# [The Benefits Tree](/benefits-tree) Welcome to The Benefits Tree, which builds on the brochure to help you learn more about your UBC benefits. [start](#start) *If you have not reviewed the brochure, or if you would like to take another look, you can visit* [*The Benefits Tree*](#print) *brochure at any time.* At UBC, we are fortunate to be surrounded by incredible natural landscapes. That is why we chose a tree to represent the comprehensive benefit offerings available to UBC’s faculty and staff — with the roots, trunk, and branches each highlighting important aspects of the benefit plans. Explore these elements of The Benefits Tree to learn what is available. If you need assistance with your benefits or you are not sure where to get help, jump straight to the [support section.](#support) ## Start exploring The Benefits Tree [explore](#explore) [![The roots section of the Benefits Tree - click to jump to roots section](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2023-12/benefitsbrochure_tree_rootsq.png?itok=DS1yhl9c)](#roots) ### The Roots: Enrol & maintain your benefits  Find out more about the importance of enrolment in benefits and the need for ongoing maintenance throughout your career. The roots of a tree nourish the trunk and the branches, in the same way your details and up-to-date information will help your benefits flourish. [Go to The Roots](#roots) [![The trunk section of the Benefits Tree - click to jump to trunk section](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2023-12/benefitsbrochure_tree_trunksq_0.png?itok=_c0ueCVR)](#trunk) ### The Trunk: Your Essential Benefits Throughout life, it is imperative that you have a strong foundation to support you. That is why we have used the tree's trunk to represent your essential benefits, as these elements of the plan will stand strong when you experience challenges. Find out more about these benefits and how they will support you and your dependents. [Go to The Trunk](#trunk) [![The branches section of the Benefits Tree - click to jump to the branchessection](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2023-12/benefitsbrochure_tree_branchsq.png?itok=mbhjlAn_)](#branches) ### The Branches: Your benefits in action Each of the branches grow from essential benefits, and include many different and valuable aspects of your benefit plan. Explore how your benefits can support you in more detail, and learn how they can help influence your health & wellbeing, learning, and financial wellbeing. [Go to The Branches](https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits-tree#branches) ### Want to see the Benefits Tree brochure?  The Benefits Tree Brochure was developed as a document UBC faculty and staff can view in person, and then by scanning the QR code, taking the experience to this Benefits Tree webpage to explore the information further. The intention is to print the collateral only when we need to. **Click the images below to enlarge.** [Image ![Front page of The Benefits Tree brochure](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/benefitstree_brochureinside_page_2.png?itok=Kmtcf4oy)](https://hr.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2023-11/benefitstree_brochureinside_page_2.png) [Image ![Front page of The Benefits Tree brochure](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/benefitstree_brochureinside_page_1.png?itok=Vxr7GtP_)](https://hr.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2023-11/benefitstree_brochureinside_page_1.png) [print](#print) ## Print the brochure  While we are encouraging people not to print, we know that there are going to be situations where making this available for faculty and staff on-site will be valuable. If you would like to print a copy of the Benefits Brochure to share and display, you can download the hi-resolution, print version; please be mindful of waste and print only what you need. We also have a 17 x 11 Poster available for download. [View and download the 17 x 11" (Tabloid) Benefits Brochure](https://hr.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2024-02/BenefitsBrochure_Tree_FINAL.pdf) TIP: Print on both sides, Flip on the Short Edge. Paper size = 17 x 11" (tabloid) [View and download the Benefits Tree 17 x 11" (Tabloid) Poster](https://hr.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/documents/BenefitsBrochure_Tree_poster_V3.pdf) TIP: When you click on the link, download the file and open in Adobe. The browser plugin doesn't always have the right settings ## The Roots: Enrolment and maintenance [roots](#roots) [Image ![The roots section of the Benefits Tree. Click the image to return to the top](/sites/default/files/2023-11/benefitsbrochure_tree_roots_0.png)](#start)Click the tree to return to the top Enrolment and the maintenance of your benefits plan is foundational. Like the roots of a tree, this process is often below the surface, out of sight, but pivotal to the growth of a tree. Our teams work hard to ensure the effective administration of the plan; we also rely on details in your Workday profile to be accurate and maintained throughout your career at UBC. #### Enrolment If you are new to UBC or if you are returning to the university, you will need to enrol in your benefits through [Workday](https://myworkday.ubc.ca/). Start at [Enrolling in Benefits](/benefits/eligibility-and-enrolment/enrolling-benefits "Enrolling in benefits"). Here you will find helpful resources including: - Tips for gathering the information you need to complete enrolment - [A Benefits Enrolment Guide](/sites/default/files/documents/Benefits%20enrolment%20guide.pdf "Benefits Enrolment