A PUBLICATION OF

TWIN CITY PIPE TRADES SERVICE ASSOCIATION

It seems you can’t read the paper or turn on the news without hearing about the flu. There is “seasonal flu”, “H1N1 flu” and talk of “pandemics.” In Minnesota, cities, counties and school districts are planning for a potential outbreak. The following article will provide you with the information we have right now, how your health plan is dealing with this issue and provide you some additional resources.

With regard to additional information, the US Department of Health & Human Services has established a website that pro-vides details about the flu, how to avoid the flu and what to do if you get the flu. You can find it at www.flu.gov - bookmark this site to stay up to date on the latest influenza information.

IN THIS ISSUE

2 Information on the TCPT Flu Shot Benefit

3 The H1N1 Flu Virus: What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

4 LaborCare Health News:

Health and Benefits Fair; Big 3 Threats to Your Health; High Body Mass Index and more

8 Blueprint Update: Tips for Retirement Planning

9 Fund Updates

10 Medicare Members: Fitness Center Information

10 T.E.A.M. Employee Assistance Program Offerings

Fund Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

See Member Reminders on the back of this issue for holiday closings

Lot’s of Buzz About the Flu – What Does it Mean to You?

continued on page 2

www.tcpt.org

FALL 2009

Let’s talk about the seasonal flu first. The flu, also called influenza is a disease of the nose, throat and lungs. It can make you sick for a week or longer with coughing, fever, aching, nausea and more. According to the CDC, which is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the following groups of people are most at risk for complications from the flu.Children under 5 years old – Children under

5 years old have a high risk of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to flu.

Women who are pregnant during flu sea-son (typically November through March) – Pregnant women are at risk of complica-tions and hospitalization if they get the flu. The CDC deems the influenza vaccine safe for pregnant women and their babies.

People with chronic (ongoing) health prob-lems – You may look and feel healthy and feel that your current condition is under control, however if you have a condition like diabetes, heart disease or asthma you are more likely to have complications from the flu. Also, if your immune system is weakened by long term problems like cancer or Crohn’s disease you should get the seasonal flu shot.

People who are age 50 or older – Even if you are active and in good health, you have a higher risk of complications if you get the flu. And, the flu can lead to pneu-monia.

Other recommendations for the seasonal flu shot - Health care workers, those living and caring for those with a chronic illness and all school age children.

There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physi-cian. These include:4 People who have a sever allergy to chicken

eggs4 People who have had a sever reaction to

the influenza vaccination.4 Children less than 6 months of age (influ-

enza vaccine is not approved for this age group)

4 People who have a moderate to severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated)

continued from page 1

Information on the TCPT Flu Shot BenefitThe following bullet points provide details on the TCPT Flu Shot benefit.

•The TCPT Welfare Fund has a $30.00 flu shot benefit.

•This benefit is $30.00 per person, per calendar year.

•This benefit is in addition to the other routine allowances in the plan

•Minute Clinic is offering Flu Shots for $30.00, so there will be no out of pocket cost to you on these shots! (If you use other providers and the cost is greater than $30.00 you will be responsible for the difference.)

•As always, at Minute Clinic no appointments are necessary and convenient hours include evenings and weekends. For clinic locations and hours, visit www.minuteclinic.com

•Children must be at least 4 years of age and weigh at least 33 lbs. to receive the flu vaccine at MinuteClinic.

•This benefit does not apply to Medicare members as they are covered under a separate plan and have a different benefit for flu shots. Medicare members please check with the Medica Center for Healthy Aging with any questions.

•Guidelines have been listed above for those most at risk however in general anyone who wants to reduce the chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.

ANTIVIRAL MEDICATION FOR INFLUENZAAntiviral treatment will be covered as treatment for high-risk patients and excluded under all other circumstances. Antiviral medications, including Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Re-lenza (anamivir) for the prevention or treatment of influenza in high-risk patients. High-risk patients include:

•Adultsandchildrenwhohavechronicdisordersofthepulmonary or cardiovascular system, including asthmas;

•Adultsandchildrenwhohaverequiredregularmedicalfollow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases, renal dysfunc-tion, hemoglobinopathies (abnormal hemoglobin / ane-mia), or immunosuppression;

•Childrenandadolescentsaged6monthsto18yearswho are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;

•Aspecificconditionthatposesariskofseriouscompli-cations of influenza.

