1
What is Restoration?
Restoration is an option open to former participants re-entering the Pension Fund, wherein the most recent prior period of participation is restored or is made part of the current period of participation. For more information: Restoration
2
Who is eligible to restore?
You are a former participant, re-entering the Pension Fund on or after 1 April 2007, who had been paid a withdrawal settlement (one-time lump-sum) following your separation from your most recent prior period of contributory service.
3
Is there a deadline to express intent to restore under Article 24?
Yes. You must contact the Fund to express your intent to restore within 1 year of re-entering the Fund.
Failure to apply within the 1 year deadline will result in your right to restore being irrevocably forfeited.
4
How do I restore?
You must complete the form PENS.C/1 (Notice of Election to Restore)
The original completed form must be submitted to the Pension Fund if you are a staff member of the United Nations family or to the Secretary of the local Staff Pension Committee of your employing organization if you are employed in one of the specialized agencies. Please send it via certified express mail with receipt confirmation and tracking information to:
UNJSPF
Pension Entitlements Section (PES)
37th Floor, DHP
1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
885 Second Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10017
United States
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Restoration
I have participated in the Fund in the past, and now re-entered the Fund again. What are my options?
If you re-enter the Fund within 36 months from your date of separation your participation in the Pension Fund is deemed to have been continuous (provided that you were not already paid a withdrawal settlement). Your pension contributions will continue to be made to the same account. The period in between your date of separation and of re-entry into Fund participation will be considered a period of break-in-service, which cannot be made pensionable. You do not need to submit any document to the Fund, as your employing organization will provide the required information to the Fund.
If you participated in the Fund in the past and upon separation were paid a withdrawal settlement from the Fund, and you again become a participant in the Fund, you can restore your most recent prior period of contributory service, and make it contributory. Restoration is also available if prior to 01 April 2007 you elected or deemed to have elected a deferred retirement benefit, which was not yet in payment at the time of your election to restore. You must apply for restoration within 12 months from your date of re-entry into Fund participation.
If neither of the above are applicable in your case, upon re-entering the Fund a new pension account will be opened to you, and your contributions for the new period of participation in the Fund will be paid to that account. Your contributions for your new period of participation in the Fund cannot be added to your previous pension account, and you will have two separate pension accounts with the Fund. Upon separation you will be paid a benefit from each pension account separately.
Restoration is an option for former participants re-entering the Fund, in which they can add their previous contributory service to their current participation benefits. By restoring, you can increase your total number of years and months of contributory service and thus increase your future pension. Restoration is available only if you elected to be paid a withdrawal settlement for your prior period of contributory service (which you wish to restore) or if prior to 01 April 2007 you elected or deemed to have elected a deferred retirement benefit, which was not yet in payment at the time of your election to restore. You must apply for restoration within 12 months from your date of re-entry into Fund participation.
Restoration is an option available to former participants re-entering the Fund who would like to add current participation to their most recent period of prior contributory service. Restoration is available only if you elected to be paid a withdrawal settlement for your prior period of contributory service (which you wish to restore) or if prior to 01 April 2007 you elected or deemed to have elected a deferred retirement benefit, which was not yet in payment at the time of your election to restore. Please note, restoration is not the same as validation of previous non-contributory service. If you are re-entering the Fund and would like to restore a prior contributory period of service you must elect to do so within 12 months of re-entering the Fund or prior to your separation from service, whichever is earlier.
Apply for restoration by completing the PENS.C/1-Notice of Election to Restore form and submitting it directly to the Pension Fund or to the Secretary of your local Staff Pension Committee within your employing organization. Your application will be reviewed and if you meet the eligibility requirements, the Pension Fund will calculate the amount that you will have to pay back in order to add your prior contributory service to your present participation. You may opt to pay in a lump-sum or via monthly payments. For more information, continue reading our comprehensive Restoration page.