CEWRF (Carolinas Electrical Workers Retirement Fund) Learn more about how the CEWRF fund works and your future with it.

Bottom of Form

• How long does it take to vest in this retirement? It takes 90 days to vest
• Who pays for this benefit? Negotiated in our CBA, the contractor pays 100%
• Who manages the plan? NEBA (National Employee Benefits Administrators) administer the day-to-day, tracking contributions, payouts and managing the plan. 
• Who gets this benefit?
  • ​Only those working under the Inside CBA
  • Journeymen Wiremen, Foremen, General Foremen, Construction Electricians, Apprentices Period 3-4-5
  • How much goes into your account? (depends on your classification)
    • ​Journeyman Wiremen, General Foreman, Foreman, currently receive 12% of your gross and in January 2027 this will increase to 13%.
    • Construction Electricians receive 4% of your gross
    • Apprentices Period 3 receives 6% of your gross
    • Apprentices Period 4 receives 7% of your gross
    • Apprentices Period 5 receives 8% of your gross
  • Construction Wiremen, Apprentices Period 1–2 do not receive this benefit.
• Who invests the contributions that are made on your behalf? The CEWRF Board is made up of (6) Business Managers (1) from each local union in the Carolinas, and NECA contractors (6), with the advice of an investment manager. This board meets (4) times a year to review the fund and make any changes if necessary.
• How do I know how much is contributed every month, and how much the total is in my account? Once a year, NEBA sends a paper statement to each participant showing all contributions for the previous year and a new total with interest applied. You can also set up an account with NEBA to access your information online anytime. This account will allow you to see your pension and vacation fund. 
• How does NEBA create an account for me? When you start working with the IBEW and 379 (Union), you will fill out new member paperwork. One of the forms is for CEWRF. and is sent to NEBA from the Union. This form tells NEBA that you are active with the IBEW and 379, where you live, to be able to send statements and the beneficiary section, tells NEBA who to pay out your account in case of your death.
• When can I draw my CEWRF pension out and how? You must be at least 55 years of age and not working in the trade for at least 90 days to access your funds. When you make an application to remove your funds, you will have two choices.
  • ​You may receive a check for 80% of what's in your fund and if cashed you will pay taxes on that amount. The remaining 20% will be released after the yearly audit has been completed (usually in June) to ensure the correct amounts are applied to your account, and you will also owe taxes on that 20%.
  • You may roll over 80% of your funds to an investment plan of your choosing and begin drawing funds when you choose. The remaining 20% will be released once the yearly audit is complete, usually in June of every year. NEBA and IBEW LU 379 have investors who can help you plan if you choose to invest in your CEWRF pension. 
• Are there any exceptions to receiving your funds before the age of 55? No
• Can I come back to work after drawing out my pension? Yes, when you come back to work, your account is contributed to just like before, no difference, but if your account has zero out, you start from (0) zero.  
• Download the Retirement Application Here (Return to Hall)
• Download the Retirement Beneficiary Form Here (Return to Hall)