This Summary Plan Description ("SPD") of the District 1199J New Jersey Health Care Employers Pension Plan, effective January 1, 2002 ("Plan" or "Pension Plan") has been prepared by the administration of the District 1199J New Jersey Health Care Employers Pension Fund ("Pension Fund" or "Fund") in keeping with our past practices and complies with the law known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA").

The establishment of the Pension Fund is a result of the separation of the National Pension Fund for Hospital and Health Care Employees ("National Fund") into five area funds. Effective January 1, 1991, the assets and liabilities of the National Fund attributable to the New Jersey area were transferred to the Pension Fund. Active participants in the National Fund who were employed by a Contributing Employer in the New Jersey area were transferred to the Pension Fund.

A copy of the SPD is being made available to every known Participant and Beneficiary of the Pension Fund. Its purpose is to acquaint you with the rights and benefits provided by the Pension Fund, and to help you in planning and preparing for your retirement.

This booklet is comprised of three parts:

Part I Glossary of Terms

Part 11 A Summary of Plan Provisions and Your Rights under the Plan

Part III A copy Of the Plan, should you have detailed questions

The Summary Plan Description (SPD) will introduce you to the most important features of the Plan, which are in effect as of January 1, 2002. If you stopped working in a position covered by the Plan prior to January 1, 2002, you should refer to the Plan in effect at that time. It is intended to describe how these important features of the Plan may apply to you in most situations. Please keep in mind, however, when reviewing this booklet that it is only a summary of the current benefits under the Plan.


Your rights under the Plan are governed entirely by the terms of the Plan document itself and the related Trust Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the information contained in this SPD and the Plan document and Trust Agreement, the Plan document and Trust Agreement will govern. The Plan document is included in this booklet as Part III. The Trust Agreement is available to you for review upon request. You may contact the Fund Office noted below, for such a request.

Neither this SPD nor the Plan document constitutes a contract of employment. The Trustees of the Fund hope and fully expect to continue the Plan indefinitely. However, the Trustees, in their sole discretion, reserve the right to modify, change or terminate the Plan in the future without advance notice, subject to any outstanding contractual agreement or requirement of the law. Generally, any change or termination of the Plan would not adversely affect any benefit, which became vested prior to the effective date of the change, modification or termination.

We believe that this publication will be most helpful to you, and we suggest that you contact the Fund Office with any questions not answered here.

Address of Fund Office:

District 1199J New Jersey Health Care Employers
Pension Fund
9-25 Alling Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Office Hours 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

(973) 242-4450

Esta Descripcion Sumaria del Departamento de Pension ha sido preparada por la Administracion del Fondo de Pension, para todos los trabaiadores de Hospitales y
Cuidado de Salud.

Si usted tiene alguna dificultad en comprender cualquier parte de la Descripcion Sumaria de nuestro Plan, y necesita ayuda, puede comunicarse con el Director Ejecutivo del Plan, en la oficina del Fondo:

District 1199J New Jersey Health Care Employers
Pension Fund
9-25 Alling Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Los horas de oficina son
De 9 A.M. a 5 P.M. de Lunes a Viernes
(973) 242-4450


PART I
GLOSSARY OF TERMS

There are terms sometimes used throughout this SPD and the Plan document, which are capitalized and have a special meaning. To enhance your understanding of the Plan, some key definitions are provided here. See also the definitions set forth in the Plan document at Section 1, Sections 1.1 through 1.39.

Applicable Effective Date: Your Applicable Effective Date is the date when your employer became obligated under the collective bargaining agreement to make contributions to the Fund on your behalf at the time you first became a Participant in the Plan. See the Plan document, Section 3, Section 3.2 for further details

Average Final Pay: The Average of your five (5) highest consecutive years of total pay (excluding overtime, on call-pay, commissions, bonuses and gratuities). If you have less then five (5) full years of consecutive Credited Future Service, the average is taken using the full consecutive years of total pay that are available.

Beneficiary: The person or persons you designate to receive benefits.

Covered Employment: Employment in an institution in a job category for which the employer is required to make payments to the Pension Fund.

Disability Pension: A retirement benefit provided for a Total and Permanent Disability. A Total and Permanent Disability is a disability that prevents you from engaging in any gainful occupation and for which you are entitled to and receiving Social Security disability benefits as a result of a determination of total disability by the Social Security Administration. The Board of Trustees determines whether you have a Total and Permanent Disability.

Spouse: The person to whom you have been legally married for at least one year prior to your retirement date.

