New AFM-EPF Educational Webinar

The AFM-EPF (American Federation of Musicians and Employers Pension Fund) is a large, multi-employer pension fund where many of us have contributions sent on our behalf. It provides monthly retirement benefits for life to Participants whose work is covered by an AFM contract that requires such a contribution. Membership in the AFM alone does not guarantee pension benefits; there is a vesting period during which a certain amount of contributions must be made annually over a five year period, though it could take longer than five years to earn this.

If you have any questions about the pension fund and how it works, beginning in September the fund will offer bi-monthly 60 minute virtual educational webinars with interactive Q&A designed to help Participants of the Plan make informed decisions about their retirement and maximize the resources available through the Plan. Webinars are open to all.

Each session provides an overview about how the AFM-EPF plan works and some key Plan provisions, including participation requirements, vesting rules, retirement eligibility, benefit calculations, and the death benefits available under the Plan. Participants will also learn how to access and navigate the Participant Portal, use the Pension Estimator to project future retirement benefits, and the importance of making a beneficiary designation.

To view the webinar schedule and register on their website, click here.

In addition to the educational webinars, the AFM-EPF has also created a one-page Quick Guide, which is an overview of some Plan benefits, rules, and important resources. To view the Quick Guide, click here.

I would encourage anyone curious to attend one of these webinars, especially those of you already vested in the Plan. I have had quite a few people tell me in the last couple of years that their benefits are quite a bit better than what they had expected. For more information, the front page of their website is here. You do need to know your Pension ID number to create a log-in (this is sometimes located on your quarterly statements or other correspondence you have received from the fund). If you need any assistance, bear in mind that the AFM-EPF is an entirely separate organization from the AFM. Your Local officers cannot answer any questions about your account, or help you log in to their website; we can only get into our own accounts. The fund’s toll-free phone number is 800-833-8065, and you can also email them at PensionSupport@afmepf.org.