Forms
These forms are to be completed by the plan members when life circumstances change. Please complete the form, return it to GSI, and confirm that it has been received to ensure the information has been updated.
For a change to your marital status – Change in Marital Status
To update your life insurance beneficiary – Life Beneficiary Designation form
To update your pension beneficiary – ELCIC Pension Plan Beneficiary Designation form
To apply for the supplemental pay while on maternity and/or parental leave please complete this form – Parental Leave Form
To apply for short-term disability, please contact the GSI office.
What You Need to Know
“Life events” such as a new Call, getting married, or becoming sick or disabled may affect Plan Member benefits.
It is very important that changes are communicated to GSI by both Plan Members and Employers.
Life Events for Plan Members
Each accordion describes what information or forms are required and what further steps may be necessary for each life event. Please review these and refer back to them when these occasions arise.
New Plan Member
ELCIC Group Services Inc. (GSI) has created a complete pension and benefits package for all eligible employees of any ELCIC congregation or affiliated ELCIC organization. Your treasurer or someone in the human resources area of your organization needs to complete the Salary Calculation form to determine your eligibility and advise GSI of your call or hire. You will need to complete the following forms:
- Pension Plan Enrollment,
- Group Benefits Plan Enrollment, and
- Continuing Education Plan (CEP) Enrollment
All can be found on the forms and worksheets page
Pension
The pension plan is a savings account for your retirement. The account grows by the contributions you and your employer make each month. Investment returns are credited to the account each month as well. So expect a deduction of 7% from each paycheque to be added to your pension account. Your employer will also be making a contribution of 8% of your pay.
Now is the time to consider whether you would like to make voluntary pension contributions to increase your overall savings for retirement (max is another 3%). If you do, talk to your treasurer about the amount of additional deduction they should make and forward to your pension account, and complete the voluntary pension form (also on the forms and worksheets page). You may also want to think about signing up for optional life insurance for you or for your spouse.
Benefits
Next you should review the benefits available to you. You will need to select a Health Care module that is most appropriate for you and discuss the cost sharing with your employer. Note that the Health Module insurer requires that employees enroll in their ‘true’ family status. If you have a spouse and that spouse has health care coverage, you will be coordinating claims.
Once you are enrolled, you will receive a Manulife Financial Card. You may obtain additional Manulife Financial Cards for your registered Dependents, but all cards will be in your name.
CEP
Information about the CEP is available on this page.
New to Canada
Welcome to Canada!
Everything described in the New Plan Member accordion above applies with this one exception:
The Health Care benefits are second payer to the government health program. Therefore you need to apply for provincial health coverage first, and the group plan will begin when your provincial coverage becomes effective (typically 3 months after arrival). All other benefits will start immediately.
If you have a spouse and/or children, coverage for them will begin once you are enrolled and they are living in Canada as well.
Contributions to the pension plan can begin as soon as you have your Social Insurance Number.
Getting Married
Congratulations!
Please let GSI know your date of marriage. Here are some of the key items you should know regarding how your pension and benefits are affected by this event:
The Health Care Benefits also cover your spouse and dependent children. If your new spouse’s employer also provides benefits, then they will be coordinated with yours.
Let your spouse know that they also have access to the short-term counselling plan (Member and Family Assistance MFAP).
There is also $10,000 life insurance coverage for your spouse.
Most importantly, please review your life insurance beneficiary and note that your spouse is the legislated beneficiary of your pension account.
You will need to complete the Change in Marital Status form and submit it to the GSI office.
Changes to Spouse's Benefits
Co-ordination of Health Care Benefits
Co-ordination of benefits allows for reimbursement of insured expenses from both yours and your spouse’s plans up to a total of 100% of the actual expenses incurred.
In order to set this up and to have your claims properly processed, please provide GSI with the following information:
- spouse’s insurer
- effective date of coverage
- spouse’s insurance plan number
- spouse’s member number.
Please review the How to Submit a Claim section in the Group Benefits information for guidance on which plan pays first.
Changes to Your Spouse’s Benefits
Please advise GSI if your spouse has a new employer or a new benefits plan. Likewise if your spouse’s benefits cease for any reason, GSI will need to update your coordination information for your claims to be processed properly.
If your spouse’s coverage terminates, please advise us immediately, as we need to update the records in order for any claims to be processed properly. GSI will need to be advised of the date of the change.
Waiving of Benefits
The Health Care benefits may not be waived.
Becoming a Parent
Congratulations!
Please contact us so that we can add your new baby to the benefits plans.
