 21, the benefit will be divided equally among the children under age 21;
Each child shall cease to be eligible at age 21; and
Once the last child turns 21, the remaining benefit (120-month guarantee) will be divided between all children.

* All beneficiary designations must be on forms provided by or approved by the Administrative Trust Funds office. All designations must be signed and dated by the Participant. If you do not designate a beneficiary, your death Benefit will be paid to the first surviving person, in this order: Spouse, Children, Parents then Brothers and Sisters.

Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

	Spousal Beneficiary	Non-Spousal Beneficiary	Children
Beneficiary* of an Active, Vested Participant– NOT Eligible for the Unreduced Benefit	Your surviving spouse will receive a monthly pension, for his/her lifetime, equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have accrued as of the date of your death. Your spouse is guaranteed 120 payments. If your spouse dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary. If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary. Example: Mrs. Jones is age 50 and has less than 37,500 hours. She dies before applying for her pension. Mr. Jones will receive 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit Mrs. Jones would have accrued on her date of death. The benefit Mr. Jones will receive is guaranteed for 120 payments.	Your beneficiary will receive 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death. Your beneficiary is guaranteed 120 payments. If your beneficiary dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary. If you marry, your spouse automatically becomes your beneficiary unless he/she signs a waiver agreeing to another beneficiary. If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary. If you are not eligible to retire, benefits will be paid as described above, however, the benefit will be actuarially reduced as described in Appendix II of the Plan document.	If your beneficiary dies and you are survived by a child or children who are under age 21, he/she/they will receive a monthly benefit equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death. If you are survived by more than one child under age 21, the benefit will be divided equally among the children under age 21; Each child shall cease to be eligible at age 21; and Once the last child turns 21, the remaining benefit (120-month guarantee) will be divided between all children.

Spousal Beneficiary

Non-Spousal Beneficiary

Children

Beneficiary* of an Active, Vested Participant– NOT Eligible for the Unreduced Benefit

Your surviving spouse will receive a monthly pension, for his/her lifetime, equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have accrued as of the date of your death.

Your spouse is guaranteed 120 payments. If your spouse dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary.
If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary.

Example: Mrs. Jones is age 50 and has less than 37,500 hours. She dies before applying for her pension. Mr. Jones will receive 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit Mrs. Jones would have accrued on her date of death. The benefit Mr. Jones will receive is guaranteed for 120 payments.

Your beneficiary will receive 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death.

Your beneficiary is guaranteed 120 payments. If your beneficiary dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary.
If you marry, your spouse automatically becomes your beneficiary unless he/she signs a waiver agreeing to another beneficiary.
If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary.
If you are not eligible to retire, benefits will be paid as described above, however, the benefit will be actuarially reduced as described in Appendix II of the Plan document.

If you are survived by more than one child under age 21, the benefit will be divided equally among the children under age 21;
Each child shall cease to be eligible at age 21; and
Once the last child turns 21, the remaining benefit (120-month guarantee) will be divided between all children.

Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

	Spousal Beneficiary	Non-Spousal Beneficiary	Children
Beneficiary* of a non-retired participant who is not an Active Participant and who is vested	If you are married and eligible to retire pursuant to Article 3 of the Plan, your surviving spouse will begin to receive a monthly pension, for his/her lifetime, equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have accrued as of the date of your death. Your spouse is guaranteed 120 payments. If your spouse dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary. If you are married and not eligible to retire pursuant to Article 3 of the Plan, your surviving spouse will be entitled to a monthly pension for his/her lifetime equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have accrued as of the date of your death. This benefit is payable the first of the month coinciding with or next following the Participantâ€™s 55th birthday. In lieu of waiting until what would have been the Participantâ€™s 55th birthday, the spouse may elect to have the benefits commence as of the first of the month following the Participantâ€™s death, however, there will be an Actuarial reduction applied to this benefit. Example: Mr. Thomas is over age 55, has more than 15,000 hours but is no longer active. He dies before applying for a pension benefit. Mrs. Thomas will receive 50% of Mr. Thomasâ€™ Normal Pension Benefit that he had accrued by the date of his death. Mrs. Thomasâ€™ benefit is payable the month following Mr. Thomasâ€™ death, and is guaranteed for 120 months.	Your beneficiary will receive 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death. Your beneficiary is guaranteed 120 payments. If your beneficiary dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary. If you marry, your spouse automatically becomes your beneficiary unless he/she signs a waiver agreeing to another beneficiary. If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary. If you are not eligible to retire, benefits will be paid as described above, however, the benefit will be actuarially reduced as described in Appendix II of the Plan document.	If your beneficiary dies and you are survived by a child or children who are under age 21, he/she/they will receive a monthly benefit equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death. If you are survived by more than one child under age 21, the benefit will be divided equally among the children under age 21; Each child shall cease to be eligible at age 21; and Once the last child turns 21, the remaining benefit (120-month guarantee) will be divided between all children.

Spousal Beneficiary

Non-Spousal Beneficiary

Children

Beneficiary* of a non-retired participant who is not an Active Participant and who is vested

If you are married and eligible to retire pursuant to Article 3 of the Plan, your surviving spouse will begin to receive a monthly pension, for his/her lifetime, equal to 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have accrued as of the date of your death.

Your spouse is guaranteed 120 payments. If your spouse dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary.
If you are married and not eligible to retire pursuant to Article 3 of the Plan, your surviving spouse will be entitled to a monthly pension for his/her lifetime equal to 50%
of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have accrued as of the date of your death. This benefit is payable the first of the month coinciding with or next following the Participantâ€™s 55th birthday. In lieu of waiting until what would have been the Participantâ€™s 55th birthday, the spouse may elect to have the benefits commence as of the first of the month following the Participantâ€™s death, however, there will be an Actuarial reduction applied to this benefit.

Example: Mr. Thomas is over age 55, has more than 15,000 hours but is no longer active. He dies before applying for a pension benefit. Mrs. Thomas will receive 50% of Mr. Thomasâ€™ Normal Pension Benefit that he had accrued by the date of his death. Mrs. Thomasâ€™ benefit is payable the month following Mr. Thomasâ€™ death, and is guaranteed for 120 months.

Your beneficiary will receive 50% of the Normal Pension Benefit you would have incurred as of the date of your death.

Your beneficiary is guaranteed 120 payments. If your beneficiary dies before receiving 120 payments, the remaining benefit will be paid to your eligible children or his/her designated beneficiary.
If you marry, your spouse automatically becomes your beneficiary unless he/she signs a waiver agreeing to another beneficiary.
If you are married but want to name a non-spouse beneficiary, your spouse must sign a waiver agreeing to the named beneficiary.
If you are not eligible to retire, benefits will be paid as described above, however, the benefit will be actuarially reduced as described in Appendix II of the Plan document.

If you are survived by more than one child under age 21, the benefit will be divided equally among the children under age 21;
Each child shall cease to be eligible at age 21; and
Once the last child turns 21, the remaining benefit (120-month guarantee) will be divided between all children.

New Participant Portal

Retirees

Receive Your Monthly Benefit Payment in a Flash

Actives

Retiring Soon? Do Not Sign the"Out-of-Work" Book

Pension Plan Death Benefits

Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

Death Benefits for Retired Participants

Tell Us about Your Life Changes

Southern California IBEW-NECA Health Trust Fund ( Loc 11/LA NECA)

Better Information = Better Health

Important Contact Information

Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

Past Issues

New Participant Portal