Please contact the Fund Office for pharmacy benefit over-ride procedures prior to seeking antiviral treatments if these circumstances apply.

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The H1N1 Flu VirusThere is no vaccine available right now to protect against the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu vaccine doesn’t protect against the H1N1 virus. However, a vaccine is currently under development and should be available this fall. We don’t know when it may be available, what it might cost, if members will need one shot or two, or if there will be any shortages of the vaccine. Your Health & Welfare fund is monitor-ing this issue carefully and will respond appropriately, based upon the guidelines issued and input from plan professionals.The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Ad-visory Committee on Immunization Practices recom-mended that the following groups should be the first to be vaccinated when the vaccine is available:

• Pregnant Women• People who live with or care for children younger

than 6 months of age• Health care and emergency medical services per-

sonnel• Persons between the ages of 6 months through

24 years of age, and• People from ages 25 through 64 years who are at

higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

It is important not to panic over all of this flu talk. The overwhelming majority of patients that have had H1N1, have experienced mild symptoms and make a full recovery within a week, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment. As discussed certain groups are more at risk and following some simple tips can lower your risk, look for more details in the next section of the article.

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself and Those Around You?Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, es-pecially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recom-

mends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

• Follow public health advice regarding school clo-sures, avoiding crowds and other social distanc-ing measures.

Some of this may seem like common sense, but it can all make a difference in keeping you healthy; get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, take your medi-cations as prescribed, eat your fruits and vegetables, stretch and exercise, don’t smoke and manage your stress. We understand this is a lot of information about the flu, but thought it was important enough to give you the information and resources you need to stay healthy and to protect you and your family.

LaborCare Health Fair – Save the Date!Saturday April 10th 2010

Next year the Health Fair is back, and it will be bigger and better than ever! The Health Fair will be held on Saturday April 10th 2010, and will provide members with a great opportunity to learn about quality medical providers, get your questions answered by doctors and pharmacists, attend classes on a variety of health topics, participate in health screenings and a chance to win some great prizes donated by our vendors and service providers. Put it on your calendar now and watch for updates as we enter 2010!Also, in this issue check out the LaborCare section of the newsletter for details about our last fair including lessons learned, by the numbers, and aggregate screening results.

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Success builds success. That’s one lesson that thousands of union members and their families learned during the LaborCare Health and Benefits Fair, held on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at the Minneapolis Conven-tion Center.More than 4,400 people from nine labor funds attended the all-day event, which featured activities, information and support

that played on the theme “Get Moving to Better Health.”From celebrity appearances and kid-friendly activities to prizes and giveaways, the fair created an exciting and memorable experience. For hundreds of people who participated in health screenings, it was also an eye-opening event:• Anestimated220peoplere-

quested a screening test for type 2 diabetes. Nearly 50 of them had significantly abnormal re-sults, indicating an urgent need to take steps toward managing risk for the disease.

• Dozensofpeopletookatesttomeasure lung function. Many of them, startled at the results, immediately asked for informa-tion about tobacco cessation programs available through their health plan benefits.

• Ofthe740fairgoerswhohadtheir blood cholesterol levels checked, 321 (or 43 percent) had moderate to high total cholesterol levels. Nearly 520 of them had

low levels of HDL cholesterol (sometimes called “good” cholesterol), while 433 had moderate to high LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels. High total cholesterol and LDL cho-lesterol levels are a major cause of heart disease.Just as important, every attendee learned simple, practical steps that can have a positive and immediate effect on their health and their health care costs.If you missed the fun, keep reading future issues of LaborCare to learn about upcoming fairs, health screenings and other events designed with your health in mind.

Thanks to our participating fundsThe LaborCare Health and Benefits Fair was a collaborative effort of nine Taft-Hartley Health & Welfare funds, in coordination with Medica Health Plans.

