Benefits for bargaining unit employees

This 2026 Benefits Guide for Bargaining Unit Employees (PDF, 7012KB) provides a comprehensive overview of health and life insurance benefits programs for Bargaining Unit employees. Share the details with your family so you can make the most of your benefits program.

The information provided in this guide summarizes the terms and provisions of the Bargaining Unit Benefits Plan.

In the event of any conflict between the contents of this guide and the actual plans, contracts or regulations, the provisions outlined in those documents apply.

For a quick summary of your benefits, please review 2026 Bargaining Unit Benefits at a Glance (PDF, 148KB).

For a list of forms related to pay and benefits, review the Careers & MyHR forms and tools index.

Employees are responsible for reading the information provided in the Benefit Guide or on Careers & MyHR and contacting AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Benefits > Bargaining Unit Employee Plan Inquiries and Issues if they have any questions.

To enrol for benefits, employees MUST complete the application form(s) before the deadline to be eligible for benefits when coverage begins.

On this page

• Value of your benefits program
• Program overview
• Who's eligible for benefits?
• When does coverage begin?
• How to enrol for the first time
• How to update your coverage
• Work status changes
• When does coverage end?
• Contacts and resources

Value of your benefits program

Benefits are an important part of your total compensation package. There's no cost to you to participate in the extended Health and Dental Plan. The reimbursements you receive under the plan for eligible items and services are paid for by the employer (up to plan limits).

The Employee Basic Group Life Insurance plan provides employee life insurance at a reasonable group premium rate, and a portion of your premium is paid by your employer.

On average, your benefits add over 20% to your overall compensation.

Program overview

Your health and life insurance benefits program consist of the following benefit plans that fall into the categories of Core and Optional benefits.

Employee Basic Life Insurance is mandatory.

You can waive coverage in any of the remaining plans.

The plans

Core benefits

• Extended health plan
• Dental plan
• Employee Basic Life Insurance (mandatory, but ends when you turn 65)

Optional benefits

• Optional Family Funeral Benefit
• Employee Optional Life Insurance
• Spouse Optional Life Insurance
• Child Optional Life Insurance
• Employee Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Spouse Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Child Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Who's eligible for benefits?

Employees

This benefits program applies to:

• Regular bargaining unit employees, including part-time employees
• Auxiliary employees who’ve completed 1,827 hours of work in 33 pay periods with the same ministry
• Auxiliary employees (BCGEU only) who have worked 3 consecutive years with the same ministry without a loss of seniority and have 1,200 hours of straight time in the past 26 pay periods

Auxiliary employees who are not eligible for health and welfare benefits receive a compensation allowance as calculated in accordance with the main agreement.

You can add your dependants, which can include your spouse and dependent children to your benefits plans if they meet eligibility requirements. You must enrol your dependants to receive coverage. 

Spouse

Your legal or common-law spouse (same or opposite sex) who's living with you is eligible for coverage. By adding your common-law spouse to your benefits plans, you're confirming that you've been living in a common-law relationship or living together for at least 12 months. This period may be less than 12 months if you claimed your common-law spouse’s child/children for tax purposes. A separate declaration form is not required. 

If your spouse is also a BC Public Service employee or has benefits through another employer, you can both enrol in your benefits plans, listing the other as a dependant. You may be able to submit your extended health and dental receipts to both plans and receive up to 100% reimbursement (to plan limits) of your eligible expenses. 

If you separate from your spouse, they're no longer eligible for coverage under your benefits plan. Any terms and conditions under separation and divorce agreements are the responsibility of the employee, not the employer. If you remove a common-law spouse from your plan, you’ll need to wait 12 months before adding a new common-law spouse and their dependants. This waiting period doesn’t apply if you’re switching between legal and common-law spouses, legal spouse to legal spouse or common-law spouse to legal spouse. You must cancel your spouse’s coverage when they’re no longer eligible. 