Guide") - [And a helpful step-by-step video](https://learning.media.ubc.ca/media/Benefits+and+Pension+Enrolment+in+Workday/0_q40ac2s0) (CWL required) Once you have completed your enrolment in Workday, there are still a few more steps to get the most out of your benefits. Review [After you enrol in benefits](/benefits/eligibility-and-enrolment/after-you-enrol-benefits "After you enrol in benefits"), for guidance on accessing the Sun Life Members Portal, registering with PharmaCare, and how to access your benefits cards. #### Maintenance Keeping your details up-to-date is key to getting the most out of your benefits. This includes updating your name and address to updating your dependents and beneficiaries. If you need to make changes, review [Making enrolment changes to your benefits](/benefits/eligibility-and-enrolment/making-enrolment-changes "Making Enrolment Changes "). Then take a look at the [Workday Knowledge Base Resources](https://ubc.service-now.com/selfservice?id=kb_category&kb_category=29f47f2b1b698150b2eda8ecbc4bcbaf) for updating and changing your details. These articles are developed and updated by the Integrated Service Centre, and include guides to some of the most popular changes to your benefit plan: - [Edit Dependent or Beneficiary Information](https://ubc.service-now.com/selfservice?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0018401) - [Change Benefits: Divorce, Separation or Death](https://ubc.service-now.com/selfservice?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0017572) - [Update Dependent Child’s Full-time Student Status](https://ubc.service-now.com/selfservice?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0017705) > To get the most out of your benefits, you need to ensure your details are current; up-to-date information about you and your dependents is vital if you want your benefits to as valuable as it can be. ## The Trunk: Your essential benefits [trunk](#trunk) [Image ![The trunk section of the Benefits Tree. Click the image to return to the top](/sites/default/files/2023-12/benefitsbrochure_tree_isolated_elements-3.png)](#start)Click the tree to return to the top Nourished by the roots of the benefits tree, the trunk provides stability and strength throughout your career — these are your essential benefits. UBC's benefit plans support faculty and staff and eligible dependents through a broad range of provisions to manage their health and wellbeing, while also providing peace of mind and security. | ##### Essential benefits | ##### How it helps you and your dependents | |---|---| | [Extended Health](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/extended-health-benefits "Extended Health Benefits") and [Dental](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/dental-benefits "Dental benefits") | Reduces the financial burden of healthcare, by covering the costs for a range of services. To find out what benefits you are eligible for, please review the [Extended Health and Dental Booklets](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/extended-health-and-dental-benefit-booklets "Extended health and dental benefit booklets") for your employee group.  Explore the [Health & Wellbeing](#health-wellbeing) branch for more details and examples of how these essential benefits can help you thrive. | | [Vacation and leave](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/vacation-and-leaves "Vacation and leaves") | Whether it is leave for vacation, sick time, maternity/paternity/adoption or leave to care for family (to name just a few), taking time away helps to create a healthy work-life balance. Depending on your employee group, role, and appointment type your vacation and leave allowances will differ. Log in to [Workday ](https://myworkday.ubc.ca/)to see your current balance and leave options. | | UBC [Faculty Pension Plan](https://faculty.pensions.ubc.ca/) and [Staff Pension Plan](https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/) | Through the two different pension plans, UBC is committed to helping you create financial security in retirement. Review the [Financial Wellbeing](#financial) branch for more details about the Faculty Pension Plan and the Staff Pension Plan. | | [Basic Group Life insurance](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/life-insurance/basic-group-life-insurance "Basic Group Life Insurance") | Ensures your family has a safety net, by paying a sum of money (benefit) to your designated beneficiary in the event of your death. | | [Disability insurance](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/income-replacement-disability-benefits "Income Replacement & Disability Benefits") | If you are on short-term sick leave and unable to work for more than a four- or six-month period (depending on your employee group) due to illness or injury, you may qualify for long-term disability, which will provide you with a monthly income. | | [Employee and Family Assistance Program](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/employee-and-family-assistance-program "Employee and Family Assistance Program") | Gives you and your dependents access to short-term counselling and resources to help in times of crisis or when you want to maintain or improve your resilience and wellbeing.  