Participating funds included:✤ Twin Cities Pipe Trades

Welfare Fund✤ Minnesota Laborers Health &

Welfare Fund✤ Beverage Drivers Health &

Welfare Fund✤ Minnesota Cement Masons

Health & Welfare Fund✤ Minneapolis Auto Dealers

Benefits Fund✤ St. Paul Auto Dealers & District

LodgeNo.77I.A.M.A.W. Joint Fund

✤ Minnesota & North Dakota Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Health Fund

✤ Rochester Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 6 Health and Welfare Fund

✤ DistrictNo.77I.A.M.A.W.WelfareAssociation

Thanks to all of the funds and in-dividual members who supported this effort to raise awareness of preventive care, early detection and healthy living.

HEALTH N E W SLaborCare

Look better. Feel better. Be better.

LaborCare Health and Benefits Fair Thousands learn how to take health matters to heart

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LaborCare Health and Benefits Fair: By the numbers

4,400Number of union members, family members and friends who attended

70Number of sponsors

60Number of vendors

9Number of participating funds

220Number of attendees who asked for a diabetes screening

46Number of screened attendees who had significantly abnormal diabetes test results

85%Percentage of screened at-tendees who were at moderate or high risk for developing high blood pressure

72%Percentage of screened attend-ees at moderate to high risk for developing overweight or obesity problems

Lessons learned at the LaborCare Health and Benefits FairBy Theodore Loftness, MD, vice president of Regional Health Services at Medica and medical director of LaborCare

One highlight of the LaborCare Health and Benefits Fair was Mark Kruger’s funny and inspiring stories about losing weightontherealityTVshow“TheBiggestLoser.”Marklostatotalof118pounds as a participant on the popular program. Even more important, he turned his weight-loss strategy into a healthy new lifestyle.Many labor members had their own taste of reality during the event. Through blood pressure screenings, cholesterol checks and other health tests,about750peoplelearnedfactstheycanusetolivelongerandlivehealthier.•Manypeople,surprisedatthepoorresultsoftheirlungcapacitytest,im-

mediately went to a nearby booth for information about tobacco cessa-tion programs.

•Fairgoerswholearnedtheyhaveelevatedbloodsugarwelcomedtipsonreducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

•Participantscameforwardwithquestions about cholesterol and blood pressure during the Ask a Doc session.

Labor members were not the only ones who learned valuable — pos-sibly life-saving — lessons. Medica also gained insight and identified themes that will help us improve services for all labor members.•Welearnedthatlifestylefactors,

especially diet and tobacco use, continue to drive health care costs and illnesses.

•Welearnedthatweneedtoraiseawarenessofhoweverydaydecisionsaffect health.

•Welearnedthatmanypeople,facedwith the prospect of illness, are eager to make changes for the better.

Everyone wants a magic drug that will prevent or cure illness, but no such drug exists. All you have is awareness and the power to make better choices every day — choices about diet, to-bacco, alcohol, sleep, physical activity and preventive care. I encourage you to contact your plan administrator to find out what programs are available to help your family make the right decisions for your health and your future.

LaborCare Health News

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Screenings reveal ‘Big Three’ threats to your healthEvil triplets are out to get you. No, that is not the tagline for a new hor-ror movie. It’s something much scarier: a clear pattern of health concerns revealed at the LaborCare Health and Benefits Fair.

Health screenings revealed that LaborCare members have a higher than average risk for:

–Type 2 diabetes –High blood pressure –High body mass index (BMI)

Fact: The percentage of LaborCare members at risk for diabetes is three times the national average.

Source: US Wellness analysis

All three conditions are dangerous, and they are often related to each other. For example: having a high BMI increases the chance that you have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.However, there is also an up side to this relationship: exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and taking other steps to lower your risk for one of these conditions may also help lower your risk for the others.

Type 2 diabetesWhat is it? Your body breaks down sugars and starches into glucose, which fuel all cells in your body. Insulin is a hormone that delivers the glu-cose to your cells. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body does not pro-duce enough insulin or does not use insulin properly. As a result, glucose builds up in your bloodstream, leaving your cells starved for energy. Why should I care? Without proper diagnosis and care, type 2 diabetes can cause major health problems, such as blindness, amputation, and damage to the kidneys, heart or nerves.

