GUIDE TO YOUR BENEFITS

FROM THE

SEAFARERS PENSION PLAN

June 2024
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1

INFORMATION YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF 2

WORDS YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND 3

WHAT PENSION BENEFITS CAN I RECEIVE FROM THE PLAN? 4

WHEN DO I BECOME A PARTICIPANT IN THE PLAN? 4

WHICH DAYS CAN BE COUNTED AS DAYS OF SERVICE? 4

IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN LOSE CREDIT FOR DAYS I HAVE WORKED? 6

HOW DO THE BREAK IN SERVICE RULES WORK? 7

WHAT DAYS CAN BE COUNTED TO PREVENT A BREAK IN SERVICE? 8

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH OF THE PENSION BENEFITS? 8

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS A REGULAR NORMAL PENSION 11

BENEFIT?

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS A DEFERRED VESTED PENSION 14

BENEFIT?

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS AN EARLY NORMAL PENSION 15

BENEFIT?

WHAT IS THE EARLY NORMAL PENSION SUPPLEMENT? 17

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS A SPECIAL EARLY NORMAL PENSION 18

BENEFIT?

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS A DISABILITY PENSION BENEFIT? 18

HOW WILL MY PENSION BENEFIT BE CALCULATED IF I WORKED BOTH AS A 18

SEAMAN AND A BOATMAN?

WHAT IS THE 60 MONTHS GUARANTEE? 19

CAN I CONVERT MY MONTHLY ANNUITY TO A SINGLE LUMP SUM PAYMENT? 19

(“CASH-OUT”)

SPP - SPD (06/2024) i

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
PAGE
IF I DIE, WHAT PENSION BENEFITS CAN MY SPOUSE RECEIVE? 19

CAN MY EX-SPOUSE RECEIVE PART OF MY PENSION BENEFITS? 20

HOW DO I APPLY FOR PENSION BENEFITS? 20

WHEN DO PENSION BENEFITS BEGIN? 22

WHAT IS THE PENSIONER DEATH BENEFIT? 22

WHO CAN BE MY BENEFICIARY AND HOW MUCH MONEY CAN THEY 22

RECEIVE?

WHAT IS THE FUNERAL EXPENSE DEDUCTION? 23

HOW DOES MY BENEFICIARY APPLY FOR MY DEATH BENEFIT? 23

ONCE I BECOME A PENSIONER, CAN I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE HEALTH 24

CARE BENEFITS?

WHAT IS THE REIMBURSEMENT TOWARDS MEDICARE PREMIUMS? 25

IF I AM WORKING, WILL I AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE MY PENSION AT 25

RETIREMENT AGE?

CAN I CONTINUE TO WORK AFTER RECEIVING MY PENSION? 26

HOW WILL SERVICE UNDER ANOTHER MARITIME PENSION PLAN AFFECT 26

MY SEAFARERS PENSION?

WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE IF THE PLAN DENIES MY APPLICATION FOR 26

PENSION?
WHAT HAPPENS IF I RECEIVE AN OVERPAYMENT FROM THE PLAN? 27

ARE MY BENEFITS INSURED? 27

HOW WILL THE PLAN NOTIFY ME IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES IN MY 28

BENEFITS?

WHAT LEGAL RIGHTS DO I HAVE? 29

SPP - SPD (06/2024) ii

LANGUAGE TRANSLATION SERVICES
Spanish: ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia
lingüística. Llame al 301-899-0675

Arabic: ‫ اﺗﺻل ﺑرﻗم‬.‫ ﻓﺈن ﺧدﻣﺎت اﻟﻣﺳﺎﻋدة اﻟﻠﻐوﯾﺔ ﺗﺗواﻓر ﻟك ﺑﺎﻟﻣﺟﺎن‬،‫ إذا ﻛﻧت ﺗﺗﺣدث اﻟﻌرﺑﯾﺔ‬:‫ﻣﻠﺣوظﺔ‬301-899-0675

Tagalog: PAUNAWA: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, maaari kang gumamit ng mga serbisyo
ng tulong sa wika nang walang bayad. Tumawag sa 301-899-0675

SPP - SPD (06/2024) iii

INTRODUCTION

This booklet describes the benefits available to you from the Seafarers Pension Plan.

The Seafarers Pension Plan is a multi-employer employee benefit plan. It provides

defined benefit pensions for employees of employers who have collective bargaining
agreements with the Seafarers International Union of North America, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes,
and Inland Waters (“SIU” or “Union”) or affiliated unions. The Plan is funded through
contributions made by these employers. The contribution rate is actuarially determined. The
assets of the Plan are held in trust for the participants and beneficiaries.

This booklet contains important information about your pension benefits. Read it
carefully and keep it for future use. You may also view the booklet online at
[Link]:Benefits/ Seafarers Pension Plan (SPP)/ A Guide to Your Benefits. In the
event of any significant changes to these benefits, the Plan will mail you a notice of the
changes; or, if you have consented, will email these notices to you. Notice of benefit
changes will also be posted online at [Link] you have questions, contact the
Plan at [Link] note that the Summary Plan Description booklet is always on
the Seafarers website.

For disabled participants, this book also is available in large print and recorded
versions. To request these versions, you can contact the Plan's office at 1-800-252-4674 or
via mail at:

Seafarers Pension Plan

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, Maryland 20746

This booklet is referred to as the Summary Plan Description or SPD. This booklet is
only a summary of the Seafarers Pension Plan. The Rules and Regulations of the Plan and
the Trust Agreement, together with laws that apply to benefit plans, control the payment
of benefits.

Benefits paid to participants are governed by the terms of the Plan in effect at the
time of retirement and by any later amendments that affect their benefits.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 1

INFORMATION YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF
The Seafarers Pension Plan is directed by a group of people called the Board of
Trustees. The Board of Trustees has the absolute authority to make changes to the Plan.
As of the date of this booklet, the members of the Board of Trustees are:

Nick Celona Anthony Chiarello

Dean Corgey Ira Douglas
Kris Hopkins Edward Hanley
Thomas Orzechowski Todd Johnson
Mike Russo Ed Morgan
Joseph Soresi Damon Mote
George Tricker Anthony Naccarato

The members of the Board of Trustees are called fiduciaries. As fiduciaries, they
have a duty to make prudent decisions regarding the Plan and to act in the best
interest of the participants.

The Board of Trustees appoints a person to take care of the daily operations of the
Plan. This person is called the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator of the Seafarers
Pension Plan is Margaret R. Bowen.

