Working member insurance
Working member insurance
With group insurance, you don’t need to provide medical information to get initial coverage. You’re automatically enrolled through your employer.
This page gives a brief summary of your insurance. For more information, download our group insurance guidebook.
Life insurance
Life insurance provides a tax-free payment to your beneficiary when you pass away. Your beneficiary can be a person, multiple people, or an organization, such as your favourite charity.
Important: After a life event such as marriage, separation or divorce, or the birth or adoption of a child, make sure to review and update your beneficiaries. This ensures your money goes to the right person or people. Contact your employer for the form.
If you contribute to the CSSB pension plan, life insurance is mandatory unless your employer doesn’t participate.
Your coverage starts on the first day of the first pay period after you become eligible for insurance. Your employer deducts insurance premiums from your pay.
Your coverage is based on the class you select. There are five classes, each based on a multiple of your annual salary. For example, if you choose class 2, your coverage is double your annual salary.
You’re automatically enrolled in class 5 when you become eligible for insurance. To choose a lower class, contact your employer.
Accidental death and disablement insurance
This insurance provides you or your family with financial support if you die in an accident, get injured, or lose a body part.
With accidental death and disablement (AD&D) insurance, you’ll get a payment if you’re injured. Your beneficiary will get a payment if you die in an accident. The coverage aligns with your life insurance class.
| Life insurance class | Maximum AD&D benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 x annual salary | $25,000 |
| 2 | 2 x annual salary | $50,000 |
| 3, 4, or 5 | 3 x annual salary | $75,000 |
Dependent insurance
Dependent insurance provides you with a tax-free payment if your spouse or a child in your care dies before you. If a dependent passes away, notify your employer.
Your coverage is based on the number of units you choose.
| Number of units | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse | $17,500 | $35,000 | $52,500 | $70,000 |
| Each child | $3,500 | $7,000 | $10,500 | $14,000 |
| Biweekly premium | $1.60 | $3.20 | $4.80 | $6.40 |
If you want to add a new dependent to your insurance but you don’t have coverage yet, apply within three months of getting the new dependent. Otherwise, you have to provide medical information to Canada Life.
Dependent insurance for your spouse ends when they turn 70. Dependent insurance for your children ends when they get married or they turn 22 (with some exceptions).
Important: You’re automatically enrolled in dependent insurance at the maximum number of units—even if you have no dependents. To change this, contact your employer.
Disability: waive premium payments
If you’re on long term disability (LTD) benefits, you can continue life insurance without paying premiums. To qualify, you must meet the rules set by Canada Life. Contact CSSB for more information.
Convert your insurance
When your employment ends, you can convert your insurance to a private plan. This allows you to continue your insurance coverage with no need to provide medical information.
Conversion may be a good option if your health has changed or you might not qualify for insurance if you have to provide medical information. However, private rates can be significantly more expensive than what you paid under the group plan.
To learn more, contact Canada Life at 1.888.252.1847 or stay_covered@canadalife.com.
Death: who to contact
When you die, your insurance beneficiaries are entitled to a death benefit.
If you die while still employed, your beneficiary or estate representative should contact your employer.
If one of your dependents passes away, contact your employer.
Frequently
asked
questions
Contact
When you’re actively employed, your insurance information is kept with your employer. To change your coverage or beneficiaries, contact your payroll department.
Get your guidebook
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When it comes to pensions, sometimes there’s no easy substitute for the words used in the industry. We do our…
Working member insurance
With group insurance, you don’t need to provide medical information to get initial coverage. You’re automatically enrolled through your employer.
This page gives a brief summary of your insurance. For more information, download our group insurance guidebook.
Life insurance
Life insurance provides a tax-free payment to your beneficiary when you pass away. Your beneficiary can be a person, multiple people, or an organization, such as your favourite charity.
Important: After a life event such as marriage, separation or divorce, or the birth or adoption of a child, make sure to review and update your beneficiaries. This ensures your money goes to the right person or people. Contact your employer for the form.
If you contribute to the CSSB pension plan, life insurance is mandatory unless your employer doesn’t participate.
Your coverage starts on the first day of the first pay period after you become eligible for insurance. Your employer deducts insurance premiums from your pay.
Your coverage is based on the class you select. There are five classes, each based on a multiple of your annual salary. For example, if you choose class 2, your coverage is double your annual salary.
You’re automatically enrolled in class 5 when you become eligible for insurance. To choose a lower class, contact your employer.
Accidental death and disablement insurance
This insurance provides you or your family with financial support if you die in an accident, get injured, or lose a body part.
With accidental death and disablement (AD&D) insurance, you’ll get a payment if you’re injured. Your beneficiary will get a payment if you die in an accident. The coverage aligns with your life insurance class.
| Life insurance class | Maximum AD&D benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 x annual salary | $25,000 |
| 2 | 2 x annual salary | $50,000 |
| 3, 4, or 5 | 3 x annual salary | $75,000 |
Dependent insurance
Dependent insurance provides you with a tax-free payment if your spouse or a child in your care dies before you. If a dependent passes away, notify your employer.
Your coverage is based on the number of units you choose.
| Number of units | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse | $17,500 | $35,000 | $52,500 | $70,000 |
| Each child | $3,500 | $7,000 | $10,500 | $14,000 |
| Biweekly premium | $1.60 | $3.20 | $4.80 | $6.40 |
If you want to add a new dependent to your insurance but you don’t have coverage yet, apply within three months of getting the new dependent. Otherwise, you have to provide medical information to Canada Life.
Dependent insurance for your spouse ends when they turn 70. Dependent insurance for your children ends when they get married or they turn 22 (with some exceptions).
Important: You’re automatically enrolled in dependent insurance at the maximum number of units—even if you have no dependents. To change this, contact your employer.
Disability: waive premium payments
If you’re on long term disability (LTD) benefits, you can continue life insurance without paying premiums. To qualify, you must meet the rules set by Canada Life. Contact CSSB for more information.
Convert your insurance
When your employment ends, you can convert your insurance to a private plan. This allows you to continue your insurance coverage with no need to provide medical information.
Conversion may be a good option if your health has changed or you might not qualify for insurance if you have to provide medical information. However, private rates can be significantly more expensive than what you paid under the group plan.
To learn more, contact Canada Life at 1.888.252.1847 or stay_covered@canadalife.com.
Death: who to contact
When you die, your insurance beneficiaries are entitled to a death benefit.
If you die while still employed, your beneficiary or estate representative should contact your employer.
If one of your dependents passes away, contact your employer.
Frequently
asked
questions
Contact
When you’re actively employed, your insurance information is kept with your employer. To change your coverage or beneficiaries, contact your payroll department.