BenefitTabs
Vesting
This means you gain a permanent right to earned benefits. The balance in your individual account, comprised of employer contributions and earnings is subject to vesting. If you do not vest in the plan within THREE YEARS as determined by the chart shown below, your credits and accumulated balance will be forfeited.
Credited Service
Hours Worked in Year Credited Service Less than 500 Covered Hours 0.00 Year 500-749 Covered Hours 0.50 Year 750-999 Covered Hours 0.75 Year 1,000 or more Covered Hours 1.00 Year Break in Service
If you are not vested and your work less than 500 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 accrued are permanently lost.
However, 401(a) supplemental contributions are vested and not subject to forfeiture.
Avoiding a Permanent Break In Service
You can avoid a permanent break in service and forfeiture if you work at least 500 hours in any plan year before you have five consecutive one-year breaks in service.
Reciprocity, an approved leave of absence (military, disability, maternity leave), and contiguous noncovered service are other ways you can avoid a permanent break in service.
Related Individual Account Pension Plan Content
Life Events
See All the Plan Rules and Forms Related to Events in Your Life