You can contact the Board of Trustees and the Plan Administrator at:

Seafarers Pension Plan

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, Maryland 20746
(301) 899-0675

Legal process may be served on the Plan Administrator or the Board of Trustees
at the above address.

Since the Plan's records are kept on a calendar year basis, the end of the Plan
year is December 31.

The Internal Revenue Service Identification Number for the Seafarers Pension
Plan is 13 6100329.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 2

WORDS YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND
Beneficiary- the person or persons that you choose to have your death benefit paid to as
shown on your Seafarers Pension Plan beneficiary form;

boatman or inland- an employee who is employed aboard a dredge, tugboat, towboat,

or other similar vessel used to tow, propel, or push barges or similar vessels. Includes
employees who work on vessels to assist merchant vessels to dock or undock and other
shoreside employees associated with the operation of these vessels;

covered employment- days that you worked for a signatory employer and certain other
days described in this booklet;

employee- a person who is, or was, working for a signatory employer, and is, or was,
covered by the Plan (also referred to as “seafarer”);

participant-a person who is eligible, or may become eligible, to receive benefits from the
Plan. You become a participant in the Plan on June 30 of the year that follows any calendar
year during which you receive credit for at least 125 days of service under this Plan;

Plan- the Seafarers Pension Plan (also referred to as “SPP”);

seaman or deep sea- an employee who is employed aboard an American Flag Merchant
Ship on the oceans (Deep Sea) or Great Lakes, or who is employed in a Shore Gang;

service days- days when you worked for an employer who is obligated to pay into the
Seafarers Pension Plan for your benefits and days that you served in the Armed Forces of
the United States that must be credited under the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”);

signatory employer- an employer who agrees to make payments to the Plan so that their
employees will receive benefits;

spouse- The person to whom you are legally married or the Plan will recognize your
common law marriage if it is established by state law at your residence.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 3

WHAT PENSION BENEFITS CAN I RECEIVE FROM THE PLAN?
Not everyone has the same goals in mind when they think about retirement. Because
of this, the Plan provides five different kinds of pension benefits for both seamen (Deep Sea)
and boatmen (Inland). These five pension benefits are:

• REGULAR NORMAL PENSION

• DEFERRED VESTED PENSION
• EARLY NORMAL PENSION
• SPECIAL EARLY NORMAL PENSION
• DISABILITY PENSION

WHEN DO I BECOME A PARTICIPANT IN THE PLAN?

You become a participant in the Plan on June 30 of the year that follows any calendar
year during which you receive credit for at least 125 days of service under this Plan.

WHICH DAYS CAN BE COUNTED AS DAYS OF SERVICE?

Service Days

To qualify for any of the pension benefits described in this booklet, the following days
will be counted as days of service:

• days when you worked for an employer who is obligated to pay into the Plan
for your benefits;
• days that you served in the Armed Forces of the United States that must be
credited under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act (“USERRA”). The amount of credit you will receive will be based
upon an average of your yearly days of service prior to military service. In
accordance with USERRA, credit for military service will not be granted at all
if your military service exceeded five years.

Supplemental Service Days for Seamen

Between June 16, 1984 and June 15, 2002, seamen can receive credit for
supplemental service for each of the days that they worked for an employer who paid the
proper amount to the Plan. However, to receive supplemental service credit, you must first
have worked at least 3,000 days. If you are a seaman, you can receive credit for 1¼ days
of service for each day you worked between June 16, 1984 and June 15, 2002.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 4

 Beginning June 16, 2002, seamen whose employers are paying the proper amount to
the Plan can receive credit for supplemental service for each day of paid vacation that
you are eligible to receive from the Seafarers Vacation Plan.

Beginning July 1, 2022, seamen who have worked at least 2,000 days whose employers are
paying the proper amount to the Plan will receive credit for supplemental service for each
day of paid vacation that you are eligible to receive from the Seafarers Vacation Plan.
The supplemental service credit will count toward qualifying you for all pension
benefits except the Deferred Vested Pension benefit. In addition, supplemental service
credit will also count toward qualifying you for the Service Increments and the Early Normal
Supplement.

Additional Service Days for Boatmen

Boatmen can receive additional service credit. The amount of additional service
credit you can receive as a boatman can be found in your collective bargaining
agreement. Additional service days credited after December 31, 2005, may only be used
to qualify you for pension benefits.
The additional service credit will count toward qualifying you for all pension benefits
except the Deferred Vested Pension benefit. Also, additional service credit will count
toward qualifying you for the Service Increments and the Early Normal Supplement.

Credit Limitations

After January 1, 2010, you may not receive credit for more than 365 days during any
calendar year.

Service Credit

In qualifying for a Regular Normal or Disability Pension, up to one third of the required
service can be met with:

• days when you were receiving Sickness and Accident benefits from the
Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan;
• days you received Maintenance and Cure (“M&C”) payments from an
employer up to a maximum of 273days during a single period of disability.
NOTE: In order to preserve records of receiving Maintenance and Cure
(“M&C”) payments from your employer, you should submit documentation
to the Plan at the time you receive payment.
• days before July 1, 1962, when you were certified as "Not Fit for Duty" by the
U.S. Public Health Service.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 5

Past Service Credit

The Plan may count days when you were working for an employer who had not yet
begun paying into the Plan. However, past service credit may only be used to qualify you
for a pension benefit; it may not be used to increase your benefit amount.

IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN LOSE CREDIT FOR DAYS I HAVE

WORKED?
If you do not work enough days each year, you can cause a break in service. You can
lose credit for days you have worked through breaks in service. If you lose all of your service
credit as a result of breaks in service, then you will no longer be a Plan participant.

However, once you have credit for one day of service after January 1, 1999 and you
receive credit for five years of vesting service without any break periods as discussed below,
you cannot lose credit for time you have worked. A year of vesting service is a calendar
year in which you receive credit for at least 125 days of service.

If you do not have credit for one day of service after January 1, 1999, you must have
credit for one day of service after January 1, 1976 and credit for ten years of vesting service
without any break periods as discussed below, to keep from losing credit for time you have
worked.

There are four different breaks in service rules. Each rule affects a different time period.
The four rules are as follows:

From January 1, 1968 through December 31, 1975

For the years 1968 through 1975, a break in service is any three years in a row during
which you received credit for less than 90 days in each of the three years. If you have three
years in a row, with less than 90 days of service in each year, you will lose credit for all your
service before and during the break in service.

From January 1, 1976 through December 31, 1984

For the years 1976 through 1984, a break in service is a calendar year during which you
received credit for fewer than 62 ½ days of service. If you have a number of breaks in service
in a row, and this number of breaks is the same as or more than your number of years of
service, you will lose credit for all your service before and during the breaks in service.