Dependent children

Children (natural, adopted, stepchildren or legal wards) can be covered under your benefits plan if they meet the following conditions:  

• They’re not married or in a common-law relationship 
• You mainly support them financially 
• You claim them as dependants for income tax purposes  

They must also meet any of the following criteria: 

• Under 19 years old 
• Under 25 years old and going to school full-time (university or vocational school which provides a recognized diploma, certificate or degree) 
• Mentally or physically disabled, became disabled before reaching the age limits above, and the disability has been ongoing. They must still be unable to work and fully dependent on you for support after reaching the maximum age 
• Living with your former spouse who is not eligible for health and dental coverage 

A grandchild is not an eligible dependant unless you or your spouse has legally adopted them or they are your legal ward. 

Dependent children over 19

Extended health and dental coverage for your dependent child will automatically end when they turn 19 unless:  

• You confirm your child is a full-time student, or
• Your child has been approved for coverage as a disabled dependant 

To confirm your child as an eligible student before they turn 19: 

1. You’ll receive a Confirmation of Dependant Eligibility form from Canada Life 
2. Fill it out and send it back to Canada Life as instructed on the form 

In following years, complete and return the Confirmation of Student Eligibility form to the Benefit Service Centre before August 30, confirming that your child is a full-time student. Include: 

• Your child’s name 
• Date of birth  
• The school they’re attending  

You must cancel coverage for dependent children who are no longer eligible for coverage. Coverage for a dependent child with full-time student status will automatically end at age 25 unless they are approved as disabled dependants. 

To apply for disabled dependant status, fill out the Application for Over-Age Dependant Coverage form and send it to Canada Life as instructed on the form. 

Optional life insurance plans do not end automatically. If your child is no longer eligible for coverage, you must cancel any optional life insurance for them. 

When does coverage begin?

When does coverage begin?

Benefit	Regular employee	Auxiliary employee
Extended health and dental plans	You can enrol immediately Coverage begins on the first day of the month after completion of 3 full calendar months of regular employment, or upon enrolment, whichever is later	You can enrol after meeting eligibility requirements Coverage begins the first day of the month after meeting eligibility requirements or upon enrolment, whichever is later
Employee Basic Life Insurance plan	There is no need to enrol It's recommended that you designate a beneficiary; otherwise, it'll default to your estate Coverage begins immediately	There is no need to enrol once you meet the eligibility requirements It's recommended that you designate a beneficiary; otherwise, it'll default to your estate Coverage begins immediately upon meeting eligibility requirements
Optional Family Funeral Benefit	You can enrol immediately You must enrol within 31 days of hire or 60 days of acquiring your first dependant; otherwise, it'll be considered waived If selected, coverage begins immediately	You can enrol after meeting eligibility requirements You must enrol within 31 days of meeting eligibility requirements or 60 days of acquiring your first dependant; otherwise, it'll be considered waived If selected, coverage begins immediately
Optional Life and Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance	You can enrol immediately You must enrol within 31 days of hire; otherwise, it'll be considered waived You must list which dependants you wish to cover under each insurance plan If selected, coverage begins immediately, except where evidence of insurability and approval is required Coverage will begin once approval is granted by the carrier	You can enrol after meeting eligibility requirements You must enrol within 31 days of becoming eligible; otherwise, it'll be considered waived You must list which dependants you wish to cover under each insurance plan If selected, coverage begins immediately, except where evidence of insurability and approval is required Coverage will begin once approval is granted by the carrier

Coverage for eligible dependants is effective on the date on which your coverage is effective, or on the first of the month following the date the enrolment form is received by the Benefits Service Centre, whichever is later.

Where evidence of insurability and approval is required, coverage will begin once approval is granted by the carrier. Ensure that the amount on the evidence of insurability form matches the amount of insurance that you have applied for.

Verify that coverage is effective prior to using services.

To check that coverage is in place after you have enrolled, log into My Time and Pay > Employee Self Service > Benefits Summary.

• Time and Leave: access from work (IDIR restricted)
• Time and Leave: access from home (IDIR restricted)

For questions regarding coverage submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request, using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Benefits > Bargaining Unit Employees.

