Application Process

You must contact the Retirement Department at the Trust Office at least three months before the month you want to retire. The address and telephone numbers are on the back cover of this booklet. If you want to visit the Retirement Department in person, you may want to call for an appointment. The application process is as follows:

1. The Retirement Department will mail you an Application For Retirement Benefits and an Explanation of Retirement Benefits Computations form. You must complete the Application as soon as possible and return it to the Retirement Department at the Trust Office. You must also submit proof of your date of birth (preferably a birth certificate), proof of your spouse’s or beneficiary’s date of birth and, if you are married at retirement, a copy of your marriage certificate. If you have divorced at any time during your career as a carpenter, you must also submit a copy of your divorce decree, property settlement agreement and domestic relations order (if applicable). Your retirement application cannot be processed without these documents. Your retirement effective date is the first of the month following receipt of your completed application and the required documentation
    
   Key Point
   
   The documents and information required to process your application are maintained under strict privacy guidelines.

   Helpful Hint
   
   If you worked as a union carpenter between 1950 and 1959, you may be eligible for a past service benefit. If this service is currently listed on your Quarterly Benefit Statement, you will automatically receive past service at retirement. If there is no listing of this service at the Trust Office, you must have the appropriate Local Union certify your past service. If Local Union certification is unavailable, you must obtain certification from the Social Security Administration. Please contact the Retirement Department at the Trust Office for assistance.

   Key Point
   
   The “activity test” is a service-related test that measures your activity under the Carpenters Retirement Plan in the few years prior to retirement. As your career winds down, please remember that, if you satisfy the activity test, you may be eligible for special early retirement benefits. To satisfy the activity test you must have at least 750 covered hours in this plan sometime during the three plan years immediately preceding your retirement effective date. For example, if your retirement effective date is January 1, 2006, you must have a total of 750 or more hours in 2003-2005.

   
    
2. All employer contributions must be reported to the Trust Office before your monthly income can be calculated.
    
   Key Point
   
   You must stop working when you retire. While this plan allows you to work as many as 39.5 hours each month after retirement without affecting your retirement benefit, this policy does not apply until after you receive your first retirement check.

3. When all employer contributions have been reported to the plan, the Retirement Department will send you an Election of Retirement Benefits form, federal income tax information and information about direct deposits. Your Election of Retirement Benefits form must be completed in the presence of notary public. If you are married when you retire, you and your spouse must complete this form together. Please return this form to the Trust Office as soon as possible.
    
   Helpful Hint
   
   A notary public is available at the Trust Office. Your bank may also have a notary public on staff.

4. Your first retirement check is usually mailed on the 25th of the month following timely receipt of your Election of Retirement Benefitsform. This check includes any retroactive payments due to you. Subsequently, direct deposits are electronically deposited on the first business day of each month. Checks are also mailed on the first business day of each month.
    
5. You must apply for benefits from the Carpenters Retirement Plan of Western Washington and the Carpenters of Western Washington Individual Account Pension Plan at the same time. The same application forms are used for both retirement plans.
    
6. Retirement benefits are taxable income. The Retirement Department will automatically provide you with a 1099-R form in late January of each year for the upcoming April 15 tax deadline.
    
7. You cannot receive a retirement benefit from this plan and unemployment compensation at the same time. If applicable, please contact your unemployment representative about this policy.

For additional information about applying for retirement benefits, please see Article 6.12.

Helpful Hint

Social Security benefits are currently payable as early as age 62. Please contact the Social Security Administration at least three months before the date you want retirement benefits to begin. You can start the Social Security application process by calling: (800) 772-1213. They will schedule an appointment for you at your local Social Security office.

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