Explore [The Branches](#branches) for more information on the value of your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). The EFAP benefit is referenced in the [Health and Wellbeing](#health-wellbeing) and [Financial Wellbeing](#financial) branches. | > Because you and your dependents will go through many ups and downs in life, these essential benefits are here to help provide you with the resources needed to manage and maintain your health and wellbeing. ## The Branches: Your benefits in action [branches](#branches) [Image ![The branches section of the Benefits Tree. Click the image to return to the top](/sites/default/files/2023-12/benefitsbrochure_tree_isolated_branchesv2.png)](#start)Click the tree to return to the top Each of the branches highlights how our benefit plans enrich and support you throughout your career at UBC. Growing from the roots and the trunk of the benefits tree are a range of benefits for you and your dependents, represented here by three distinct branches. Explore the different aspects and review which benefits can make a difference throughout your career to help improve your health and wellbeing, financial wellbeing, and learning. --- ### Health and wellbeing branch [health-wellbeing](#health-wellbeing) [Image ![Health and Wellbeing section: At the heart of our benefits is the health and wellbeing of faculty and staff at UBC. This branch showcases how your benefits can directly enhance your health and wellbeing.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/tree_branch_isolated_health_wellbeing_1.png?itok=AmJuGoL6)](#branches) Open All Accordions ### Maintain your physical health Your UBC Extended Health Plan will reimburse you and your eligible dependents for some or all of the cost of many healthcare services that are not covered by BC’s Medical Services Plan. For example, you and your dependents can access an annual maximum of $1,000 (effective January 1, 2024) for massage therapy and physiotherapy services (note: reimbursement is based on reasonable and customary charges). But your [Extended Health Plan](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/extended-health-benefits "Extended Health Benefits") doesn't stop there. You can also claim reimbursements for many paramedical and other healthcare costs including prescription drugs and vision care. Through your UBC [Dental Benefits Plan](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/dental-benefits "Dental benefits"), you can access coverage for regular dental check-ups, orthodontics, and even root canals — to name a few. ### Maintain your mental health To manage your [mental health](/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health "Mental health"), UBC’s extended health benefits plan provides 100% coverage based on reasonable and customary charges for licensed psychologists, social workers or registered clinical counsellors up to a maximum of $3,000 for each person per benefit year (includes counselling services and psychological testing). You can also access support and counselling through our [Employee and Family Assistance Program](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/employee-and-family-assistance-program "Employee and Family Assistance Program"), which is a confidential and voluntary counselling support service that provides you and your family with the help you need to resolve a wide range of personal, work, health or life issues. in addition to counselling, there are also online resources including articles, podcasts, videos and learning opportunities. If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist or social worker, [here are some tips to help you choose](https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/news/june-06-2021/tips-help-you-choose-counsellor). ### Peace of mind when travelling If you are enrolled in UBC's Extended Health Plan you have access to [Emergency Medical Travel Insurance](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/benefits-while-travelling/emergency-medical-coverage "Emergency medical coverage") services that include: - referring you to a medical facility, physician or pharmacist, - confirming your coverage and benefits, - facilitating payments to a hospital or medical provider, whenever possible, - monitoring the medical situation if you are hospitalized, and - overseeing your transfer to a different hospital or treatment facility, or transport home if it is determined to be safe to do so. A medical emergency is an acute illness or accidental injury that requires immediate, medically necessary treatment prescribed by a doctor. This could include: - a sudden, unexpected injury; - an acute episode of a medical condition that was not identified or being treated before you left BC; or - an unexpected and unforeseen acute episode of a previously identified medical condition that was stable and controlled when you left BC. ### Exclusive discounts and perks UBC faculty and staff can [access exclusive discounts](/health-and-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/ubc-perks-faculty-and-staff "UBC perks for faculty and staff") for aged care, pet health, fitness, mental health, technology, and more through our benefits partners: Sun Life’s Marketplace, and Exclusive Offers. These perks are also available for any dependents covered under your Extended Health plan. To access these perks, simply login to [Sun Life](https://www.sunlife.ca/en/) member website and look for the Marketplace and Offers options on the main page. You’ll find special offers sorted by a variety of categories making it easy to access the discounts that are most relevant to you and your family. This article — [Take a peek at your perks](/working-ubc/news/june-26-2023/take-peek-your-ubc-perks) — looks closer at the most popular perks, to help get you started. --- ### Financial wellbeing branch [financial](#financial) [Image ![Financial wellbeing section: the financial wellbeing branch offers options for short- and long-term financial planning and management.