Who is eligible for membership?
Members, Associate Members, Retirees, and their spouses of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, employed by or retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Now available to our new brothers and sisters, Postal Support Employees (PSE).
How do I join the Accident Benefit Association?
You can contact your Local/State President, or the Accident Benefit Association office for an application. (Some exceptions may apply.) If you belong to a 100% APW-ABA Local/State, you are automatically covered under the Accident Benefit Association. New members will receive a membership package from our office. (A 100% APW-ABA Local/State refers to any APWU Local/State joining the APW-ABA Group Rate Discount Program.)
When is a new member officially covered by the Accident Benefit Association?
For members in 100% APW-ABA Locals/States, coverage officially begins on the date the 1187 is signed by the Local or State President or designee. For new cash-pay members, the effective date will be the day the APW-ABA dues are received in the APW-ABA office. If you are an APWU member of a 100% APW-ABA Local/State, the assessment is included in your union dues.
If my spouse is not employed in the Postal Service, are they eligible for membership?
Yes, you may enroll your spouse as an APW-ABA member under the Value Plan, Advantage Plan or Plus Plan.
How do I sign up my spouse?
Complete the Spouse Enrollment section of our Application for Active APWU Members, which may be found, on the website, or by calling the APW-ABA home office.
What is the cost of joining the Accident Benefit Association?
If you are a member of an APWU Local/State that is not a 100% APW-ABA Local/State, it is more convenient and economical to have the dues deducted from your paycheck. Dues are $1.37 per pay period for the Value Plan or $3.62 per pay period for the Advantage Plan.
Will I have a “policy” if I join?
Yes. Each member is issued an Accident Benefit Association membership package, which includes a Certificate of Membership, Application for Beneficiary Designation, and a copy of our Summary Plan Description.
Can I designate my beneficiaries?
Yes, you can name primary and secondary beneficiaries in the event your primary beneficiary predeceases you. We cannot assign benefits to a trust fund unless a trust is designated as a beneficiary.
Can I change my beneficiary?
Yes. This right is reserved to the member and becomes effective when a written request to change the beneficiary is recorded in the APW-ABA office.
Can I retain this plan when I retire?
Yes. Retirees are eligible to rollover their APW-ABA benefit coverage into retirement by completing a retiree application.
Can I become an APW-ABA Member after I retire?
Retirees are eligible to retain or become members.
Can I retain my certificate if I’m promoted to a supervisory position?
Yes, if you pay the APWU national per capita tax and APW-ABA assessment.
Can I retain this certificate if I leave the Postal Service or cancel membership in the APWU for reasons other than retirement?
No. You must be employed in the Postal Service, a member of the APWU, or retired from the Postal Service to retain membership in the Accident Benefit Association.
Can my spouse retain membership even if I do not?
A spouse cannot retain membership in the APW-ABA unless you retain your membership in the APWU or continue your APW-ABA membership after retirement. In the event of the death of a member in good standing, the spouse can choose to retain membership.