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FAQs
TOP QUESTIONS
When am I eligible to retire?
If you worked with a Contributing Employer prior to 1987, attained age 45 and have 10 years of continuous service or 10 years of Pension Credit, you are Vested in the Plan. You are also Vested in the Plan, if you worked on and after January 1, 1987 (with a minimum of 1200 hours and 24 consecutive months of Plan participation). You may retire as early as age 55, but prior to the end of the calendar year in which you become age 71.
How do I apply for a pension?
A pension from the Labourers' Pension Fund is not automatic. You must complete a Pension Application.
You are now able to print Application forms from our Website, or you may visit the Pension Office, where an Analyst will assist you with completing the Application. If you are unable to visit the Pension Fund Office, someone at your Local Union may be able to assist you, or if you prefer, you may telephone the Pension Fund Office, and request that a Pension Application be mailed to your home address. If you choose the latter, and have any questions when completing the forms, a Pension Analyst will be pleased to assist you.
How do I obtain a Pension Estimate?
If you received a “Member ID Card” and a “Password” from the Pension Fund Office, you are now able to obtain a Pension Estimate online by logging into Access LPF.
You can also mail/fax or email our office a request for an estimate with the following information:
- your member ID number or Social Insurance number
- the date you plan to retire
- your Date of Birth
- your address
- telephone number
If you have a spouse:
- your Spouse’s Name
- your spouse’s Date of Birth
- your spouse’ Social Insurance Number
The fund office will send you an estimated pension amount to your home address.
How long does it take to receive a pension estimate?
Currently, if we are provided with all the required information, for example, Past Service Employment Record, the turnaround time is approximately 7 business days. If additional information is required in order to calculate your total Pension Credits, it could take longer, depending on how quickly we obtain the required information.
My annual statement/printout does not show the correct number of hours I worked. How can I have this corrected?
If you are missing hours that should have been remitted to the Pension Fund by your employer, please contact the Pension office first to find out if those hours are in the process of being updated. If the Fund office did not receive those hours, you must contact your local union representative and/or your employer.
Why is my Past Service less than that shown on my last Benefit Statement?
An adjustment to Past Service Credit may be done if it is determined that, for a calendar year you did not work for an Employer that subsequently became a Contributing Employer, or if Union Dues were not paid.
I have applied for my pension and have received an Option Election Package. What are some of the things I should consider in making my decision?
If you have a Spouse on the date that payment of the first installment of your pension is due, you are required under provincial laws to elect the 60% Joint and Survivor Pension, so that if you die before your Spouse, she will receive 60% of your pension paid monthly, for her lifetime. If you both decide that the pension will be paid for your lifetime only, you both must sign a Spousal Waiver Form.
If you do not have a Spouse, the pension will be paid for your lifetime, but guaranteed for 60 payments, this means that if you die before 60 payments are made only the balance of the 60 payments will be made your beneficiary, then no further payments will be made.
If you are applying for a Disability Pension, the only Option available is the 60% Joint and Survivor, or a lifetime pension, without any further payments upon your death.
I am no longer working with a Union Company, and I am not ready to retire. What can I do so that I am not terminated from the Plan?
If, after 24 consecutive months, no Contributions are received on your behalf, you are considered to have left the Pension Fund. At that time, you have the option of leaving the Commuted Value of your pension with the Fund until you decide to retire, or if you are under the age of 55, you may transfer the Commuted Value to a locked-in RRSP.
However, you may make Self-Payments to your pension, in order to remain a Participant. In making Self-Payments, your Pension Credits may also increase. You may top-up your Pension Credits to a maximum of 1200 hours, if at least 300 hours have been remitted on your behalf in a calendar year, or to a maximum of 300 hours, if less than 300 hours were remitted on your behalf. You must be in good standing with your Union Membership and have Vested status in order to make a Self-Payment.
I would like to change my beneficiary?
In order to change your beneficiary, we must have a written request signed and dated by you. Please download and complete a Beneficiary Designation Form and mail it to our office.
For additional information click here.
HAVE A QUESTION?
If you have a question that has not been addressed, please do not hesitate to contact the Fund office directly or submit your question by email.
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