From January 1, 1985 through December 31, 1998

For the years 1985 through 1998, a break in service is a calendar year during which you
receive credit for less than 62 ½ days of service.

If you have credit for five or fewer years of service, you will lose credit for all your service,

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 6

including the breaks, if you have at least five years in a row with a break in service in each
year.

If you have five or more breaks in service in a row and this number of breaks is the
same as or more than your number of years of service, you will lose credit for all your service
before and during the breaks in service.

After January 1, 1999

For 1999 and later years, a break in service is a calendar year during which you receive
credit for less than 62 ½ days of service. If you have credit for less than five years of service
and you have five or more breaks in service in a row, you will lose credit for all your service
before and during the breaks in service.

HOW DO THE BREAK IN SERVICE RULES WORK?

Example:

Andy began sailing in [Link] worked every year thereafter until he stopped sailing at
the end of [Link] each of these four years, Andy had credit for more than 125 days of
service. During the years 2014 through 2018, Andy did not sail at all. Because he did not work
for five years, Andy had five breaks in service. The breaks in service during the years 2014
through 2018 caused Andy to lose credit for time he had worked during the years 2010
through [Link] began sailing again in 2019 and continued sailing through 2023. In each
of these five years, he had credit for more than 125 days of service. Since Andy has credit
for service after January 1, 1999 and credit for five years of service, he can never again lose
credit for days he has worked at that time and in the future.

SUMMARY OF SERVICE FOR EXAMPLE

Year Days of Service Explanation

2010 215 Lost credit
2011 190 Lost credit
2012 195 Lost credit
2013 180 Lost credit
2014 0 Break in service
2015 0 Break in service
2016 0 Break in service
2017 0 Break in service
2018 0 Break in service
2019 220 Vested year
2020 215 Vested year
2021 210 Vested year
2022 205 Vested year
2023 200 Vested year

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 7

WHAT DAYS CAN BE COUNTED TO PREVENT A BREAK IN SERVICE?
In addition to the days for which you received credit for service, there are other days
that can be counted to prevent a break in service. These days include:

• days after February 1, 1984 when you were attending eligible upgrading
courses at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship;
• days when you were receiving vacation pay directly from your employer;
• days when you were receiving certain disability payments directly from your
employer;
• days after January 1, 1985 when you were unable to work because of
pregnancy or because you needed to care for your newborn or newly
adopted infant up to a maximum of 62 ½ days.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH OF THE PENSION

BENEFITS?
Each of the five pension benefits has its own special requirements. These requirements
are as follows:

REGULAR NORMAL PENSION

You can retire on a Regular Normal Pension if you have reached normal retirement
age and you have credit for at least 5,475 days of service.

The normal retirement age for a seaman is age 65 while the normal retirement age for
a boatman is age 62.

Of the 5,475 days, at least 3,650 days must be either:

• days when you worked for an employer who is obligated to pay into the Plan
for your benefits; OR
• supplemental service days; OR
• days that you served in the Armed Forces of the United States that must be
credited under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act (“USERRA”).

The remaining 1,825 days can be:

• days when you were receiving Sickness and Accident (“S&A”) benefits from
the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan or Maintenance and Cure (“M&C”)

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 8

 payments from an employer; OR
• days before July 1, 1962, when you were certified as "Not Fit for Duty" by the
U.S. Public Health Service.

DEFERRED VESTED PENSION

You can retire on a Deferred Vested Pension if you have reached normal retirement
age and you have credit for less than 5,475 days of service. The normal retirement age for
a seaman is age 65 while the normal retirement age for a boatman is age 62. To receive
this pension, you must have credit for at least one day of service after January 1, 1999 and
have credit for 5 years of service with at least 125 days of service in each year.

If you do not have credit for service after January 1, 1999, but you have credit for at
least one day of service after January 1, 1976, you can receive a Deferred Vested Pension
if you have credit for 10 years of service with at least 125 days of service in each year.

All this service must be either:

• days when you worked for an employer who is obligated to pay into the Plan
for your benefits; OR
• days that you served in the Armed Forces of the United States that must be
credited under “USERRA”.

EARLY NORMAL PENSION

You can retire on an Early Normal Pension if you have reached age 55 and you have
credit for at least 7,300 days of service.

All this service must be either:

• days when you worked for an employer who is obligated to pay into the Plan
for your benefits; OR
• supplemental service days; OR
• days that you served in the Armed Forces of the United States that must be
credited under “USERRA”.

In addition, you must have credit for at least 125 days of service in the year before you
apply for pension. For this 125-day requirement, the days of service also can be
supplemental service, when you were receiving Sickness and Accident (“S&A”) benefits

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 9

from the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, or Maintenance and Cure (“M&C”) payments
from an employer.

SPECIAL EARLY NORMAL PENSION

You can retire on a Special Early Normal Pension if you have reached age 55 and you
have credit for at least 7,300 days of service.

All this service must be either:

• days when you worked for an employer who is obligated to pay into the Plan
for your benefits; OR
• supplemental service days; OR
• days that you served in the Armed Forces of the United States that must be
credited under “USERRA”.

The Special Early Normal Pension benefit was designed for seamen and boatmen who
stop working before age 55. Because of this, you do not need to have credit for service in
the year before you apply for pension. The benefit amount that you would receive from a
Special Early Normal benefit is not the same benefit amount that you would receive as an
Early Normal benefit. The Special Early Normal benefit is actuarially reduced because it is
based upon the amount you would have received had you retired on a Regular Normal
Pension.

DISABILITY PENSION

You can retire on a Disability Pension if you are totally and permanently disabled and
can no longer work. As proof of your disability, you must have a Social Security Disability
Award or a determination from the Board of Trustees. You can receive this pension at any
age. To receive this pension, you must have credit for at least 4,380 days of service with at
least 125 days of this service in the year before you apply for pension, or 125 days in the
year before the onset of your disability.

Of the 4,380 days, at least 2,920 days must be either:

• days when you worked for an employer who is obligated to pay into the Plan
for your benefits; OR
• supplemental service days; OR

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 10

 • days that you served in the Armed Forces of the United States that must be
credited under “USERRA”.

The remaining 1,460 days can be:

• days when you were receiving Sickness and Accident (“S&A”) benefits from
the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan or Maintenance and Cure (“M&C”)
payments from an employer; OR
• days before July 1, 1962, when you were certified as "Not Fit for Duty" by the
U.S. Public Health Service.