High blood pressureWhat is it? With every beat of your heart, blood pumps through your arteries. Blood pressure is the force with which your blood pushes against your artery walls. Blood pressure is measured two ways: when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when it rests between beats (diastolic pres-sure).Why should I care? High blood pressure increases your risk for heart at-tack, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and blindness. Read about BMI on the next page.

LaborCare Health News

DO 1 THING TODAY TO:

Lower your diabetes risk• Whentalkingonthephone,

start pacing and keep pacing until you hang up.

OR• Devote10minutesofyour

lunch break to walking.

OR• Bemoreawareofyourdietary

habits by keeping a list of ev-erything you eat today.

OR•Substituteapieceoffreshfruit

for one of your usual desserts or snacks.

Lower your blood pressure• Whileyou’rewatchingTV,get

up and walk around during the ads.

OR• Callhumanresourcesandask

about tobacco cessation pro-grams available to you.

OR• Spendfiveminutespracticing

deep breathing exercises.

OR• Don’taddanytablesalt

to your food all day.

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High body mass index (BMI)What is it? BMI is one measurement that doctors use to deter-mine if you may be overweight or obese. Determin-ing your BMI can be complex, but the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides a free tool that does the math for you at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm. All you need is your height and weight.A high BMI alone is not enough to diagnose a high level of weight. It should be used along with other information, such as your waist measurement and a complete health screening, to determine if you are overweight or obese.

Why should I care? A BMI of 25 or higher may indicate that you are over-weight or obese, raising your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and other health problems.

Good (and not-so-good) news about your group’s health statusAccording to results from hundreds of screenings at the LaborCare Health and Benefits Fair, LaborCare members have fairly good cholesterol levels, but higher than average blood pressure and body mass index compared to other people (see chart below).US Wellness, a leading provider of employer and community-based health education and screening services, compared the local results to similar findings from more than 500,000 people screened nationwide between1995and1998.HerearehighlightsoftheLaborCare (LC) and US Wellness (USW) averages:

LC USW

HDL: “Good” cholesterol. A reading of 40 or higher is preferred.

50 mg/dL 42 mg/dL

LDL: “Bad” cholesterol. A reading of 100 or less is preferred.

116 mg/dL 112 mg/dL

Triglycerides: A type of fat in the bloodstream. A reading of 150 or less is normal.

156 mg/dL 159 mg/dL

Blood pressure: A reading of 130/80 or less is preferred.

134/82 128/83

Body mass index: One indicator of body fat levels. A score of 18.5 – 24.9 is normal.

28.3 kg/m2 28.7 kg/m2

Note: 62 percent of the LaborCare members were malevs.38percentofthoseintheUSWellnesscom-parison.*Source: American Diabetes Association**Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

LaborCare Health News

Do 1 thing today to Lower your BMI•Setasidehalfofyourdinnerentréefor

lunch tomorrow.•Takea10-minutewalkaroundtheneighbor-

hood after your next meal.•Drinkonlywaterfortherestoftheday.•Maketheswitchtolow-fatorfat-freemilk,

cheese and other dairy foods.

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BLUEPRINTUPDATE

Retirement is stressful enough, but retiring in a reces-sion with difficult investment markets can be even more nerve-racking. Here are a few tips to help you in your retirement planning, regardless of the markets.

Get HelpThe TCPT Pension Supplement plan has engaged the Ehlers-Huebner team at Morgan Stanley to provide investment education and advice for our members. They are available for phone consultation and in person meetings at no charge to you. They will provide unbi-ased investment information, as they are not allowed to sell you any products. If you choose to find a plan-ner on your own seek advice from a fee-only financial planner, one who has experience working with retirees and will provide you a plan without selling you specific products. The Ehlers Huebner team can be reached at 952-921-1952ortollfreeat800-927-1990.

