Special Percentage Years
Your Plan used different percentages in some years to increase the monthly benefit you earned for your covered employment in those years. The size of the actual percentage depends on the year. Benefit percentage increases are made possible by improved performance of the Pension Plan in preceding years, as determined by the Funding Policy of the Trust.

Click here for the specific benefit percentage that applies to each year of covered employment from 1987 forward. You can see that percentages were higher in some years and are not always the same. Up through June 2003 and in 2008, the benefit percentage used for a year also depends on how many years of service you have when that year begins. From July 2003, the percentage used is the same for all participants regardless of their years of service.

Years of Service (1987–June 2003 and 2008)
From 1987 through June 2003 and in 2008, your years of service are used to determine when you cross the 20 years of service line. You cross that line at the end of your 20th calendar year of service.

You earn one year of service for:

• Each calendar year that ends during your period of unbroken past employment, up to a maximum of 10 years (click here for more information).
• Each calendar year of vesting service after your first covered hour under the Plan (click here for more information).

You cannot earn more than one year of service during a calendar year.

Although only basic employer contributions for your covered employment after 1986 count when calculating your contribution account benefit, all your years of service—before and after January 1, 1987—count when adding up your years of service. This also includes years of vesting service you earn based on non-covered employment.

Estimating Your Contributory Service Benefit
Your contribution account benefit is based on all your covered employment after 1986 up to your date of retirement. Two tables give you an easy way to estimate how your contributory service benefit adds up each year until you retire.

Remember, if you joined the Plan before 1987, your retirement benefit is based on the combined total of your contribution account benefit and your five-year average benefit. Click here for a more detailed explanation.
Use this table to estimate the monthly benefit you earn in a calendar year before you cross the 20 years of service line. Use this table to estimate the monthly benefit you earn in a calendar year after you have 20 years of service.

To use either table, you need to know:

Step 1—First, determine your total years of service at the beginning of the year. If you have not yet crossed the 20 years of service line, use this table. If you already have 20 or more years of service at the beginning of the year, use this table.

Step 2—Next, select the basic hourly contribution rate closest to your own from the appropriate table. Both tables show typical hourly contribution rates from 10¢ to $5.00 and total basic contributions for the year at that rate assuming full-time employment (2,080 covered hours). Keep in mind that PEER contributions are not used to calculate your contribution account benefit, only basic employer contributions.

These tables assume that you work exactly 2,080 covered hours during each year shown. If you work more or fewer than 2,080 covered hours in a year, your monthly benefit earned for the year will be higher or lower. If you want to use a different contribution rate than shown in the tables, the amount is in between the ones shown for the nearest rates.

Step 3—The last step determines the estimated monthly benefit you earn for your full-time covered employment during the calendar year. From the appropriate column on the right side of the table, pick the amount shown for the contribution rate you choose in Step 2. This is your estimated monthly benefit. Use the benefit column that applies to the year for which you are estimating your monthly benefit.

Pension calculations are complex
Your own benefit amount depends on your exact work history. Click here for the types of statements your Area Administrative Office can provide about your eligibility and Plan benefits.

F Y I: Look-Up Charts for an Estimate

The look-up charts you click below show typical hourly contribution rates (from 10 cents to five dollars) and total basic contributions for the year at that rate (assuming full-time employment or 2,080 covered hours). If you work more or fewer than 2,080 covered hours in a year, your monthly benefit earned for the year will be higher or lower. If you want to use a different contribution rate than shown in the look-up charts, the amount is between the ones shown for the nearest rates. Remember that PEER contributions are not used to calculate your contribution account benefit – only basic employer contributions.

Click here for the look-up chart that helps you estimate the monthly benefit you earn during calendar years BEFORE you cross the 20 years of service line. From the appropriate column on the right side of the chart, pick the amount shown for your basic contribution rate. This is your estimated monthly benefit. Use the column that applies to the year for which you are estimating your monthly benefit.

Click here for the look-up chart that helps you estimate the monthly benefit you earn for calendar years AFTER you cross the 20 years of service line. From the appropriate column on the right side of the chart, pick the amount shown for your basic contribution rate. This is your estimated monthly benefit. Use the column that applies to the year for which you are estimating your monthly benefit.

F Y I: Years of Service

Your years of service are only used to determine when you cross the 20 years of service line. You cross that line at the end of your 20th calendar year of service.

You earn one year of service for:

• Each calendar year that ends during your period of unbroken past employment, up to a maximum of 10 years. Click here for details.
• Each calendar year of vesting service after your first covered hour under the Plan. Click here for details.

You cannot earn more than one year of service during a calendar year.

Although only basic employer contributions for your covered employment after 1986 count when calculating your contribution account benefit, all your years of service—before and after January 1, 1987—count when adding up your years of service.

Click here for a example of how to determine your years of service.