For Participants > FAQ

Below are the answers to questions most frequently asked by our Participants. If you do not find the answer to your question below please refer to our download page, or contact us with your question.

General Questions: Health & Welfare Questions: Retirement Fund Questions: Vacation Fund Questions: Q: How do I change my address?

A: The Trust Fund Office requires all address changes to have the Participant’s signature and UBC or ID Number.  You may complete a Change of Address Form or submit a change in writing.  Address changes are accepted via mail to PO Box 2380, Oakland, CA 94621, via fax to (510) 633-0215, and via email to
benefitservices@carpenterfunds.com.

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Q: How do I request a duplicate Quarterly Statement?

A: To request a duplicate of your most recent Quarterly Statement you can:
Call Benefit Services at (888) 547-2054 (Toll free) or (510) 633-0333 (Local),
Write to: Carpenter Funds Administrative Office, PO Box 2380, Oakland, CA  94621,
Fax a request to: (510) 633-0215, or
Email a request to: benefitservices@carpenterfunds.com.

Please make sure your address is current with the Fund Office before you request a statement.  We cannot mail you a copy of your statement if we have a bad address on file for you.

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Q: A Participant, their beneficiary, or one of their dependents has passed away. How do I find out about what survivor benefits are available?

A: We offer our sincerest condolences if you have recently experienced the loss of a loved one.  If the Participant has passed away, please submit a photocopy of the Certified Death Certificate.  Once we have received it, information regarding any benefits available will be mailed to the beneficiary.

Annuity, Pension and 401(k) Plan benefits are paid to the Surviving Spouse, if any.  If there is no Surviving Spouse any available benefits are paid to the last named beneficiary on file at the Trust Fund Office.  Vacation and life insurance benefits are also paid to the named beneficiary.

If a Spouse or dependent child passes away be sure to notify the Trust Fund Office so any necessary adjustments can be made to your record.  Also, life insurance benefits, depending on the Participant’s current eligibility status under the Health and Welfare Plan, may be payable if your Spouse or dependent child has passed away.

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Q: How do I change carriers?

A: You may change carriers by completing an Enrollment Form and submitting it to the Trust Fund.  Note: You must have been in your current plan for at least 12 months.  Also, a lag month applies to the effective date of your new plan.  For example, if you request a change of carriers in February, your new choice will be effective April 1st. If you are changing to an HMO carrier you must reside within that carrier’s coverage area.

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Q: My dependent is 19 or older and is a full-time student. Are they still covered under my insurance?

A: Dependent children over age 19 and under age 23 may continue to be covered under your Health plan if they are full-time students at an accredited institution.  In order for your child to remain covered beyond age 18 you will be required to periodically submit documentation of their enrollment as a full-time student.  Requests for this documentation may come from your health plan carrier and Delta Dental, so always be sure to submit the requested documentation to the proper entity.

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Q: Am I currently eligible for health coverage?

A: If you want to know if you are currently eligible for health and welfare benefits contact the Trust Fund Office at (888) 547-2054 (Toll free) or (510) 633-0333 (Local calls).  Eligibility is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and cannot be discussed via email.

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Q: What is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order and how do I file one?

A: Typically Qualified Domestic Relations Orders are used to determine how retirement benefits are to be paid to a Ex-Spouse when a Participant divorces, although sometimes they can be used to segregate a Participant’s funds to be paid in the form of child support.  Contact the Trust Fund Office at (888) 547-2054 (Toll free) or (510) 633-0333 (Local calls) for more information about how a QDRO can affect your benefits or to request a sample QDRO if you need to file one.  The Trust Fund Office can in no way offer any legal advice.  The Trust Fund must also administer the QDRO as it is written, provided it qualifies and has been filed with the courts.

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Q: How do I apply to withdraw my Annuity?

A: If you wish to apply to withdraw monies from your Annuity Individual Account you can download and print an application from our website.  It is important to note that the Annuity Fund is a retirement account and in order to qualify for withdrawal you must be retired.  See the Application and the Summary Plan Description for more detail regarding your options for withdrawal.  The Fund does not allow loans or hardship withdrawals.  If you are an Active Participant you may be eligible to take an Early Withdrawal from your Vacation Fund, provided you have not already had an Early Withdrawal within the past 12 months and you have not already had two Early Withdrawals within the past 36 months.  See the Early Withdrawal Application and the Summary Plan Description for more detail regarding eligibility for an Early Withdrawal.

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Q: What is the Northern California Carpenters 401(k) Plan?

A: The Northern California Carpenters 401(k) Plan became effective September 1, 2008.  To participate in this plan you need to complete a Enrollment/Contribution Change Form and submit it to your employer.  Your employer will deduct your requested contributions from your paycheck and submit them on your behalf to your 401(k) account.  Once you begin contributing you will be able to access your account online at www.bcomplete.com.  You can stop contributing at any time and will need to submit a new form if you change employers.  One feature that makes the 401(k) plan different from your Annuity Plan is the ability to make hardship withdrawals and loans from your account if you meet certain requirements.  Visit our downloads page for more information about the plan.

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Q: How do I apply for an Early Withdrawal of my vacation fund?

A: If you are an Active Participant you may be eligible to take an Early Withdrawal from your Vacation Fund, provided you have not already had an Early Withdrawal within the past 12 months and you have not already had two Early Withdrawals within the past 36 months.  See the Early Withdrawal Application and the Summary Plan Description for more detail regarding eligibility for an Early Withdrawal.

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