Benefits Office
The Pipefitters Local 537 Benefits Office was created to manage the benefits for our members and their families. These benefits have long included a Health and Welfare Plan, a Defined Contribution Annuity Plan and a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Vacation Fund.
Through contributions made by participating Employers under Collective Bargaining Agreements or Participation Agreements, it is possible for Local 537 to provide health and retirement benefits in recognition of your service.
Our health and welfare fund provides individual or family coverage to all members who meet the initial eligibility requirement within a 12-month period and then a monthly qualifying requirement thereafter.
Local 537 insurance benefits include:
- Medical Plan – Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Elect Preferred
- Dental Plan – Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental Blue Program 2
- Vision Plan* – Blue20/20 EyeMed Vision Care
- Employee Assistance Plan – Modern Assistance Program
For details on any of these plans, please log into our benefits portal to view the current plan summaries.
You can also go to our Blue Cross Blue Shield site to see your personalized benefits package.
*Please note that the Carpenters Vision Center has closed. All eligible participants have been moved to our Blue 20/20 plan.
Health Plan Administrator Contact Information
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc.
Landmark Center
401 Park Drive
Boston, MA 02215
Claims, Processing or Other Matters
Member Services
P.O. Box 9134
North Quincy, MA 02171
(800) 241-0803
Virtual Counseling Program
Our Brotherhood and Sisterhood at Local 537 goes far beyond any job site.
We’re here for each other, every day, and we’re committed to making sure our members get the support they need.
Modern Assistance now offers a Virtual Counseling Program for Local 537 members as a mobile-friendly therapy option.
Call the toll-free number (800) 878-2004 to learn more. All you need is an email address and a smartphone to get started.
The Virtual Counseling Program is user-friendly, confidential and HIPPA-compliant.
The pension plan is designed to provide retired participants with a monthly pension for life. This benefit is based on contributions made to the pension fund by your employer.
Please view the pension plan booklet on our portal to find the specific rules for credits, age requirements and disability qualifications.
Our annuity fund is designed to provide supplemental retirement income for participating pipefitters. Each plan is an individual account to which employers make contributions based on each hour worked.
There are hardship withdrawal options for active status members, as well as close-out and rollover options for inactive members. Please make sure to reach out to the fund office for specifics on withdrawal amounts.
For rules and regulations of the annuity fund, please see the plan summary on our benefits portal.
Vacation Fund
Members of 537 have the option of participating in the vacation fund with their employer when they are initially hired and thereafter in the month of January in each calendar year. There are 6 options vacation money to be withheld from the employees pay (see wage sheet). These vacation checks are distributed twice per year from the fund office, in June and December.
You can view your monthly vacation contributions on our benefits portal. Please contact the fund office if you have any questions about your vacation contributions.
If you are a member of Pipefitters Local 537 and need more information about the benefits that we provide, please contact James Curran, our Funds Administrator at the benefits office.
Pipefitters 537 Trust Funds
40 Enterprise Street, Suite 463
Dorchester, MA 02125-1638
Phone: (617) 787-5550
Fax: (617) 787-5560
Info@Pipefitters537Trust.net
Benefits Office Staff
James L. Curran, Administrator
Ting Fen Zeng
Colby Harney
Jill Flaherty
Ineida Soares