Choosing a Beneficiary or Designee

When you apply for retirement benefits, you must name a beneficiary or designee to receive your benefit in case of your death. You may provide your beneficiary or designee information at any time before retirement by submitting a signed Beneficiary Form or Designee Form to the Fund's Administrator.

Beneficiary

Your beneficiary is one of the following individuals:

•  Your spouse —If you are married and you want your beneficiary to be someone other than your spouse, he or she must agree on a signed and notarized Spousal Waiver Form filed with the Fund's Administrator. If you and your spouse divorce, your spouse is no longer your beneficiary, unless a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) determines that your former spouse is eligible for plan benefits. If you marry after you retire, your new spouse is not your beneficiary— but you may make that new spouse your designee (described below) by submitting a Designee Form .

•  Your children —If you are not married, your minor children are automatically your beneficiaries. If your child was totally and permanently disabled before age 18, the child may be your beneficiary at any age. The benefit will be paid to the legal guardian of a child under age 18. When the child reaches age 18, monthly benefits will stop and the balance of 120 monthly payments will be paid in a lump sum to your estate.

•  A dependent parent —You may name one of your parents as your beneficiary if you claim that parent as a dependent on your federal income tax return.

Designee

A designee receives your benefit if you die with no beneficiary. A designee will be paid a lump sum benefit upon your death.

What happens to my pension if I get divorced?

In a divorce, the court may enter a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) requiring the Fund to divide benefits between you and your former spouse or your children.

Contact the Fund office for information about a QDRO.

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