Life Events

If you move to a new address, notify the Fund Office and Union of your move. It is important for the Fund Office and Union to have your most up-to-date information on file so your benefits will not be delayed or denied, and so the Fund Office and Union can send you important updates.

To change your address, fill out the Contact Information Form (PDF).

After completing and signing the form, mail or fax the form to the Fund Office:
IUOE Local 94, 94A, 94B
331-337 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
Fax: (212) 245-7886

Failure to keep the Union advised of your current address will result in a $50 fine in accordance with the by-laws.

For the Health and Benefit Trust Fund

To enroll your spouse in the Health and Benefit Fund, contact the Health and Benefit Trust Fund Office.

If you legally marry, your spouse becomes eligible to receive benefits through the Health and Benefit Trust Fund as long as the marriage certificate is submitted.

Effective as of January 1, 2014, you will have 90 days to enroll your spouse from the date of marriage.  If you fail to do so within the applicable 90-day period, dependent coverage will not be available under the Plan for your spouse until the first day of the month following the date in which you provide the Fund Office with the required documentation and any other verifying information requested.

If your spouse has medical coverage elsewhere, such as through his or her employer, the Health and Benefit Trust Fund will coordinate coverage. Coordination of coverage determines which medical plan—in this case, the Local 94 Health and Benefit Trust Fund’s medical plan or your spouse’s current medical plan—will pay benefits first. You must fill out a Coordination of Benefits Form (PDF).

Naming a Beneficiary on the Funds

You may name your spouse as a beneficiary so that he or she may receive benefits if you die. Separate beneficiary forms need to be filled out for the Health and Benefit, Annuity and Pension Funds. Your spouse may be eligible to receive benefits from the Annuity Fund, Central Pension Fund or the Health and Benefit Fund if your spouse is named a beneficiary on each of the Funds.

To name a beneficiary on the Health and Benefit Fund you must fill out the Health and Benefit Beneficiary Form (PDF) and mail it to the Fund Office.  You can and should name a secondary beneficiary in the event your primary beneficiary predeceases you.

To name a beneficiary on the Annuity Fund, you may complete your selection online at www.myplan.johnhancock.com. Once logged on, select "Update My Beneficiary Info" under the "My Profile" tab to begin the process.

If you are married, your spouse is automatically your beneficiary. With your spouse’s consent, you may change your beneficiary. You can and should name a secondary and tertiary (third) beneficiary in the event your primary beneficiary predeceases you. Complete a form if naming anyone other than your legal spouse. Your spouse must also sign the form and it must be notarized. 

To name a beneficiary on the Pension Fund, please obtain and fill out the form from the IUOE Central Pension Fund website and mail it to the address provided.

You will have 90 days to enroll your spouse from the date of marriage. If you fail to do so within the applicable 90-day period, dependent coverage will not be available under the Plan for your spouse until the first day of the month following the date in which you provide the Fund Office with the required documentation and any other verifying information requested.

Health and Benefit Trust Fund Coverage

To enroll your child as a dependent, you must notify the Fund Office. You may be asked to provide documentation confirming your child’s eligibility, such as by providing the Fund Office with copies of the birth certificate, adoption papers, or QMSCO.

Effective as of January 1, 2014, you will have 90 days to enroll all new eligible dependents as of their applicable date (i.e., the child’s birthdate, date of adoption or placement for adoption or foster care, or, in the case of step-children, the date of marriage to the step-child’s parent) that establishes their spousal relationship or dependent status with you.  If you fail to do so within the applicable 90-day period, dependent coverage will not be available under the Plan for your new dependent child until the first day of the month following the date in which you provide the Fund Office with the required documentation and any other verifying information requested. 

Your adopted dependent child will be covered from the date that child is adopted or “placed for adoption” with you, whichever is earlier (but not before you become eligible), provided you enroll that child within 90 days of adoption or placement for adoption (as appropriate). A child who is placed for adoption with you within 90 days after the child was born will be covered from birth provided you enroll that child within 90 days from birth. If you fail to do so within the applicable 90-day period, dependent coverage will not be available under the Plan for your new dependent child until the first day of the month following the date in which you provide the Fund Office with the required documentation and any other verifying information requested.  However, if a child is placed for adoption with you, and if the adoption does not become final, coverage of that child will terminate as of the date you no longer have a legal obligation to support that child.

