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Post-Retirement Benefits Frequently Asked Questions

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Benefit plans are specific to each employee group for both active and retiree members. Differences between active and retiree plans vary based on the employee group. Benefit booklets which outline coverage in retiree plans are posted on the Human Resources website to help you understand your entitlements as a retiree.

Post-retirement benefits are administered through Sun Life Financial. Claims can be submitted via. the My Sun Life website or through paper claims. Details on this process can be found here.

To be eligible for health and dental benefits you must be enrolled in your provincial health care plan. Provincial health care plans have specific eligibility criteria should you choose to live outside of Canada.[1] Once you are no longer eligible for health and dental benefits there is no opportunity to reinstate benefits should you become re-eligible for your provincial health care plan in the future.  Therefore, you should give careful consideration to potential loss of retiree health and dental benefits before you choose to live outside of Canada for all or part of the year during your retirement.

There is no impact to the life insurance benefit should you choose to live outside of Canada upon retirement.

[1] The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) currently states “if you plan to be outside Canada for more than seven months in any 12-month period you can keep your OHIP coverage for up to two years if you: have a valid health card; make Ontario your primary home; will be in Ontario for at least 153 days a year in each of the two years immediately before you leave the country.” This eligibility criteria is subject to change and therefore it is up to the member to confirm eligibility criteria with the provincial health care plan.

If you retire prior to age 65 (collect immediate pension), you are eligible to keep your lump sum coverage or the basic coverage of 175% of salary by paying the full premium which is based on factors such as age, gender, and smoking vs. non-smoking. However, your coverage will reduce to $5,000 as of the date you elect or age 65, whichever is earlier. (Survivor Income Benefit and Optional Life coverage cease at retirement)

If you retire at age 65 (your Normal Retirement Date), you may be eligible for a Term Insurance Policy of $5,000. If you wish to convert your current insurance to a private insurance plan, you must apply within 31 days of your retirement date. Please contact Human Resources Services at extension 222-HR (x 22247) if you wish to proceed with this option. (Note: You can convert your current insurance up to a maximum of $200,000, without a medical examination, however you would be subject to payment of premiums set by Sun Life for outside of a Group Plan)