The Plumbers Local Union No .1 Welfare Fund understands that a premier benefits package is critical to you and your family. This section of the web site contains information about a number of benefits and programs available to enable you to access quality health care, provide for your financial security and the security of your family, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  It's important that you get familiar with your Plumbers Local Union No. 1 Welfare Fund benefits right away because you will need to make some important benefits decisions and return your completed enrollment form.

If you do not submit your elections your eligible dependents will not be enrolled in the plans and will not be eligible for coverage until a completed enrollment form is received and processed by the Fund.

To learn about your Welfare Benefits:

• Read the Summary Plan Description (SPD) and Summary Material Modifications (SMM). These documents can be viewed under Plan Features and Documents or by clicking on the link above.
• Attend the next Employee Benefit Fair

If you have questions after your review of the benefits information in the SPD and SMM’s, please contact the Plumbers Local Union No. 1 Welfare Fund at 718-835-2700. You may also make an appointment with a representative of the Welfare Fund at the Fund Office at 158-29 George Meany Boulevard, Howard Beach, NY 11414, 2nd Floor. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Eligibility for benefits from the Plumbers Local Union No. 1 Welfare Fund is based upon hours worked under Collective Bargaining Agreements which obligate employers to report and pay contributions to this Fund on behalf of Employees.

An Employee will be eligible for benefits from this Plan as an Active Eligible Employee on the first day of the calendar month following three (3) consecutive months of Covered Employment with contributing Employers in which the Employee is credited with at least 270 hours in Covered Employment under this Plan or the Prior Plans.  You should keep track of the hours you work each month.

Once an Employee becomes eligible for benefits, certain of his or her Dependents may also become eligible for benefits from this Fund.

Each Eligible Dependent must be listed on an Enrollment Form signed by the Employee and filed with the Fund Office. Each change in Dependent Enrollment (adding or terminating a Dependent) after the initial enrollment must be submitted with evidence or proof of Dependent status satisfactory to the Trustees. If there is a change in the Employee’s marital status, such as divorce or legal separation, the Employee is responsible for notifying the Fund Office immediately. Any benefits paid on behalf of a divorced Spouse or stepchild who no longer lives with the Employee after the date specified in the legal document is the responsibility of the Employee or the former Spouse.

Should you need emergency care, your Plan is there to cover you. Emergency care is covered in the hospital emergency room. To be covered as emergency care, the condition must be one in which a prudent layperson, who has an average knowledge of medicine and health, could reasonably expect that without emergency care, the condition would:

• Place your health in serious jeopardy
• Cause serious problems with your body functions, organs or parts
• Cause serious disfigurement
• In the case of behavioral health, place yourself or others in serious jeopardy.

Emergency Room Hospital charges for an accident or a sudden and serious illness will be paid in full after a $35 co-payment if Medically Necessary. Charges are waived if you are admitted within 24 hours. If it is determined that the services provided are not considered an emergency, deductible and coinsurance will apply. Fees for services by a non-participating Physician in connection with an Emergency Room visit are paid in full through your PPO.

The Plan covers professional ground only ambulance services when used to transport a patient from the place where an injury occurred, or where the patient became incapacitated due to a disease, to the nearest Hospital where appropriate treatment can be provided.

If you have an emergency outside the United States and visit a hospital, simply show your I.D. card. If the hospital does not participate with your PPO, you will need to file a claim. Your complete benefit program is available when you or your Dependents are traveling. You receive the same benefits as described in this Plan Document. Remember that Medicare does not pay for hospital or other medical expenses outside the U.S. If you plan to travel abroad, consider obtaining additional insurance.

Yes-A listing of the Plan’s Summary of Benefits can be found in the SPD and SMM’s.

A listing of the Plan’s Service providers contact information can be found under the “Contact us” tab.

A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is an individual Account that is a new benefit under the Welfare Fund.  The HRA allows you to set aside pretax dollars in the account to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses incurred by you, your spouse or eligible dependents. The IRS allows you to deduct medical expenses on your income tax return if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Most people do not reach this threshold. With a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) you can save money in taxes on your health care expenses whether or not they are significant enough to deduct on your federal income tax return. Note if you have medical expenses which exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for federal purposes, you can still use a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, but you must subtract the amount you contribute to such an account from the amount you can deduct on your federal tax return. You will need to satisfy the requirements of the Fund to participate in the Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).

Therefore, you may also request a tax-free reimbursement for medicines and/or drugs you purchase without a prescription. These Over-the-Counter and prescription drugs not covered by the Plan must be for the treatment of illness or injury (as defined by the Internal Revenue Code), not merely to advance your general good health. Following is a partial list of examples of Over-the-Counter expenses which are reimbursable if they are not covered by a health care plan. See SMM#2 and SMM#4 for additional information.

Yes- The following Life Insurance is provided for Employees only under the Plan:

Active Eligible Employees:            $  50,000.00
Retired Employees:                     $  10,000.00
Local 1 Represented Employees:    $  3,000.00
(Employees represented by Local Union No. 1 who 
are employed under the terms of an agreement 
between Local Union No.1 and an Employer, who 
are not currently eligible as an Active Employee or a 
Retired Employee but who previously contributed to
the Plan.)

You should have a beneficiary designation form on file with the Fund. This form is available under the “Forms” tab 

You may designate one or more beneficiaries on the “Beneficiary Form” provided by the Fund.  You may change your beneficiary at any time by filing with the Fund a written change of beneficiary. A designation of beneficiary will become effective only upon its receipt by the Fund.  The last effective designation received by the Fund prior to your death will supersede all prior designations.  A designation of beneficiary will not be effective if the designated beneficiary dies before you.

You must complete the actual form provided by the Plumbers Local Union Trust Funds. No other form of designation may be used. Completion of forms for the 401(k) Savings Plan, Plumbers & Pipefitters National Pension Fund, or the United Association Burial Expense Benefit does not meet this requirement.

If you have not provided a designation of beneficiary form to the Plumbers Local Union No. 1 Trust Funds, you should do so without delay.

If There Is No Beneficiary - If you have not designated a beneficiary, or if your beneficiary is not living at the time of your death, your account will be paid as described on page 17-19 of the SMM#4.

Due to the many important documents that could be mailed to this new address, the Plumbers Local Union No.1 Trust Funds requires that the member in writing must confirm a request for change of address.
 
Do I need to inform Local 1, the United Association, and Plumbers and Pipefitters National Pension Fund of my new address? Yes, below find the related contact information.

Plumbers Local Union No.1
› Address
158-29 George Meany Blvd, 1st Floor
Howard Beach, New York 11414
› Phone
1 - 718 – 738 - 7500

United Association
› Address
901 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
› Phone
1 - 202 – 628 - 5823

National Pension Fund
› Address
103 Oronoco Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
› Phone
1 - 800 – 638 - 7442