Western Metal Industry Pension Fund

The rehabilitation plan includes additional contributions used solely to improve the funded status of the Plan. Starting with hours worked in April 2010, a 5% surcharge was imposed. Beginning with January 2011 hours, the surcharge rate increased to 10%. These surcharges remain in place until the bargaining parties adopt one of the schedules of the rehabilitation plan as part of their new collective bargaining agreement. Assuming the bargaining parties adopt the preferred schedule of the rehabilitation plan, a 16% funding-only contribution rate replaces the surcharge. This percentage increases by 16% each year thereafter – to 32% after 12 months, to 48% after a further 12 months, etc., until it reaches the maximum rate (currently 176% in the eleventh year of the rehabilitation plan).

Assuming the bargaining parties adopt the preferred schedule of the rehabilitation plan, a 16% funding-only contribution rate replaces the surcharge. This percentage increases by 16% each year thereafter – to 32% after 12 months, to 48% after a further 12 months, etc., until it reaches the maximum rate (currently 176% in the eleventh year of the rehabilitation plan).

Reductions in the contribution rates, suspension of contributions, or exclusion of any younger or newly-hired employees are not allowed until the rehabilitation plan is completed.

At this time, the Administration Office is unable to process credit/debit card transactions. We are currently working to develop online tools to allow for secure electronic reporting and payments. Check back on the website for future updates.

Yes, because the hours worked during the waiting period provide vesting credit for your employees.

This information is needed to verify eligibility for retirement. Plan rules require that active participants terminate from covered employment for at least 60 consecutive days before their benefit payments can begin.

If you withdraw during a year in which the Plan has an unfunded vested liability (UVB), you may be assessed with withdrawal liability. You should also be aware that you could be assessed with partial withdrawal liability if you have a significant reduction in workforce. You may send any requests for withdrawal liability estimates to the Administration Office in writing. The Plan charges $1,000 to prepare a withdrawal liability estimate (which covers the cost of reviewing your bargaining unit’s contribution history, the actuary’s time to develop the estimate, and other related costs). For additional questions about withdrawal liability issues, please send a letter to the Administration Office.

Contact the Administration Office to discuss scheduling.

Send changes in writing to the Administration Office, identifying the participant and the changes to be made.

No, the fund cannot accept any employee self-pay contributions. The surcharges are assessed against the employer. The funding-only contributions under the rehabilitation plan are included as part of an overall wage package included in a collective bargaining agreement. How the funding-only contributions are funded is subject to collective bargaining between the employer and union. Pension contributions must be made by the employer for the benefit of the employees.

You may download and print enrollment cards. You can also request that a supply be sent to you from the Administration Office.

The Summary Plan Description is generally updated every five years, refer to website for current edition. New editions will be mailed directly to all participants with current mailing addresses when it is published. To obtain a supply for distribution to new participants, please contact the Administration Office.