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. A break in service can be repaired but, if you have five consecutive one-year breaks in service, you incur a permanent break in service and all credited service and any monthly benefit earned 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.

For additional information about breaks in service and termination, please see Article 3.3 and Article 3.4.

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 or repair 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 two plan rules may help you avoid a permanent break in service:

• Five year rule.
• Rule of parity.

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

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