Understanding Your Travel Benefits: June 20, 2017
The spring and summer are fast approaching and many staff and faculty are preparing for vacations both at home and abroad. A medical emergency while travelling can be a frightening and also costly experience. Join UBC Benefits Specialist Stephanie Mah for a one-hour session on understanding your UBC travel benefits, and ensure that your well-earned vacation is as stress free as possible.
This session will also include a Q & A period and we encourage you to come with questions.
June 20, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Point Grey: Life Sciences Centre room 1002
DHCC/VGH room 2263 (webcast)
Register Online
Learn more about your UBC travel benefits (part of the staff and faculty extended health plan).
Staff Pension Plan Fair – Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The SPP Pension Fair takes place on Wednesday, June 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. The fair will be held in the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre [map]. This is a drop-in event; no RSVP is required.
The Pension Fair is a great opportunity for members to learn more about their pension plan and increase their pension knowledge. We are also pleased to have the following groups in attendance:
- UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits
- UBC Employee and Family Assistance Program
- UBC Investment Management Trust (IMANT) Inc.
- CARP (Canadian Association for Retired Persons)
Visit the SPP Pension Fair event website for more details.
Change to the EI Waiting Period for Maternity/Parental Benefits & Compassionate Care
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, the waiting period (unpaid) for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits has been reduced from two weeks to one week. The reduction in the waiting period applies to regular (unemployment) benefits, and special benefits for maternity, parental, adoption and compassionate care leaves.
The following explains the impact to maternity, parental and adoption EI benefits and the University’s Supplemental Employment Benefits (SEB) Program:
Maternity, Parental and Adoption Leave and EI benefits
There will be no change to the number of weeks of unpaid leave or length of time EI benefits are payable.
The number of weeks of unpaid leave remains at:
- 52 weeks for birth mothers (17 weeks maternity plus 35 weeks parental)
- 37 weeks for birth fathers/adopting parents
The length of time EI benefits are payable, after serving the one-week waiting period, continues to be:
- 50 weeks for birth mothers (15 weeks maternity plus 35 weeks parental)
- 35 weeks for birth fathers/adopting parents (no waiting period is required if birth mother or one adopting parent has already served it)
Supplemental Employment Benefits (SEB) Program
The reduction in the waiting period to one week will impact the Supplemental Employment Insurance (SEB) Top-Up benefit programs at UBC. The changes are outline below and will apply to employees with leaves staring on or after Jan. 1, 2017.
Reducing the EI waiting period to one week will change:
1) How SEB benefits are calculated in Week Two:
- Employee will receive 95% of salary from UBC. This will be in addition to their EI weekly benefit.
2) Reduce the total number of weeks payable under SEB by one week. Using a birth mother who is in the CUPE 2950 employment group as an example:
- Prior to Jan. 1, 2017: CUPE 2950 birth mother received 17 weeks under SEB: 95% of salary for two-week waiting period plus topping up EI benefit for 15 weeks
- Jan. 1, 2017 onwards: CUPE 2950 employee will receive 16 weeks under SEB: 95% of salary for one-week waiting period, 95% of salary plus EI for second week, and topping up EI to 95% of salary for 14 weeks.
- Prior to Jan. 1, UBC accounted for the second week of the unpaid waiting period; now that the second week is eliminated the SEB is reduced by one week.
There will be no change to how paid leave benefits are calculated for Postdoctoral Fellow Award Recipients.
This arrangement will be in place from Jan. 1, 2017, to Jan. 2, 2021. During this four-year period, the University will work with the Unions/Associations to make any necessary collective agreement changes to the SEB program to align with changes to the Federal EI program.
The Human Resources’ Maternity, Parental and Adoption Leave page includes a table that outlines by employment group the EI benefits and SEB benefits that are payable during each week of the leave.
For further details
- Government of Canada website on EI Waiting Period
- Human Resources website: Maternity, Parental and Adoption Leave page
If you have any questions, contact Stephanie Mah, HR Benefits Specialist, at stephanie.mah@ubc.ca or (604) 8922-6823.
Understanding Your Travel Benefits: June 30, 2015, 12pm
Please share this with your staff and faculty
The summer is nearly here, and lots of us are getting ready for vacations both at home and abroad. A medical emergency while travelling can be a frightening and costly experience. Join UBC Benefits Analyst Stephanie Mah in this one-hour session on Understanding your Sun Life Travel Benefits to ensure that your well-earned break is as stress free as possible. This session will also include a Q & A, so feel free to come with questions. For more information or to register, click here.
