Introduction

The Carpenters Health and Security Plan of Western Washington—For Retired Carpenters (also referred to as the "Retiree Health Plan" or "plan") is available to you (the retiree) and your eligible dependents if you satisfy the eligibility requirements described in this section, enroll in the plan, and make the required monthly contributions to the plan. The eligibility rules are established by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Trust Agreement. The monthly contribution rates are also established by the Board of Trustees and are directly related to the overall cost of health care, the overall cost of the plan and your and your dependents' eligibility for Medicare. The monthly contribution rates are currently subsidized by contributions paid on behalf of participants working under collective bargaining agreements. A retiree's health reimbursement account may also be used to help pay the monthly contribution (please see "Retiree Health Reimbursement Accounts" on pages 99-104).

The benefits provided under the Retiree Health Plan are not guaranteed to continue indefinitely. The Board of Trustees retains full and exclusive authority, in its discretion, to determine the extent to which monies are available for this plan and to determine the expenditure of such monies for the plan. The Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, has the right to amend the terms of the plan, including the eligibility rules, or to reduce benefits, increase the monthly contribution rates, or reduce or eliminate any plan subsidy. The Board of Trustees also has authority to terminate the Retiree Health Plan.