Coverage start and end dates

This page describes when your coverage for specific UBC benefits will begin and end, assuming that you are eligible for the benefit. Visit our Eligibility page for information on your benefits eligibility.


Dental

Coverage begins

UBC’s Dental Plan begins on your date of hire (or when you have completed your enrolment if you did not enroll within 45 days of your hire date). For example, if you begin work at UBC on April 17, your Dental coverage will begin on April 17.

Coverage ends

If you leave UBC (either through the end of your employment or retirement), your UBC Dental coverage ends at the end of the same month. For example, if you leave UBC on November 20, your Dental coverage will end on November 30.

Your coverage may also end if:

  1. You voluntarily cancel your coverage. In this event, Workday will use your requested end date (must be the end of a month).
  2. You are on an unpaid leave of absence and elect not to continue coverage.
  3. You are working past your normal retirement date* and elect to receive your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan retirement income/benefit option(s). In this event, coverage will end on the day before you elect to receive your pension.
  4. You are working past your normal retirement date* and have deferred your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan until age 71. In this event, coverage will end at the end of the year you turn age 71, the maximum pensionable age as defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada).

* The Normal Retirement Date for staff is the end of the month you turn 65. For Academic Executive or Faculty, your normal retirement date is June 30 or December 31 following (or on) the date you turn 65.

Once your Dental coverage ends you can arrange alternative coverage through an individual insurance policy. For more information, visit the Leaving UBC page.


Extended health

Coverage begins

UBC’s Extended Health Plan begins on your date of hire (or when you have completed your enrolment, if you did not enroll within 45 days of your hire date). For example, if you begin work at UBC on April 17, your Extended Health coverage will begin on April 17.

If you are new to BC and arriving from another province, your Extended Health coverage begins on your date of hire (or when you have completed your enrolment, if you did not enroll within 45 days of your hire date).

If you are new to Canada, your Extended Health coverage begins the first day of the month you satisfy the MSP waiting period. The waiting period is the balance of the month you arrive in BC, plus two full months. The only exception is if you are enrolled in the Sun Life Inpatriate Plan during the MSP waiting period – if this is the case then your Extended Health coverage begins on your date of hire (or when you have completed your enrolment, if you did not enroll within 45 days of your hire date).

Coverage ends

If you leave UBC (either through the end of your employment or retirement), your UBC Extended Health coverage ends at the end of the same month. For example, if you leave UBC on November 20, your Extended Health coverage will end on November 30.

Your coverage may also end if:

  1. You voluntarily cancel your coverage. In this event, Workday will use your requested end date (must be the end of a month).
  2. You no longer meet MSP’s eligibility rules, such as if your work permit has expired. In this event, coverage will end as of the date you are no longer eligible.
  3. You are on an unpaid leave of absence and elect not to continue coverage.
  4. You are working past your normal retirement date* and elect to receive your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan retirement income/benefit option(s). In this event, coverage will end on the day before you elect to receive your pension.
  5. You are working past your normal retirement date* and have deferred your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan until age 71. In this event, coverage will end at the end of the year you turn age 71, the maximum pensionable age as defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada).

* The Normal Retirement Date for staff is the end of the month you turn 65. For Academic Executive or Faculty, your normal retirement date is June 30 or December 31 following (or on) the date you turn 65.

Once your Extended Health coverage ends you can arrange alternative coverage through an individual insurance policy. For more information, visit the Leaving UBC page.


Surrogacy & Adoption

Coverage begins

UBC’s Surrogacy and Adoption Benefits begin on your date of hire (or when you have completed your enrolment in the extended health benefits plan, if you did not enroll within 45 days of your hire date). For further details regarding enrolment in the extended health benefits plan if you are new to BC or Canada, refer to the Extended health Section above.

Coverage ends

If you leave UBC (either through the end of your employment or retirement), your UBC Surrogacy and Adoption Benefits coverage ends at the end of the same month. For example, if you leave UBC on November 20, your coverage will end on November 30.

Your coverage may also end if:

  1. You voluntarily cancel your coverage by cancelling your extended health benefits. In this event, Workday will use your requested end date (must be the end of a month).
  2. You no longer meet MSP’s eligibility rules, such as if your work permit has expired. In this event, coverage will end as of the date you are no longer eligible.
  3. You are on an unpaid leave of absence and elect not to continue coverage.
  4. You are working past your normal retirement date* and elect to receive your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan retirement income/benefit option(s). In this event, coverage will end on the day before you elect to receive your pension.
  5. You are working past your normal retirement date* and have deferred your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan until age 71. In this event, coverage will end at the end of the year you turn age 71, the maximum pensionable age as defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada).

