News Articles for Ironworkers and their Dependents Women's Health and Cancer Right Act 1998 Special Notice To Participants Special Notice to Participants on Pension Benefits Women's Health and Cancer Right Act 1998 Did you know that your plan, as required by THE WOMEN'S HEALTH AND CANCER RIGHTS ACT OF 1998, provides benefits for Mastectomy related services including reconstruction and surgery to achieve Symmetry between the breasts. Prostheses, and complication resulting from Mastectomy (Including Lump Edema). CALL THE FUND OFFICE 1800 527-4613, OR YOUR HMO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS Special Notice To Participants The Boards of Trustees of the Pension Fund and the Annuity Fund are pleased to announce improvements to the Pension Plan and additional available Funds for the self-directed Annuity Plan. The changes are as follows: Pension Fund Effective June 1, 1999, the value of each pension credit is increased to $115 through May 31, 2005. Also, the credit value for 1984 and 1985 is increased to $115. However, in order to be eligible for the benefit increases, you must have been an active employee as of June 1, 1999. If you were an active participant as of June 1, 1999, and have since retired, an adjustment will be made to your future pension payments and you will receive a separate check for the retroactive adjustment. The revised amount and the retroactive check will be available to you no later than April 1, 2001. The Trustees are pleased to announce that the Trust Fund's current financial position makes it possible to provide an extra benefit check. All Pensioners who are on the rolls as of July 1, 2001, will receive an extra benefit check equal to their monthly pension amount. This extra pension check represents an expression of our continuing concern for the well being of retired Participants and their families. You may be assured that the Trustees are continually looking into ways to improve benefits while maintaining a solid financial basis for the Trust Fund. The Financial Position of the Fund is affected by fluctuations in the Bond and Stock markets and we cannot therefore promise that it will be possible to distribute similar extra benefits in future years. If you have any questions concerning your benefits, feel free to contact the Trust Fund Office for assistance. Annuity Fund Three new Funds have been added to the self-directed Annuity Plan effective December 1, 2000. The new Funds are: Vanguard Asset Allocation Fund, Vanguard Growth Index Fund, and Vanguard Value Index Fund. Please contact The Vanguard Group for the prospectus of each Fund or for more information. Kind Regards Boards of Trustees Special Notice to Participants on Pension Benefits Your Board of Trustees of the California and Vicinity Ironworkers Field Pension Trust Fund is pleased to announce an increase in the pension benefits provided through your Pension Plan. The benefit increase is as follows: All pension credits earned during the period June 1, 1978 through May 31, 2005, will be valued at $118 per credit. In order to qualify for the pension benefit increase, you must be an Active Ironworker as of June 1, 2001. This means that if you have already retired, or if you are an Active Participant and you retire before June 1, 2001, you will not be entitled to the pension increase. Please plan carefully.