I am a new employee. How and when can I become a Participant in the Pension Fund?

You automatically become a Participant on the first day that your employer is required to make contributions to the Fund on your behalf.


Does it cost me anything to participate?

No. Your employer pays the full cost.


I am not a new employee. When will my employer begin to make contributions on my behalf?

The answer depends on the Collective Bargaining Agreement or other Agreement you work under, and the date that you were employed. Contributions usually begin after 60 days of employment.


When Will I be eligible to collect Pension Benefits?

Generally, you have to meet one of the following conditions:

(A) Normal Retirement - age 65 or older with 5 years of participation in the Plan or 5 years of service

(B) Early Retirement - age 55 through 64 with 10 years of service

(C) Service Retirement - age 57 or older with 30 years of service

(D) Disability Retirement - available at any age provided you have at least 10 years of service,

become disabled while in covered employment and are in receipt of a Federal Social Security

Disability Award.

You will become vested and earn a right to a benefit in the future provided you earn five (5) years of Vesting Service. Each year that you earn 1,000 hours or more of service will entitle you to one (1) year of Vesting Service. If you earn five (5) of these years you will be guaranteed a benefit at Normal retirement age even if you leave the Plan. You can also continue to be awarded Vesting Service if you change job classification to a position that is not covered by the Pension Plan while your employer is still a contributing employer for employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement.


What medical coverage is available to me when I retire?

You must refer to the District 1199J New Jersey Benefit Fund Plan booklet for a complete description of eligibility rules and benefit coverage available to you at retirement.


What about my Social Security? How is it related to my pension?

The pension you are entitled to under this Plan will be paid to you in addition to your Social Security or to any other pension benefits you may receive from any other source.


Employment which counts toward your pension is called Credited Service and is made up of both Credited Past Service and Credited Future Service which are defined below.

What is Credited Past Service?

Credited Past Service is the total amount of your Covered Employment with all Contributing Employers prior to your Applicable Effective Date with the Plan.


What is Past Service Pay?

This is your annual rate of base pay on your Applicable Effective Date that is actuarially adjusted to what it would have been on January 1, 1970. This adjustment is made to assure that Credited Past Service is applied uniformly to all Participants regardless of when they first became covered by the Plan.


What is Credited Future Service?

Credited Future Service is the number of years and months during which you work for a Contributing Employer on or after your Applicable Effective Date in Covered Employment. You are credited with one month of Credited Future Service for each month during which you worked in Covered Employment. See the Plan document, Section 3, Section 3.2 for further details.


What is the Normal Retirement age under the Plan and how much Credited Service must I have to be eligible for Normal Retirement Pension?

The Normal Retirement age under the Plan is at age 65 or older and you must have at least five (5) years of Credited Service to retire at age 65.


How to Calculate the Amount of Your Normal Retirement Pension

What does the amount of my pension depend on?

Your pension is made up of two parts: Your past service benefit based on your Credited Past Service and your future service benefit based on your Credited Future Service.


How do I calculate the amount of my pension? The calculation has two parts as follows:

(B) Past Service Benefit based on Credited Past Service

If you initially retire on or after March 1, 2001, the monthly Normal Retirement Pension commencing on or after your Normal Retirement Date is equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the sum of (A) plus (B) below:

(A) For Credited Future Service (after your Applicable Effective Date):

(i) 1.8% of your Average Final Pay multiplied by your Credited Future Service through December 31, 1999, plus

(ii) 1.6% of your Average Final pay multiplied by your Credited Future Service after January 1, 2000 for Credited Future Service up to 29 years, plus

(iii) 1.8% of the your Average Final pay multiplied by your Credited Future Service from 30 to 34 years, plus

(iv) 2.0% of your Average Final pay multiplied by your Credited Future Service in excess of 34 years, plus

(B) For Credited Past Service (prior to your Applicable Effective Date):

The larger of $66 or 1.5% of your Past Service Pay, multiplied by your Credited Past Service. If you were hired prior to 1971, and your Applicable Effective Date is prior to 1971, the Past Service Benefit is equal to 1.6% of your Average Final Pay multiplied by the Credited Past Service years.

In most cases, Past Service is calculated at a lower rate because no contributions were made for this period of employment.

This amount represents your annual benefit. See Plan document, Section 5.2 for additional details. If you initially retired, or last earned Credited Service prior to March 1, 2001, then you must either refer to the Summary Plan Booklet in effect at the time of separation from service or contact the Fund Office for assistance in determining your possible entitlement to benefits.

