Advance Your Electrical Career with IBEW Local 26.
Join a community that values your skills, protects your rights, and helps you build a better future with top pay, benefits, and training.
Go Union
Belonging to a union means having an entire team of experts supporting you, fighting for you, and elevating you in the workplace. Unions do far more than simply man projects – they ensure that workers are properly trained for the job at hand, provided with a safe environment, respected for their workplace rights, and fairly compensated with wages and benefits that reflect the quality of their work. Union leaders are also prepared to advocate on behalf of members, whether in negotiations with contractors or through representation at the National Labor Relations Board. Beyond these protections, union membership fosters solidarity and camaraderie among tradespeople and their families, creating a strong and supportive community.
In contrast, many non-union contractors have operated unchecked for years, often denying employees fair wages and benefits, putting the public at risk by assigning unqualified workers to critical projects, and even avoiding tax obligations when undocumented workers are hired. This exploitation undermines both workers and communities.
Becoming a union member changes that dynamic. Membership provides better working conditions, fair pay, reliable benefits, and a genuine voice in the workplace. More than just a safeguard, it offers a pathway to professional growth and long-term security, while building community strength among those committed to quality work and mutual respect.
family Health Benefits
Before your coverage begins, the Fund Office will notify you and provide more detailed information about the benefits outlined below. These benefits are available for you and your family when medically necessary and not related to a work injury.
After meeting an annual deductible of $150 per person or $300 per family, the plan covers 80% of the allowed cost for:
Doctor visits
Preventive services and wellness care for children
Annual pap smear
Annual mammogram for women age 35+
Annual physical exams for members and spouses
X-rays
Diagnostic lab and pathology tests
Surgeons’ fees (in or out of hospital)
Emergency care
Anesthesiologist fees
Medical equipment (e.g., splints, braces, crutches)
Chiropractic care and physical therapy
Inpatient and outpatient services
Mental health and substance abuse treatment (with prior approval)
For each illness, the first $7,000 of covered expenses is paid at 100% (no deductible). Any remaining costs are covered at 80% of the allowed amount. This includes outpatient hospital visits.
At participating pharmacies, you pay:
$10 for generic
$25 for preferred
$35 for non-preferred (34-day supply)
Mail order pricing for maintenance medications (90-day supply):
$20 for generic
$50 for preferred
$70 for non-preferred
Most grocery and retail pharmacy chains participate.
Includes 8 free confidential sessions to discuss issues such as:
Finances
Works stress
Family or relationship concerns
Substance abuse
Legal matters
Additional psychiatric benefits are available with a referral from the EAP provider.
Basic Services
Up to 100% (Network) or 80% (Non-network) coverage for:
Exams (twice a year)
Cleanings (twice a year)
Fluoride treatments (once a year)
X-rays
aditional Basic Services
Up to 80% (Network and Non-network) for:
Fillings
Oral surgery
Extractions
Periodontics
Endodontics
major Services
Up to 80% (Network) or 50% (Non-network) for:
Inlays and crowns
Removable bridges
Dentures
Orthodontia
50% up to $3,000 lifetime max per person
Non-Orthodontia Annual Maximum: $3,000 per person
The plan pays 100% of the allowance for a full vision exam, frames, and lenses once every two years through participating providers.
Coverage includes a hearing aid allowance once every three years.
(For employees only; not available to dependents)
$50,000 death benefit for active employees
$12,000 death benefit for retired employees
Short-Term Disability:
Up to 13 weeks at 50% of gross pay (max $700/week)
Additional 13 weeks at 40% of gross pay (max $420/week) (Trustee Approval)
Supplemental Worker’s Compensation Accident Benefits ensure you receive consistent benefits regardless of where the accident occurs.
eligibility
Your employer covers the cost of this health coverage—it is not deducted from your hourly wage, but rather provided as an additional contribution beyond your hourly rate. You and your eligible dependents do not make any premium payments for this coverage as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
If you do not meet these requirements, you will have the option to pay for continued coverage. Note: You may not be eligible for benefits until three months after the date you begin working.
Benefit availability is directly tied to employment. If the Fund Office receives contributions reflecting 135 hours worked in a given month, you will qualify for benefits one month—but three months ahead.
Example: If 135 hours are reported for June, your benefits will begin in September.
Secure retirement with Three (3) Pensions
and a employer funded Investment account
As a Local 26 member, you are entitled to three pension plans—the Electrical Workers Local No. 26 Pension Trust Fund , the IBEW Pension Benefit Fund (PBF), and the National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF)—as well as an annuity plan. These benefits are negotiated on your behalf by Local 26 Officers and are paid in addition to your hourly wage.
