Reciprocity

The Plan is a party to the International Reciprocal Agreement for Carpenters Health and Welfare Funds (the “Reciprocal Agreement”) sponsored by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. The purpose of this agreement is to allow a participant to have his/her Health & Welfare, Pension and Annuity hours transferred from the area where the participant worked to his/her home fund. 

If you work in an area outside the Southwest Carpenters jurisdiction and wish to have your hours worked reciprocated to the Southwest Carpenters Health and Welfare Trust (“Home Fund”), you must complete a Reciprocity Form. Contact the Administrative Office to request the form be mailed to you.

Participants must file a written authorization form electing to have contributions transferred within 60 days of the commencement of employment within another jurisdiction. Reciprocal Agreements must also be in effect between the Southwest Carpenters Trust and the other Trusts. The transfer of hours is limited to hours worked up to one year prior to receipt of the transfer request.

Reciprocal Hours: Things You Should Know

  • When you are assigned to a job outside your home area you need to find out where your benefits will be sent so you can give the Southwest Carpenters Trusts that information on your Reciprocity Form. This allows the Trusts to request your hours promptly on your behalf from the correct Trust Administrative Office.
  • Once you have filled out the Reciprocity Form, please be sure to send it back to the Southwest Carpenters Administrative Office at 533 South Fremont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90071 or email reciprocity@carpenterssw.org.
  • If you transfer your union membership to another area, you cannot have hours sent to the Southwest Carpenters Administrative Office because the Southwest Carpenters Trust will no longer be your Home Fund.
  • The transfer of hours shall continue until the participant has revoked the reciprocity request in writing, and the request is received by the Southwest Carpenters Trust. 

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