Donna Frame, Pension Administrator

FORMS and DOCUMENTS

• Application for Pension (Call the Fund Office for an estimate on your benefits.)
• ACH Direct Deposit Form
• W-4P Form for Tax Withholding
• Address Change
• Summary Plan Description
• Dental Plan
• Disability Requirements and Statement
• Requirements and QDRO Model
• Annual Funding Notice
• Annual Statement of Benefits

RETIREES' CLUB

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If I retire now, when will I get my first check?

Current processing time depends in our receipt of all completed documents.  We recommend that you apply at least 2 months in advance of when you want to receive your first check.  Benefits are paid on the first of the month following 30 days after receipt of your completed application.

At what age can I retire?

Normal retirement age is defined as the later of age 62 or the fifth anniversary date of participation in this Plan.  If you have left Covered Employment and you have five (5) years of vesting service you may begin benefits the first of the month following your 62nd birthday (provided your application and necessary forms are received in time at the Fund Office).  If you have ten (10) pension credits or ten (10) eligibility credits, including at least one (1) pension or eligibility credit earned during periods when employer contributions are made on your behalf,  you may begin your benefit as early as age 52, with a reduction for retiring early.  Your early retirement benefit equals the factor from the following table for the age at which payment of your retirement benefit begins multiplied by the amount of the benefit that would be paid at age 62:

UFCW LOCAL 655 FOOD EMPLOYERS JOINT PENSION PLAN
EARLY RETIREMENT REDUCTION FACTORS (ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS)

TYPE A AND TYPE B VESTED RETIREMENT REDUCTION FACTORS (INACTIVE PARTICIPANTS)

If I separate from Covered Employment and I am not vested what will happened to my service?
If you separate from Covered Employment, and do not have a right to a vested Plan benefit when you separate, you must accumulate a minimum of 250 Hours of Service with a participating Employer within five (5) Plan Years (January 1 to December 31) in order to prevent a Permanent Break in Service (this rule applies to Breaks in Service on or after January 1, 1985).  If you do not accumulate this required number of Hours of Service within the designated number of Plan Years, then all your service will be cancelled.

Can I pay into my own pension fund or make a lump sum withdrawal?

NO,  the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 655 Food Employers Joint Pension Plan is a multi-employer defined benefit Plan funded entirely by Employer Contributions pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreements.  Under the terms of the Plan, a Participant’s only entitlement to assets is the right to receive a pension upon satisfying the age and service requirement for a pension.  There are no separate accounts set up for individual participants; therefore, a Participant can make no withdrawal of Employer Contributions.

What types of documents do I need to gather to send in with my application?

You MUST GIVE PROOF OF YOUR AGE to the Fund Office when filing your application. We will only accept a Birth Certificate or a Baptismal Record (copies accepted) as proof of age.  If you leave a benefit  to your spouse, you must also provide proof of your spouse’s age and a marriage certificate as proof of your marriage.
If you are a FEMALE retiring - you must give proof - tracing your name from birth until now. EX:  Birth certificate - maiden name, marriage certificate - showing how your maiden name changed to your current name.  If you have been married more than once you must show proof of how that marriage began and ended (divorce decree or death certificate).

Can my monthly benefit be direct deposited into my bank account?

Yes, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 655 Food Employers Joint Pension Plan can provide your pension benefit payments by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).  You may have your monthly benefit deposited into a checking or savings account of your choice.  The Direct Deposit form is provided with your pension application.  If you need to change banks, call the Fund Office for a new direct deposit form.

Can I have taxes withheld from my monthly pension check?

Yes, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 655 Food Employers Joint Pension Plan will withhold Federal Taxes from your monthly benefit.  You may elect to have the pension system calculate your federal taxes, or you can specify a dollar amount or percentage you would like to have withheld, or you can choose to have no federal tax withheld at all.  You may change this amount at any time by calling the Fund Office.

Additional Questions?

Please call the Fund Office at 636-394-6500 or toll free at 1-800-882-6560 and ask to speak with a Pension Representative.

If you have any questions regarding your pension or pending retirement, please call Donna Frame at (636) 736-2712 or Kathy George at (636) 736-2741. 

________________________________________________________

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 655
FOOD EMPLOYERS JOINT PENSION PLAN
RETIREES' CLUB

WELCOME:

Here is information on the Retirees Club of Local 655, hoping this will entice you to join our club.  This is a social club which will enable you to continue friendships made while working and also to make new friends.  As a retiree, we have survived the working years, now let us get together and enjoy our retirement years.

PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION

A)        To establish a means through which UFCW retirees may join together to make a more useful contribution to their community and the nation.
B)        To provide retirees with an opportunity for social and recreational activity.
C)        To keep retirees more informed of economic, social and political developments which will affect their lives.
D)        The spouse of a deceased member is welcome as an associate member by paying the regular dues.

MEETINGS AND LUNCHEONS

Meetings and luncheons are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month starting at 10:00 a.m. in the meeting hall at the Union Office.   You may invite your spouse or a friend to attend with you.

Dues are $2.00 per month and must be paid annually or semi-annually.  The semi-annual dues of $12.00 must be paid by the March meeting to qualify you to attend the free picnic in June.  (New members will discuss this matter with the Treasurer when they register).  The balance of the semi-annual dues of $12.00 must be paid before September to qualify for the Christmas Party.  Special Note: The full $24.00 yearly dues must be paid before September to be eligible for the $10.00 Christmas Bonus given by the Club at the Christmas Party.

Luncheon:  Monthly luncheon cost is $4.00 with the exception of the special catered lunches costing $5.00.

Regular lunches:   January, February, April, May, July, August, September & October.
Catered lunches:  March for St. Patrick’s Day, November for Thanksgiving Day
Free Lunches:  June - picnic, December - Christmas Party

If you have any questions, suggestions or special interests, do not call the union office, please call any of the board members listed below:

President                               Dan Iannicola                        314-845-3330
1st Vice President                Gerri Keating                         636-391-9177
2nd Vice President               Frank Zucol                           314-843-5101
Secretary                                Mary Stefanic                         314-921-4936
Treasurer                               Janet Benwell                       314-725-4522
Assist Treasurer                   Sharon Dragschutz              314-831-5131
Sergeant at Arms                  Bob Wonish                          314-426-0798
Trips/Entertainment              Rosalia Stankovich             314-838-1681
Asst. On Trips                        Doris Wonish                       314-426-0798
Food/Entertainment             Gerri Keating                         636-391-9177
Asst. on Food                        Joan & Frank Zucol              314-843-5101
Cards                                     Joyce Johnson                       636-207-7596

We look forward to seeing you join us for our monthly meetings and most important of all, we would like to see you at our luncheons.

Sincerely,
Dan Iannicola, President