Employers contribute monthly to the Electrical Workers 26 Pension Fund for each hour worked by:
Journeyman Wiremen in the Metro Zone
Journeyman Wiremen in the Shenandoah Zone
Journeyman Wiremen in the Roanoke Zone
Apprentices (excluding first-year apprentices and unindentured workers)
Employers also submit a payroll report as required by the Fund Trustees. Contribution amounts increase for Journeyman Wiremen in both zones in June and November.
Key Features of the Pension Plan
Your vested benefit is guaranteed upon retirement.
The Fund assumes investment responsibility and risk.
You become fully vested after five years of Vesting Service.
While pension plans are one of the most valuable employee benefits, they can also be complex. You’re encouraged to review the detailed plan materials and contact the Fund Office with any questions.
For an overview of your Pension Plan, visit: Plan Overview – Pension Plan
Types of Pensions
Normal
Early Retirement
Deferred
Disability
You are only eligible to receive one type of pension from the Plan, regardless of how many different contributing employers you’ve worked for.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) sponsors the IBEW PBF, a defined benefit plan established under the IBEW Constitution.
Location: 900 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
EIN: 53-0088380
Plan Number: 001
Fiscal Year End: June 30
eligibility
Only active “A” members of the IBEW are eligible to participate. “A” members must pay monthly per capita dues, which include a contribution to the IBEW PBF.
Contribution Breakdown (2017 and Beyond)
$36.00 total per month:
$18.00 to the General Fund
$18.00 to the Pension Benefit Fund
Increased to $19.00 for PBF on January 1, 2019
General Fund dues increased:
$19.00 on Jan 1, 2018
$20.00 on Jan 1, 2020
One-time $2.00 fee to IBEW PBF upon joining
The IBEW PBF provides retirement benefits. Details regarding eligibility and ineligibility are included in the plan materials.
The NEBF is a Taft-Hartley, multiemployer, defined benefit pension plan for electrical industry employees.
service credit
Benefits are based on:
Years of covered employment
Age at retirement
Type of benefit elected
Pension rate at time of retirement
Contribution Details
Employers contribute monthly on behalf of covered employees who are:
Under a collective bargaining agreement with IBEW or a Local Union
Covered by a signed NEBF participation agreement
Employer Contribution Rate: 3% of the employee’s gross labor payroll each month.
Note: Employees cannot contribute to NEBF and do not have individual accounts in the Fund.
For more information, please visit: NEBF
The Electrical Workers Local No. 26 Individual Account Plan offers supplemental retirement benefits to enhance those provided by your Pension Trust Fund, Social Security, and other retirement income sources.
This plan is designed as a retirement vehicle, not as a savings account for non-retirement needs such as home purchases, medical expenses, or education.
Overview of Benefits
Provides a retirement benefit payable at or after retirement
Also offers benefits upon leaving covered employment, becoming totally and permanently disabled, or in the event of death (to a beneficiary)
plan Details
Complies with ERISA Section 404(c) (since Jan 1, 1994)
Offers a range of participant-directed investment options
Not a savings plan for use during employment
fast facts
Participation begins immediately once employer contributions are made on your behalf
Only employers contribute (employees cannot contribute directly) Contractual contribution rates are listed in current agreements
You may roll over funds from another qualified plan or IRA
You choose how to invest your money from the Plan’s options
Accounts are valued daily and investment changes can be made at any time
Fidelity Contact: 1-866-84UNION (1-866-848-6466)
For an overview of your IAP plan, visit: Plan Overview – Individual Account Plan
Fidelity Website: Visit Fidelity
Should any discrepancies arise between the information provided on this website and the Fund Office site, the Fund Office site will serve as the official record.
a better future, now: An Exciting Career in the Electrical Industry
Enjoy great hourly wages and benefits while building a rewarding career in the electrical trade.
Qualified, experienced Journeymen are ready to train motivated apprentices. Our programs go beyond teaching basic job tasks—we develop craftsmen and craftswomen. The IBEW-NECA apprenticeship programs take pride in producing individuals with unmatched skill, knowledge, and ability.
We train people to carry themselves with pride, dignity, and self-respect.
IBEW electrical workers aren’t just laborers—they’re America’s electricians, playing a vital role in building the American dream.
More than 85% of our apprentices successfully complete the program and go on to build meaningful, high-paying careers as Journeymen electrical workers. This success rate is nearly unmatched in the electrical industry and reflects our deep commitment to your future.
