The purpose of this booklet is to give you an understanding
of how the Pension Plan works and how it affects you personally. To make reading
easier, legal and technical terms have been left out wherever possible. However,
it is not intended that this booklet modify or change in any manner the complete
official text of the Pension Plan and Trust Agreement upon which this booklet is
based. Therefore, in the event of any discrepancies between this booklet and the
actual documents, the actual documents (that is, the official text of the
Pension Plan or Trust Agreement) will govern.
The Pension Plan is maintained for the exclusive benefit of
those employees who are in bargaining units which are covered by written
collective bargaining agreements between participating Local Unions, most of
whom are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and various
employers who are parties to this Pension Plan. In addition, the Plan permits
participation by classes of employees (Local Union employees and Fund office
employees) working in covered employment who participate in the Plan by reason
of Participation Agreements other than collective bargaining agreements.
The Pension Plan is supported by contributions made by
Covered Employers who pay the full cost of the Pension Plan; you are not
required (nor are you permitted) to pay any part of the cost. The Administrator
will furnish you, upon written request, information as to who are the Covered
Employers and which unions are party to the Pension Plan. Contributions to the
Pension Plan are based on the number of hours an employee works or is paid for
in Covered Employment, depending upon the language in the governing collective
bargaining agreement.
The Pension Plan is a multiemployer defined benefit plan
within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"),
as amended. What this means is that your pension is based on a formula which
takes into account your years of service in the Pension Plan and your Covered
Employer's contribution rate. There are no individual accounts
established to which a Covered Employer's contributions are credited on your
behalf. The Pension Plan provides pension retirement, survivor and disability
benefits to those persons satisfying the eligibility requirements listed in the
Pension Plan. No member or beneficiary has any right, title or interest to the
Pension Trust Fund other than any right he may have to benefits in the Pension
Plan.
The Pension Plan was established pursuant to a Trust
Agreement between Motor Transport Labor Relations, Inc. (now known as Transport
Employers Association) on the one hand and Teamsters Local Union Nos. 107, 312,
331, 384, 470, 676 and 929, on the other.
This booklet describes the terms of the Plan on January 1,
2008, for individuals in Covered Employment as of that date. If you were no
longer in Covered Employment as of January 1, 2008 you should contact the
Administrator regarding whether your benefit is determined by Plan provisions
other than those described in this booklet.