Date: June 30, 2015, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Multipurpose Room, 600 – 6190 Agronomy Road (TEF III) [map]
Register Online
Faculty Pension Plan Q1 2015 Statements and Information
Please share this information with your faculty
The UBC Faculty Pension Plan (FPP) 2015 first quarter statements were mailed to members in early May. Enclosed with the member statements is an information sheet highlighting details about the upcoming 2015 Pension Forum, including a map and a list of information booths that will be available. As well, there is a notice about the FPP Annual Report: 2014 Year In Review and the new FPP custom sign-in page, mysunlife.ca/ubcfpp.
The following is information that has been updated for the first quarter of 2015:
Faculty Pension Plan Annual Report: 2014 Year in Review
Please share this with your faculty
The UBC Faculty Pension Plan’s annual report, 2014 Year in Review, is online. The report includes plan highlights, membership and financial statistics, fund and investment managers’ rates of return, a market commentary, and the 2014 financial statements.
View the FPP 2014 Annual Report
Faculty Pension Plan Q1 2014 Statements and Information
Please share this information with your faculty
The Faculty Pension Plan (FPP) 2014 first quarter statements were mailed to members in early May. Enclosed with the member statements is an information sheet highlighting details about the upcoming 2014 Pension Forum, including a map and a list of information booths that will be available. As well, there is a notice about the FPP Annual Report: 2013 Year In Review, which will be available to members in mid-May.
The following is information that has been updated for the first quarter of 2014:
Staff Pension Fair – June 5, 2014
Please share this with your staff
The Staff Pension Plan (SPP) Fair takes place on Thursday, June 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The fair will be held in the Great Hall at the UBC First Nations Longhouse [map]. No RSVP is required. This is a great opportunity for members to learn more about their pension plan and Plan benefits. We are also pleased to have the following groups in attendance:
- UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits
- Service Canada
- UBC Investment Management Trust Inc.
- UBC Continuing Studies (Seniors and Community Programs)
- CARP (A New Vision of Aging for Canada)
See the SPP Pension Fair invitation for event details.
Staff Pension Plan – May Newsletter & Annual Statements
Please share this with your staff
The May 2014 issue of the Staff Pension Plan Update newsletter was mailed to Staff Pension Plan members last week. Active and Deferred members of the Plan will also receive their 2013 annual statement with their newsletter.
In this issue of the SPP Update:
- Governance and the Staff Pension Plan Board
- Annual Governance Reports
- Update on 2014 Actuarial Valuation
- Guide to reading your SPP Annual Statement
- 2013 SPP Year in Review
- Your invitation to the SPP Pension Fair
View the May Update Newsletter
Staff Pension Plan – February 2014 SPP Update Newsletter
Please share this information with your staff
The February 2014 issue of the Staff Pension Plan Update newsletter was mailed to Staff Pension Plan members last week. In this issue of the SPP Update:
- The 2014 Actuarial Valuation
- Working Past Age 65
- 2014 RRSP Contributions
- SPP Board Re-appointments
- 2014 Pension Fair – Save the Date
- 2014 Info Sessions and Workshops
View the February Update Newsletter
New EFAP Promotional Materials Available
For HR Administrators
We have new Employee and Family Assistance PLan (EFAP)promotional materials available for UBC departments, including magnets, wallet cards, brochures and posters to be displayed in your units.
Outdated EFAP Materials
If you have EFAP promotional materials in your department where the service provider is either Interlock or Human Solutions, please contact Colin Hearne (colin.hearne@ubc.ca) to get new materials. UBC’s current EFAP provider is Homewood Human Solutions.
Upcoming Staff Pension Plan MOST Workshops
Please share this with your staff
The Pension Administration Office partners with Organizational Development and Learning to provide MOST workshops on the Staff Pension Plan for members. We currently offer two MOST workshops:
Understanding your Staff Pension Plan (Under age 50): This workshop is designed for current members under age 50. If you are already a member, this workshop will answer any questions you may have about your pension benefits. Click here to register.
Understanding your Staff Pension Plan (Age 50 and over): This workshop is designed for active or deferred members, who are age 50 or over and are approaching retirement. This workshop focuses on your pension benefits at retirement. If you do not have a good understanding of what your pension will be at retirement, you will find this workshop very helpful. Click here to register.
Learn More About the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): Request an EFAP Presentation
For HR Administrators
Many surveys have clearly shown the effectiveness of EFAP in helping employees lead happier and more productive lives, while delivering the following benefits:
- Reduced absenteeism and tardiness
- Reduced health care costs
- Fewer injuries, both at work and away from work
- Fewer long/short term disability leaves (over 25% of all LTD claims are based on mental health concerns)
- Fewer unemployment and workers compensation claims
- Better individual and team performance
- Higher morale and less staff turnover
For more information on EFAP, visit our EFAP page. To to book a presentation for your unit that highlights the free services available for UBC staff and faculty, contact Colin Hearne, EFAP Assistant at 604-827-3047 or colin.hearne@ubc.ca
BC Services Card
Please share this with your faculty and staff
The provincial government is introducing the new BC Services Card in February, 2013. This card replaces the BC Care Card that provides proof of your Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage.