Supplemental Pay Information
If you are a member of the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan and are receiving employment insurance for maternity and/or parental benefits, you may be eligible for supplemental pay benefit at 30% over 12 months or 20% over 18 months, coinciding with the employment insurance option selected, of your pre-leave salary.
Review the full details of the Parental Leave Policy in the Compensation Guidelines Appendix Two for more information.
Please consult with your treasurer and complete the forms found under the Forms & Worksheets page. Note that pension contributions are required on the supplemental pay. Your employer must maintain your group benefits while you are on leave.
New Call for Existing Plan Members
If you are transitioning from your previous call without a break in service, all of your benefits continue seamlessly. Note that the Health Benefits module that you selected will continue with your new employer.
Please ensure your former treasurer has contacted our office to advise us of your final date and to confirm that all amounts owing are correctly remitted. Then make sure your new treasurer has notified our office of your hire date and submitted a Salary Basis Calculation form (found on forms page) so we can update our records.
If there is some time between your calls, please contact our office about which benefits can be converted to individual plans for the in-between time.
Require Sick Days
ELCIC Sick Leave Policy
This policy is provided for employees to better manage their health and wellness. Please see Appendix One of the Compensation Guidelines.
Medical Absence beyond Sick Days
The disability program aims to create an environment of wellness and engagement through awareness and acceptance of any health challenges. The program also aims to support health and wellness and to have excellent attendance and engagement.
The ELCIC Group Benefits Plan provides both short-term disability and long-term disability benefits to plan members with supported claims.
We invite you to refer to the Short-term Disability Policy plan document (available on the Short-Term Disability page) for detailed information on the terms and conditions of the plan.
As well, you may download the Short-term Disability Member Guide (available on the Short-Term Disability page) for an overview of plan benefits, a checklist for plan members and answers to some frequently asked questions.
Waiting Period – Two Weeks
When you become ill, disabled or require time off for surgery, the first two weeks are managed by your employer under the ELCIC Sick Leave Policy (see the previous accordion, or Compensation Guidelines).
If it becomes apparent that you will be unable to return to work after two weeks from the initial absence, your congregation/employer should notify GSI immediately.
Short-Term Disability – Next 15 Weeks
Process and Forms
Once your congregation/employer advises GSI of your prolonged absence, you will be contacted by Windley Ely, an independent disability management firm. Windley Ely will explain the STD program and answer your questions. They will also get preliminary information about your claim. They will then provide you with the forms that you and your doctor will need to complete.
Your completed forms should be submitted directly to Windley Ely.
Payment and Benefit Amount
When Windley Ely has notified you that your claim is approved, your congregation/employer will pay you the STD benefit amount, which is calculated as 70% your salary basis (salary & housing) less statutory withholdings.
Pension and Benefits
Your pension contribution at 7% of your disability income (i.e. the reduced amount) will be withheld on your pay. Your congregation/employer will make the required 8% contribution on the disability income amount, as well.
Your congregation/employer will continue to be responsible for the ELCIC Group Benefit Plan premiums during the STD period.
Long-Term Disability – 17 Weeks and Beyond
Process
If you continue to be sick or disabled after 17 weeks, Windley Ely will assist in transitioning the case to long-term disability with Manulife Financial. Transition steps will begin several weeks ahead of STD ending. Updated medical information will likely be required to support the LTD claim.
Payment and Benefit Amount
Upon approval from Manulife Financial, disability payments will come directly from them. The benefit amount is equal to 65% of your pre-disability Salary Basis (salary and housing) less statutory deductions.
Pension and Benefits
The 15% pension contribution on your pre-disability Salary Basis is insured and will be paid by Manulife Financial to GSI directly. The premiums for life and disability are waived by Manulife Financial during this period. You may continue on the modular Health Benefit based on your pre-disability enrollment, at your cost, for two years from the date the LTD benefit began.
Leaving Employment
ELCIC Pension Plan
Your pension account will go into a suspended status after we receive the final contributions from your employer. Investment income earned in the pension fund will continue to be allocated to your account.
When employment ends, you will be provided with pension transfer options; however, no action is required until the year you turn age 71.
Non-Rostered employees will be provided these options automatically on termination from employment. Rostered employees will be provided these options on request with termination from employment. If the employee if seeking another Call, the pension account will be reactivated when employment resumes.
When you have received your options, please review them carefully with your financial planner and return the completed forms to our office. Please also take some time to visit the retirement planning section of the website.
ELCIC Group Benefits Plan
Your group benefits end effective the same day as your employment ends.
