Q: Who is eligible to apply for an International (I/O) Normal Retirement Pension?

A: "A" members of the I.B.E.W. are eligible to apply for a normal retirement pension if they have (5) or more years of continuous good standing at the time of their application for pension, and have reached age sixty-five (65).

Q: What is the amount of this Normal Retirement Pension?

A: The normal retirement pension of an "A" member is a benefit of $4.50 per month for each full year of continuous good standing as an "A" member.

Q: What if an "A" member reaches age 65 but has less than 5 years of continuous good service? Can he/she receive a partial pension?

A: An "A" member, upon reaching age sixty-five, who has fewer than five years in continuous good standing will not be eligible for retirement benefits, at that time. You may however continue to maintain your membership and upon completing the required five years standing, then apply for retirement.

Q: For pension benefit purposes, will all years of membership count in the computation of full years of continuous good standing?

A: No. Only those years of "A" membership which are in continuous good standing at the time of application.

Q: Is there an Early Retirement Option?

A: "A" members of the IBEW, who have attained age 62 with twenty (20) or more years of continuous good standing as "A" members of the IBEW immediately preceding their application are eligible to apply for an early retirement pension upon their full and complete retirement from the industry.

Q: Can a member with fewer than 20 years of continuous good standing as an "A" member, but more than 5 years, retire prior to age 65 under the early retirement option?

A: No. In order for a member with fewer than 20 years to receive a pension benefit, the member must continue to pay "A" member’s dues until he/she reaches age 65.

Q: What is the amount of an early retirement pension?

A: The early retirement pension benefit is $4.50 per month for each full year of continuous good standing as an "A" member, reduced by 6.66% for each year (or part) that the member is under age 65 at the time of retirement.

Q: What is meant by the term "vesting" as used in the Constitution?

A: In simple terms "vesting" is the act of freezing the accumulated right to a pension benefit of a member who has retired from the electrical industry upon the effective date that the "vesting" is approved, which will be after twenty (20) years of continuous good standing as an "A" member (but which will be before age 65) and protecting that pension benefit until the member reaches age sixty five (65) at which time the vested pension benefit becomes payable monthly to the retired member.

Q: I have a number of other questions that haven’t been addressed here, how do I get answers to my other questions?

A: Contact the Local Union for a Plan Booklet which should contain the answers to all of your questions concerning the plan and your rights and benefits under the Plan.

Q: How do I apply for an I/O Pension?

A: Please call Debbie at the Local Union office at 408-269-4332. She will correspond with the International Office and get an application sent for you to complete.