Managing Benefits During Job Changes
Whether you’re starting a new job, leaving, or retiring, here’s what you need to know about your CUPE EWBT benefits.
Types of Job Changes
Click below to jump straight to how your benefits are affected by one of these job changes.
How an Adjustment in Hours Affects Your Benefits
Your Hours Increase
- You will be able to take advantage of the lower premium share.
- You will not have to provide medical evidence of insurability for Health and/or Dental coverage if you apply for coverage within 31 days of the increase.
Learn more about future enrollment opportunities.
Your Hours Decrease
Any premium changes identified during the 2024 October Checkpoint will take effect in November 2024 and will apply to the 2024/2025 year.
If your regularly scheduled hours have decreased as of the October Checkpoint, you will move to the appropriate cost share category and your premium share will be adjusted accordingly.
- If you have a decrease in hours that affects your benefits funding level, your benefits will be suspended effective November 1.
- OTIP will send you an email that prompts you to complete an event and reinstate the benefits that you wish to continue. This ensures that the higher level of premium required for your benefits is not deducted from your bank account without your permission.
Learn more about your eligibility and premium share.
How Retirement Affects Your Benefits
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Here’s what you need to know about how your benefits coverage will be affected.
Coverage End Date
- Your benefits coverage will end on the last day of the month in which you retire. For instance, if you retire March 15, your last day covered will be March 31.
- You’ll receive an email from OTIP confirming your last day of coverage.
Before Your Last Day of Work
- Access to Accounts: After your benefits coverage ends, you will no longer have access to your OTIP secure account or My Canada Life at Work.
- Finalize Claims: Before your coverage ends, visit My Canada Life at Work to submit any outstanding claims online.
- Tax Purposes: Download/print any statements you may need later for tax filing on My Canada Life at Work.
Claim Submission Deadline
- When your coverage ends, you’ll have 180 calendar days to submit any outstanding claims. Be sure to print claim forms on My Canada Life at Work before your coverage ends, while you still have access.
- For more details on submitting claims, contact Canada Life.
Life and AD&D Insurance Conversion
If you are under 65 years of age when your coverage ends, you may be eligible to convert your life and AD&D insurance to an individual policy. You must apply and pay the first premium for the new policy within 60 calendar days from your last day worked to take advantage of this option. Learn more.
How Resignation Affects Your Benefits
If you decide to leave your job, here’s what you need to know about your benefits.
Coverage End Date
Your benefits will end on your last day worked. For instance, if your last day worked is June 28, your last day covered will be June 28.
Claim Submission Deadline:
- When your coverage ends, you will have 180 calendar days to submit any outstanding claims. Be sure to print claim forms on My Canada Life at Work before your coverage ends, while you still have access.
- For more details on submitting claims, contact Canada Life.
Before Your Last Day of Work:
- Access to Accounts: After your benefits coverage ends, you’ll no longer have access to your OTIP’s secure account, or the My Canada Life at Work member site or app.
- Finalize Claims: Before your coverage ends, visit My Canada Life at Work to submit any outstanding claims online.
- Tax Purposes: Download/print from My Canada Life at Work any statements you may need later for tax filing.
Life and AD&D Insurance Conversion
If you are under 65 years of age when your coverage ends, you may be eligible to convert your life and AD&D insurance to an individual policy. You must apply and pay the first premium for this new policy within 60 calendar days from the last day of your coverage to take advantage of this option. Learn more.
How Temporary Changes in Employment Status Affect Your Benefits
For the following types of layoffs/leaves, your benefits (life, AD&D, health and dental) continue for the period shown below, provided you keep paying your same member share (%) of the premiums as if you were active:
Then you’ll have the option to extend coverage for an additional 22 months by paying the full premium (your member share and the CUPE EWBT’s share).
Please note that if you are laid-off during the month of June, your coverage will continue over the summer months as usual and the 60 calendar day period will begin on September 1st.
Then you’ll have the option to extend coverage for an additional 22 months by paying the full premium (your member share and the CUPE EWBT’s share).
Please note that if you are laid-off during the month of June, your coverage will continue over the summer months as usual and the 60 calendar day period will begin on September 1st.
When you’re going on layoff/leave, it’s important to remember:
Change your preferred email address to a personal email with OTIP, to ensure you continue to receive information and updates about your benefits coverage. Otherwise, you may miss important emails from the CUPE EWBT or OTIP that are sent to your default school board email address, including critical actions you need to take.
If you choose not to pay the required premiums to continue your benefits during your layoff or leave, your coverage will end. It will not resume until you return to work, and any claims incurred while your coverage was suspended won’t be eligible for payment. Contact OTIP or the CUPE EWBT with questions, to ensure you make an informed decision.
Leaves of Absence (Personal or Sickness/Injury Leaves)
Depending on the type of leave, your coverage under the CUPE EWBT benefits plan continues at the same premium share, for all or part of your leave. In addition, you may have the option to maintain your coverage after this duration, by paying the full premium. Learn more about leaves of absence in Life Changes.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about your coverage or need assistance, contact OTIP.
Converting Your Life and AD&D Insurance Upon Leaving the CUPE EWBT Benefits Plan
If you are under age 65 when your coverage ends under the CUPE EWBT plan, you have the option to convert your life and AD&D insurance to an individual policy. This means you can arrange to have continued coverage by paying the premiums on what will now be your own policy.
Here’s what you need to know:
No Evidence of Good Health Required
If you convert (apply and pay the first premium) within 60 calendar days of your coverage ending, you won’t need to provide proof of good health or undergo a medical exam.
Premiums
Rates for the individual policy are set by Canada Life (life insurance) or Chubb (AD&D insurance) and are typically higher than the CUPE EWBT benefits plan rates.
Contact Us
To explore your options and get more details, please reach out to OTIP.