Set aside a “Cash Cushion”No one can predict what the markets will do in the short term. One of the best ways to have some piece of mind heading into retirement is to have a portion of your retirement assets set aside in a cash option, which in the TCPT Supplement plan is the Galliard Stable Value fund. As you near retirement you can leave a ma-jority of assets invested in a diversified portfolio (one of the TCPT Model Portfolios is a good choice) and move a portion, over time into the stable value fund. At retire-ment having somewhere between 2 to 5 years of your income needs in the stable value fund will allow you to have a steady monthly income stream and allows you to have this income while riding out market downturns without panicking. The Ehlers-Huebner team can help you determine the amount to have in your stable value option at retirement.

Don’t quit on the stock marketAs referenced above it is important to keep a percent-age of your assets in stocks. Being too conservative and putting all of your retirement assets in so-called safe investments ensures that your purchasing power will decline over time with inflation and taxes. People are in general retiring earlier and living longer which means you have many years of retirement ahead of you. Historically over the long haul stocks have been

necessary to help maintain your purchasing power in retirement. One again – the Ehlers Huebner team can help you determine the appropriate amount to keep invested in stocks as you retire.

Keep all of your retirement plans in mindThe TCPT Pension Supplement plan raises the most questions from members, as you are responsible for investing these assets. However, it is also important to remember the TCPT Pension Plan that will pay you a monthly pension upon your retirement and social security, which also pays monthly, and the TCPT Retiree Health Trust which is the third plan that pays you in a continuous stream of payments. These three sources of income that pay on a monthly basis pro-vide an excellent base from which to build on for your retirement. In addition, you may have other after tax savings, your spouse may have a retirement plan, you may own real estate etc. The bottom line is to look at all of your assets together when building a compre-hensive retirement plan and not to look at each asset or plan in a vacuum. Reviewing your entire financial picture before retirement will help you make the most informed decisions and make you the most successful in retirement.

Tips for Retirement Planning

Monday October 19, 2009Market Update and Recovery Strategies 6:00 pm at the Saint Paul Labor Center

Tuesday October 20, 2009Capital Preservation and Retirement Income 6:00 pm at the Saint Paul Labor Center

Wednesday October 21, 2009Capital Preservation and Retirement Income 6:00 pm at Dunwoody in the Holden Center

Thursday October 22, 2009Market Update and Recovery Strategies 6:00 pm at Dunwoody in the Holden Center

Check your CalendarsCome to an educational seminar!The overall economy is going through the deepest recession in some time and the investment markets have been volatile. These are big issues that are outside of your control and the control of your retirement plans. However, there are strategies to help you deal with and understand these markets – take the time to attend one of the following educations sessions.

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PENSION

SUPPLEMENT

WELFARE

RETIREE HEALTH TRUST

FUND UPDATESRecently members received two notices regarding the funded status of the TCPT Pension Plan. These notices are required by new Federal laws and will be sent to members on an annual basis. Although a bit long, the purpose of the notices was to provide more information to members regarding the funded status of the pension plans in which they partici-pate. Congress recognizes that the value of assets and therefore the funding of almost all pension plans have declined due to the current economic crisis. The Board of Trustees takes its obligations to

preserve the financial viability very seriously. Since the Plan is influenced by economic and financial variables beyond our control (e.g., market volatility and changes in employment and/or the number of contributing employers), unexpected developments can affect the Plan’s status and any future corrective actions needed. The Board of Trustees is continu-ously monitoring and reviewing the Plan’s progress with its professional advisors and will keep members informed.

The same difficult investment markets discussed above have also affected the pension supplement plan. We will be holding market update and invest-

ment education sessions in October, please see the Blueprint section of the newsletter for dates and times.

In addition to the coverage available through your hour bank, you may be able to receive additional coverage while sick, injured or unemployed. If your Individual Hour Reserve has been exhausted and your eligibility is coming to an end while you are still sick, injured or unemployed, you may apply for ad-ditional coverage as listed below if:

1. Your eligibility is ending, and you continue to be unable to work due to a disabling Sickness or Injury; or

2. Your eligibility ended because of insufficient hours and you are continuously available for work through the Union Hall but sufficient work has not been available in the industry.

In both cases you must have a form signed and sub-mitted for approval prior to the supplemental coverage taking effect. In the case of a sickness or injury you must have the form completed and signed by a treat-ing physician. In the case of unemployment the form must be completed and signed by the local union.

