ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans

What ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans does

ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans is a Taft-Hartley multiemployer benefit plan that administers healthcare and pension benefits to active and retired longshore workers of the U.S. West Coast, as well as their dependents and survivors. The organization is jointly governed by trustees representing the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) — the labor union — and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) — the employer association — and operates under ERISA's multiemployer plan framework. Headquartered at 1188 Franklin Street in San Francisco, the plan maintains six regional field offices across Northern California, Southern California, Washington, and Oregon staffed by Area Welfare Directors and ADRP (Alcohol and Drug Recovery Program) representatives.

The organization delivers two core product lines. The Welfare Plan offers comprehensive health benefits through a Coastwise Indemnity Plan (PPO via Blue Shield of California, First Choice Health Network, and BlueCard), a Kaiser HMO option, Delta Dental and Dental Health Services dental plans, Vision Service Plan coverage, OptumRx prescription drug coverage with home delivery, Magellan Health and Lyra Health mental health networks, Chiropractic Health Plan of California services, and an alcohol and drug recovery program. The Pension Plan — including a separate Watchmen Pension Plan for Locals 26 and 75 — provides defined benefit retirement income, early retirement options, weekly indemnity/disability benefits, and Medicare Part B premium reimbursement for eligible retirees.

The business model is non-commercial: benefits are not sold to individuals but are funded through employer contributions from PMA members and employee payroll deductions, and eligibility is determined by hours worked under collective bargaining agreements. Distribution occurs exclusively through ILWU local unions, employer-side PMA channels, Memos to Ports notifications, the benefitplans.org website, and in-person field support. Revenue, pricing, and detailed financial figures are not publicly disclosed, consistent with ERISA-governed multiemployer plan structures.

Name

ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans

Legal name

ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans

Website

https://benefitplans.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans is a Taft-Hartley multiemployer plan that administers healthcare, pension, and disability benefits to active and retired West Coast longshore workers and their dependents, jointly governed by ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association trustees under ERISA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multiemployer Benefit Plans

NAICS

Health and Welfare Funds (525120), Pharmacy Benefit Management and Other Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds (524292), Pension Funds (525110)

SIC

Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324), Accident & Health Insurance (6321)

akta.pro primary industry

Taft-Hartley / Union Multiemployer Group Health Plans (FSAIAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group HMO Plans (FSAIAFAK), MA HMO Plans (HLAEACAA), Group Disability Income Insurance (Employer-Sponsored) (FSAIAIAB)

Keywords

• Taft-Hartley benefit plans
• Multiemployer pension plans
• ERISA welfare benefits
• Longshore worker benefits
• Union health benefits

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans administers healthcare and pension benefits to active and retired longshore workers of the U.S. West Coast, as well as their dependents and survivors, under joint trustees representing the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). The Welfare Plan delivers comprehensive medical, hospital, surgical, prescription, dental, vision, mental health, chiropractic, alcohol/drug recovery, and disability benefits through PPO and HMO options, while the Pension Plan provides defined benefit retirement income with separate provisions for Watchmen union members.

