Post-Retirement Insured Benefits
What you need to know
We are providing you with this information as part of certain services OPTrust provides to the Government of Ontario in connection with its PRB program. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we provide you is correct and complete, it is subject to any information provided to you directly by the Government of Ontario and to the documents which the Government used to establish the PRB program.
The following chart summarizes the eligibility criteria for participation in a PRB plan, applicable PRB plan options and payment terms for premiums for all members who retire on or after January 1, 2017.
Eligibility Criteria | PRB Plan and Premiums | |
---|---|---|
Hired before January 1, 2017 |
Minimum 10 years of pension service* before January 1, 2017 |
RETIREE-FOCUSED PLAN 100% Government paid (Default option) OR LEGACY PLAN 50% Government paid 50% Retiree paid |
Hired before January 1, 2017 with less than 10 years of pension service before January 1, 2017 |
Minimum 20 years of pension service** AND Retire from active service to an immediate unreduced pension |
|
Hired before January 1, 2017 with less than 10 years of pension service before January 1, 2017 |
Minimum 10 years of pension service* AND Retire from active service to an immediate unreduced pension |
RETIREE-FOCUSED PLAN ONLY (No access to Legacy Plan) 100% Retiree paid Enrolment is optional |
Hired on or after January 1, 2017 |
Minimum 20 years of pension service** AND Retire from active service to an immediate unreduced pension |
* or 10 years continuous employment with some pension service in each of the 10 years
** or 20 years continuous employment with some pension service in each of the 20 years
Eligible retirees who have an option of both PRB plans at retirement may switch from the PRB plan they elect at retirement to the other PRB plan in December of any year for coverage starting the following January. However, once they cease coverage in the Legacy Plan, they cannot re-enrol in that plan.
Eligible retirees who only have the option of participating in the Retiree-Focused Plan at retirement on condition of paying 100% of the premiums may elect to cease coverage in that plan at any time, but if they do, they cannot re-enrol in that plan.
For more information, click on the documents below:
Optional Upgrade Packages
The Government of Ontario has announced that Optional Upgrade Packages will be available effective May 1, 2017 to all pensioners who are eligible for Post Retirement Benefits (PRBs), including eligible retirees who started their pension before January 1, 2017. The applicable premiums will be paid 100 per cent by eligible retirees who elect to enrol in either of these plans.
Optional Upgrade Package for retirees enrolled in the Legacy Plan includes the following bundled features:
- Emergency out-of-country coverage
- Global Medical Assistance Plan
- Catastrophic Drug Coverage
Optional Upgrade Package for retirees enrolled in the Retiree-Focused Plan includes the following bundled features:
- Emergency out-of-country coverage
- Global Medical Assistance Plan
Note: The Retiree Focused PRB Plan already includes Catastrophic Drug Coverage.
For more information, click on the documents below:
- PRB Optional Upgrade Application form
- PRB Optional Upgrade Factsheet
- PRB Optional Upgrade Pamphlet
- PRB Optional Upgrade – Frequently Asked Questions
- Canada Life Travel Assistance Pamphlet
What you need to do
- designate a beneficiary for the $2,000 life insurance benefit payable from Great-West Life
- consider signing up for Canada Life online to submit claims or direct deposit
Who to contact
The Canada Life Assurance Company
Insurance Carrier
- Answers questions about your coverage and claims.
- Processes and pays for your eligible claims and life insurance submissions.
- Its GroupNet for Plan Members portal provides online access to your benefits information and enables you to submit claims online, view coverage information and print healthcare and dental claim forms, and electronic drug and travel assistance cards.
Contact Information
- London Benefit Payments
P.O. Box 5 111, Station B
London ON N6A OC5 - Toll-free:
1-800-874-5899
TTY Line - available for the hearing impaired
Toll-free:
1-800-990-6654 - canadalife.com
OPTrust
Pension Plan Administrator
- Answers questions relating to eligibility for insured benefits and premium cost.
- Informs Canada Life of changes to your address, phone number, marital status, beneficiaries and requests for duplicate drug cards.
Contact Information
- Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm
Toronto calling area:
(416) 681-6100
Toll-free within Canada:
1-800-637-0024
Fax: (416) 681-6175
- contact us
Government of Ontario
Post-Retirement Insured Benefits Policy Holder
- If you think that you have been improperly denied a claim, you may submit an appeal to the Insurance Appeals Committee (IAC) via mail or email to IACappeals@ontario.ca.
- To facilitate processing, a Release of Information - Insured Benefits Appeal authorization form needs to accompany an appeal.
Contact Information
- The The Insurance Appeals Committee:
Treasury Board Secretariat Centre for Public Sector Labour Relations and Compensation
Total Compensation Strategies Branch, Benefits Policy Unit
315 Front Street West, 6th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M7A 0B8 - Fax: (416) 327-8402
Forms you need to complete
- Dentalcare claim
- Healthcare claim
- PRB Optional Upgrade
- Canada Life Insured Benefits Change (OPTrust 3011) form
- LCBO Employees - Canada Life Insured Benefits Change (OPTrust 3011 - LCBO) form
- Waiver to Opt Out of Basic Life Insurance Coverage (LIFINS) form
Background material for more information
- A Guide to Benefits After Retirement
- Canada Life (formerly Great-West Life)
- Release of Information - Insured Benefits Appeal