The Western Conference of Teamsters (WCT) Pension Plan was established in 1955 through collective bargaining between labor and management. Today your Plan is the largest area-wide multiemployer pension plan in the United States. It covers 200,000 active participants through pension agreements negotiated by local unions with more than 1,400 employers predominantly in 13 Western states.
The WCT is a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan. This means that many different employers contribute to the Pension Trust on behalf of their covered workers. It is a qualified plan under federal tax law.
The WCT has broad geographic coverage. This allows you to continue coverage under the Plan even though you may change from one participating employer or participating local union to another participating employer or local union. Pension benefits are completely portable for those who work for an employer who contributes to the Plan.
The WCT provides more than just lifetime retirement benefits. It protects you if you become totally and permanently disabled before retirement. Whether you die before or after retirement, your Plan can provide monthly income security to your surviving spouse and minor children and substantial lump sum death benefits to your designated beneficiary.
Both by law and intent, the WCT is for the exclusive benefit of Plan participants, retirees, and beneficiaries. Plan decisions must be agreed to by an independent Board of Trustees, made up of 13 Trustees from labor and 13 Trustees from management.
All contributions are made by your employer. Each month, your employer makes collectively bargained basic contributions for your covered employment. Most employers also make separate PEER contributions to help pay for enhanced benefits through the Program for Enhanced Early Retirement.
Benefits grow based on covered employment. The longer you stay in covered employment, the more dollars are contributed and the higher your benefits will be. Today, benefits are based on a percentage of contributions paid into the Plan on your behalf.
Much more information is available on the WCT Pension Plan’s website. If you’re getting ready to retire, contact the WCTP Administrative Office.
WCTP Northern California Area Administrative Office
1000 Marina Blvd., Suite 400
Brisbane, CA 94005
(650) 570-7300 or (800) 845-4162
www.wctpension.org