How to enrol for the first time

Health and dental benefits 

When you first sign up (initial enrolment), you can enrol for extended health and dental coverage right away, even if you're still in your waiting period. However, your coverage won’t start until the waiting period is over. 

Optional life insurance  

You must enrol in optional life insurance within 31 days of: 

• Being hired as a regular employee, or  
• Reaching the required hours for benefits as an auxiliary employee  

Otherwise, optional life insurance will be considered waived. You won’t be able to enrol or make changes to your optional life insurance plans until: 

• The Annual Enrolment period, or
• You have an eligible life event 

Basic life insurance 

You're automatically enrolled in employee basic life insurance if you’re under age 65. It's recommended that you complete the Group Life Beneficiary Designation form; otherwise, your life insurance will default to your estate. 

Employees can enrol online through My Time and Pay > Employee Self Service > Benefits Summary. By enrolling online, you can  track the status of your application through AskMyHR (IDIR restricted). Complete all forms that are applicable, and you must save them before submitting them. 

• Time and Leave: access from work (IDIR restricted)
• Time and Leave: access from home (IDIR restricted)

If you don't have access to Employee Self Service, complete the manual forms below that are applicable and send them to the Benefits Service Centre for processing through an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request. Use the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Benefits > Submit a Health Benefit Form/Application. 

• Bargaining Unit Benefits Program Enrolment/Change form (PDF, 378KB)
• Group Life Beneficiary Designation (PDF, 174KB)
• Evidence of Insurability (PDF, 518KB) (only required at initial enrolment when applying for Optional Employee and/or Optional Spouse Life Insurance over $50,000) 

The original Group Life Beneficiary Designation form must be mailed to the address on the top of the form.  

The Evidence of Insurability form must be sent directly to Canada Life as instructed on the form.

Choosing life insurance coverage

If you’re under age 65, you're automatically enrolled in Employee Basic Life Insurance as a condition of employment and cannot be waived. You may want to designate a beneficiary (otherwise it defaults to your estate). The rules around when you need to provide evidence of insurability (good health) are outlined below.

Carefully consider the optional life insurance plans available to you during initial enrolment, especially if you (or your spouse) have medical conditions that may prevent you from increasing your life insurance in the future.

The optional life insurance plans available are:

• Optional Family Funeral Benefit
• Employee Optional Life Insurance
• Spouse Optional Life Insurance
• Child Optional Life Insurance
• Employee Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Spouse Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Child Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Premiums for these plans can be found under the Life insurance benefits at a glance section.

Evidence of insurability (good health)

You don’t need to provide medical information (called “evidence of insurability” or “evidence of good health”) in the following situations:

• Enrolling for up to $50,000 of optional life insurance for yourself and/or your spouse on initial enrolment only 
• Enrolling in or increasing Child Optional Life Insurance during initial enrolment and subsequent increases 
• Enrolling in or increasing Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance during initial enrolment and subsequent increases 
• Enrolling in or increasing Family Funeral Benefit during initial enrolment and subsequent enrolment 

You will need to provide medical information in the following situations: 

• Enrolling for more than $50,000 of optional life insurance for yourself and/or your spouse during your initial enrolment 
• All other increases in life insurance for yourself and/or your spouse 

Remember to list your dependants and select them for the benefit on the enrolment form. 

To include your dependants under extended health and dental plans: 

• Provide their information in the 'Dependant' section of the enrolment form  
• Choose the dependants you want to cover under each benefit plan 

Make sure all the details are accurate and that you’ve selected the right dependant(s) for coverage in each plan. 

Be sure to designate beneficiaries for your Employee Basic and Optional Life Insurance.

Complete, sign and date a Group Life Beneficiary Designation (PDF, 174KB). If you don’t designate a beneficiary by submitting the signed form, benefits will be paid to your estate in the event of your death. Beneficiary designations are not effective until the completed and signed original form has been received by AskMyHR.

