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  • Published: 11/01/2024 Trustees Approve SIB Increases and Shore-Up
    The SIB unit value for the Oregon-Washington Carpenters-Employers Pension Plan was increased from $9.8680 to $10.4269 on . This adjustment will remain in effect until . For participants not in pay status, this adjustment is effective retroactive to . The SIB unit value for the Northwest Carpenters Retirement Plan will be increased from $9.3660 to $9.9280 on , and will remain in effect through . The Board of Trustees used the funds in the stabilization reserve to "shore up" the SIB to maintain the "high-water mark" benefit. As a result, the SIB paid to retirees and beneficiaries in pay status will remain level for the 12 months following the , and adjustments. Please click here to review the full text of this notice, which includes information about the merger with the Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust.
  • Published: 10/07/2024 Pre-Medicare Retiree Meetings Begin October 25
    Medical coverage for pre-Medicare retirees ends on or before December 31, 2024. We invite you to attend an informational meeting to learn how Via Benefits can help you obtain health insurance from the public marketplace.
  • Published: 09/16/2024 Southwest Carpenters Merger Announcement
    At midnight on December 31, 2024, the Northwest trust funds for health and welfare benefits and retirement benefits will officially merge into the Southwest Carpenters benefit plans. Click here for the letter sent to active and retired participants, which explains how benefits will be administered before and after the merger.
  • Published: 06/25/2024 Informational Meetings for Medicare Retirees
    Please attend a meeting hosted by Via Benefits and Northwest Carpenters Trusts. It's an opportunity to learn more about upcoming changes to retiree health coverage and the health plans that will be available.
  • Published: 06/25/2024 Upcoming Changes to Retiree Coverage, Subsidies and RHRA
    If you are a Medicare-eligible participant or dependent, all subsidies and RHRA balances will expire August 31, 2024. If you are a pre-Medicare participant or dependent, your current subsidies and RHRA balances will remain in place through December 31, 2024. On January 1, 2025, a new limited health reimbursement account (HRA) will be available. The new HRA will reimburse qualified individuals up to $500 per month per person (participant or dependent) after receiving proof of premium payment for coverage purchased from the public marketplace.
  • Published: 06/25/2024 When Retiree Coverage Ends, Via Benefits Will Be Your Guide
    The Board of Trustees has reviewed the cost effectiveness of providing retiree coverage and determined that in most cases, retirees can obtain better benefits at a lower cost by purchasing coverage from the health insurance marketplace, The Northwest Carpenters Health and Security Plan will therefore discontinue Retiree Coverage on or before December 31, 2024. This applies to medical coverage, prescription drug coverage, life insurance, and dental and vision if selected. The Trustees have engaged Via Benefits Insurance Services to help retirees obtain affordable replacement coverage.
  • Published: 06/20/2024 Northwest Vacation Plan Merging with Southwest Plan
    Over the past several months, Vacation contributions have been redirected to the Southwest Trust through modifications to local Collective Bargaining Agreements. When contributions are made to the Southwest Trust, you become a participant, and the rules of the Southwest Trust will govern the distribution of your benefits.
  • Published: 02/21/2024 Form 1095-B for Tax Year 2023 Available Upon Request
    It is not necessary to print and mail Form 1095-B with your 2023 tax return. Northwest Carpenters Trusts provided your information to the IRS as required. If you would like a printed copy of your Form 1095-B, this article will explain how to request it.
  • Published: 02/16/2024 Update: Multicare to Remain in Regence Network
    On February 16, 2024, Northwest Carpenters Trusts was notified that MultiCare Health System rescinded its termination and will remain in network for Regence members. This means participants and dependents with Regence coverage may continue to access care from MultiCare providers and facilities and receive in-network benefits.
  • Published: 02/08/2024 Measuring the Impact of Multicare's Possible Exit from the Regence Network
    Presently, the doctors and facilities of MultiCare Health System are participating providers in the Regence PPO network. This is expected to change, however, because MultiCare has informed Regence and affected patients that it will no longer participate in the Regence network beginning March 1, 2024.
