
Taft-Hartley retirement plans are a type of employer-sponsored retirement plan that offers a range of benefits to employees.
These plans are governed by the Taft-Hartley Act, which allows employers to offer retirement benefits to employees who are not part of a collective bargaining agreement.
Taft-Hartley plans are often used by small to medium-sized businesses that want to offer retirement benefits to their employees but may not be able to afford a traditional pension plan.
They can be designed to provide a guaranteed benefit to employees, and some plans even offer a lump-sum payment to employees upon retirement.
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Benefits and Eligibility
Workers who participate in Taft-Hartley plans can benefit significantly from these pension plans, as they allow for economies of scale and risk spreading.
Taft-Hartley plans give employees of smaller companies and those within unions access to pension plans, which is especially helpful for those who move from job to job.
These plans offer portability, allowing employees to transfer their pension benefits from one employer to the next as long as both employers are in the same plan.
In fact, employees can transfer their pension benefits multiple times without penalty, which is a huge advantage for those with a history of job changes.
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Who Benefits Most from Plans?

Workers benefit the most from Taft-Hartley pension plans, especially those who move from job to job, as they can take their pension plan with them to their new employer.
This is because multiemployer plans allow employees of smaller companies and those within unions to access pension plans, thanks to the ability to pool resources and spread risk.
Employees of smaller companies can now compete with larger companies for top talent, as they offer competitive pension plans that are on par with their bigger counterparts.
The flexibility of Taft-Hartley plans is a major draw for workers who change jobs frequently, as they can maximize their pension benefits well into retirement.
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Bottom Line
Taft-Hartley plans offer a convenient option for employees of smaller companies and those within unions, providing access to pension plans.
They also offer portability, allowing an employee to transfer their pension benefits from one employer to the next as long as both employers are in the same plan.
These plans usually provide a set monthly benefit amount for participants based on years of qualified service.
Plan Administration
Outsourcing your Taft-Hartley plan administration can bring specialized expertise, economies of scale, and cost savings over time. This approach ensures your plans stay compliant with complex government regulations and provides exceptional service to your membership.
Ekon Benefits offers a comprehensive suite of Taft-Hartley plan services, including health and welfare eligibility tracking, hours recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance consulting. Their team analyzes current healthcare costs, predicts future costs for each member, and identifies and consults on retiree benefit subsidies.
Ekon Benefits specializes in recordkeeping for union employees, ensuring precision in recording hours worked, which directly impacts benefit calculations, vesting schedules, and contribution amounts. They have experience working with various unions, including Bricklayers, Cement Masons & Plasterers, and Electrical Workers.
Here are some of the unions that Ekon Benefits has experience working with:
- Bricklayers
- Cement Masons & Plasterers
- Electrical Workers
- Glaziers and Glassworkers
- Heat and Frost Insulators
- Laborers
- Longshoremen
- Machinists
- Operating Engineers
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Service Workers
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Steamfitters
- Theatrical Stage Employees
- Tile Finishers
- Tile Setters
Health and Welfare Eligibility Tracking
Health and welfare eligibility tracking is a crucial aspect of plan administration. It involves analyzing current healthcare costs to understand the financial implications for each member.
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Ekon's experts use this information to predict future costs for each member, ensuring that plans are prepared for potential expenses. This proactive approach helps avoid unexpected financial burdens.
By tracking health and welfare eligibility, plan administrators can identify areas where retiree benefit subsidies may be necessary. This targeted support can make a significant difference in the lives of retirees and their families.
Hours Recordkeeping
Hours recordkeeping is a crucial aspect of plan administration, and it's essential to get it right. Accurate tracking of union employees' hours directly impacts benefit calculations, vesting schedules, and contribution amounts.
For Taft-Hartley retirement plans, precision in recording hours worked is critical. This ensures compliance and supports smooth plan administration.
Union employees from various trades require accurate hours tracking, including Bricklayers, Cement Masons & Plasterers, Electrical Workers, and many others.