“It is important to remember that the TCPT Retiree Health Trust does not pay any medical benefits. The actual retirement medical benefits are paid under the TCPT Welfare Fund. This plan provides a contri-bution allowance on your behalf toward the cost of your retiree healthcare in the TCPT Welfare Fund.In this fund, your contributions are pre-tax, invest-ment earnings are non-taxable and the contribution

allowance paid to the welfare fund is non-taxable. This operates similar to a pension plan whereby you earn credits for each year of work and these cred-its will be applied in a contribution allowance to a portion of your retiree healthcare costs. We will all need healthcare coverage in retirement and this plan is one of the most effective vehicles to provide this coverage.”

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Medicare MembersCurves – health clubs and fitness center for women have been added to the Silver Sneakers program as a covered fitness center. For more information go to www.silversneakers.com where you can locate a participating fitness center simply by entering your zip code.New fitness centers are being added all the time so check out the website, find a center near you and take advantage of the health club membership at no cost to you!

Important NumbersMedicare

1-800-772-1213Medica Center

for Healthy Aging952-992-2330 or 1-800-575-2330

T.E.A.M.TOTAL EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE MANAGEMENT

Working to help you help yourself

Your Member Assistance Program, T.E.A.M. (Total Employee Assistance Management), is a confidential counseling service available to TCPT Welfare Fund members and their families.

If you or your family are dealing with any of the following issues:Chemical use and abuse – advice, assess-ment and referrals

Relationship Issues – marital, family or workplace

Financial problems – debts, gambling, bud-geting

Parenting issues – learning disabilities, single parenting, conflicts, daycare issues

Legal concerns – divorce, custody

Caring for aging parents – nationwide re-sources

Emotional health – anger, depression, grief or stress

Or Just need someone to talk to…

Professionals at T.E.A.M. are committed to acting as an advocate for you!Completely Confidential and at no cost to you for initial consultations and assessment.Please contact the Welfare Fund office to verify your eligibility for TEAM.

We are your “first call for help”For help call 800-634-7710

Important Reminders6 If your child is age 19 or older and is a full

time student please submit a copy of their fall fee statement. Coverage for college age students is in pended status as of Sep-tember 1st of each year until we receive acurrentfeestatement.Seepage8ofthesummary plan description booklet for more information.

6 Please inform the fund office if there are any changes in other insurance coverage for you or your dependents. Up to date in-formation will help us process your claims more efficiently. Also, late this fall watch your mail for the “Annual Family Informa-tion Statement, complete and return as soon as possible.

6 Please contact the fund office if you have questions regarding the Fit Choices health club reimbursement program or the tobac-co cessation program.

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Investment QuestionsContacttheEhlers/HuebnerGroupat952-921-1952,toll-freeat800-927-1990.

Investment ChangesThrough the TCPT website (www.tcpt.org) or on the Voice Response Unit (VRU)at877-645-8278.Onbothsystems,youruserIDisyoursocial security number and your password is the month and year of your birth (MMYY). When on the VRU, you can either follow the prompts, or press “0” to speak to a live person.

Operations or Administration IssuesCall the TCPT office at 651-645-4540.

?Lingering Questions?

P E R F O R M A N C E

UPDATE AVERAGE ANNUALIZED RETURNS (%)TOTAL RETURN (%)

