Contributing Employers - How To / FAQs

What is a Contributing Employer?
A contributing employer is an employer who is obligated to contribute to the Sheet Metal Workers' National Pension Fund.

I am a new Contributing Employer, how do I file benefit reports with the Fund?

There are two methods for Contributing Employers to file monthly reports to the Fund.  Monthly reports may be filed electronically using the Fund's Internet Payment System.  This system allows Contributing Employers to send their monthly data to the Fund via the Fund's secure web site.  Contributing Employers may also submit their monthly payments via this website.  Contact the fund office at 703-739-7000, or email webpayments@smwnpf.org for more information on this system.

Contributing Employers may choose to receive monthly remittance reports mailed from the Fund.  This method for making monthly contributions is described in more detail below.

When will I begin receiving remittance forms from the Fund?
Computer generated, pre-printed, remittance forms, are mailed to employers by the first of the month following the month hours were worked. For example, the forms for hours worked in January are mailed to the employer by the first of February.

If this office is notified of a new employer before the 18th of the month, a form for that month will be mailed by the first of the next month. For example, if we are notified of a new employer on January 10th, a January form will be mailed by the first of February.

If this office is notified of a new employer after the 18th of the month, a form for the following month will be mailed to the employer by the first of the second month following notification. For example, if we are notified of a new employer on January 20th, a February form will be generated and mailed by the first of March.

Computer generated, pre-printed, forms cannot be generated for previous months. If we are notified too late for a form to be printed for a certain month, a blank form may be downloaded from our web site or you may contact this office for a blank form. Keep in mind, if covered employment is performed, you are obligated to report hours and remit contributions by the date specified in your collective bargaining agreement even if you do not receive a form.

If the preprinted information on the remittance form is incorrect, may I change it on the form?
Yes, just write the correct information on the report.

If this office receives the corrected report prior to the 18th of a month, the corrections will reflect on the next month's reporting form. For example, if we receive corrections on January 10th, the corrections will appear on the February reporting form.

If the corrected report is received after the 18th of the month, the corrections will reflect on the form the month after the next month. For example, if we receive corrections on January 20th, the corrections will appear on the March reporting form.

If you believe that a pre-printed rate is incorrect on your form, please attach documents to support your claim. Rates will not be changed without proper verification.

Please do not totally cover up any pre-printed information.

I did not receive my remittance form this month. What should I do?
You should contact the Fund office for instructions. Blank Remittance Forms may be downloaded from our web site. Whether or not you receive a form, you must report hours and remit contributions by the due date specified in your collective bargaining agreement.

What is available in the Recent Notices section?
Generally you will find a copy of any recent mailing to employers actively contributing to the NPF. Typically this would include mailings done over the past six months or possibly further back in some cases.

I am receiving a form I no longer need. What do I do?
In the white header area at the top of the form, there are boxes that are available to indicate that the report is a "Final Report". Please check the appropriate box.

Alternatively, you may contact the Fund office and request to have the report lapsed.

I was assessed a "Late Fee". Why?
The general due date for National Benefit Fund contributions and reports is the 20th of the month after the month in which the work is performed. Check your collective bargaining agreement, your due date may be earlier. Provided your remittance report(s) and contribution(s) are received by the due date set in your collective bargaining agreement, you should not be assessed interest and late charges.

I'm not sure where I should send my remittance? What do I do?
In most instances, you should send the remittance to our lockbox address, which is listed below. However, you should contact our office to verify where your remittance should be sent.

Lockbox address:

Sheet Metal Workers' National Pension Fund
P.O. Box # 79321
Baltimore, MD 21279-0321