Submit forms through AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Benefits > Submit a Health Benefit Form/Application.

Because the Group Life Beneficiary Designation form is a legal document, you must print, sign, date and mail the original document to:

Benefits Service Centre
3980 Quadra Street
Victoria, B.C.  V8X 1J9

Once your applications have been processed, you can log into Employee Self Service at any time to view your Benefits Summary (except for your life insurance beneficiaries).

Time and Pay > Employee Self Service > Benefit Summary

• Time and Leave: access from work (IDIR restricted)
• Time and Leave: access from home (IDIR restricted)

Waiting periods may apply. Check your Benefits Summary to confirm coverage is in effect before purchasing items or services. 

Medical Services Plan (MSP) and PharmaCare registration

All plan members must be enrolled in MSP to be eligible for out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical coverage under the extended health plan. You must also sign up for Pharmacare to assist with prescription coverage, limiting the impact on your lifetime maximum. Use the British Columbia Application for Health and Drug Coverage to sign up for both programs but do not submit this application to AskMyHR.

If you are unsure if you have already registered for PharmaCare, check using the Fair PharmaCare Registration Status Search. You will need to provide your Personal Health Number, birthdate and postal code.

How to update your coverage

Annual Enrolment

In February, during Annual Enrolment, you’re able to make changes to your optional life insurance plans for you and your dependants to be effective April 1.  Each year, information will be provided on the Benefits for bargaining unit employees page about Annual Enrolment.

The optional life insurance plans available are:

• Optional Family Funeral Benefit
• Employee Optional Life Insurance
• Spouse Optional Life Insurance
• Child Optional Life Insurance
• Employee Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Spouse Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Child Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

If you're changing your optional life insurance:

• Complete the application form online through My Time and Pay > Employee Self Service > Benefits Summary.  By enrolling online, you can track the status of your application through AskMyHR (IDIR restricted)
• Complete the Evidence of Insurability form (PDF, 518KB), if required

Employee absence during Annual Enrolment

If you're away during Annual Enrolment and wish to make changes to your optional life insurance, you can access Employee Self Service from home (IDIR restricted) to make changes. If access us unavailable, complete the Bargaining Unit Benefits Program Enrolment/Change Form (PDF, 378KB) and mail it to the Benefit Service Centre (see the Contacts and resources section for the mailing address). The Benefit Service Centre must receive your change form before the Annual Enrolment deadline, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time. If you submit the change prior to your leave and outside of the Annual Enrolment period, please ensure that you include a note on the top of the Bargaining Unit Benefits Program Enrolment/Change Form or, if submitted through Employee Self Service, please reply to the service request to advise that you are submitting in advance as a result of your leave.

Eligible life event

During the year, you may change your benefits options after you experience an eligible life event. Eligible life events allow you to make changes to your optional life insurance plans within 60 days of the event.

Life events include:

• Marriage or entering a common-law relationship
• Divorce, separation or end of a common-law relationship
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Loss of a child’s status as a dependant (marriage, age limit, no longer a student, etc.)
• Change in your child’s eligibility that allows coverage under the program
• Your spouse gains or loses benefits coverage
• Death of a spouse or child

How to update your dependants

To add or cancel dependants, complete all forms that are applicable, and you must save them before submitting them.

• Time and Leave: access from work (IDIR restricted)
• ​Time and Leave: access from home (IDIR restricted)

If you don't have access to Employee Self Service, complete the manual forms below that are applicable and send them to the Benefits Service Centre for processing through an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request. Use the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Benefits > Submit a Health Benefit Form/Application.

• Bargaining Unit Benefits Program Enrolment/Change Form (PDF, 378KB)
  • Record their information in the ’Dependant Information’ section of the enrolment form
  • List the dependants you wish to cover or cancel under each benefit plan 
  • Take the time to ensure that your dependant information is correct and that you’ve selected the right dependant(s) for coverage or cancellation in each plan.
• Group Life Beneficiary Designation (PDF, 174KB)
• Evidence of Insurability (PDF, 518KB) (only required when applying for or applying to increase Optional Employee and/or Optional Spouse Life Insurance)

The original Group Life Beneficiary Designation form must be mailed to the address on the top of the form.  