Health Benefits premiums must be paid in full for the month, as the carrier will not pro-rate them; however coverage ends with your last day of work. You have 90 days to submit any claims that were incurred prior to your last day, but the online system will not be available to you after termination, so paper claims must be made. For this reason, it is best to be up-to-date with making your claims.
Manulife offers individual extended health plans for you when your employment ends. You may apply for an individual plan with Manulife within 90 days of termination. Whether you are at the end of your career with the Church or in professional transition and just bridging benefits, connecting with Manulife helps makes the transition easier.
If retiring, Manulife offers the following plans:
Health Benefits upon Retirement
| Coverage Ends | On your last day of employment |
| Submitting Claims | •Manulife allows 90 days to submit claims incurred up to your last day of employment •If not converting to Option A, online access will end on your last day of employment; outstanding claims must be submitted on paper |
| Conversion to Individual: | Three options (outlined below) |
| Option A: National ELCIC Retiree Extended Health Plan | •Offered to people age 60+ who will reside in Canada •One-time option at end of employment (cannot choose to come on at a later date) •No medical exam required •No co-insurance payments •Dental, Travel, and HCSA are not included |
| Option B: Manulife FollowMe™ | •Must apply and pay first premium within 90 days of your last day of work •Four levels of coverage available, each with different premiums and benefits included (Basic, Enhanced, Enhanced Plus, Premiere) •Dental included only with Enhanced Plus and Premiere •Travel add-on available (maximum issue age 69; insurance terminates at age 80) |
| Option C: Manulife Flexcare® | •Can be purchased at any time •Several levels of health and dental to choose from •Lowest level does not require a medical exam, but the higher levels do •Basic travel insurance for trips of up to 9 days included, with $100 deductible (additional days available as an add-on) •Travel ends at age 70 |
Life Insurance
If retiring or turning 65, Manulife offers the following plans:
Life Insurance upon Retirement or Turning 65
| Coverage Ends | On your last day of employment OR Your 65th birthday (whichever comes first) |
| Conversion to Individual | •Life insurance benefit can be converted to individual policy within 31 days •No medical exam required (but must note smoker status) •Must have been a Plan Member for at least five years |
| Notes | •No evidence of insurability will be required •Premium will be based on Manulife Financial's then-current standard premium rates |
| FollowMe Option | •Manulife's FollowMe also has a conversion to individual life insurance within 60 days of termination of employment •No medical exam required (but must note smoker status ) •Premiums may be higher than the conversion option from the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan |
Continuing Education Plan (CEP)
CEP is a resource of funds for Plan Members to enhance their employment skills. Since this is the overriding criteria, these funds may be used on a tax-free basis to the member. Please review the CEP Policy for information on your account balance options at termination.
Reaching Age 65
ELCIC Group Benefits Plan
As you continue to work past age 65:
- your Health Care benefits will continue, and
- the Life Plus benefits end on your 65th birthday,
ELCIC Pension Plan
Your enrollment in the pension plan continues until you terminate employment or turn age 71.
Retiree Health Eligibility
Joining the Retiree Health Plan
This is a voluntary plan with a one-time opportunity to join when your employment ends if you are over age 60 and continue residing in Canada. A form will be mailed to you on which you will indicate your choice to join the plan or waive coverage.
Health Care Benefits
The list of what is covered is provided in the the Retirement section of this website.
Survivor Benefits
If a plan member passes, their spouse may continue with single coverage. Upon remarrying, this coverage may continue for the individual, but would not include the new spouse.
Premiums
The plan is paid by the member 100%. Payments are made monthly by electronic funds transfer. There is a collections policy that you should be aware of in the policy section of the website. Premiums are listed by province in the premium rates table on this website.
Getting Divorced
GSI should be notified when you become separated or divorced by completing the Change in Marital Status form. Beneficiary and dependent information may need to be updated.
There are requirements within legislation (that vary from province to province) for splitting your pension with your former spouse for the time period of your marriage / co-habitation. Please ensure that this is clearly and properly addressed in your separation documents, so that we can calculate the split.
When Someone Dies
When a plan member dies, please notify GSI in order to process any survivor or beneficiary claims. A death certificate will be required.
ELCIC Group Benefits Plan
The Health Care benefits provide coverage for the surviving spouse and dependent children for two years, with the premiums waived. GSI will assist with the Life Insurance claim. Short-term counselling services can be accessed for the following two months and may assist with grief counselling.
ELCIC Pension Plan
A surviving Spouse will be provided with options to settle the pension account. If there is no spouse, then a lump sum will be paid to the beneficiary or the estate.