Individuals between 19 and 74 years of age will be required to obtain a BC Services Card from ICBC Driver Licensing Offices starting on Feb. 15, 2013. The BC Services Card will be phased in over a five-year period, so you have until the beginning of 2018 to get the new card. Once you obtain the card, you are required to renew it every five years.
To help employees understand the new card, whether you are enrolled in MSP through UBC or not, we have information on our website at http://www.hr.ubc.ca/benefits/medical-services-plan/bc-services-card/. Full information is available from the BC Services Card website: BCServicesCard.ca.
Medical Services Plan Enrollment Not Affected
It is important to note that the new BC Services Card will not impact your Medical Services Plan (MSP) enrollment, whether you are currently enrolled in the UBC Group MSP, another Group MSP or with MSP directly. The process for enrolling in the UBC Group MSP for new employees or making changes to your UBC Group MSP coverage (for example, adding dependents or cancelling coverage) does not change.
Please share this information with employees in your Department/Faculty. Human Resources will also feature an article on the new BC Services Card in the Spring Edition of Benefits FYI, an online benefits newsletter that is distributed to over 11,000 UBC faculty and staff.
Sick Leave Reporting for 2012
For HR Administrators
Human Resources’ Benefits team is collecting data for sick leave statistics for inclusion in the 2012 Managing Health Promotion and Absenteeism at UBC annual report. This report, presented to the Executive and Board of Governors, provides a snapshot of the health of our staff and faculty and includes statistics on the usage of sick leave (staff only), Income Replacement/Disability Benefit Plan, Employee and Family Assistance Program, and the Return to Work Program for both the Vancouver campus and the Okanagan campus.
Please ensure this reminder is forwarded to the individual who is responsible for entering sick leave statistics for your Department.
UBC Vancouver
Please assist us by entering your 2012 sick leave statistics using the online reporting tool (www.my.ubc.ca) by Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2013. If you have already entered your 2012 statistics into the Leave Database, no further action is required. For more information on reporting your statistics and to download step-by-step instructions, visit http://www.hr.ubc.ca/administrators/managing-staff/attendance-management/faqs/. For full information on Attendance Management at UBC, please visit http://www.hr.ubc.ca/administrators/managing-staff/attendance-management/.
Important note: The myUBC web portal (www.my.ubc.ca) that houses the online sick leave reporting tool will be shut down on Feb. 28, 2013. On March 1, 2013, there will be a new page to sign-on to the online reporting tool. Details will be confirmed closer to the date. For more information on the myUBC web portal shut down, please visit http://it.ubc.ca/news/myubc-web-portal-be-shutdown-february-28-2013.
UBC Okanagan
Please continue with your normal process for sick leave statistics. If you have already entered your 2012 statistics into the Leave Database, no further action is required. If you have not updated all of the 2012 sick leave information, please do this as soon as possible. The UBCO HR department will send the database information to Vancouver on your behalf.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact Benefits Administrator/Analyst Stephanie Mah directly at (604) 822-6823 or stephanie.mah@ubc.ca.
Benefit Premium Rate Changes in 2013
Please share this with your staff and faculty
The following benefit premium rates for UBC employees will be changing effective Jan. 1, 2013:
- Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Employee and Spousal Optional Life
- Disability Benefit Plan for CUPE 2950 Staff
- Disability Benefit Plan for BCGEU Okanagan Staff Enrolled in the “Other” Subgroup
- Disability Benefit Plan for CUPE 2278 and Faculty Association Staff Enrolled in the M&P Subgroup
- Extended Health and Dental Care for Sessional Faculty Under 50% Time
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Premium rates for the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) are increasing, effective Jan. 1, 2013. UBC Employees who pay their MSP premiums through payroll deduction will see the increased cost on their Dec. 31, 2012 paycheque.
The new premiums will increase by $2.50 per month for individuals, $4.50 per month for couples and $5.00 per month for families. The new rates are:
- Single: $66.50
- Couple (family of two): $120.50
- Family (family of three or more): $133.00
The UBC employer and employee cost-sharing percentages for calculating MSP premium deductions will remain unchanged. For example, employees who pay 75% of the MSP monthly premium will continue to pay 75% of the new premium rate. Please note that MSP deductions are taken one month in advance, so employees who pay the full or partial cost will see the increased deduction on their Dec. 31, 2012, paycheques.