Example #1:

Calculation of Normal Retirement Pension Benefit with less than 30 years of service

Suppose you began working for your Employer in 1980 at the age of 45, and work through the year 2000 and Plan on retiring at age 65 at the end of 2000. At retirement you will have earned 21 years of Future Service (from 1980 to 2000). Below are your wages for the last ten (10) years of employment:

1) 1992 $21,000

2) 1993 $22,000

3) 1994 $23,000

4) 1995 $24,000

5) 1996 $25,000 (Trustees changed 3/1/01- 1.8% thru 12/31/99)

10) 2001 $30,000

Your benefit is calculated as follows:

Since you were hired in 1980 after your employer became obligated to make contributions to the National Pension Fund, you are not entitled to any Past Service Credits. All of your service is Future Service.

For the first twenty-one (21) years of Credited Future Service multiply 1.6% times your Average Final Pay times your first twenty-one (21) years of Credited Future Service

1.6% X $28,000 X 21 = $9,408.00

Past Service Benefit - 0 Years $0.00

Future Service Benefit - Years 1-21 $9,408.00

Total Annual Retirement Benefit $9,408.00 Divided by 12 = $784.00 monthly

Example #2:

Calculation of Normal Retirement Pension Benefit with 30 or more years of service

Suppose you began working for your Employer in 1968 at the age of 35, and you had 2 years of Past Service (1968 & 1969). You continued to work and earn 32 years of Future Service (from 1970 to 2001). At the end of 2001 you plan on retiring. Below are your wages for the last ten (10) years of employment:

1) 1992 $21,000

2) 1993 $22,000

3) 1994 $23,000

4) 1995 $24,000

5) 1996 $25,000 (Trustees changed 3/1/01- 1.8% thru 12/31/99)

10) 2001 $30,000

Your benefit is calculated as follows:

Since you were hired prior to 1971, take 1.6% of your Average Final Pay, times your Credited Past Service.

1.6% X $28,000 X 2 years = $896.00

For the first twenty-nine (29) years of Credited Future Service multiply 1.6% times your Average Final Pay times your first twenty-nine (29) years of Credited Future Service

1.6% X $28,000 X 29 = $12,992.00, plus

For the next three (3) years (years 30, 31 & 32), multiply 1.8% times your

Average Final Pay times your next three (3) years of Credited Future Service

1.8% X $28,000 X 3 = $1,512.00

Past Service Benefit - 2 Years $896.00

Future Service Benefit - Years 1-29 $12,992.00

Future Service Benefit - Years 30-32 $1,512.00

Total Annual Retirement Benefit $15,400.00 Divided by 12 = $1,283.33 monthly

How will my benefits be paid to me?

For a Normal Retirement Pension, the normal form of payment is a Joint and Survivor Annuity (if you are married at the time you retire) or a Straight Life Benefit which is a fixed monthly payment for your lifetime (if you are not married at the time you retire). A Joint and Survivor Annuity provides a benefit for both you and your Spouse, if he or she survives you. The Annuity pays a reduced amount of retirement income during your lifetime so that upon your death, 50% of your retirement benefit is payable to your surviving Spouse for the balance of his or her life. For a discussion of the Optional Forms of Payment, see the following page.

You may retire between age 55 through age 64 on an Early Retirement Pension if your credited service totals at least 1O years but less than 30 years (for members of a bargaining unit).

How is an Early Retirement Pension calculated?

It is calculated the same as for a Normal Retirement Pension, but based on your service and pay to your Early Retirement Date. The amount you receive is then actuarially reduced since you can expect to be paid over a longer period of time than if you retire at age sixty-five (65).

How much is the actuarial reduction?

Your payments will be reduced by one-half of one Percent (1/2%) for each month or six percent (6%) per year that pension payments begin before you reach age sixty-five (65). Below is a table you can use to estimate the monthly amount of your reduced pension. First, compute the monthly amount of your Normal Retirement Pension (based on your years of Service at the date of your early retirement). Then, multiply this pension amount by the appropriate percentage shown in the table.

Number of Years From Percentage of Benefit

Retirement Early Retirement Until Payable From the Date

Age Your Normal Retirement Date Of Your Early Retirement

65 0 100%

64 1 94%

63 2 88%

62 3 82%

61 4 76%

60 5 70%

59 6 64%

58 7 58%

57 8 52%

56 9 46%

55 10 40%

Let’s say I want to retire at age sixty-two (62) and my benefit earned up to that date was $800.00 per month. How much would I receive?