NOTICE - AMOUNTS OF PENSION

All rates in this booklet are the highest benefits available. In order to receive these
benefits, an employee’s employer must have been contributing at the contribution rate
prescribed by the Trustees. If the employer is contributing at the lesser rate, an employee
may receive a lower benefit, may not qualify for the wage-related calculation, or may be
subject to a cap on benefits where it is not otherwise indicated in this booklet. To verify your
rate, please contact the Plan office.

In order to qualify for any benefit increase, an employee must accrue at least 125 days
of service in their division during the calendar year, or any subsequent calendar year, after
the effective date of the increase. If there were fewer than 125 days remaining in the
calendar year after adoption, then the employee may accrue at least 125 days of service
within a 12- month period beginning on the date the increase was adopted in order to
qualify.

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS A REGULAR NORMAL

PENSION BENEFIT?

In general, there are two different ways to figure the amount of your Regular Normal
Pension benefit. Your benefit will be figured using either the basic benefit or wage-related
method. The method that allows you to receive the highest amount is the method that the
Plan will use to figure your benefit.

BASIC BENEFIT METHOD FOR SEAMEN

To use the basic benefit method, you will need to count your days of service. Before
you figure how many days of service you have, make sure you understand which days can
be counted as days of service.

For seamen who have credit for at least 125 days of service after January 1, 2002, the

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 11

basic benefit is $700 per month plus $15 per month for every 120 days of service they have
earned past the required 5,475 days.

There is no limit on the amount of the monthly benefit for seamen whose employers
are paying the proper amount to the Plan.

If you do not have credit for at least 125 days of service after January 1, 2002, but you
do have credit for at least 125 days of service after July 1, 1990, the basic benefit for seamen
is $600 per month plus $15 per month for every 120 days of service they have earned past
the required 5,475 days.

REGULAR NORMAL PENSION BENEFIT FOR SEAMEN

who have credit for 125 days of service after January 1, 2002

DAYS OF SERVICE MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT DAYS OF SERVICE MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
5,475 $700 Basic 7,275 $925
5,595 $715 7,395 $940
5,715 $730 7,515 $955
5,835 $745 7,635 $970
5,955 $760 7,755 $985
6,075 $775 7,875 $1,000
6,195 $790 7,995 $1,015
6,315 $805 8,115 $1,030
6,435 $820 8,235 $1,045
6,555 $835 8,355 $1,060
6,675 $850 8,475 $1,075
6,795 $865 8,595 $1,090
6,915 $880 8,715 $1,105
7,035 $895 8,835 $1,120
7,155 $910 8,955 $1,135

Example

Juan is a seaman who is retiring at age 65. He has credit for 7275 days of service. Since
he has credit for 125 days of service after January 1, 2002, he compares his service with the
table of Regular Normal Pension Benefits for Seamen and finds his benefit amount of $925.00
per month.

BASIC BENEFIT METHOD FOR BOATMEN

Most boatmen who have reached age 62 and have credit for at least 5,475 days of
service can receive a basic benefit of $440 per month. The amount of your basic benefit
depends on how much your employer pays to the Plan.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 12

 NORMAL WAGE-RELATED METHOD FOR SEAMEN AND BOATMEN

To use the wage-related method to figure your Regular Normal Pension benefit, you
will need to know how many days of service you have. You also will need to know what
your Average Base Earnings are. These earnings are the average of the highest base wages
you earned during any five years in a row out of the last 10 years you worked. After June 15,
2002, seamen whose employers are paying the proper amount to the Plan may include in
Average Base Earnings the amount received as vacation benefits from the Seafarers
Vacation Plan.

To figure your benefit using the wage-related method, follow these steps:

1. Count the days of service you earned and then divide the number of days of
service you have by 365. (Use the quotient to the hundredths degree / 2
decimals.) This is how many years of service you have.
2. Multiply the number of years of service you have by 2%. This is your
percentage credit.
3. Multiply your Average Base Earnings by your percentage credit. This is the
amount of the benefit you will receive each year.
4. Divide the amount of the benefit you will receive each year by 12. This is your
monthly benefit.

Generally, there is no limit on the amount of the monthly benefit for seamen or
boatmen whose employers are paying the proper amount to the Plan.

Example

Bob is retiring with 5,475 days of service. His Average Base Earnings are $42,000 per
year. He divides 5,475 days by 365 to find that he has 15 years of service. He multiplies 15 by
2 to find that he has a percentage credit of 30%. He then multiplies $42,000 by 30% to find
his yearly benefit of $12,600. By dividing $12,600 by 12, Bob figures his monthly benefit to be
$1,050 per month.

Boatmen - Additional Service Days

Many inland collective bargaining agreements provide that boatmen receive

additional service days for each day of actual employment. After January 1, 2006, these
additional service days will be used only for eligibility purposes. These additional service days
will not be added into the calculation to determine your Average Base Earnings.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 13

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS A DEFERRED VESTED
PENSION BENEFIT?
The amount of your Deferred Vested Pension benefit is a percentage of the Regular
Normal Pension basic benefit that was in effect at the time you stopped working. Your
percentage will depend on how many days of service you have.

You can figure the amount of your Deferred Vested Pension benefit by following these
steps:
1. Count how many days of service you earned. Before you figure how many
days of service you have, make sure you understand which days can be
counted as days of service for a Deferred Vested Pension Benefit.

2. Divide your days of service by 5,475. This is your vested percentage.

3. Look in the table of Basic Benefit Amounts to find the amount that was in
effect at the end of the year during which you last received credit for 125
days of service.

4. Multiply your basic benefit amount by your vested percentage. This is your
monthly Deferred Vested Pension benefit.

BASIC BENEFIT AMOUNTS FOR SEAMEN

WITH 125 DAYS OF 1/1/76 1/1/79 6/16/80 7/1/90 1/1/02

SERVICE AFTER
MONTHLY BENEFIT $350 $400 $450 $600 $700
AMOUNT

BASIC BENEFIT AMOUNTS FOR INLAND AND GREAT LAKES BOATMEN

WITH 125 DAYS OF 1/1/76 10/1/78 6/16/80

SERVICE AFTER
MONTHLY BENEFIT $340, $275, or $390, $340, $275, or $440, $340, $275, or
AMOUNT $175 depending $175 depending on $175 depending on
on employer employer employer

Example
Al is a seaman who had a total of 3,285 days of service when he stopped working. He
divides 3,285 days by 5,475 to find his vested percentage of 60%. Since he had worked 125
days after January 1, 2002, he multiplies $700 by 60% and finds his Deferred Vested Pension
benefit to be $420 per month.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 14

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS AN EARLY NORMAL
PENSION BENEFIT?
In general, there are two different ways to figure the amount of your Early Normal
Pension benefit. Your benefit will be figured using either the basic benefit or wage-related
method. The method that allows you to receive the highest amount is the method that the
Plan will use to figure your benefit.