* The Normal Retirement Date for staff is the end of the month you turn 65. For Academic Executive or Faculty, your normal retirement date is June 30 or December 31 following (or on) the date you turn 65.


Employee and Family Assistance Program

Coverage begins

If eligible, you will be automatically enrolled for the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). If you have dependents, you must also complete an enrolment task in Workday for them.

UBC’s EFAP coverage begins on your date of hire.

For example: if you start your job on January 12, your EFAP coverage begins on January 12.

Coverage Ends

Your coverage ends if:

  1. You leave UBC (either through the end of your employment or retirement). In this event, coverage will end three months after the first of the month after your employment ends or you retire. For example, if you end your employment April 22, your EFAP coverage will end July 31.
  2. You are on an unpaid leave of absence and elect not to continue coverage.
  3. You are working past your normal retirement date* and elect to receive your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan retirement income/benefit option(s). In this event, coverage will end three months from the day you elect to receive your pension. For example, if you start collecting your pension on June 1, your EFAP coverage will end on August 31.
  4. You are working past your normal retirement date* and have deferred your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan until age 71. In this event, coverage will end three months after the end of the year you turn 71, the maximum pensionable age as defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada).

* The Normal Retirement Date for staff is the end of the month you turn 65. For Academic Executive or Faculty, your normal retirement date is June 30 or December 31 following (or on) the date you turn 65.


Basic Life Insurance

Coverage begins

If you are eligible, you will be automatically enrolled in Basic Life Insurance on your date of hire. You must also complete the beneficiary designation section of the enrolment task in Workday.

Coverage ends

Your coverage ends if:

  1. You leave UBC (either through the end of your employment or retirement). In this event, coverage will end when your employment ends.
  2. You are on an unpaid leave of absence and elect not to continue coverage.
  3. You are working past your normal retirement date* and elect to receive your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan retirement income/benefit option(s). In this event, coverage will end the day before you elect to receive your Pension.
  4. You are working past your normal retirement date* and have deferred your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan until age 71. In this event, coverage will end at the end of the year you turn 71, the maximum pensionable age as defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada).

* The Normal Retirement Date for staff is the end of the month you turn 65. For Academic Executive or Faculty, your normal retirement date is June 30 or December 31 following (or on) the date you turn 65.

Once your coverage ends, you can convert your coverage to an individual insurance policy. For more information, visit the Life Insurance Conversion page.


Optional Life Insurance

Coverage begins

Coverage begins for Optional Life Insurance when you and/or your spouse’s application is approved by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. You (and UBC) will be advised of your coverage effective date in writing.

Coverage ends

Your coverage ends if:

  1. You voluntarily cancel your coverage. In this event, Workday will use your requested end date.
  2. You leave UBC (either through the end of your employment or retirement). In this event, coverage will end when your employment ends
  3. You are on an unpaid leave of absence and elect not to continue coverage.
  4. You are working past your normal retirement date* and elect to receive your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan retirement income/benefit option(s). In this event, coverage will end on the day before you elect to receive your pension.
  5. You are working past your normal retirement date* and have deferred your UBC Staff, UBC Faculty or BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care) Pension Plan until age 71. In this event, coverage will end at the end of the year you turn age 71, the maximum pensionable age as defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Once your coverage ends, you can convert your coverage into an individual insurance policy. For more information, visit the Life Insurance Conversion page.

Your spouse’s coverage ends if:

  1. You voluntarily cancel your spouse’s coverage. In this event, Workday will use your requested end date.
  2. If you leave UBC (either through the end of your employment or retirement). In this event, coverage will end when your employment ends.
  3. You are on an unpaid leave of absence and elect not to continue coverage.
  4. You reach your normal retirement date.* In this event, your spouse’s coverage will end on your normal retirement date* even if you continue to work at UBC.

* The Normal Retirement Date for staff is the end of the month you turn 65. For Academic Executive or Faculty, your normal retirement date is June 30 or December 31 following (or on) the date you turn 65.


Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Coverage begins

Coverage begins for Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment when you and/or your spouse’s optional life insurance coverage begins, if you also elected AD&D coverage.

Coverage ends

Coverage ends when you and/or your spouse’s optional life insurance coverage ends.

Once your coverage ends, you can convert your coverage into an individual insurance policy. For more information, visit the Life Insurance Conversion page.


