Western States Office and Professional Employees Pension Fund

The Board of Trustees is pleased to welcome you to the new Pension benefit website for the Western States Office and Professional Employees Pension Fund. Within this website, you have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to commonly requested forms, useful highlighted links, and frequently asked questions regarding your benefit information. As always, please feel free to contact the Trust Office at (503) 460-5260 or toll-free at (877) 396-2960 if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Coming soon… 24/7 secure access to your personal WSOPE information! Until then you can access plan documents, FAQs and useful links by clicking the tabs above.

Questions? Please contact the Trust Office at 503.460.5260 or 877.396.2960.

The Western States Office and Professional Employees Pension Fund is managed by a Board of Trustees comprised of both union and employer representatives. This website provides Participants and their dependents with online access to complete information about your Pension Plan.

You should file an Application for Retirement Benefits well in advance of the date you expect to receive your benefit. You may request an Application from the Trust Office (or download from the Forms tab), as well as seek assistance in the application process. Early filing will help you to avoid a delay in the processing of your application and the payment of benefits.

For more information regarding your Pension benefits, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and Documents tabs. As always, you can also contact the Trust Office at (503) 460-5260 if you have any additional questions.

News, Mailings, and Updates
Actuarial Valuations
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Annual Audits
Annual Notices
Benefit Reduction and Recovery Plan
Form 5500 Filings
Investment Performance
Pension Benefit Factors
Plan Policies
Rehabilitation Plan
Summary Plan Description, Trust Agreement, and IRS Determination Letter
Summary of Material Modifications

I am ready to retire, what do I need to do?

In order for your pension benefit to start you will need to notify the Plan Administrator Office at least 90 days before your benefit will begin. You may request an application form over the phone or print an application form from this website. At the time that you apply for your pension benefit it will be required that you provide satisfactory evidence of your age. The most satisfactory evidence is a copy of your birth certificate. If you are married, it will be necessary for you to provide evidence of your spouse’s birth date, similar in nature to that required for yourself, as well as proof of marriage. If you have been divorced, you will need to submit a copy of the divorce decree or QDRO.

How soon can I retire if I want to retire before the normal retirement age of 65?

Early retirement benefits may begin on the first day of the month specified in your Pension Application, but no earlier than the month following the month in which you turn 55.

Is my retirement benefit reduced if I retire early?

Generally speaking, the benefit is reduced for retirements prior to age 65. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Please refer to your Plan booklet for additional guidelines.

Can I put money into my Pension Fund?

This Plan is funded through employer contributions. Your employer pays contributions, per a collective bargaining agreement, to finance the Plan. No contributions are required by or permitted from you.

How often will I receive a Pension Statement from the Plan Administrator?

Annually.

If I receive  a Social Security award under the Federal Social Security Act does that make me eligible for disability pension through the Western States Office and Professional Employees Pension Fund?

If you incur a total and long-term disability, you will be eligible for a disability benefit if you: (1) earned five years of vesting credit; (2) had contributions made on our behalf for at least 200 hours of work during the 12 month period immediately preceding the onset of the disability; (3) submit evidence of disability satisfactory to the Board of Trustees. A Social Security Disability may be evidence of your disability but will not be the sole criteria to determine if you will receive a disability pension; (4) You must be younger than 55 years to be eligible for a disability pension. For more detailed explanation, please refer to your Plan Booklet.

If I die prior to retirement is there a payable benefit?

Yes. Please refer to your Plan Booklet for details.

Once I retire can I return to work?

After you have retired and are receiving benefits, your monthly benefits will be suspended if you return to work for a participating Employer and have 40 or more hours of work per month for three consecutive months. Your pension benefits may be reinstated upon application, after you have less than 40 hours of work in a month. Please refer to your Plan Booklet for additional guidelines.