Here are the specific trades that require precise hours recordkeeping:
- Bricklayers
- Cement Masons & Plasterers
- Electrical Workers
- Glaziers and Glassworkers
- Heat and Frost Insulators
- Laborers
- Longshoremen
- Machinists
- Operating Engineers
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Service Workers
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Steamfitters
- Theatrical Stage Employees
- Tile Finishers
- Tile Setters
Regulatory Compliance Consulting
Managing Taft-Hartley plans can be a daunting task, but regulatory compliance is crucial to avoid costly penalties.
Outsourcing to a third-party administrator like Ekon Benefits can provide peace of mind with their seasoned team and industry-leading certifications.
Ekon Benefits ensures your plans comply with complex government regulations, including those set by the IRS, Department of Labor (DOL), and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
Their team assists with regulatory filings and mandatory tax documents, reducing the risk of non-compliance and penalties.
By outsourcing to Ekon Benefits, you can benefit from economies of scale and cost savings over time, making it a more cost-effective option in the long run.
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Unlock Outsourcing Plan Administration Advantages
Outsourcing your Taft-Hartley plan administration can bring specialized expertise and economies of scale, reducing costs and minimizing risk.
Taft-Hartley plans are subject to complex government regulations, and outsourcing to third-party administrators ensures compliance and provides exceptional service to members.
These administrators can handle tasks such as benefit calculations, vesting schedules, and contribution amounts, freeing up your time and resources for more strategic planning.
Ekon Benefits offers a comprehensive suite of Taft-Hartley plan services, streamlining administration and providing peace of mind with their seasoned team and industry-leading certifications.
Here are some benefits of outsourcing your plan administration:
Services
Ekon offers comprehensive services for unions with extensive expertise in the Taft-Hartley Plan market.
With 40 years of experience, Ekon has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs of local labor groups.
Ekon provides a comprehensive suite of Taft-Hartley plan services, all under one roof, streamlining administration and minimizing risk.
Ekon's seasoned team and industry-leading certifications give unions peace of mind, ensuring their plans stay compliant with complex government regulations.
Outsourcing to Ekon brings specialized expertise, economies of scale, and cost savings over time, making it a cost-effective solution in the long run.
Ekon's personalized service ensures union participants maximize their benefits and achieve long-term financial security.
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Partner with a Trusted Service Provider
Partnering with a trusted service provider is crucial for a successful Taft-Hartley retirement plan.
Ekon has 40 years of expertise in managing funds for local labor groups, ensuring professionalism and personalized service.
Their extensive retirement knowledge is leveraged to ensure participants maximize their benefits and achieve long-term financial security.

Ekon's services include actuarial calculations to determine the minimum contribution required to cover future payouts and assess the plan's funded status.
Their team reviews demographic and economic assumptions to ensure accurate projections for long-term plan sustainability.
With a trusted partner like Ekon, you can have confidence in your plan's management and the security of your participants' benefits.
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Introduction and Overview
Taft-Hartley retirement plans are a type of multiemployer pension plan that's governed by a board of trustees made up of equal numbers of labor union and employer representatives.
These plans are designed to balance the needs of workers and employers, ensuring that both parties have a say in managing the plan's assets and benefits.
Taft-Hartley plans cover workers in various industries, including construction, service, manufacturing, mining, trucking and transportation, and entertainment.
There are approximately 1,400 of these plans in the US, with 10 million participants.
Contributions to Taft-Hartley plans are made by participating employers, rather than directly by employees, based on negotiated agreements.
Participants can continue accruing benefits even if they switch jobs within the same union-covered industry, thanks to the portability of their pensions.
Taft-Hartley plans are subject to regulations under ERISA, which sets standards for funding, benefit protections, and fiduciary responsibilities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many Taft-Hartley plans are there?
There are approximately 1,400 Taft-Hartley plans in the United States. These plans cover around 10 million participants, mainly from small companies in the building and construction industries.
What is the second largest Taft-Hartley pension plan in the US?
The second largest Taft-Hartley pension plan in the US is the National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF). It's a significant plan that provides retirement benefits to many individuals.
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