Product overview

ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans administers healthcare and pension benefits to active and retired longshore workers of the West Coast under joint Trustees representing the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). The organization operates two core product lines: the Welfare Plan providing comprehensive health benefits including the Coastwise Indemnity Plan (PPO), Kaiser Health Plan (HMO), prescription drug coverage via OptumRx, Delta Dental and Dental Health Services dental plans, vision benefits through Vision Service Plan, mental health services via Magellan and Lyra Health, alcohol and drug recovery treatment, and chiropractic care; and the Pension Plan providing retirement income including separate Watchmen Pension Plans for Locals 26 and 75. Benefits are administered through integrated provider networks including Blue Shield of California, First Choice Health Network, and various regional dental and vision networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan Comprehensive healthcare benefits plan providing hospital, medical, surgical, prescription drug, dental, vision, mental health, alcohol and drug recovery, chiropractic, and disability benefits to eligible active and retired longshore workers, their dependents and survivors.
• Coastwise Indemnity Plan (CIP) PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) medical plan option offering flexible in-network and out-of-network coverage with comprehensive hospital, medical, and surgical benefits for eligible members.
• Kaiser Health Plan HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) medical and mental health plan option available in California, Oregon, and Washington with integrated healthcare delivery through Kaiser facilities.
• Delta Dental Plans Dental benefit plans providing coverage through Delta Dental PPO networks across California, Oregon, and Washington, with various plan options based on member location.
• Dental Health Services HMO dental plan option providing coverage through contracted DHS dentists with no claim forms required and minimal member costs.
• Kaiser Senior Advantage Medicare Advantage plan for Medicare-eligible retirees enrolled in Kaiser, providing integrated Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
• Prescription Drug Benefit Prescription drug coverage through OptumRx for Coastwise Indemnity Plan members, including specialty drugs and compounded medications dispensed by credentialed pharmacies.
• Alcohol and Drug Recovery Program (ADRP) Chemical dependency treatment program providing inpatient and/or outpatient care, therapy, and detoxification services through approved facilities.
• Chiropractic Plans Chiropractic benefit plans providing up to 40 visits per Plan Year (July 1 - June 30) through PPO networks in California (CHPC) and Washington/Oregon (First Choice Health Network), or HMO plans.
• Vision Service Plan Vision benefits providing coverage for eye exams and eyewear through VSP network providers for Coastwise Indemnity Plan members.
• ILWU-PMA Pension Plan Defined benefit pension plan providing retirement income to eligible longshore workers, with options for normal retirement, disability retirement, and early retirement incentives.
• Watchmen Pension Plan Separate defined benefit pension plan for Watchmen union members (Locals 26 and 75) providing retirement income with participant status reports and pension increases under collective bargaining agreements.
• Weekly Indemnity Benefits Disability income benefit providing weekly payments to eligible members during periods of disability due to non-industrial illness or injury.
• Medicare Part B Reimbursement Benefit reimbursing Medicare Part B premiums for retired employees, survivors, and dependents required to maintain Welfare Plan eligibility.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Kaiser PermanentecoreTechnology or IntegrationKaiser provides HMO medical and dental coverage options for ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan members in California, Oregon, and Washington. Members can choose Kaiser plans during annual choice periods.
• Blue Shield of CaliforniacoreTechnology or IntegrationBlue Shield of California provides PPO network access for the Coastwise Indemnity Plan medical benefits for members in California.
• First Choice Health NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationFCHN provides PPO network access for Coastwide Indemnity Plan members in Washington, Oregon, and other Northwest states for medical, mental health, and chiropractic services.
• Delta DentalcoreTechnology or IntegrationDelta Dental provides dental coverage across all ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan service areas including California, Oregon, and Washington through Delta Dental Premier network.
• Vision Service Plan (VSP)coreTechnology or IntegrationVSP provides vision coverage for PPO plan members including eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses through their provider network.
• Magellan Health ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationMagellan provides mental health network services for Coastwise Indemnity Plan members, with recent provider network changes affecting California members.
• OptumRxcoreTechnology or IntegrationOptumRx provides prescription drug coverage including home delivery service and compound drug dispensing for Coastwise Indemnity Plan members through credentialed pharmacies.
• Lyra HealthcoreTechnology or IntegrationLyra Health provides mental health network coverage through the new CIP Lyra Mental Health Network for enhanced behavioral health benefits.
• Chiropractic Health Plan of California (CHPC)coreTechnology or IntegrationCHPC provides chiropractic network services for California Coastwise Indemnity Plan members, covering up to 40 visits per plan year at 100% of PPO charges.
• International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILWU is the labor union representing longshore workers whose members receive benefits through the ILWU-PMA Welfare and Pension Plans. Joint trustees from ILWU co-govern the plans.
• Pacific Maritime Association (PMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPMA is the employer association representing maritime industry employers who contribute to the multiemployer benefit plans. Joint trustees from PMA co-govern the plans.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Carpenters Pension Trust Fund for Northern California: Northern California Taft-Hartley multiemployer pension and welfare plan for carpenters and related crafts — shares the same Northern California service area, ERISA joint trustee governance, and multiemployer collective bargaining funding model as ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans.
• Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust: A large Taft-Hartley multiemployer defined benefit pension plan covering Teamster members across the Western U.S., including the West Coast. Highly comparable to ILWU-PMA in governing structure (joint labor-management trustees), ERISA framework, and West Coast geographic exposure.
• Operating Engineers Pension Trust Fund (Local 12 / Southern California): A Taft-Hartley multiemployer pension and welfare trust for operating engineers, with strong California/West Coast presence. Directly comparable to ILWU-PMA on ERISA governance, multiemployer collective-bargained funding model, and plan administration scope.
• Northwest Carpenters Health and Security Trust Fund: A Taft-Hartley multiemployer health and welfare plan providing medical, dental, vision, and pension benefits to union carpenters across the Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, ID). Operates the same ERISA-governed joint trustee structure as ILWU-PMA and covers a similar blue-collar craft union population on the West Coast.
• Sound Health & Wellness Trust: A Taft-Hartley multiemployer health and welfare trust serving select labor unions in the Puget Sound / Washington region. Closely comparable to ILWU-PMA's regional office structure, joint labor-management governance, and PPO/HMO mixed-model administration in WA.
• UFCW Unions and Employers Health and Welfare Plan: A Taft-Hartley multiemployer health and welfare trust for UFCW grocery, retail, and food-processing workers, with major West Coast membership (CA, OR, WA). Closely comparable Taft-Hartley structure, multi-network (PPO/HMO) administration, and West Coast employer base.

Broad incumbents

• Kaiser Permanente: A large integrated HMO that is ILWU-PMA's primary HMO partner offering Kaiser Health Plan and Kaiser Senior Advantage to members across CA, OR, and WA. Comparably delivers managed care and Medicare Advantage to multiemployer populations, though at vastly larger scale and as a carrier rather than a trust administrator.
• Blue Shield of California: A major California PPO/HMO carrier that is ILWU-PMA's primary PPO network for the Coastwise Indemnity Plan in CA and provides the BlueCard cross-state network. Comparable as a California-anchored health benefits carrier serving multiemployer and employer-group populations, but with a much larger commercial portfolio beyond ILWU-PMA.

Emerging players

• Meritain Health: A third-party administrator serving employer-sponsored and multiemployer health plans, including handling medical, pharmacy, and stop-loss coverage. Comparable to ILWU-PMA in administering health benefits for working populations, but as a commercial TPA rather than a Taft-Hartley trust.
• HealthComp Administrators: A third-party administrator (TPA) that administers self-funded and multiemployer health benefit plans, often including Taft-Hartley trusts. Directly comparable service-line activity to ILWU-PMA's benefit administration function, but operates as a commercial TPA rather than a labor-management governed trust.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ilwu-pma-benefit-plans

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans