Opinion ID: 2736157
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Plan and Summary Plan Description

Text: Minervini was a union member covered by a collective bargaining agreement and the Plan. The collective bargaining agreements established the Plan, which is an ERISA Pension Plan administered by the Trustees. Because Minervini’s claims require interpretation of the Plan and the Summary Plan Description (“SPD”), several key Plan and SPD provisions are discussed herein. The Plan provides in relevant part: SECTION I. DEFINITIONS (1) “Employee” means a person who is in a collective bargaining unit represented by Local Union No. 14 of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada, AFL-CIO and who is in the employ of any one of the Contributing Employers. Total Accrued Benefit payable at age 61: $1,415.68 effective March 1, 2020 If you elect to commence receipt of an Early Pension, the benefit will be reduced 5/9 of 1% for each month the benefit commencement date precedes age 61. If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact the undersigned. (App. 53A). 4 .... (2) “Participant” means an Employee in the active employment of an Employer for at least one Hour of Service since the later of his date of first employment in the Industry and the date immediately following his latest Break in Service, if any. “Participant” shall include any Employee of the Trustees and of the Union who have at least one Hour of Service after the later of his date of employment by the Trustees or the Union and the date immediately following his latest Break in Service, if any. It shall include any Pensioner, Beneficiary or spouse receiving monthly benefits as of the beginning of the Plan Year and any Vested Employee who is entitled to deferred vested benefits.