Income Replacement Plan and Disability Benefit Plan

Coverage begins

If eligible for the Income Replacement Plan (IRP) and Disability Benefit Plan (DBP), you will be automatically enrolled for this benefit on your date of hire.

Coverage ends

Your coverage will end if:

  1. You leave UBC (either through the end of your employment or retirement). In this event, coverage will end when your employment ends.
  2. You are laid off.
  3. You are on an unpaid leave of absence and elect not to continue coverage.
  4. You reach your normal retirement date.* In this event, your coverage will end six months before this date (four months for CUPE 2950).

* The Normal Retirement Date for staff is the end of the month you turn 65. For Academic Executive or Faculty, your normal retirement date is June 30 or December 31 following (or on) the date you turn 65.


UBC Pension Plan

Coverage begins

Faculty Pension Plan: If you are appointed for one year or more at more than 50% FTE, you may be eligible to join the pension plan effective on the date of your appointment.

Other part-time faculty and administrative executive staff may be eligible to join the plan after two years of continuous service, if you have earned at least 35% of the Canada Pension Plan earnings ceiling in each of two consecutive calendar years.

Sessional lecturers appointed for four months or more and who meet the 50% appointment requirement are eligible to join the plan.

Staff Pension Plan:

If you are eligible, you will be automatically enrolled in the Staff Pension Plan when enrolled in the Basic Life Insurance.

Coverage ends

You have options for your pension that depend on how old you are when you leave your employment at UBC, and if you are retiring.

Learn more about the Faculty Pension Plan or call the UBC Pensions Office at 604.822.8100.

Learn more about the Staff Pension Plan or call the UBC Pensions Office at 604.822.8100.


Leaves

Coverage begins

The date you become eligible for Leaves depends on the leave you are applying for.  Apply for a leave of absence in writing to your Supervisor.

Coverage ends

Your access to all leave coverage will end when your employment with UBC ends.


Professional development: tuition waivers

Coverage begins

Monthly Staff: You are eligible for Tuition Waivers after three months of service. For CUPE 2278 only, you are eligible after six months of service.

Hourly Staff, with the exception of CUPE 116 and IUOE 115: You are eligible for Tuition Waivers after three months of accumulated service, if you satisfy the minimum hourly requirement for the three-month period before the course start date (17.5 hours or 20 hours per week, depending on your employee group).

Hourly CUPE 116 and IUOE 115 employees are eligible for Tuition Waivers after 12 months of accumulated service, if you are normally scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week for the 12-month period before the course start date. If your hours fall below 20 hours per week, you can remain eligible, provided you have satisfied the waiting period and worked 960 hours in the previous 12 months before the course start date and you have not been laid off or terminated your employment.

Faculty (members of the Bargaining Unit) and their dependent children: You are eligible for Tuition Waivers when you start at UBC.

Coverage ends

Your access to Tuition Waivers will end on your last day of employment with UBC. However, if you are taking a course that began while you were employed, you are still eligible if you were approved for the Tuition Waiver before your last day of employment.

Faculty with emeritus status who were previously a member of the Faculty Association are eligible for Tuition Waivers for themselves and for their dependent children.


Professional Development (PD): PD funding

Coverage begins

Staff: You can access Professional Development Funding when you start at UBC, provided that it is available to your employee group.

Faculty (members of the Bargaining Unit): You can access Professional Development Reimbursement funds when you start at UBC.

Sessional Lecturers without continuing status: You are entitled to Professional Development Reimbursement funds at a rate of $100 per credit course taught.

Coverage ends

Staff: Your access Professional Development Funding will end when your employment ends. If you are taking a class or attending a PD event, that event must begin before the last day of your employment at UBC.

Faculty: Your access to Professional Development Reimbursement funds will end when your employment ends. If you are taking a class, attending a PD event or purchasing equipment, that event must begin before the last day of your employment at UBC.

Sessional Lecturers without continuing status: You may carry forward your Professional Development Reimbursement funds for up to two years, even if you do not have an active appointment.

Disclaimer

The benefits information on this website is provided as a descriptive summary only. While the University has endeavored to accurately reflect its benefit programs, policies and plans, the information on this website does not create any contractual or other rights between the University and its faculty and staff members. To the extent that there are any conflicts or discrepancies between the benefits information on this website and the benefit plan documents (including group insurance contracts and benefit booklets) or any applicable collective agreement, employment agreement, or UBC policy, the benefit plan documents and collective agreement, employment agreement, or UBC policy will govern in all cases.

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