Initial Eligibility

When you perform work that requires an Individual Employer to make contributions to the Fund on your behalf, your reported work hours are deposited in an “Hour Bank.” When the total in your Hour Bank reaches a minimum of 330 hours, 110 hours are deducted to provide you with one month of eligibility beginning on the first day of the second month after earning the minimum number of hours. There is a no-eligibility or “lag month” between the month that the 110 hours are deducted from your Hour Bank and your first month of eligibility. After the 110 hours are deducted from the Hour Bank, the balance of the hours is carried forward to the next month.

Continuing Eligibility - Active Participants

Once you have established your initial eligibility month, you must maintain at least 330 hours in your Hour Bank each month for continuous month-to-month eligibility. For any month that you work more than the number of hours required to bring your Hour Bank total to the minimum of 300 hours, the excess hours accumulate in your Hour Bank.  You may accumulate a maximum of 880 hours in your Hour Bank after the deduction of the 100 hours. These extra banked hours are valuable and important if you are unable to work the full 110 hours within a month or you may not be working for one reason or another.

Termination of Eligibility

·       The last day of the month following the month in which your Hour Bank balance drops below 330 hours.

·       Your eligibility for benefits ends when you enter military service, other than for a temporary tour of duty of 30 days or less. Special reinstatement rules apply upon your return from active military service for longer periods of time (see Military Service). 

·       Your eligibility ends on the last day of the month when you perform the type of work covered by a collective bargaining agreement for an employer who is not an Individual Employer.

·       If you die, your eligibility will end on the last day of the month following the month your Hour Bank total drops below the 330 hours minimum.

Termination of Your Dependents Eligibility

·       The date your eligibility ends (except in the case of death); or if earlier,

·       The date your Dependent no longer qualifies as a Dependent under the Plan. However, Dependent children who reach age 26 will be eligible through the end of the month in which they turn age 26.

How to Regain Eligibility

You must work a sufficient number of hours for an Individual Employer to bring your Hour Bank total to 330 hours within 13 months from the last month of eligibility.

When your Hour Bank total reaches 330 hours, the required 110 hours will be deducted from your Hour Bank for one month of eligibility beginning on the first day of the second month following the month your Hour Bank total reaches 330 hours.

Losing the Hours in Your Hour Bank

Hours remain in your Hour Bank until you have worked sufficient hours to gain eligibility. However, if you do not gain eligibility within 13 months from the last month of eligibility, any remaining hours in your Hour Bank will be cancelled.

If you were not able to gain eligibility within the 13-month period because you were disabled, you may petition the Board to reinstate your cancelled hours. Contact the Trust Fund Office for more information.

For complete information and examples, Continue Reading.

Initial Eligibility

In order to become eligible as a Retired Participant, you must meet all 4 of the following requirements:

1.     You must be receiving a pension from the Cement Masons Pension Trust Fund for Northern California. If you are receiving a Pro-Rata or Partial Pension, the largest portion of your years of Credited Service must be earned in Northern California;

2.     You must have been employed by an Individual Employer in the type of work requiring contributions to be made to the Cement Masons Health and Welfare Trust Fund for Northern California for at least 500 hours in the 12-month period immediately before the effective date of your pension from the Cement Masons Pension Trust Fund for Northern California. Disability Hour Credit granted to an Active Participant may be used to satisfy the 500-hour requirement;

3.     You must be a member in good standing with your Cement Masons local union; and

4.     You must make the required payments to the Fund in the amounts determined by the Board.

Transitioning from Active Benefits to Retired Benefits

No Deductible amount or out-of-pocket cost that you have paid while covered as an Active Participant will be carried over to satisfy the Plan Year Deductible or Plan Year Out-of-Pocket Maximum described in the SPD if and when you become eligible as a Retired Participant. This rule will also apply to your eligible Dependents.

For complete information, Continue Reading.