For a detailed list of the adjusted monthly rates by employee group and premium cost-sharing arrangement, please visit the UBC Human Resources Benefits Premium Rates page.
Employee and Spousal Optional Life
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the UBC Employee and Spousal Optional Life premium rates will decrease by approximately 10%. Employees who are enrolled for Optional Life will the lower premium on their Dec. 31, 2012, paycheque (premiums are taken one month in advance). For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to employees affected by the change.
Disability Benefit Plan for CUPE 2950 Staff
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the Disability Benefit Plan premium rate for CUPE 2950 staff will increase to 2.30% of monthly earnings. For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to employees affected by the change.
Disability Benefit Plan for BCGEU Okanagan Staff Enrolled in the “Other” Subgroup
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the Disability Benefit Plan premium rate for BCGEU Okanagan Staff will decrease to 0.867% of monthly earnings. For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to employees affected by the change.
Disability Benefit Plan for CUPE 2278 and Faculty Association Staff Enrolled in the “M&P” Subgroup
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the Disability Benefit Plan premium rate for CUPE 2278 Staff and Faculty Association Staff will decrease to 1.346% of monthly earnings. For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to employees affected by the change.
Extended Health and Dental Care for Sessional Faculty With Appointments Under 50% Time
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the Extended Health and Dental Care premium rate for Sessional Faculty Under 50% will increase by 3% for Dental Care (no change to the rate for Extended Health). For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to Sessional Faculty affected by the change.
If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please contact benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
2011 Sick Leave Reporting Due Feb. 29
For HR Administrators
Please ensure that you have entered your Sick Leave reporting statistics for 2011 by Feb. 29, 2012. If you have questions, please contact Benefits Administrator/Analyst Stephanie Mah directly at (604) 822-6823 or stephanie.mah@ubc.ca.
Reminder: Sick Leave Reporting for 2011
For HR Administrators
The following memo was emailed to the HR Networks Group on Feb. 6, 2012.
The Department of Human Resources (Benefits) is collecting data for sick leave statistics for inclusion in the “2011 Managing Health Promotion and Absenteeism at UBC” annual report. This report, presented to the Executive and Board of Governors, provides a snapshot of the health of our staff and faculty and includes statistics on the usage of sick leave (staff only), Income Replacement/Disability Benefit Plan, Employee and Family Assistance Program, and the Return to Work Program for both the Vancouver campus and the Okanagan campus.
Please assist us by entering your 2011 sick leave statistics using the online reporting tool (www.my.ubc.ca) by Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. For more information on reporting your statistics and to download step-by-step instructions, visit http://www.hr.ubc.ca/administrators/managing-staff/attendance-management/faqs/. For full information on Attendance Management at UBC, please visit http://www.hr.ubc.ca/administrators/managing-staff/attendance-management/.
If you have already entered your 2011 statistics, no further action is required. If you have questions, please contact Benefits Administrator/Analyst Stephanie Mah directly at (604) 822-6823 or stephanie.mah@ubc.ca.
Submit Prescription Drug Expenses via Sun Life’s Online Site
Please share with your Staff and Faculty
Starting Nov. 14, 2011, UBC employees enrolled in the Extended Health Plan can submit your prescription drug expenses online via the Sun Life Plan Member website, in addition to using your Sun Life Pay-Direct Drug card at the Pharmacy or submitting receipts with your paper Extended Health claim form to Sun Life.
The process is similar to the way you submit other expenses online: select Drug e-claim under the Submit a Claim tab. Most expenses will be processed instantly and payment is typically deposited into your bank account within 48 hours.
Submitting prescription drug claims online is just one option. If you prefer using your Sun Life Pay-Direct Drug card, then you do not need to submit your drug claims online. This new online option is ideal for new plan members who need to make a claim in advance of receiving their Sun Life Pay-Direct Drug card and for those currently submitting their drug claims by paper claim form.
UBC’s Health & Wellness Practices featured in Benefits magazine
This month, Benefits Canada magazine has highlighted how UBC integrates health and wellness practices into the culture of the university.
Suzanne Jolly, Health Promotions Coordinator in UBC HR
The article focuses on the Healthy UBC Initiatives work done by Suzanne Jolly, health promotions coordinator, Human Resources, and features information on:
- the UBC Travelling Health Fair
- the Amazing Race Health Challenge
- UBC Thrive
- the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program
- and the university’s initiatives around mental health in the work place, including Mental Health First Aid training.
Read the full article online at the Benefits Canada website.