# Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Group Protection Plan and Benefit Office > Official Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Group Protection Plan and Benefit Office business agent. Administers health, welfare, retirement, vacation, and training… ## Ask it a question Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Group Protection Plan and Benefit Office answers for itself at https://api.hailera.com/mcp/plu68benefitfunds. A client that speaks MCP can connect to that address; the tool is ask_plu68benefitfunds and the protocol is 2026-07-28. Where this file and the agent disagree, the agent is current. ## About Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Group Protection Plan and Benefit Office Overview The Plumbers Local 68 Benefit Funds are Taft-Hartley multi-employer trust funds regulated by ERISA. They exist to provide health, welfare, retirement and related benefits to eligible employees working under Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and Participation Agreements between U.A. Plumbers Local Union 68 and contributing employers, as well as to eligible dependents. The Benefit Funds include: - Group Protection Plan (health and welfare benefits) - Retirement and pension plans (defined benefit and defined contribution) - Vacation Fund - Apprenticeship training fund (Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Fund) Governance and administration - The funds are administered by a Board of Trustees made up of Union Trustees and Employer Trustees. - The Trustees operate the funds for the sole benefit of participants and beneficiaries and manage fund assets. - The plans and trust funds are not a contract of employment; employment terms are governed by the applicable CBAs and Participation Agreements. - Participants must satisfy each plan's eligibility rules to qualify for benefits. The Trustees have full and exclusive authority to determine questions of coverage and eligibility. Plan information access - General plan information, plan documents, Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), forms and notices are available on the public areas of the website under the Benefits and Forms sections. - Participant-specific information (such as claim history, eligibility status and account details) is only available through the secure, password-protected Participant Portal. - Employer representatives have a separate secure Employer Portal for reports, remittance forms and administrative notices. For questions or additional information, participants and employers should contact the Fund Office using the contact details in the Contact document or the Contact section of the website. Source: https://plu68benefitfunds.com ## Where Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Group Protection Plan and Benefit Office works Lists Houston, Normal, Union, and Elko as a location. Names Texas and Elko as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published. ## Hours and contact Fund Office Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Group Protection Plan and Benefits Office Mailing address: - PO Box 8726 Houston, TX 77249-8726 Phone numbers: - Main: (713) 869-2592 - Toll-free: 1 (800) 833-2980 - Fax: (713) 862-4877 If you have questions about health and welfare benefits, retirement and pension plans, vacation benefits, or apprenticeship training, you can contact the Fund Office at the numbers above. Online contact A secure online contact form is available via the Contact Us section of the website. Fund administration and staff - Fund Manager: David Bowman Office support staff include: - Claims Specialist - Pension Specialist - Accounting Secretary - Administrative Assistant Board of Trustees Union Trustees and Employer Trustees jointly oversee the Benefit Funds. A current list of Trustees is available in the Contact section of the website. For any questions regarding plan governance or policies, participants should contact the Fund Office. Source: https://plu68benefitfunds.com ## Apprenticeship training benefits Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Fund The Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Fund supports apprenticeship training and educational programs for members of U.A. Plumbers Local Union No. 68. - The fund was formed under an agreement between the Mechanical Contractors Association of Houston, Inc. and U.A. Plumbers Local Union No. 68. - Signatory employers contribute to the fund for all covered employees under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). - Contributions help fund the activities of the Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee, which oversees apprenticeship training and education. Contribution rate (as described on the website) - Under the CBA, signatory employers contribute a specified hourly amount for each hour worked by employees in covered employment. - The exact contribution rate is stated in the current CBA and related documents; participants should refer to those agreements for the precise figure. Contact information for training center Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee P.O. Box 8653 Houston, Texas 77249-8653 Phone: 713-861-3202 For information on apprenticeship program requirements, applications, or class schedules, participants and prospective apprentices should contact the training center directly using the details above or refer to the training materials and notices provided by the Fund and Local 68. Source: https://plu68benefitfunds.com ## Health & Welfare (Group Protection Plan) overview Health and Welfare (Group Protection Plan) Overview General description The Group Protection Plan provides health and welfare benefits to eligible participants working under CBAs or Participation Agreements between U.A. Plumbers Local Union 68 and contributing employers, as well as to eligible dependents. General information about the plan, including the Summary Plan Description (SPD), Summary of Benefits and Coverage, and related notices, is available in the **Benefits Group Protection Plan** section of the website. Participant-specific information (such as current claims, eligibility status and coverage details) is only available through the secure, password-protected Participant Portal. Eligibility basics (from SPD and FAQs) Eligibility is governed by the plan's detailed rules as described in the SPD. In summary: - Paying union membership dues alone does not establish eligibility for health benefits. - Participants must satisfy the plan's initial eligibility and continuation of eligibility rules, including minimum hours of work in covered employment. - For collectively bargained participants, coverage typically begins on the first day of the month following a period of two consecutive months of work in covered employment during which a minimum number of hours is worked, as described in the SPD. Participants should refer to the current SPD for the full and controlling rules on eligibility, hour banks and continuation of coverage. Required documents for enrollment and dependents According to current notices and FAQs, typical documents required for enrollment and dependent coverage may include: - Completed enrollment card with Social Security numbers and dates of birth - Marriage license (for spouse coverage) - Birth certificates for all dependent children - Divorce decrees and medical insurance information for stepchildren, if applicable - Claim form and, if applicable, 19–26 adult dependent form - HIPAA certificate or letter from prior insurance carrier Additional documents may be required in special circumstances. All documents submitted to the Fund Office should include your policy identification number. Using provider networks and finding care Participants can use plan links on the website to: - Find an eye doctor through VSP Vision Care (preferred provider listings) - Find a medical facility or doctor through the United Healthcare Shared Services link Specific network details and coverage levels are described in the plan's Summary Plan Description and related carrier materials. Participant Portal functions (health and welfare related) Through the secure Participant Portal, eligible users can: - View current claims (EOBs) and work history - Check eligibility status - Print a temporary insurance ID card - View past defined contribution (DC) plan statements - Update contact information For questions about eligibility, enrollment, or specific claims, participants should contact the Fund Office directly or log in to the Participant Portal. Source: https://plu68benefitfunds.com ## Retirement and pension plans Overview The Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Benefit Funds provide several retirement and pension benefits for eligible participants who work in covered employment under applicable CBAs and Participation Agreements. General information is available in the **Benefits Retirement and Pension Plans** section of the website. Participant-specific information (such as individual account balances and personal eligibility status) is only available through the secure, password-protected Participant Portal. Types of retirement and pension plans Pacific Mutual 65–85 Plan (Defined Benefit Plan) - Defined benefit pension plan covering work in covered employment generally between 1965 and October 1, 1985. - Provides a monthly benefit based on years of vested service (pension credits). Eligibility for benefits (summary): - Normal retirement: Age 62. - Early retirement: Minimum age 55, with a combination of age and years of service meeting the plan's rule (for example, age plus service equaling a specified number). Early retirement generally involves a reduction in benefit for each year prior to normal retirement age. - Disability: No age requirement, but requires Social Security Disability or disability certifications from independent medical doctors on trustee-approved forms, and sufficient recent hours in covered employment, as described in the plan. Current accrual rates and detailed eligibility rules are stated in the official plan documents and Summary Plan Description. Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Pension Fund Plan of Defined Contributions - Defined contribution plan effective October 1, 1985. - Individual account balances reflect employer contributions plus net investment yield as determined by the plan. - Participants are generally 100% vested in their individual accounts. - Benefits are typically paid as a lump sum, which may be paid directly to the participant or rolled over into another eligible retirement account or IRA, as allowed by the plan and applicable law. Employee Wage Deferral Plan - Voluntary wage deferral plan effective July 1, 2015. - Allows participants, under the terms of applicable participation agreements, to elect deferral of wages into the plan, subject to plan rules. - Full details are contained in the Retirement and Pension Plans plan documents. Other related retirement benefits - Plumbers and Pipefitters National Pension Fund (a separate national plan). A link to this plan is available through the Benefits section of the website. - Local GPP retiree benefits are described in the relevant plan documents and notices. Retirement application process (local plans) Participants planning to retire should: - Contact the Local 68 Fund Office at least three (3) months before the anticipated retirement date. - Request the necessary application forms (or download them from the Forms section of the website, where available). - Gather required documents, which typically include: - Participant's birth certificate - Spouse's birth certificate (if applicable) - Marriage license (if applicable) - Divorce decrees and any Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), if applicable (complete decrees and marriage dates are generally required) The Fund Office can help answer questions about the process and the forms that are required. Key pension-related FAQs (summary) - Participants should contact the Benefit Office at least two months before their intended retirement date (or earlier for detailed planning). - Normal and early retirement ages, disability eligibility, and other conditions vary by plan and are fully described in the official plan documents and SPDs. - The plan/fiscal year is generally from July 1st to June 30th. Participants should always refer to the most current Summary Plan Descriptions, plan documents and official notices for complete and controlling information about benefits and eligibility. Source: https://plu68benefitfunds.com ## Vacation Plan benefits Overview The Plumbers Local 68 Vacation Fund was formed under an agreement between Plumbers Local 68 and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Houston. The fund provides a mechanism for contributing employers to make vacation contributions on behalf of covered employees. - Signatory employers contribute to the Vacation Fund at the rate specified in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). - The Vacation Fund acts as a collection agent for these employee contributions. - Contributions received from signatory contractors are deposited into individual accounts with the Union Fidelity Credit Union. Contribution timing and posting (from FAQs) - Contractors have 40 days from the end of a work month to report contributions to the Fund Office. - The Fund Office deposits the funds at the credit union on the last working day of the month in which they are received. - The credit union posts the contributions to individual accounts on the first working day of the following month. This timing means that your vacation account balance at the credit union may not immediately reflect hours shown on recent paychecks. Getting help If you have any questions about your vacation contributions or account: - Contact the Fund Office at (713) 869-2592 or 1-800-833-2980. - You may also consult the applicable plan documents, CBAs and FAQs on the website for additional details. Participant-specific vacation account balances are maintained by the credit union and are not provided through this agent. For current balances, participants should contact the credit union directly. Source: https://plu68benefitfunds.com ## What Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Group Protection Plan and Benefit Office has not published yet These are things people ask Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Group Protection Plan and Benefit Office that its published information does not yet cover. - prices - benefit levels or payout amounts - individual eligibility or enrollment status - availability of specific doctors, facilities, or appointment - legal or tax advice - guarantees of investment performance or retirement outcomes - contract terms in collective bargaining agreements - processing times for claims or applications Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess. ## Where this comes from https://plu68benefitfunds.com