BENEFIT APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are planning to retire, you should apply at least three months before you expect to stop working. If you believe you are eligible for a disability benefit, you should apply immediately.

You may obtain benefit application forms from the Administrative Office. The address and telephone number of the Administrative Office are shown on page 3.

No benefits will be paid unless and until an application has been filed. An application shall be considered to be filed as soon as it is received by the Administrative Office, if you have provided all of the information and the documents (such as birth certificates) required by the application form. If you have not provided all of the necessary information and documents, the Administrative Office will inform you of the additional information and/or documents needed, as soon as is reasonably possible.

Although it is recommended that applications be filed in advance of your anticipated retirement date, the Plan does permit payment of retroactive pension benefits for up to 12 months prior the date that an application is received in the Administrative Office for early or normal retirement, as long as you have not been engaged in suspendible employment or activity during that retroactive period and are otherwise eligible to receive a benefit from this Plan.