The Evidence of Insurability form must be sent directly to Canada Life as instructed on the form.

Baby enrolment/addition of a newborn

The easiest way to enrol your newborn for the Medical Services Plan (MSP) is to complete the Online Birth Registration through the Vital Statistics Agency. They will send your baby’s information to Health Insurance BC (HIBC).

Increasing life insurance coverage

You or your spouse will be asked to complete an Evidence of Insurability form (a medical questionnaire) if you apply to increase your:

• Employee Optional Life Insurance
• ​Spouse Optional Life Insurance

Canada Life must review your information and approve your request before increased coverage can take effect.

If you're making changes to your optional life insurance due to an eligible life event or during Annual Enrolment, ensure you complete the:

• Application form with your employer
• The Evidence of Insurability form for Canada Life, if applicable

The amount of insurance that you are applying for must indicate the total amount of coverage you want on the employer application form (for example: if you currently have $100,000 optional spouse life insurance and you want to increase it to $250,000, you must indicate $250,000 and not only the increased amount of $150,000).

The Evidence of Insurability form should be sent directly to Canada Life. Submission information is on the form.

Effective dates of coverage

Changes will be effective on the appropriate date based on Annual Enrolment, an eligible life event, or the approval of evidence of insurability for life insurance.

• Changes made during Annual Enrolment will be effective April 1 or, if evidence of insurability is required, once approved by Canada Life
• ​Changes made as a result of an eligible life event will be effective on either the date of the event or the form signature date, whichever is later, provided either date occurs within 60 days of the life event. If evidence of insurability is required, coverage will be effective once approved by Canada Life. If a life event is reported more than 60 days after the event, changes to your options will not be permitted at that time
• Exceptions, back dating and retroactive adjustments will not be made
• Review your coverage and make changes during the enrolment period or as soon as possible after the eligible life event to ensure that AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) receives your benefits change forms no later than 60 days from the date of the event. To submit your benefit change forms, attach them to a service request using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Benefits > Submit a Health Benefit Form/Application
• Waiting periods may apply and you should ensure that coverage is in effect prior to purchasing items or services

Work status changes

The BC Public Service recognizes that each of us may experience various work events (for example: becoming a new employee, travelling out of the country, leaving the public service, etc.) that will change the type of coverage we receive.

The following is a list of common work status changes and the effects on benefits coverage.

If you have any questions, contact AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) by submitting a service request, using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Benefits > Bargaining Unit Employee Plan Inquiries and Issues.

What happens if...?

