Effective February 1, 2019, two key changes have been implemented under the Critical Illness insurance benefit. Details of these changes are as follows:

Maximum Age

Employees and their spouse who are currently enrolled in Critical Illness insurance and who have not reached age 65 prior to January 31, 2019 will be able to continue to participate in the Critical Illness insurance benefit to a maximum age of 70. Coverage will end on the member’s or the spouse’s 70th birthday. This means that a member or their spouse who turns age 65 on or after February 1, 2019, will be able to continue to be covered by paying the new age 65 premium rate. This change will also include new hires who apply for Critical Illness insurance on or after February 1, 2019.

In addition, an employee and their spouse may apply to enrol or increase Critical Illness insurance coverage up to age 69, subject to the existing eligibility requirements.

New Premium Rate Table

Sun Life reviews the utilization of group insurance benefits at regular intervals. From time to time premium rates for these benefits are adjusted either up or down to reflect the level of usage, cost to provide these benefits, anticipated cost to maintain the benefits in the future and the cost of inflation.

Effective February 1, 2019 the premiums for Critical Illness Insurance benefit have been adjusted as outlined in the table below. The Joint Insurance Committee (JIC) of OPSEU, OCASA and College Compensation and Appointments Council have reviewed and approved these premium rate changes.

Please see the premium rate chart below for updated rates:

CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE

MONTHLY PREMIUM RATES FOR EACH $25,000 UNIT OF COVERAGE

Effective February 1, 2019

(Changes in Bold)