LESS RISK MORE RISK

10-Year or Since As of Quarter Year-To-Date 1-Year 3-Year 5-Year Inception

Galliard Retirement Income 8/31/09 0.91% 2.51% 4.12% 4.60% 4.88% 5.62%

PIMCO Total Return 7/31/09 5.59% 8.67% 11.57% 8.66% 6.61% 7.29%

Income Fund of America 7/31/09 13.83% 10.43% -12.72% -3.52% 2.38% 4.46%

Washington Mutual 7/31/09 11.89% 4.58% -20.25% -6.99% -0.70% 0.98%

Vanguard Total Stock 7/31/09 14.03% 12.63% -19.75% N/A N/A N/A

Davis NY Venture 7/31/09 14.32% 14.26% -20.08% -7.37% 0.37% 1.55

Hartford Capital Appreciation 7/31/09 18.26% 26.46% -21.73% N/A N/A N/A

Lord Abbett Mid Cap 7/31/09 11.42% 8.53% -22.35% -8.80% -1.29% 5.96%

Columbia Acorn A 7/31/09 14.99% 19.86% -17.43% -3.93% 3.55% N/A

Royce Low Price 7/31/09 20.51% 29.58% -14.96% -1.93% 4.65% 10.50%

Neuberger Berman 7/31/09 12.61% 11.19% -25.02% -1.26% 5.14% 9.86%

Fidelity Advisor Diversified Intl 7/31/09 21.59% 10.32% -25.50% -7.97% 3.02% 4.71%

Capital World Growth & Income 7/31/09 18.46% 16.35% -18.78% -1.49% 6.87% 7.29%

TCPT MODEL PORTFOLIOS *** Conservative 6/30/09 5.57% N/A -2.85% 2.47% 3.46% 4.21%Moderately Conservative 6/30/09 9.86% N/A -8.61% 0.49% 3.21% 5.21%Moderately Aggressive 6/30/09 14.65% N/A -15.85% -2.18% 2.55% 5.34%Aggressive 6/30/09 18.73% N/A -22.17% -5.34% 1.48% 5.89%

INDUSTRY INDEXESBarclays Aggregate Bond 7/31/09 2.93% 3.54% 7.85% 6.52% 5.14% 6.19%S&P 500 Stock 7/31/09 13.81% 10.97% -19.96% -6.16% -0.14% -1.19%Russell 2000 7/31/09 14.60% 12.53% -20.72% -6.05% 1.52% 3.61%NASDAQ 7/31/09 15.21% 25.46% -14.92% -1.83% 0.95% -2.84% * Performance history prior to December 1993 is that of the host fund, also advised by Morley Capital Management**Quarter, Year-To-Date, 1-Year, and 3-Year are Admiral Share Class, Inception 11/13/00; all others are Investor Share Class.***Weighted returns based on each fund’s representation in the Model Portfolio

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Member Reminders Keeping the following items in mind will help us to serve you better!

> Check out www.flu.gov for more information on the flu

> Don’t forget www.tcpt.org as a resource for many of your benefit questions

> Please contact the fund office before scheduling a sleep study to discuss benefit limi-tations and providers. The cost and quality for these tests vary greatly; this phone call can save you time and money!

TCPTTWIN CITY PIPE TRADES SERVICE ASSOCIATION700 Transfer RoadSt. Paul MN 55114

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit 2977

Saint Paul, MN

TWIN CITY PIPE TRADES SERVICE ASSOCIATION700 TRANSFER ROAD ST. PAUL MN 55114 EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR: JAMES HYNESPHONE: 651-645-4540 TOLL FREE: 1-800-515-2818 FAX: 651-645-8119E-MAIL: QUESTIONS@TCPT.ORGWEBSITE: WWW.TCPT.ORG

This newsletter is intended to communicate information which may be useful to individuals who participate in one or more of the Twin City Pipe Trades benefit plans. Receipt of this newsletter does not imply that you are entitled to benefits under any plan, and this newsletter does not take the place of or modify the terms of any Twin City Pipe Trades Benefit Plan, or Summary Plan Description (SPD) which describes the benefits available under those plans or modify eligibility or other participation criteria.

Welfare Fund Retiree Health Fund Pension Fund Pension Supplement FundWilliam Daugherty William Daugherty Joe O’Shaughnessy Joe O’ShaughnessyKent Johnston Kent Johnston Russ Scherber Russ ScherberTim Urista Tim Urista Stan Theis Stan TheisMichael Tieva Michael Tieva Robert Hansen Robert HansenJohn Wilking John Wilking Steve Pettersen Steve PettersenPaul Batsche Paul Batsche Paul Jordan Paul JordanTom McCarthy Tom McCarthy Gary Erlander Gary ErlanderGary Thaden Gary Thaden Nate Duda Nate Duda Dave Ybarra Ryan Johnston

Benefit Fund Trustees