BASIC BENEFIT METHOD FOR SEAMEN

To use the basic benefit method, you will need to count your days of service. Before
you figure how many days of service you have, make sure you understand which days can
be counted as days of service for an Early Normal Pension benefit.

Seamen who have reached age 55 and have credit for at least 7,300 days of service
can receive $925 per month. In addition, seamen can receive $15 per month for every 120
days of service they have earned past the required 7,300 days.

EARLY NORMAL PENSION BENEFITS FOR SEAMEN

who have credit for 125 days of service after January 1, 2002

DAYS OF SERVICE MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT DAYS OF SERVICE MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
7,300 $925 Basic 8,260 $1,045
7,420 $940 8,830 $1,060
7,540 $955 8,500 $1,075
7,660 $970 8,620 $1,090
7,780 $985 8,740 $1,105
7,900 $1,000 8,860 $1,120
8,020 $1,015 8,980 $1,135
8,140 $1,030 9,100 $1,150

Example

Susan is a seaman who is retiring at age 59. She has credit for 8,980 days of service.
She compares her service with the table of Early Normal Pension Benefits for Seamen and
finds her benefit amount of $1,135 per month.

BASIC BENEFIT METHOD FOR BOATMEN

Boatmen who have reached age 55 and have credit for at least 7,300 days of
service can receive $440 per month. In addition, boatmen can receive $25 per month

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 15

for every 365 days of service they have earned after meeting all the requirements of an
Early Normal Pension.

EARLY NORMAL PENSION BENEFITS FOR BOATMEN

DAYS OF SERVICE MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT DAYS OF SERVICE MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
7,300 $440 Basic 8,760 $540
7,665 $465 9,125 $565
8,030 $490 9,490 $590
8,395 $515 9,855 $615

EARLY NORMAL WAGE-RELATED METHOD FOR SEAMEN

The wage-related method for figuring a seaman's benefit is the same for both Early
Normal and Regular Normal Pensions. However, to receive an Early Normal Pension
benefit, you must have credit for at least 7,300 days of service. To figure your Early Normal
Pension benefit, refer to the wage-related method for figuring Regular Normal Pension
benefits on page 12.

EARLY NORMAL WAGE-RELATED METHOD FOR BOATMEN

If your employer is paying the proper amount to the Plan, you can use the wage-
related method to figure your Early Normal Pension benefit. There is no limit on the amount
of the monthly benefit for boatmen whose employers are paying the proper amount to the
Plan.

To use this method, you will need to know how many days of service you have. To
receive credit for days you have worked in excess of 7,300 days you must first meet all the
requirements of an Early Normal Pension. You also will need to know what your Average
Base Earnings are. These earnings are the average of the highest base wages you earned
during any five years in a row out of the last 10 years you worked.

To figure your benefit using the wage-related method, follow these steps:

1. Count the days of service you earned after you met all the requirements of
an Early Normal Pension. Divide this number by 365. (Use the quotient to the
hundredths degree / 2 decimals.)
2. Multiply the result of step 1 by 2%.
3. Add 40% to the result of step 2. This is your percentage credit.
4. Multiply your Average Base Earnings by your percentage credit. This is the
amount of the benefit you will receive each year.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 16

 5. Divide the amount of the benefit you will receive each year by 12. This is your
monthly benefit.

Example

Lloyd is a boatman with 7,300 days of service. His Average Base Earnings are $85,000
per year. Since he did not earn any days of service after he met all the requirements of an
Early Normal Pension, his percentage credit is 40%. He then multiplies $85,000 by 40% to find
his yearly benefit of $34,000. By dividing $34,000 by 12, Lloyd figures his monthly benefit to
be $2,833.33 per month.

Boatmen - Additional Service Days

Many inland collective bargaining agreements provide that boatmen receive

additional service days for each day of actual employment. After January 1, 2006, these
additional service days, up to 365, will be used only for eligibility purposes. These additional
service days will not be added into the calculation to determine your Average Base
Earnings.

WHAT IS THE EARLY NORMAL PENSION SUPPLEMENT?

The Early Normal Pension Supplement is a one-time, lump sum payment that you can
receive in addition to your Early Normal Pension Benefit.

The amount of this lump sum payment is equal to 12 times your monthly pension
benefit. To receive the Early Normal Pension Supplement, you must meet the following
requirements:

• You must retire on an Early Normal Pension; AND

• You must have credit for at least 730 days of service after meeting all the
requirements (both age 55 and service requirements) for an Early Normal
Pension. The 730 days of service must be contributory, military, or
supplemental service as described on pages 4-5 of this booklet.

The supplement is payable during the month of January following the year in which
you apply for your pension benefit. Alternatively, in lieu of receiving the lump sum payment,
the Plan will increase your monthly benefit by the actuarial equivalent of the value of the
Supplement.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 17

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS A SPECIAL EARLY NORMAL
PENSION BENEFIT?
The amount of your Special Early Normal Pension Benefit is based on the amount you
would have received had you retired on a Regular Normal Pension. However, because you
can retire before you reach the Plan’s normal retirement age, the amount you would have
received must be actuarially reduced. The amount of this reduction will depend on how
old you are when you retire. The younger you are when you retire, the greater the reduction
will be.

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I RECEIVE AS A DISABILITY PENSION

BENEFIT?
There are two different ways to figure the amount of your Disability Pension benefit.
Your benefit will be figured using either the basic benefit or wage-related method. The
method that allows you to receive the highest amount is the method that the Plan will use
to figure your benefit. There is no limit on the amount of the monthly benefit for seamen or
boatmen whose employers are paying the proper amount to the Plan using the wage-
related method.

SEAMEN

Seamen can receive $700 per month as a basic Disability Pension benefit. The
wage-related method for figuring a seaman's benefit is the same for both Disability and
Regular Normal Pensions. To figure your Disability Pension benefit, refer to the wage-related
method for figuring Regular Normal Pension benefits.

BOATMEN

Boatmen can receive $440 per month as a basic Disability Pension benefit. The wage-
related method for figuring a boatman's benefit is the same for both Disability and Regular
Normal Pensions. To figure your Disability Pension benefit, refer to the wage-related method
for figuring Regular Normal Pension benefits.