If you adopt a newborn child, the child is covered from birth as long as you take custody immediately after the child is released from the hospital and you file an adoption petition with the appropriate state authorities within 90 days after the infant’s birth. However, adopted newborns will not be covered from birth if one of the child’s biological parents covers the newborn’s initial hospital stay, a notice revoking the adoption has been filed or a biological parent revokes consent to the adoption of such newborn.

If you acquire a child through marriage or a court order, such as a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (“QMSCO”), you may enroll your child as an eligible dependent. When enrolling your child, the Fund Office may ask you to provide documentation confirming your child’s eligibility, such as by providing the Fund Office with a marriage certificate or a copy of the QMSCO.

If your child has coverage elsewhere—for instance, if you have a spouse with medical coverage that covers dependent children or the dependent child has medical coverage thru an employer—the Health and Benefit Trust Fund will coordinate coverage. Coordination of coverage determines which medical plan will pay benefits first. If your dependent child has other group health insurance including coverage through an employer, the Plan will generally consider that other coverage to be primary and the Plan’s coverage for such child will be secondary in accordance with its Coordination of Benefit (“COB”) rules which can be found in the SPD. 

The Fund determines which plan pays benefits for the child first by the order of the parents’ date of birth. The plan belonging to the parent with the birthday that falls earlier in the calendar year (MM/DD) will serve as the primary plan. If the parents have the same birthday, whichever plan was in effect for longer will serve as the primary plan. You must fill out a Coordination of Benefits Form (PDF).

The Fund will extend coverage to participants’ eligible children up to the end of the month in which the child attains age 26 in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Coverage is available whether the child is married or unmarried, regardless of student status, employment status, financial dependency on the participant, or any other factor other than the relationship between the child and the participant.

Naming a Beneficiary on the Funds

You may name your child as a beneficiary so that he or she may receive benefits if you die. Your child may be eligible to receive benefits from the Annuity Fund, Central Pension Fund, or Health and Benefit Trust Fund if named a beneficiary on each of the Funds.

To name a beneficiary on the Health and Benefit Fund you must fill out the Health and Benefit Beneficiary Form (PDF) and mail it to the Fund Office.  You can and should name a secondary beneficiary in the event your primary beneficiary predeceases you. 

To name a beneficiary on the Annuity Fund you may complete your selection online at mylife.jhrps.com (you may also download the form from ibenefitcenter.com, complete it, and mail it to the address noted on the form).

If you are married, your spouse is automatically your beneficiary. With your spouse’s consent, you may change your beneficiary. You can and should name a secondary and tertiary (third) beneficiary in the event your primary beneficiary predeceases you. Complete a form if naming anyone other than your legal spouse. Your spouse must also sign the form and it must be notarized. 

To name a beneficiary on the Pension Fund, please obtain and fill out the form from the IUOE Central Pension Fund website and mail to the to address provided.

In accordance with the applicable dependent coverage requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Plan will extend coverage to a participant’s eligible children up to the end of the month in which the child attains age 26 regardless of the child’s marital status, student status, employment status, eligibility for other health insurance coverage, financial dependency on the participant, or any other factor other than the relationship between the child and the participant.

Effective as of January 1, 2014, your otherwise dependent child is not excluded from dependent coverage under the Plan solely because the child has access to health insurance coverage through an employer (as was previously the case). However, if your adult dependent child has other group health insurance including coverage through an employer, the Plan will generally consider that other coverage to be primary and the Plan’s coverage for such child will be secondary in accordance with its Coordination of Benefit (“COB”) rules which can be found in the SPD.  Please complete the Coordination of Benefit Form and submit it to the Fund Office. Your adult dependent child may also want to submit an updated Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information.

Health and Benefit Trust Fund Coverage

If you divorce your spouse, he or she is no longer considered an eligible dependent in the Local 94 Health and Benefit Fund. If you get divorced, you must notify the Fund Office. You are responsible for providing the Health Fund with the date of and proof of your divorce. You will be held responsible for any and all claims processed on your former spouse after the date of your divorce.