  • Published: 11/06/2023 Trustees Approve New Health Plan Rates and Suspension Rules
    The Trustees of the Northwest Carpenters Health and Security Trust recently approved three important changes to the Northwest Carpenters Health and Security Plan.
  • Published: 11/02/2023 Trustees Amend Retirement Plan Suspension Rules
    The Board of Trustees has approved a temporary waiver to the suspension of benefit rules under the Northwest Carpenters Retirement Plan.
  • Published: 02/16/2023 Retirement Workshop in Lacey on Feb. 18
    A retirement workshop will be held at the South Puget Sound Carpenters Local 129 on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, from 9:00 am to noon.
  • Published: 12/22/2022 Holiday Hours Observed Dec. 23 and Dec. 26
    Northwest Carpenters Trusts will be closed on Friday and Monday in observance of Christmas.
  • Published: 09/14/2022 Portland Retirement Workshop on Sept. 17
    A retirement workshop will be held at the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
  • Published: 06/17/2022 Office Closed June 20 for Juneteenth Day of Observance
    Northwest Carpenters Trusts will be closed for business Monday in observance of Juneteenth.
  • Published: 04/14/2022 Investment Losses Recovered in Settlement
    An agreement has been reached in the effort to recoup 2020 investment losses from Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) on behalf of the Northwest Carpenters Retirement Plan, the Northwest Carpenters Individual Account Pension Trust, and the Northwest Carpenters Health and Security Trust.
  • Published: 03/21/2022 Visitors Welcome Following End to Mask Mandate
    Our downtown Seattle office is again open to visitors following discontinuation of King County's mask mandate earlier this month.
  • Published: 03/09/2022 Form 1095-B Available But No Longer Required
    Are you wondering why you didn’t receive a Form 1095-B this year?
  • Published: 01/12/2022 Our Office is Closed to All Visitors
    The Northwest Carpenters Trusts office in Seattle is operational but, due to the high transmissible rate of the omicron variant, the office is not open to participants or other visitors until further notice.
  • Published: 01/04/2022 Trustees Announce New Name for Merged Trusts and Plans
    Carpenters Trusts of Western Washington has a new name... Northwest Carpenters Trusts.
  • Published: 10/05/2021 Monthly Deduction to Increase Nov. 1 for Western and Central Wash.
    The Board of Trustees approved an amendment increasing the monthly deduction amount from $900 to $1,000 for the Western and Central benefits package beginning with November 1, 2021 eligibility.
  • Published: 09/28/2021 Filling a Prescription? Show Your Express-Scripts Card
    The Carpenters Health and Security Plan offers outstanding discounts on prescription medications through an arrangement with Express Scripts. To be eligible for these discounts, you must show your Express Scripts ID card when purchasing medications at retail pharmacies.
  • Published: 08/25/2021 Limited Services Offered 8/25-8/27
    Our Retirement Services department is preparing to welcome participants, retirees and beneficiaries from Oregon and SW Washington on September 1.
  • Published: 02/17/2021 4Q2020 Statements Available on Member Portal
    Benefit statements for the fourth quarter of 2020 are now available on Member Portal.
  • Published: 02/15/2021 2020 Investment Losses Due to AllianzGI Failure
    In the Spring of 2020, the overall value of your two retirement plan investments declined sharply due to investments with a management firm called Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI).
  • Published: 11/12/2020 Register for a Free Screening and Flu Shot thru Nov. 30
    Are you keeping up with recommended health screenings and immunizations? Even during a pandemic, it's important to know your lab results and get a flu shot.
  • Published: 04/02/2020 Telehealth Benefit Expanded to Behavioral Health and Other Providers
    As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impose quarantines and social distancing, patients may be finding it more difficult to get to clinics and other facilities for health care services. But there is another option.
  • Published: 03/24/2020 Office is Currently Closed to Visitors but Service Continues
    As a provider of health coverage and financial services, Carpenters Trusts of Western Washington is an essential service to nearly 30,000 individuals in Washington and neighboring states.