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/tree_branch_isolated_finance_0.png?itok=6NF9Z4Y6)](#branches) Open All Accordions ### Faculty Pension Plan The [Faculty Pension Plan](https://faculty.pensions.ubc.ca/) (FPP) is a defined contribution pension plan designed to help you save and invest for your future. The UBC FPP is available to eligible faculty members, administrative executive personnel and staff high earners. In this Plan, you and your employer make contributions to your account, and you are responsible for making investment decisions. Your pension income is based on the assets in your account at the time of your retirement, so it’s important to focus on growing your UBC FPP account balance during your working years, in order to help achieve your retirement goals. ### Staff Pension Plan The [UBC Staff Pension Plan](https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/) (SPP) is a target benefit plan and is among the most valued benefits provided to eligible staff members. It’s designed to help you save for your future with the purpose of giving you a stable lifetime retirement pension. In this Plan, you and your employer make fixed contributions to help fund the overall pension plan, and you do not have to make investment decisions. When you decide to retire, your pension is calculated according to a formula based on the amount of pensionable service you’ve accrued, and your best average earnings. ### Financial and legal consulting Your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) gives you access to a range of [Work, life, and health counselling supports](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/employee-and-family-assistance-program/counselling-services "Counselling services"). With GreenShield, eligible faculty, staff and their dependents can access: - **Unlimited** financial and legal consultations, - Up to **5 hours** (annually\*) of access to health and nutrition support - Up to **5 hours** (annually\*) for career and retirement transition coaching - And up to **5 hours** (annually\*) for life transition consultations. *\*Annual maximum resets every November* These supports from our EFAP provider, GreenShield Health, are not intended to be a full-service offering, particularly if you are dealing with a complex case. These services are a great way to get short- and medium-term assistance and to discuss, with the Green Shield Health professional, what additional services are needed to fully assist you across your Family, Health, Money, Life, and Work issues. ### New parent benefits: family building and supplemental employee benefit Building a family is one of the biggest life events you will experience. That is why UBC provides financial support through [Supplemental Employment Benefit (SEB)](/node/451)  top-up to support new parents, as well as a range of [family-building benefits](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/family-building-benefits "Family-building benefits") to help reduce the financial strain of fertility treatments, as well as the costs associated with surrogacy and adoption. ### Optional Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance [Optional Life insurance](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/life-insurance/optional-life-insurance "Optional Life Insurance") and [Accidental Death and Dismemberment ](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/life-insurance/optional-accidental-death-dismemberment "Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment")insurance help to create greater financial security for you and your beneficiaries by supplementing your basic insurance plans. You can purchase Optional Life Insurance to a maximum of $750,000 for both you and your spouse. Your dependent children are automatically approved for Optional Life Insurance if you are enrolled in the plan. UBC’s Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage will pay a sum of money to a beneficiary if you or your spouse who is also enrolled in the plan are the victim of an accident that results in the loss of life, limb, sight or hearing. ### Relocation benefits Certain executive staff and faculty appointments can access [relocation benefits](/working-ubc/housing-immigration-and-relocation-services/moving-faculty-and-senior-management "Moving for faculty and senior management") to offset moving, travel, and tax-related expenses. The relocation is administered through the Central Relocation Fund, which supports eligible faculty and senior management moving to Metro Vancouver to work at the Vancouver Campus or to the Kelowna area to work at the Okanagan Campus. The amount of reimbursement from the fund depends on where the individual or family is moving from and on the number of dependents relocating. --- ### Learning branch [learning](#learning) [Image ![Learning section: the learning branch showcases how UBC's benefit plans can help you achieve your learning aspirations throughout your career,](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/tree_branch_isolated_learning_1.png?itok=pjAA-LB9)](#branches) Open All Accordions ### Tuition Waivers UBC is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Make the most of this incredible teaching institution by taking courses at UBC, and reducing the cost with our Tuition Waiver program Use your [tuition waivers](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/tuition-waivers "Tuition waivers ") to access up to 12 credits for UBC courses or the dollar equivalent at UBC Extended Learning or Sauder Continuing Business Studies, every 12 