Assuming you satisfy the applicable ten (10) year Credited Service requirement, your Early Retirement Pension Benefit would be reduced by eighteen percent (18%) ($144) from $800, giving you an Early Retirement Pension benefit of $656 per month ($800 - $144 = $656).

What if I retire early, but want my payments to start at a later date?

You may elect to defer your Early Retirement Pension. That is, you may retire at age fifty-five (55) or after, but choose to begin to receive payment of your pension at a later date. In that case, the early retirement reduction Factor depends on your age when you choose to begin receiving payments. If you wait until age sixty-five (65), then there is no reduction.

Is there a service Pension under the Plan that will permit me to retire before I reach Normal Retirement age?

Yes. You can also retire on a Service Pension at age 57 or older provided you earned at least 30 years of service.

Are there options I can take to protect my Beneficiary after I retire?

Yes. Upon application for retirement, you will be asked to elect one of the following options:

Normal pension payments are made to you only and continue until you die.

If married payments continue to your Spouse after your death as long as he/she lives. During your lifetime, your benefit amount is reduced by an actuarial factor dependent on the age and sex of you and your Spouse, so that upon your death 100% of your retirement benefit is payable to your surviving Spouse.

If married payments are paid to you for life, and upon your death one-half (1/2) or fifty percent (50%) of your pension amount is continued to your Spouse as long as he/she lives. Your benefit amount is reduced by an actuarial factor depending on the age and sex of you and your Spouse.

Payments continue to you for your lifetime. If you die before 120 months (10 years) have passed, your designated Beneficiary will receive the amount of your pension for the remainder of the 120 months.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you have a Spouse and retire, you will automatically receive a pension in the form of a Joint and Survivor Annuity - fifty percent (50%) - unless you elect in writing prior to your retirement date that you do not want to take a Joint and Survivor Annuity Pension. Your election is subject to certain conditions. For example, you must obtain your Spouse's written and notarized consent, See the Plan document, Part III, Section 7.3 for further details.

If you are Totally and Permanently Disabled at any age and have at least ten (10) Years of Credited Service and you are approved for Social Security disability benefits, you should apply for a Disability pension under this Plan.

How is my Disability Pension calculated?

It is calculated by using the same formulas as for Normal Retirement Pension, but it is based on your pay and service to the date when you become eligible for a Disability Pension as if you were age 65 at the date of retirement with no reduction for age.

When does my Disability Pension start?

Payments begin as soon as you are eligible and have been awarded a Disability benefit under the Federal Social Security Act. In the interim period, you may receive an Early Pension which may be converted to a Disability Pension by the Trustees upon submission of proof to the Fund that you have been certified as disabled by Social Security. You should be aware that it usually takes the Social Security Administration at least six (6) months to approve disability benefits.

How long will payments be made?

They will continue to be made to you for life as long as you continue to be Totally and Permanently Disabled and continue to qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits.

Is there pension protection for my spouse in the event that I die while I am still working?

There is a Pre-Retirement Death Benefit that provides benefits for your spouse if you die prior to retiring. If you are married and earned 5 or more years of service and you had at least one hour of service on or after January 1, 1999, or 10 years of service if you did not have at least one hour of service on or after January 1, 1999, and died prior to attaining your earliest retirement age, your spouse will be entitled to a Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity Pension payable when you would have attained your earliest retirement age.

However, if at your death your were married and earned at least 5 years of service, if you had at least one hour of service on or after January 1, 1999 or 10 years of service if you did not have at least one hour of service on or after January 1, 1999, and were eligible for a retirement benefit, your spouse will be eligible for the Joint and Survivor Annuity Pension the month following your date of death.

Is there a charge for this protection?

No.

What benefits may I receive if I stop work before I am eligible for a retirement benefit?

If you leave the industry before retirement age and have at that point accumulated at least 5 years of service, provided you had worked at least one hour of service on or after January 1, 1999, or 10 years of service if you did not have at least one hour of service on or after January 1, 1999, you are entitled to a pension benefit. You must have at least 10 years of service to be eligible for an Early Pension Benefit payable from age 55 through 64; otherwise you will be eligible for a Normal Retirement Benefit payable at age 65.

What is a Break in Service?