The Fund Office will ask you to provide documentation confirming the divorce, such as a copy of your divorce decree.

Your spouse will remain covered under the Local 94 Health and Benefit Trust Fund until the end of the month when the divorce takes place. After your spouse is no longer an eligible dependent, he or she may continue to receive medical coverage through COBRA Continuation Coverage.

If you and your former spouse share custody of a child, or if a court order declares you must pay for your child’s health care, your child remains an eligible dependent.

If Your Former Spouse Is a Beneficiary

If you divorce, you should review your beneficiaries on all the Funds. 

Health and Benefit Trust Fund Coverage

If you enter active military service, you are still eligible for health care coverage under the Local 94 Health and Benefit Trust Fund. If you are on active duty for 31 days or less, you will continue to receive health care coverage for up to 31 days, in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (“USERRA”).

If you are on active duty for more than 31 days, you and your dependents remain eligible for medical and dental coverage. However, you must pay for coverage out of your own pocket, similar to how you would pay for COBRA Continuation Coverage. You may pay for your own coverage for either 24 months or the length of your military leave.

In addition, your dependents may be eligible for health care coverage under the military’s health care program known as TRICARE . The Fund will coordinate coverage with TRICARE. In general, if you or an eligible dependent are covered by the medical Plan and TRICARE, the Plan pays first and TRICARE pays second.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment does not apply to any injuries or death as a result of active military service.

Other Funds

Your active military service does not affect your eligibility in other Local 94 Benefit Funds. While you are away at active military service, you will not receive contributions to your Annuity Fund or Central Pension Fund account.

Health and Benefit Trust Fund Coverage

When you return to work with your Contributing Employer after receiving an “honorable discharge” from qualified military service, your full eligibility will be reinstated. Your eligibility is reinstated on the day you return to work with a Contributing Employer, if you return to Covered Employment within:

• 90 days from the date of your honorable discharge if your length of military service was more than 180 days; or
• 14 days from the date of your honorable discharge if your length of military service was 31 days or more but less than 180 days; or
• at the beginning of the first full regularly scheduled working period on the first calendar day following your honorable discharge (plus travel time and an additional eight hours) if the length of your military service was less than 31 days.

If you are hospitalized or convalescing from an injury caused by active duty, these time limits are extended for up to 2 years.

When you return to work for a Contributing Employer, your eligibility is reinstated in full as if you never left.

Call your Business Representative if you have questions regarding military service leave. Call the Fund Office if you have questions regarding coverage during such leave.

Health and Benefit Trust Fund Coverage

If you become disabled and unable to work due to an Accidental Injury or illness that occurs outside of work, you are eligible to receive a net income of $100 per week for up to 26 weeks. The Fund will pay both your share and the Contributing Employer’s share of FICA taxes on this income.

These Loss of Time benefits apply to active members only.

If you become disabled, your benefits will begin:

• On the first day of disability due to an Accidental Injury, or
• On the eighth day of disability due to illness.

This benefit supplements any New York State disability benefits to which you may be entitled, as provided by law, from your Contributing Employer.

If you become disabled and if you cannot work due to an off-the-job Accidental Injury or illness, notify the Fund Office immediately. You and your doctor must fill out the appropriate Loss of Time forms and send them to the Fund Office:

• Commercial Loss of Time Form (PDF)
• School Loss of Time Form (PDF)

Benefits are not payable for occupational accidents, injuries or sickness covered by any Workers’ Compensation statute or similar legislation. All claims in relation to an injury or a condition that is directly or indirectly job related are not covered by the Fund.

If Your Employment Ends During a Covered Person’s Disability

Health and Benefit Trust Fund Coverage

90 Day Extension of Benefits for Disability (Active Members and Eligible Dependents)

If any covered persons are disabled at the time their eligibility in the Local 94 Health and Benefit medical plan ends, they remain eligible for benefits. They remain eligible for the benefits that apply toward the disabling condition only, for 90 days or until recovery from the disability occurs, if earlier.

