There are two basic types of pension plans. A traditional plan promises a specified pension benefit at retirement usually based on the years you worked and your salary. Pension plans do not have to include every worker. Some jobs may be excluded from the plan and part-time workers may not be covered. Generally you must work five years under a plan to qualify for benefits, although some types of plans still require ten years of work to earn a benefit.
Some plans require less than five years.
Ask the person running your plan for a summary plan description which describes the plan and its requirements. The summary plan description should tell you how your benefit will be calculated. Your employer may give you or you may request an individual benefit statement showing the value of your pension benefit. The individual benefit statement should show the benefits you have actually earned to date and a projection of your benefit at retirement. If you have not worked long enough to qualify for benefits, you will lose your pension.