C.1 Qualified and Early Retirement for Benefits Accrued Before July 1, 1997 The following Early and Qualified Retirement Benefits apply only to benefits accrued after June 30, 1990, and before July 1, 1997. The 1990-1997 benefit accruals for this purpose equal 1.875% of Contributions during those Plan Years. Qualified Retirement Benefit To be eligible for a Qualified Retirement Benefit, you must: be at least age 59 1/2; have at least 1,500 Contributory Hours in either the consecutive three Plan Year period after you reach age 49 or the 36 months after you reach age 49 and before you retire; and have at least 20,000 Contributory Hours or 10 Contributory Years of Service. Early Retirement Benefit To be eligible for an Early Retirement Benefit, you must: be at least age 55; and have at least 40,000 Contributory Hours or 25 Contributory Years of Service.