HOW WILL MY PENSION BENEFIT BE CALCULATED IF I WORKED

BOTH AS A SEAMAN AND A BOATMAN?
Your days of service will be divided and your service earned as a boatman will be
calculated using the boatmen formula and the service earned as a seaman will be
calculated using the seamen formula. Your benefit will be equal to the sum of the two
calculations. Benefits based upon deep sea service will be actuarially reduced if paid
before age 65 (normal retirement age).

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 18

WHAT IS THE 60 MONTHS GUARANTEE?
Effective January 1, 2018, if you retire on a Normal, Early Normal, Special Early
Normal, or Disability pension, you are guaranteed benefits for a period of 60 months. In
the event that you should die before receiving 60 monthly payments, the remaining
benefit payments will be paid to your designated beneficiary or spouse. However, if you
are receiving your benefits in the form of a Joint and Survivor annuity, your spouse will
continue to receive the survivor’s annuity for his or her lifetime beyond the 60 monthly
payments.

CAN I CONVERT MY MONTHLY ANNUITY TO A SINGLE LUMP SUM

PAYMENT? (“CASH-OUT”)
If at the time of distribution, the present actuarial value of your pension benefit is
$50,000, or less, you will be given the opportunity to convert your annuity to a lump sum
payment. However, if you are married, your spouse must consent to the lump sum
payment. If the present actuarial value of your pension benefit is $7,000, or less, at the
time of distribution, you will be required to receive your payment in the form of a one-
time lump sum payment. If you select this option, no future benefits will be payable from
the Plan.

IF I DIE, WHAT PENSION BENEFITS CAN MY SPOUSE RECEIVE?

If you are married for at least one year prior to the time you retire, the Plan will adjust your
monthly benefit to provide you with a joint and survivor annuity benefit. If you choose to
continue to receive your benefit as a joint and survivor annuity benefit, your spouse will
continue to receive a monthly benefit from the Plan after your death. Your spouse will
receive this benefit until his or her death.

In order to cover the costs of this joint pension, the amount of your monthly benefit will
be reduced. The amount of this reduction, which is figured by the Plan, takes into account
the ages of you and your spouse at the time of your retirement. The amount of your spouse's
monthly benefit will be equal to 50% or 75% of the amount of your actuarially reduced
monthly benefit depending on which option you choose.

You and your spouse may choose not to take advantage of this option by notifying
the Plan at the time you retire. If you do so, you will receive your full benefit in the form of a
straight-life annuity benefit. For you to receive benefits in the form of a straight-life annuity,
your spouse must agree in writing that he/she is waiving his/her right to a survivor’s benefit.

If you die at a time when you were eligible for a pension, but you had not yet retired,
or at a time when you were vested for a pension but had not yet reached retirement age,
the Plan will pay your spouse a survivor's pension. The amount of the survivor's benefit will
depend on the ages of you and your spouse at the time of your death and the pension

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 19

benefit that you would have been entitled to receive.

Depending on the amount of the survivor's benefit, your spouse may have a choice
to receive the benefit as a lump-sum at the time of your death or in monthly payments that
begin when you would have reached the Plan's earliest retirement age. If the actuarial
equivalent of your survivor’s benefit is $50,000 or less, your spouse may choose to cash-out
his/her benefit in a lump-sum. If monthly payments are chosen, your spouse will receive this
benefit until his or her death. If your spouse is also your Beneficiary, he or she may be eligible
for the 60-month guarantee before payment of the survivor’s benefit.

If your survivor’s benefit is $7,000 or less, your spouse will receive his/her benefit in the
form of a one-time lump-sum distribution.

CAN MY EX-SPOUSE RECEIVE PART OF MY PENSION BENEFITS

Federal law allows your ex-spouse to receive part of your benefits if he or she obtains
a state court order called a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (“QDRO” or “Order”). You
or your attorney can receive a copy of a sample QDRO by contacting the Plan’s Legal
Department. When the Plan receives a QDRO, the Plan must comply with its terms. The
Order will specify the amount of benefits the ex-spouse is entitled to receive and may
require you to receive your pension in the form of a Joint and Survivor’s Pension.

When a QDRO is received by the Plan, it is reviewed by Plan counsel to ensure that the
Order complies with the Plan’s Rules and Regulations. If there is a problem with the validity
of the Order, you, your ex-spouse, and your attorneys will be notified within a short time of
any changes that need to be made to the Order. Once the executed Order is received, it
will be retained with your pension records.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR PENSION BENEFITS?

To receive pension benefits, you must file a completed application with the Plan. You
can obtain a pension application form from your local plan representative, online at
[Link] (Benefits/ Seafarers Pension Plan (SPP)/Applications and Forms/ Pension
Application, or by contacting the Plan at 1-800-252-4674.

You must begin receiving your pension by April 1st of the calendar year that follows the
year in which you reach age 70½.Even if you continue to work, you should file an
application with the Plan within 90 days of your mandatory retirement date.

At the time you file your pension application, you will need to submit the documents
listed below. Some pension applicants start collecting these documents as much as a year
ahead of time. You too should start early to avoid any delay in processing your pension
application. Your pension application is not considered complete until you have submitted
all required documents.

The following documents must be submitted with your application if they are not

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 20

already on file with the Plan office:

• copy of your birth certificate;

• copy of your spouse's birth certificate;
• copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree(s), if applicable;
• copies of all Certificates of Discharge (optional);
• copy of your Social Security card or proof of your taxpayer identification
number;
• copy of your spouse’s Social Security card or proof of his or her taxpayer
identification number;
• recent passport size photo (optional).

NOTE: If you are using receipt of Maintenance and Cure (“M&C”) payments towards
your eligibility, it is recommended that you submit copies of M&C payments to the Plan
at the time you received them. If not, you must submit them with your application.

Make certain to put discharges in date order. If you have lost your discharges, you
can obtain copies electronically: [Link]

or by writing to:

National Maritime Center.

Attn: Correspondence Section
(NMC-41)
100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404

If you are filing for a DISABILITY PENSION, you also will need a:

• Social Security Disability Award; AND

• A dated letter from your doctor stating the reason(s) why you are
permanently "Not Fit for Duty".

NOTE: For a Disability Pension, it is recommended that you file your application at the
same time that you apply for your Social Security Disability Award. This will ensure that
your pension benefit payments begin promptly when you receive your Award.

You should mail your completed pension application, together with the necessary
documents, to:

Seafarers Pension Plan

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, Maryland 20746

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 21

 Your application will be processed within 90 days and you will be informed by the Plan
in writing whether you qualify for a pension benefit.

WHEN DO PENSION BENEFITS BEGIN?

