Breaks In Service and Termination

If you are not vested in this plan and work less than 500 covered hours in a calendar year, you incur a one-year break in service. If you have five consecutive one-year breaks in service, you incur a permanent break in service and all credited service and contributions from that credited service are forfeited and permanently lost. Even if you become vested in this plan at a later date, previously forfeited service and contributions cannot be counted toward your retirement benefit.

401(a) supplemental contributions are vested beginning with the initial contribution and are not subject to forfeiture.

For additional information about breaks in service and termination, please see Article 2.3 and Article 2.4.

Helpful Hint

If you are not vested and not working on a regular basis under this plan, there are several plan rules which may allow you to avoid a break in service prior to becoming vested. Once vested under this plan, you are no longer subject to breaks in service.
 
The following four plan provisions may help you avoid a break in service:

• Reciprocal plan service.
• Money follows the carpenter.
• Leave of absence.
• Contiguous noncovered service.

The following plan rule may help you avoid a permanent break in service:

• Five year rule.

Please see Avoiding Breaks In Service below and Avoiding A Permanent Break In Service or contact the Retirement Department at the Trust Office for assistance.

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