In order to receive these benefits, you must notify the Fund Office that you or they are disabled (and submit the proper documentation to the Fund Office) within 60 days of when your health coverage terminates. If the Fund Office finds the person disabled, their coverage will be reinstated for up to 90 days retroactive to the date their coverage otherwise would have terminated. If the disability continues beyond the 90-day period, they may have a right to continue coverage under COBRA Continuation Coverage.

If you have further questions about this please contact the Fund Office.

Extension of Benefits for Total and Permanent Disability (Active Member Only)

If a Member, who is actively working, becomes totally and permanently disabled and not eligible for Medicare at the time eligibility terminates, the Member will remain eligible for benefits for the disabling condition for 29 months, or until the Member becomes eligible for Medicare, if earlier. This applies only to Members with a total and permanent disability, with a Social Security Disability Award as evidence.

Accordingly, you may be eligible for a continued disability benefit under the Plan if you also qualify for Social Security disability payments. In order to receive these benefits, you must notify the Fund Office that you are temporarily or permanently disabled (and submit the physician’s statement to the Fund Office) within 60 days of such physician’s determination. The Fund Office will review the documentation that you submit and determine whether you are temporarily or permanently disabled. The Fund may require that you visit an independent physician to verify your disability.

Your coverage for Death Benefits as an eligible Active Member or a Retiree will continue if you become totally and permanently disabled. If you are disabled, you remain eligible for Death benefits if you die from causes related to that disability for 2 years after your disability begins.

Other Funds

If you become totally and permanently disabled, the value of your Annuity Fund account will be payable to you as soon as administratively possible after you submit a completed application for your benefit (including any required documentation). In order to obtain a distribution on account of disability, you must present documentary evidence satisfactory to the Fund Office of your disability.

For the Annuity Fund, total and permanent disability is the permanent inability of a participant to work as a stationary engineer or in such other position held prior to the onset of the disability, as determined by the Trustees, in their sole and absolute discretion, based upon medical evidence.

If you become totally and permanently disabled, please visit the IUOE Central Pension Fund's website for more information in regards to your pension benefits.

If you retire from a Contributing Employer and are no longer an Active Member of Local 94, you will receive benefits to help you with living expenses during retirement.

Generally, you become eligible for early retirement at or after age 55 and you become eligible for normal retirement at age 65. If you retire early, your benefits may be reduced.

HEALTH AND BENEFIT TRUST FUND COVERAGE

Commercial Division

Retiree Eligibility Requirements for Commercial Division Retiree Benefits Effective January 1, 2020

Effective January 1, 2020, in order to be eligible for Retiree Benefits under the Plan (as described under Section 4 of the SPD), Retirees, regardless of disability status, must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Must be at least age 62 on their respective retirement date under the Central Pension Fund
• Have at least twenty-five (25) years of Total Credited Service (as defined in the Central Pension Plan)
• Be receiving a pension under the Central Pension Plan
• Must have continuous coverage under the Fund for the fifteen (15) years immediately preceding their respective retirement date under the Central Pension Plan, and
• Must pay the required premiums set forth under Section 4 of the SPD, as amended from time to time

 School Division

Retiree Eligibility Requirements for School Division Retiree Benefits

Eligibility for Medicare Retirees’ Death and Medicare Related Premium Reimbursement Benefits

Medicare Retirees are eligible for the Death and Medicare Related Premium Reimbursement Benefits if you meet the following:

• 15 years of Total Credited Service (as defined in the Central Pension Plan)
• Be receiving a pension from the Central Pension Plan
• Must have continuous coverage under the Health & Benefit Fund for the five (5) years immediately preceding their Central Pension Plan retirement date. 

Eligibility for PPO Retiree Benefit Effective January 1, 2020

Effective January 1, 2020, in order to be eligible for Retiree Benefits under the Plan, Retirees, ages 62-64, regardless of disability status, must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Must be at least age 62 on their respective retirement date under the Central Pension Fund
• Have at least twenty-five (25) years of Total Credited Service (as defined in the Central Pension Plan)
• Be receiving a pension under the Central Pension Plan
• Must have continuous coverage under the Fund for the fifteen (15) years immediately preceding their respective retirement date under the Central Pension Plan, and
• Must pay the required premiums set forth under Section 4 of the SPD, as amended from time to time

Contact the Fund Office if you are retiring. If you would like more information on your retiree benefits, please visit the Covered Services sections for Commercial Retirees or School Retirees.