months. ### Professional development funds Fund your career aspirations by accessing [professional development](/career-development/professional-development-funding "Professional Development Funding") (PD) funds. These PD funds can enhance knowledge, work performance, and career growth at UBC. [Faculty](/career-development/professional-development-funding/faculty-professional-development-funding "Faculty professional development funding") can claim reimbursement for professional development expenses that enhance the performance, ability, or effectiveness of a member’s work at the University. For [staff](/career-development/professional-development-funding/staff-professional-development-funding "Staff professional development funding"), funds can be used for a variety of professional development activities that will enhance your role-related knowledge, skills and performance as well as contribute to your career growth at the university. ### Workplace learning ecosystem UBC onboarding, professional development courses, wellbeing workshops, and required training are housed together in one central location — the [Workplace Learning Ecosystem](https://wpl.ubc.ca/) (CWL required) — so you can find what you need and explore what's available. Today’s learning opportunities come in a variety of forms and styles, with something to suit every learner. UBC encourages all faculty and staff to further their professional and personal development by taking part in our learning and leadership opportunities. Faculty and staff also have access [to LinkedIn Learning courses](/career-development/workplace-learning-opportunities/linkedin-learning "LinkedIn Learning at UBC"), to supplement and support continued learning growth. ### Study leave Faculty association members can take [study leave](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/vacation-and-leaves/study-leave "Study leave"), which permits a member of the Faculty Association in a tenure/confirm stream position to pursue study or research of benefit to the individual and the university. Individuals should not be asked to take on additional duties at UBC during that time, whether with pay or not. The percentage of academic salary paid while on study leave is dependent on the years of service accrued towards leave and the length of the leave. --- > By combining our comprehensive benefits with workplace wellbeing support, UBC strives to provide options for everyone, not only in times of need but also to create workplace environments where you can thrive. ## Where to get support for your benefits [support](#support) You might have specific questions about your benefits, and while there is a lot of information on the [UBC HR website](https://hr.ubc.ca/), you might not be sure where to find the answer to your question. If you would like to connect with someone directly, we have selected the key contacts to help answer your benefit-related questions. | ##### What aspect of the benefit plan do you need support with? | ##### Where to get support | |---|---| | **Questions about eligibility or getting the most out of your benefits for you and your dependents** | If you have questions about your UBC benefits, including eligibility, what’s covered, and how to make claims you can [contact HR Benefits ](/contact/contact-benefits "Contact Benefits")to speak with a member of the team.  You can also enquire with this team if you are interested in information about the [Retirement and Survivor Benefits Program](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/retirement-survivor-benefits "Retirement & survivor benefits")[.](/benefits/benefit-plan-details/retirement-survivor-benefits "Retirement & survivor benefits") | | **Help with managing your benefits on Workday** | When it comes to how to reviewing or changing your benefits in Workday, visit [Get Workday Support](https://ubc.service-now.com/selfservice?id=sc_category&sys_id=48e309381bcb54908f672fc02a4bcb5a) in the UBC Self Service Portal or [contact the ISC](https://isc.ubc.ca/contact). | | **Questions about your faculty or staff pension plan** | Faculty can contact [FPP Member Services](https://faculty.pensions.ubc.ca/contact/member-services/)about eligibility for enrolment, investment options, retirement options, life events and more. Staff can contact [SPP Member Services](https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/contact/member-services/)about their pension benefit, life events, retirement options, and general inquiries. | | **Making a claim on your extended health, dental, or insurance plans** | Claims are submitted through the [Sun Life members portal.](https://www.sunnet.sunlife.com/signin/mysunlife/home.wca?) Make sure have these important numbers to access your Sun Life benefits. - Active Extended Health and Dental Plan Group Number: **025205** - Surrogacy and Adoption Group Plan Number: **150520** - Member ID: your 7-digit UBC **employee ID** number If you need to contact Sun Life, you can call 1-800-661-7334 or 1-800-361-6212 or reach out via [mysunlife.ca](http://www.sunlife.ca/member).For more information review [Making a claim](/benefits/claims-and-forms/making-claim "Making a claim"). | ![Four professionals sitting at a table, one person standing pointing to information ](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/feature-images/2024-01/52734834161_c281fa62d3_o.jpg?itok=GfGZ9nag)We are trying something new with how we present benefits information, please send us your feedback. ## Send us your feedback on the Benefits Tree [Send your feedback to the Benefits team ](mailto:benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca)