§ Retirees · Life after the last cell
A pension you can actually retire on — plus the retiree dues tier, medical continuation, the annual recognition dinner, and a reserved seat at the third-Friday meeting. Once a piledriver, always a piledriver.
§ 01 · Once a member, always a member
Retirement doesn't end your membership in Local 474 — it changes what tier you're in. Retirees still hold union cards, still count toward local standing, still have a voice at the meeting, and still have access to the fund offices, records desk, and hall.
Get a pension projection. Call your fund office (PA · NJ · DE: 215·568·0430 · DC · MD · VA: 301·839·8800). Ask for an estimate at your target retirement date and at a range of ±12 months.
Confirm your vested service. The fund office confirms years of service, hours banked, break-in-service issues, and reciprocal hours from other locals if you've worked out of jurisdiction.
Update your beneficiary. Marriage, divorce, births, deaths — anything that changed since you started should be reflected. Same trip: pull your annuity balance and review distribution options.
Line up medical. Review retiree medical continuation options through the fund office; if you're pre-Medicare, understand the bridge coverage. If you're Medicare-eligible, get Part B enrolled on schedule.
Notify the local. Call the hall (215·569·1632) so we know you're headed to the retiree tier. Patricia McGuinness (215·569·1634 · ext 2539) handles the records-side switch.
Elect & sign. Complete pension election paperwork with the fund office. Most elections are irrevocable — take the time. If you have a spouse, joint-and-survivor is a real conversation.
Cash the first check. You're vested, elected, and off the active roll. Move to the retiree dues tier. Come to the October recognition meeting.
§ 03 · The retiree tier
Retiree dues
Significantly reduced
Retirees pay a reduced dues rate. Early-retiree and disabled tiers are available depending on your situation. See the dues page for current rates or call Patricia at the hall.
Union card
Still yours
Your UBC card stays active in the retiree tier. Bring it to the meeting; it still gets you into the hall and gets your voice counted in votes reserved for retirees.
Meeting attendance
Reserved seat
The third-Friday meeting has a section reserved for retirees. Show up whenever you can. Bring a brother.
October recognition
Annual dinner
Each October, the Philadelphia hall hosts a recognition meeting for members who retired that year. Watch the news page for details.
§ 04 · Pension & benefits
Direct lines for pension, annuity, medical continuation, and IAP.
PA · NJ · DE. Carpenters Combined Funds.
215·568·0430
DC · MD · VA. Zenith American Solutions.
301·839·8800
Ask the fund office about retiree medical options and the pre-Medicare bridge. Rules differ by jurisdiction.
Life event? Update your beneficiary at the fund office within the month. This is the single most missed step in retirement planning.
Send receipts to Jackie Hagan.
jhagan@eascarpenters.org · 215·201·8189
Patricia McGuinness at the hall handles member records for retirees too.
215·569·1634 · ext 2539
§ 05 · Staying connected
You'll be missed on the job. That doesn't mean you disappear.
Third-Friday meeting
Come to the hall
7:30 p.m., alternating Philadelphia and Upper Marlboro. Every month except August.
Mentor an apprentice
Talk to your rep
Retirees are the local's best resource for newer members. Talk to your council rep about mentoring opportunities at the training center or on the jobsite.
Family picnic & events
Bring the grandkids
Annual summer family picnic, holiday food drive, October recognition dinner. Watch the news page.
Legacy giving
Dooley Scholarship
The Michael J. Dooley Scholarship sends members' kids to college. Retirees who want to give back — call the hall about supporting the fund.
§ 06 · One call away
Questions on pension, medical, dues, records — the hall picks up the same as it did on day one.