You are also eligible to receive Death Benefits as an eligible retiree.

FOR OTHER FUNDS

When you retire, the Annuity Fund and Central Pension Fund gives you benefits to help increase your income during retirement.

As an eligible retiree, you can receive payments from your Annuity Fund in installments or in a lump sum. As an eligible retiree, you may be eligible to receive a monthly benefit from the Central Pension Fund.

Health and Benefit Trust Fund Coverage

If you move from one Contributing Employer to another, your Health and Benefit Trust Fund benefits may not change. As long as a Contributing Employer contributes to the Health and Benefit Trust Fund on your behalf, you can receive benefits as long as you meet the eligibility requirements for current participants.

Unless otherwise specified by the Board, generally, the effective date of your termination of coverage will be the earliest of the following dates:

• You failed to meet the continuing eligibility requirements,
• The later of: the last day of the month following the month in which you terminate Covered Employment (including retirement), or the date that your Contributing Employer stops making contributions to the Plan,
• The last day of the month following the calendar quarter in which you fail to work at least 400 hours,
• You cease to make require contributions, if any, to the Plan,
• The Plan or the Fund no longer provides coverage to the class of persons of which you or your dependents are member, and/or
• The effective date of the termination of the Fund or Plan.

Coverage for your Eligible Dependent(s) will end on the last day of either: the month in which your own coverage ends or the month in which your Eligible Dependent(s) no longer meets the definition of an Eligible Dependent under the Plan.

If you stop working for a Contributing Employer, you and your dependents can continue to receive your Local 94 medical plan benefits through COBRA Continuation Coverage. Depending on your circumstances, you and your dependents can continue your coverage from 18 to 29 months.

Other Funds

If you move from one Contributing Employer to another and your new Contributing Employer makes contributions on your behalf, your Annuity Fund and Central Pension Fund benefits do not change.

With the Annuity Fund, if you “separate from service” from all Contributing Employers for any reason other than your retirement at or after age 55 or total or permanent disability, the value of your Individual Account will be payable to you as soon as administratively possible after you submit a completed application for your benefit.

If your Account balance is $1,000 or less (including any rollover contributions you made to the Plan and any earnings thereon), or you have reached your “required distribution date”, the distribution of your Individual Account balance to you will automatically commence without requiring an application from you or consent from your Spouse.

For purposes of the Annuity Fund, you will be considered to have “separated from service” only if you no longer have an employment relationship with any Contributing Employer, and there are no contributions made to the Annuity Fund on your behalf for 12 consecutive months.

If you “separate from service” please visit the Central Pension Fund website for more information in regards to your pension benefits.

For the Health and Benefit Trust Fund

If you die while an Active Member of Local 94 and while working at a Contributing Employer, your beneficiaries can receive Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Death Benefits and the balance of your Sick Fund account.

To name a beneficiary, you must fill out a Health and Benefit Beneficiary Form (PDF) and submit it to the Fund Office.

If you die and do not name a beneficiary, or your beneficiary dies before you, any benefits you have will go to your estate.

If you die, benefits will continue for the dependents of deceased Members for the first 12 months immediately following the death of such Member’s under the same terms and conditions currently available under the Plan immediately prior to the date of the Member’s death. This extension period will be considered part of the COBRA benefit. After this 12-month period, the family has the option to continue COBRA for the next 24 months. Surviving Eligible Dependents and Surviving Spouse’s of the deceased Member must continue to pay the applicable premium if the deceased Member was a Retiree.

For Other Funds

If you die, your beneficiaries can receive benefits from your Annuity Fund and Central Pension Fund accounts if they are named beneficiaries.

Please refer to the Annuity Fund SPD for survivor benefit options, and for the Pension Fund please visit the Central Pension Fund website for more information in regards to your pension benefits.