Summary Plan Description | Recent Changes to H&W Fund | Disability Retirement

Disability Retirement
 

In order to qualify for a Disability Retirement Benefit from the Fund you need to meet the following criteria:

  • Be in active employment at the time of your disability;

  • Be age forty-five (45) or older;

  • A minimum of 8,000 combined Past Service Hours and Covered Hours;

  • Qualified for Social Security Disability Benefits (Social Security Awards Letter); and

  • You can not be eligible for any other benefits under the Plan.

For disability retirement applications received by the Fund Office on or after October 1, 2007, your Disability Retirement Benefit payable will be your actuarially reduced accrued benefit as of your Disability Retirement date.  For purposes of this benefit the actuarial reduction will be one-half of one percent (1/2%) for each month between age sixty-five (65) and age fifty-five (55).  For ages prior to fifty-five (55) the actuarial reduction will be based on the Plan's definition of actuarial equivalence as of your Disability Retirement date.

You must make an election regarding the joint and survivor option when completing your Disability Retirement Benefit application.  You will not be permitted to change your benefit election once your Disability Retirement Benefit commences, your decision is final.  If you qualify for an Early, Early Non-Reduced or Normal Retirement Benefit, you will not be entitled to receive a Disability Retirement Benefit.

Regarding medical and life insurance, once your Disability Retirement Benefit begins and should you continue your medical coverage under the Health & Welfare Fund, you should become entitled to Medicare benefits (generally) two years after you begin drawing Social Security Benefits.  Therefore, when you convert your medical coverage with the Fund to a Medicare Supplement, you will be given the opportunity to convert your Life Insurance Coverage to an Individual Policy, as the Fund is no longer permitted to carry you on the Group Policy.

If you have any questions concerning Disability Benefits, please contact the Trust Office in Huntington, West Virginia.