Any Plan Year in which you work less than 500 hours for a Contributing Employer is called a Break in Service. (consider replacing “you work” with “a full-time worker works”

If I have Breaks in Service and I am not vested, do I lose all service credits I had earned?

If you incur a Break in service and had one hour of service on or after January 1, 1999, and did not have 5 years of service, you lose the service credits you had earned after incurring five consecutive Breaks in Service.

If you incur a Break in Service and did not have one hour of service on or after January 1, 1999 and did not have 10 years of service, you lose the service credits you had earned when the number of consecutive Breaks in Service equals or exceeds the greater of 5 years or the number of years of service you had earned prior to the Break in Service.

The benefit that you earned prior to the Break(s) In Service will be frozen and the benefit earned after the Break(s), should you return to Covered Employment, will be based on the Plan’s benefit level when you ultimately retire or again incur a Break In Service.

What happens if I return to work for a Contributing Employer after I lose my previous Credited Service?

You will then be a considered a new Participant in the Fund and will have to start to accumulate Credited Service all over again.


How do I apply for a pension?

You must file a completed pension application with the Fund. It should be addressed to:

District 1199J New Jersey Health Care
Employers Pension Fund
9-25 Alling St.
Newark, New Jersey 07102

Can I work after I retire and continue to receive my pension?

Yes, but you cannot work for 40 or more Hours of Service in a month in hospitals, nursing and convalescent homes, drug stores, laboratories, medical schools, universities or related industries within the organizing jurisdiction of the District 1199J National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME/AFL-CIO. If you work 40 or more Hours of Service in a month, your Pension benefits may be suspended. See Section 2.4 of the Plan for more information.


Who approves my pension application?

A Retirement Committee appointed by the Board of Trustees meets regularly to review and act upon pension applications. Notification of approval or disapproval of your application and the calculation of the amount of your pension will be mailed to you.


How is my pension benefit determined?

Your eligibility and the amount of your pension are determined by the Retirement Committee from records maintained by the Fund Office, the Union, your Employer and the information supplied by you.


What can I do if I think the amount of my pension is incorrect or my application has been denied?

If your claim is denied, the Retirement Committee will notify you within 90 days after receiving your claim. The notice will set forth the reasons for denial; cite the Plan provisions that support the denial; explain if additional information is needed to support your claim and why; and explain what you have to do if you want to appeal the claim denial. If the 90 day period is insufficient time for the Retirement Committee to review your claim, it will advise you that an extension of time is required. If the 90 day period of time expires and you have received no notification from the Retirement committee, you can consider your claim denied and request in writing a review of the denial.

Within 60 days of a denial of your application for benefits, you may file a written appeal for a review by the Retirement Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Retirement Committee will respond in writing within 60 days after it receives your written request for a review (unless special circumstances apply).

The Board of Trustees of the Fund, and any Committee of Trustees designated by the Board, has responsibility, discretion, and authority to interpret the Plan (including, but not limited to questions concerning eligibility and benefit determinations). The Board of Trustees' decisions or actions in good faith shall be conclusive and binding upon all Employees, Participants, and Beneficiaries and any other person claiming through them.


How is the Pension Fund Administered?

Name and Address of the Fund:

District 1199J New Jersey Health Care Employers

Pension Fund
9-25 Alling Street
Newark, NJ 07102

Plan Sponsors:

The Pension Fund is a multi employer Trust Fund as provided for under federal law and is maintained under a number of collective bargaining agreements. A copy of any such agreement may be obtained by a Participant upon submitting a written request to the Fund Office.

A complete list of employer and employee organizations sponsoring the Fund may be obtained by a Participant upon written request to the Executive Director, and is also available for examination by the Participant at the Fund Office.

Upon written request to the Executive Director, a Participant may also receive information as to whether a particular employer or employee organization is a sponsor of the Fund.

Sources of Income to the Fund:

The Fund's primary source of income is payments made to it by the various Contributing Employers pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with District 1199J, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME/AFL-CIO. The contribution rate for an employer, as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement, is estimated to be adequate to meet the cost of pensions, actuarial reserve requirements, and administration. Since this is a multi employer Fund, costs are calculated on a pooled basis.


Accumulation of Assets:

Most of the assets are held by the Corporate Trustees or Investment Managers appointed by the Board of Trustees. A small part of the resources of the Fund are held in various checking and savings accounts for the payment of current pension benefits and Fund administration.


