Benefits on Maternity, Parental and Adoptive Leave: CUPE 2278 and CUPE 2950

While on maternity, parental or adoptive leave, you may elect to either keep or cancel your benefits (Medical Services Plan, Extended Health, Dental Care, Employee and Family Assistance Program, Basic Group Life, Optional Life/AD&D and Disability Benefit Plan) and Pension.

Keeping your benefits

Maternity and Parental Leave: While on leave, you have the option to maintain some or all your benefits.  During your leave, UBC will continue to pay the employer portion of your benefits premiums and you will be responsible for paying the employee portion (the amounts that would normally be deducted from your paycheque), should you wish to maintain your benefits.

Adoption Leave: UBC will pay the employer portion of your benefits premiums for the first 37 weeks of your leave and you will be responsible for paying the employee portion (the amounts that would normally be deducted from your paycheque), should you wish to maintain your benefits.  If you wish to take a further 18 weeks of adoption leave (in addition to the first 37 weeks) you will be responsible for both the employee and employer portion of the benefits premiums.

If you meet the eligibility rules for the Tuition Fee Benefit, you continue to be eligible for this benefit during your maternity, parental or adoption leave.

Pension

Maternity and Parental Leave: During your leave, UBC will maintain your pension by contributing the employer portion, only if you contribute the employee portion.

Adoption Leave: UBC will pay the employer portion of your pension for the first 37 weeks of your leave leave, only if you contribute the employee portion. If you wish to take a further 18 weeks of adoption leave (in addition to the first 37 weeks) you will be responsible for both the employee and employer portions of your pension for each month (or portion) you are on leave. Since this may or may not be to your advantage, contact the UBC Staff Pension Office at 604-822-1889 to discuss your options.

Benefits Premiums

Financial Services will send you an invoice – you can select what benefits you wish to maintain at this time. The Benefits Cost Calculator can tell you what it will cost you to maintain your benefits while on leave.

Canceling your benefits

You may also choose to cancel some or all of your benefits while on leave.  If you take this option, some of your benefits will be automatically reinstated, while you will have to re-apply for others.

Re-apply for benefits

Medical Services Plan (MSP):
If you elect not to maintain your MSP coverage through UBC, you must pay MSP directly or ensure that you have coverage through a spouse or partner’s plan.  Upon your return to work from leave, should you wish to re-enroll in MSP through UBC, you must complete an enrolment form.

Optional Life Insurance, Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment:
If you elect not to maintain any of these and then later wish to rejoin, you will need to re-apply for coverage, submitting a health questionnaire and a medical examination may be necessary at your own expense.

Automatically reinstated

Extended Health, Dental Care, Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and Basic Group Life Insurance:
If you elect not to maintain these benefits, they will be automatically reinstated the first day of the month on or after the date you return to work from leave.

Disability Benefit Plan:
If you elect not to maintain this benefit, it will be automatically reinstated on the date you return to work from leave.

Staff Pension Plan:
Upon return to work, your Pension will be reinstated automatically.