ABOUT PARTICIPATION

Once you become a participant in the Plan, you can earn pension credit and vesting service which will determine your eligibility for and the amount of your pension from the Plan.

How Do I Become a Participant in the Plan?

You become a participant in the Plan on the earliest January 1 or July 1 following 870 hours of work in Covered Employment in a consecutive 12-month period for an Employer under the Plan. The required hours may include hours you work for a contributing employer in a job not covered by this Plan, if that non-covered employment is continuous with (immediately before or after) covered employment with the same employer.

EXAMPLE: Joe starts working in covered employment on February 1, 2003. By February 1, 2004, he had worked over 870 hours. Joe becomes a participant in the Plan on July 1, 2004.

When Am I No Longer a Participant in the Plan?

Once you have met the eligibility requirements for any kind of pension under the Plan (other than for disability), you will always be a participant in the Plan. If you have not met the eligibility requirements for a pension and you do not complete at least 435 hours of work in covered and/or continuous noncovered employment or earn at least 1/12 pension credit (1/4 pension credit before January 1, 1990) in a calendar year, you are no longer a participant.

Can I Become a Participant Again?

Yes, you will regain participation retroactive to the first day you return to work if you again meet the initial participation requirement described above; however, the determination of the amount and type of pension should be reviewed in conjunction with other sections of this Summary Plan Description.