Insurance of Benefits:

Pension benefits under this Fund are insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), should the Plan terminates. Generally, the PBGC guarantees most vested normal retirement benefits, early retirement benefits, and certain disability and survivor's benefits. However, PBGC does not guarantee all types of benefits under covered plans, and the amount of benefit protection is subject to certain limitations.

The PBGC would guarantee vested benefits at the level upon termination. However, if the benefits have been increased within five (5) years before it terminates, the whole amount of the plan’s vested benefits or the benefit increase may not be guaranteed. In addition, there is a maximum on the amount of monthly benefit that PBGC guarantees, and this is adjusted periodically. The Fund pays regular annual premiums to PBGC for this Insurance.

For further information on the PBGC insurance protection and its limitations, ask the Fund's Executive Director or the PBGC. Inquiries to the PBGC should be addressed to the Office of Communications, PBGC 2020 K Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. The PBGC Office of Communications may also be reached by telephone at (202) 778-8800.

Fund's Fiscal Year

The Fund's fiscal year is January 1 to December 31.

Type of Administration

The Fund is self-administered.

The Fund Administrator is:

Board of Trustees
c/o Executive Director
District 1199J New Jersey Health
Care Employers Pension Fund
9-25 Alling St.
Newark, NJ 07102

Name and Business Address of Each Trustee:

There are an equal number of Union and Employer Trustees. Employer Trustees are selected by contributing Employers. Union Trustees are designated by the Union.

The Trustees of the Fund are:

Union Trustees-

Joseph Franklin
District 1199J National Union of Hospital
and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
9-25 Alling Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 624-1199

Susan M. Cleary
District 1199J National Union of Hospital
and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
9-25 Alling Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 624-1199

Pedro Fanduiz
District 1199J National Union of Hospital
and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
9-25 Alling Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 624-1199

Carolyn Keys
District 1199J National Union of Hospital
and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
9-25 Alling Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 624-1199

Employer Trustees-

Arnold Manzo
St. Barnabas Medical Center
Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 533-5484

Brian Bulger
St. Michaels

Sidney Seligman
St. Barnabas Medical Center
Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 533-5484

Cathy Lynch-Kilic



Agent for Service of Legal Process:

For disputes arising from the Fund, service of legal process may be made upon the Executive Director of the Fund, Fund Trustees, or the Fund’s counsel:

Counsel:

Grotta, Glassman & Hoffman, P.A.
75 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, NJ 07068

Co-Counsel:

Balk, Oxfeld, Mandell & Cohen
50 Commerce Street
Newark, NJ 07102

Employer Identification Number:

The assigned Employer Identification Number is: 22-3095464

Statement of ERISA Rights:

As a Participant in the Fund, you are entitled to certain rights and protections under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). ERISA provides that all Fund Participants shall be entitled to:

Examine without charge, at the Fund Executive Director's office, all Fund documents, collective bargaining agreements, and copies of all documents filed by the Fund with the U.S. Department of Labor, such as detailed annual reports and Plan descriptions.

Obtain copies, at a reasonable charge, of all Fund documents and other Fund information upon written request to the Executive Director.

Receive a summary of the Fund's annual financial report. The Executive Director is required by law to furnish each Participant with a copy of this summary annual report.

Obtain a statement telling you whether or not you have a right to receive a pension at Normal Retirement Date, and, if so, what your benefits would be at Normal Retirement Date if you stop working under the plan now. If you do not have a right to a pension, the statement will tell you how many more years you have to work in order to earn the right to a pension. This statement must be requested in writing and does not have to be provided more frequently than once a year. The Fund must provide this statement free of charge.

In addition to creating rights for Fund Participants, ERISA imposes duties on the people who are responsible for the operation of employee pension funds. The people who operate the Fund are called "fiduciaries" of the Fund. They have a duty to operate the Fund prudently and in the interest of you and other Participants and Beneficiaries. No one, including your employer, your union, or any other person may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a benefit or exercising your rights under ERISA. If your claim for a benefit is denied in whole or in part, you must receive a written explanation of the reason for the denial. You have the right to have the Fund review and reconsider your claim.

Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For example, if you request materials from the Fund and do not receive them within thirty days, you may file suit in federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Executive Director to provide the materials, and pay you up to $100 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent for reasons beyond the control of the Executive Director. If you have a claim for benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part you may file suit in a state or a federal court.

If it should happen that the Fund fiduciaries misuse the Fund's money or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees.

If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may require you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous. If you have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, you should contact the nearest Area Office of the U.S. Labor-Management Services Administration, Department of Labor.