24 \\ How Do You Apply for Pension Benefits? If the first time you retired was after your normal retirement age, any benefits you earn after you return to work will be paid in the same form as your benefits were being paid before the suspension. Your payments can resume no later than the first of the third month after the month in which you left disqualifying employment, and after you have notified the Fund Office that you have done so. The initial payment will include any amount withheld during the peri- od after your disqualifying employment has ended and before your pension benefits resume. However, if you receive pension benefits for months in which your check should have been suspended, the Trustees may deduct that amount from your pension when it starts again, as described in the Section entitled “Overpayments.” HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR PENSION BENEFITS? Except when benefits are paid automatically (see page 26), you must submit a formal application in order to receive benefits from the Fund. The simplest way to apply is to complete your applica- tion online. The Fund will officially receive your application the same day it is submitted online. However, you may write, e-mail, or fax the Fund Office to request an application. You may also request an application by calling the Fund’s toll- free number: 1-800-424-9608, or request one online at www.iamnpf.org. When you request an application, be sure to include all of the following: › Name › Address › Date of birth › Social Security number › Name of your last contributing employer › Type of benefits for which you are applying › Intended pension effective date › Spouse’s name › Marital status › Spouse’s date of birth › Phone number › Email address To comply with federal law, you cannot apply for your pension ear- lier than 180 days before your intended pension effective date. However, at any time before that you may visit our website to es- timate your benefits or request, in writing, an estimate or other information from the Fund Office about your pension benefits. You will be considered as having applied only when the Fund Of- fice has received all parts of your completed application and any required supporting documents. Payment cannot begin before the completed application is received. If your completed application is not received in the Fund Office within 180 days of your request for it, your application will be denied. If you are applying for a disability pension, be sure to include the date of your disability. Do not delay filing for a disability pension while your application for Social Security disability benefits is still pending. The requirement that a formal application must be filed with the Fund Office also applies to spouses, other beneficiaries, and alter- nate payees. To avoid delays, survivors should request an applica- tion as soon as possible after a participant’s death. In order for your application to be processed, you must submit proof of your age, such as a valid copy of your state issued ID, driv- ers’ license or birth certificate with your application. If you are mar- ried, you need to submit proof of age for your spouse and proof of marriage. Provide legible copies of the required documents. OVERPAYMENTS If for any reason payment of benefits to an individual under this Fund exceeds the amount of benefits that should have been paid, the Trustees are entitled to take any and all actions necessary and appropriate to recover the overpayment. This may include with- holding of future benefit payments or requiring the individual to repay the overpaid benefits. WHEN BENEFIT PAYMENTS BEGIN Normal, early, 30 and Out, 20 and Age 62 and vested deferred pension benefits can be effective on the first day of the month after the Fund Office receives a completed application or following your last day of work, if later. Federal law requires that the explanation of available benefit pay- ment options be provided to the participant and spouse, if appli- cable, no more than 180 and no less than 30 days before the date payments actually commence. Disability benefits cannot become effective until you are totally and permanently disabled for at least six months. The effective date of a disability pension is the later of the first day of the sev- enth month after you became permanently disabled or the first day of the month following the date you file your pension applica- tion. (See “Disability Pension” on pages 17 and 18.) RETROACTIVE ANNUITY STARTING DATE The Fund requires that you submit a completed application to the Fund Office before you can start receiving your benefits. Generally,