If you are eligible for a Normal, Early Normal, or Deferred Vested pension benefit,
your effective date will be the first day of the calendar month following the later of the
date of your completed application OR the date when all of the eligibility requirements
are met. Disability pension benefits are paid as of the first day of the calendar month
following the later of the date you received your last Sickness and Accident (“S&A”)
payment OR the date when all of the eligibility requirements are satisfied.

WHAT IS THE PENSIONER DEATH BENEFIT?

Upon your death, anyone you have named can receive a payment from the Plan.
Your beneficiary can receive this benefit if you meet the following requirements:

• You must have retired on a Regular Normal, Deferred Vested, Early Normal, or
Disability Pension; AND
• You must have credit for at least 125 days of service in the calendar year before
you applied for pension.

WHO CAN BE MY BENEFICIARY AND HOW MUCH MONEY CAN

THEY RECEIVE?
To name a beneficiary, you must complete a beneficiary form provided by the Plan.
To claim the full amount of your death benefit, the beneficiary you have named must be a
close relative. Under the Plan’s Rules, your beneficiary may be any of the relatives from the
following list:

Spouse Mother Sister

Child Father Brother
Grandchild Stepmother Stepsister
Grandmother Stepfather Stepbrother
Grandfather Half-sister Niece*
Stepchild

*Niece and nephew are defined as the children of the brother or sister of a
deceased pensioner.

The amount of the pensioner death benefit is either $5,000, $4,000, or $1,000. All death
benefits are subject to the funeral expense deduction. (The amount that your beneficiary
will receive depends on the employer paying the appropriate rate to the Plan while you
were working and whether your beneficiary is in one of the above categories)

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 22

 However, if the beneficiary you have named is not a relative on this list, the maximum
amount he or she can receive is $1,000 as a death benefit. If you do not name a beneficiary
on a form provided by the Plan, a maximum of $1,000 will be paid to your estate or to the
person who paid for your funeral. It is extremely important to keep your beneficiary
information up to date to ensure that all the benefits you have earned will be paid to your
beneficiary. Remember, if you experience a life event such as marriage, birth, death, or
divorce, you may want to revise your beneficiary designation.

WHAT IS THE FUNERAL EXPENSE DEDUCTION?

If someone has paid for your funeral (other than the government, insurance, or
prepaid arrangements), the Plan will pay that person up to $1,000 towards the funeral
expenses. The amount of this payment will be subtracted from the amount of the Death
Benefit that your beneficiary will receive.

The amount of funeral expenses that the Plan will pay is limited to $1,000. However, if
you are buried at the cemetery affiliated with the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan
located in Piney Point, the funeral expense deduction will be increased up to the maximum
death benefit.

HOW DOES MY BENEFICIARY APPLY FOR MY DEATH BENEFIT?

To receive your death benefit, your beneficiary must file an Application for Death
Benefits. Applications can be obtained from the Plan office, from your local Plan
representative, online at [Link] (Benefits/Seafarers Pension Plan
(SPP)/Applications and Forms/ Death Benefit Application), or by calling 1-800-252-4674.

They must include an itemized funeral bill, paid or unpaid, and an official Certificate
of Death, with the application.

Your beneficiary also must provide the Plan with official documents that show how he
or she is related to you.

If your beneficiary is not of legal age, your beneficiary's legal guardian must apply for
your death benefit. Your beneficiary must apply for your death benefit within one year
following your date of death.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 23

ONCE I BECOME A PENSIONER, CAN I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE
HEALTH CARE BENEFITS?
You will be eligible for health care benefits after you retire if you meet the following
requirements:

• You retire on a Regular Normal Early Normal Pension, or Special Early

Normal from the Seafarers Pension Plan and you have credit for at least
5,475 days of covered employment with Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan
(SHBP);
OR
• You retire on a Disability Pension from the Seafarers Pension Plan and you
have credit for at least 4,380 days of covered employment with Seafarers
Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP);
AND
• at least 60 days of covered employment in each of the two 6-month
eligibility periods immediately preceding the year in which you become
eligible for and apply for a pension, or 125 days of covered employment in
the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which you become
eligible for and apply for a pension.
OR
At least 125 days of covered employment during the calendar year
immediately preceding the year in which you become eligible for and
apply for a pension.
For example, if you retire in August 2021, you will need at least 125 days of
covered employment during 2020 (previous calendar year).

Eligibility is determined without reference to reciprocity agreements. Covered

employment does not include “extra service credit”, “supplemental service credit”, or
other time that is used to qualify you for a pension from the Seafarers Pension Plan. This
means that you may only receive one day’s credit for each day actually worked in
covered employment. Credit received for Vacation days are not counted towards
eligibility for health benefits.

There are differences between the health benefits that you and your family receive
when you are an active seafarer and the benefits that you will receive when you become
a pensioner.

For more information about pensioner’s health benefits, you can review the
Summary Plan Description Booklet at: [Link] /Benefits/Seafarers Health and
Benefits Plan (SHBP)/Pensioner Benefits) A Guide to Your Health Benefits from the SHBP for
Participants Who Are Receiving Retirements Benefits from the Seafarers Pension Plan. You
can also request a copy of this booklet from the Plan office.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 24

 If you do not have enough days of covered employment to qualify for health
benefits when you begin receiving pension benefits from the Seafarers Pension Plan, you
cannot later qualify for pensioner’s health benefits by returning to covered employment
and working additional days. However, if you qualify for pensioner’s health benefits and
you return to covered employment, your pensioner’s health benefits will resume as soon
as you stop working and your pension benefits are reinstated. During the period that you
are working under covered employment, you may be eligible for employee benefits if
you meet the eligibility requirements.

WHAT IS THE REIMBURSEMENT TOWARDS MEDICARE PREMIUMS?

Regular Normal and Early Normal Pensioners over the age of 65 and Disability
Pensioners who are eligible for benefits from the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan will be
entitled to a reimbursement towards Medicare premiums in the amount of $50 per month.
Those pensioners whose eligible spouses also are age 65 or older will receive a supplemental
monthly $50 benefit during the pensioners’ lifetime. In order to be eligible for this benefit,
you need to show the Plan that you and your eligible spouse are enrolled in Medicare Parts
A and B.

The Plan will also reimburse you for your IRMAA Premium (Income-Related
Monthly Adjusted Amount) for prescription coverage, if that amount is deducted from
your monthly Social Security check.

IF I AM WORKING, WILL I AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE MY PENSION

AT RETIREMENT AGE?
You will not automatically receive your pension benefits at retirement age. To begin
receiving your pension benefits, you must file an application with the Plan when you stop
working.

If you do not apply for your pension benefit when you reach normal retirement age,
and you are no longer working in the maritime industry, the Plan will actuarially adjust your
benefit to reimburse you for the missing payments between your pension commencement
date and the date you were entitled to start your pension.

If you are age 65 or older (deep sea) or 62 or older (boatmen) and you continue to
work in the maritime industry in a position that is similar in nature and likeness that is covered
by the Plan for a period of more than 60 days during any calendar year, your pension
benefit will be suspended and you will not be paid pension benefits during the period that
you are employed. If you continue to work past retirement age, you will not be eligible to
receive retroactive benefits.

You must begin receiving your pension on April 1st of the calendar year that follows the
year in which you reach age 70½ (mandatory retirement date). Even if you continue to
work, you should file an application with the Plan within six months after your 70th birthday.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 25

CAN I CONTINUE TO WORK AFTER RECEIVING MY PENSION?
Once you retire, if you should desire to return to work, you must write to the Plan’s
Board of Trustees to inform them that you wish to return to work. If you work for a period
of more than 60 days within a calendar year in the maritime industry in a position that is
similar in nature and likeness that is covered by the Plan, your pension benefit will be
suspended during this period unless you have reached the age of mandatory retirement.
Once you have stopped working, your pension benefit will be restored. The Trustees have
the authority to enforce compliance with this provision.

If you were receiving a mandatory pension because of your age, your pension will
be annually adjusted to reflect your extra service. However, if you retired at an earlier
age and you were receiving a wage-related benefit, you will be able to receive an
additional $15.00 for each period of 120 days worked in a calendar year (after the initial
60 days if pension benefits were suspended) up to a maximum of $45.00 per year. If you
were receiving a basic benefit, your benefits will be recalculated in the same manner in
which basic benefits are calculated under the Plan. Benefits based upon post-retirement
service will be payable at normal retirement age or when you stop working.

HOW WILL SERVICE UNDER ANOTHER MARITIME PENSION PLAN

AFFECT MY SEAFARERS PENSION?
The Seafarers Pension Plan has agreements with certain other maritime pension plans.
Through these agreements, you may be able to use your service under another plan to
become eligible for benefits from the Seafarers Pension Plan. For more information about
these agreements and to find out how they might affect you, you can contact the Plan at
1-800-252-4674.

WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE IF THE PLAN DENIES MY APPLICATION

FOR PENSION?
If your application for benefits is denied, you have the right to appeal the Plan's
decision to the Plan’s Board of Trustees. If the Plan denies your application, a written
explanation will be sent to you. If you believe that the Plan should have approved your
application, you can request a review by a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees. You
must make your request in writing and you must send it within 90 days of the date your
application was denied. You may include any documents or information that supports
your position when making your request.

If you were denied a disability pension benefit, the Plan will grant you some additional
rights to help you with your appeal. Please contact the Plan office for more information
concerning these procedures.

Your application will be reviewed by the subcommittee. They will look at all
documents or information that they receive from you or anyone else. After completing

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 26

their review, the Trustees will make their final decision. The Trustees will notify you of their
decision in writing within 30 days of receiving your appeal.

If the subcommittee’s decision is unfavorable, and you have new and pertinent
information supporting your case, you may submit an appeal within 60 days to the full
Board of Trustees for further consideration.

Your written appeals should be sent to:

Board of Trustees
Seafarers Pension Plan
5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, Maryland 20746

Any legal action based upon the Plan’s denial of benefits must be commenced no
later than two (2) years after your appeal is denied by the subcommittee or the Plan’s full
Board of Trustees (if applicable).

Prior to filing a lawsuit against the Plan, you are required to notify the Plan at 5201
Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, Maryland 20746 by delivering notice in person, by
certified or registered mail return receipt requested of the specific complaint or
allegation(s) against the Plan. The Trustees will review the notice within 60 days and
respond. Any legal action must be filed in the U.S. District Court of Maryland.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I RECEIVE AN OVERPAYMENT FROM THE

PLAN?
You are responsible to reimburse the Plan for any overpayment made to you. The Plan
may take such action as reducing future benefits or seeking repayment of the
overpayment.

ARE MY BENEFITS INSURED?

Your pension benefits under this multiemployer plan are insured by the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) which is a federal insurance program. The PBGC provides
financial assistance to plans that become insolvent. The maximum benefit that the PBGC
guarantees is set by law. Normal and early retirement benefits, disability benefits, and
certain survivor benefits are insured. For more information about the PBGC and
multiemployer benefit guarantees, contact the Plan Administrator or go to PBGC’s
website, [Link], or call PBGC toll-free at 1-800-400-7242 (TTY/TDD users may call
the Federal relay service toll free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 1-800-
400-7242. The PBGC is located at 1200 k St. N.W., Suite 930, Washington, DC 20005-4026.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 27

HOW WILL THE PLAN NOTIFY ME IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES IN
MY BENEFITS?
If the Trustees decide to make any changes to your benefits, the Plan will notify
you electronically or by mail depending on your preference. Once the Plan has your e-
mail address the Plan will communicate with you electronically after you have consented
to electronic notices. The Plan will send an e-mail notification whenever important
updated Plan information is available online. All important notices will be posted to
[Link] in the Seafarers Pension Plan section. Please be advised that you
have a right to continue to receive paper notices by mail and may also request a copy
of any posted document free of charge. To opt out of electronic delivery or to receive a
paper copy of any document, send a written request by: email: map@[Link]; fax:
(301) 702‐6061; or mail: MAP, 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746.

This Summary Plan Description booklet is also on the Seafarers website.

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 28

WHAT LEGAL RIGHTS DO I HAVE?
As a participant in the Plan, you have certain rights under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974. These rights include:

You have the right to:

• receive information about the Plan;
• inspect Plan documents at the Plan's office;
• receive copies of Plan documents for a small copying fee;
• receive a listing of signatory employers, as well as the relevant collective
bargaining agreement(s) with employers for whom you have worked, when
requested in writing;
• receive a summary of the Plan's financial report;
• not to be penalized or discriminated against by the Trustees of the Plan when
you are applying for benefits;
• hire a lawyer if you believe that your application for benefits was incorrectly
turned down, or that a Trustee of the Plan has not done his/her job;
• receive a written estimate of your pension benefits as often as once a year
by contacting the Plan office in writing;
• have your questions answered by the Plan, and if you are not satisfied, to ask
the U.S. Department of Labor at 1-866-444-3272 (toll-free); or online:
[Link] or mail:

U.S. Department of Labor

Employee Benefits Security
Administration
Room N5619
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210

SPP - SPD (06/2024) 29