Question	Answer
I transfer from a regular position to an auxiliary position?	Your benefits coverage ends at the end of the month of your date of transfer and you must re-qualify by meeting the eligibility requirements for benefits.
I'm on a temporary assignment to an excluded position from my base position, which is a bargaining unit position?	If your temporary assignment is 21 days or longer, you're eligible (and can enrol) for the benefits program available to excluded employees. You become eligible on the first day of the month following the start of your temporary assignment to the excluded position. More information about benefits for excluded employees (Flexible Benefits Program) is available on Careers & MyHR. If you return to your base position, you return to your Bargaining Unit Benefits Plan. If you allocated funds to a Health Spending Account, it terminates at the end of the month you return to your base position. The remaining balance is forfeited. If you're enrolled in any of the Optional Life Insurance Plans, your coverage transfers between the two benefit plans. A change in employment is not considered an eligible life event, therefore no changes can be made to your life insurance coverage as a result of a job change. Your extended health and dental claims history remain with you throughout your employment. You should always check your eligibility prior to purchase by logging in to My Canada Life at Work or contacting Canada Life.
I transfer to an excluded position?	When you transfer to an excluded position, you become eligible (and can enrol) for the benefits program available to excluded employees. Refer to the 'Who’s eligible for benefits?' section on the Benefits for excluded employees page on Careers & MyHR. We recommend that you complete your enrolment forms. It’s your opportunity to choose the best options available to you and any eligible dependants. If you do not enrol, you will be enrolled (by default) in the benefit plans that most closely match your coverage under the Bargaining Unit Benefit Plan. Any dependants covered under the Bargaining Unit Benefit Plan will also be covered under the Flexible Benefits Program. Any unused flex credits will be paid out in monthly instalments as taxable cash. You will have to wait until the next Open Enrolment period (or until you experience an eligible life event) to make any changes. If you're enrolled in any of the Optional Life Insurance Plans, your coverage transfers between the two benefit plans. A change in employment is not considered an eligible life event, therefore no changes can be made to your life insurance coverage as a result of a job change. Your extended health and dental claims history remain with you throughout your employment. You should always check your eligibility prior to purchase by logging in to My Canada Life at Work or contacting Canada Life.
I’m away during the Annual Enrolment period	If you'll be on a short-term leave with pay or on vacation during the Annual Enrolment period and wish to make changes to your options,  you can access Employee Self Service from home to submit changes or, if access is unavailable,  complete the Bargaining Unit Benefits Program Enrolment/Change Form and mail it to the Benefit Service Centre. The Benefit Service Centre must receive your change form before the Annual Enrolment deadline, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time. If you submit the change prior to your leave and outside of the Annual Enrolment period, please ensure that you include a note on the top of the Bargaining Unit Benefits Program Enrolment/Change Form or, if submitted through Employee Self Service, please reply to the service request to advise that you are submitting in advance as a result of your leave.
I'm on Short Term Illness and Injury Plan (STIIP)?	There are no changes to coverage.
I'm approved for Long Term Disability (LTD)?	There are no changes to coverage.
I commence a rehabilitation trial?	If you return to work on a rehabilitation trial after being on LTD, your LTD claim continues to be active, and there are no changes to your benefits coverage.
I return to work from Long Term Disability (LTD)?	There are no changes to coverage. You may participate in Annual Enrolment and make changes after an eligible life event. If you return to work in a different plan year and missed the opportunity to participate in Annual Enrolment, you will have the opportunity to make changes to your optional life insurance plans.
I'm on leave with pay?	There are no changes to coverage. You may participate in Annual Enrolment and make changes after an eligible life event. If you're on a leave with partial pay, visit the Benefits while on leave or layoff page on Careers & MyHR for more information.
I'm on leave without pay?	Benefits coverage is suspended during a leave without pay lasting more than one calendar month.  You cannot make changes to your optional life insurance while you’re on leave without pay, but you may continue in the benefit plan that you have at the time you commence your leave by paying the benefit premiums. Otherwise, coverage will terminate until you return to work. What happens to optional life insurance benefits will depend on the length of the leave without pay:  If your leave is more than 30 days but less than 90 days and you do not maintain your optional life insurance benefits, your optional life insurance coverage will be reinstated upon your return to work. Submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Benefits > Submit a Health Benefit Form/Application letting them know you have returned If your leave is more than 90 days and you don’t maintain your optional life insurance benefits, any optional coverage that doesn’t require evidence of insurability can be reinstated. For employee and/or spouse optional life insurance, you’ll need to requalify and provide evidence of insurability If the leave is included in Part 6 of the Employment Standards Act, all benefits except for optional life insurance are continued. Review the Benefits while on leave or layoff page on Careers & MyHR for detailed information. If you return to work in a different plan year and missed Annual Enrolment, you’ll be able to make changes to your optional life insurance plans when you return.
I'm on maternity/parental/pre-placement adoption leave?	The birth of a child is an eligible life event and you have 60 days from the birth of your child to update your benefits coverage.  You can enrol them in your benefits by submitting the Bargaining Unit Benefits Plan Enrolment/Change form (PDF, 378KB).  After 60 days, you can still add your child to your coverage, but you can’t change your optional life insurance options. Benefits in place prior to your leave will remain in place during the leave. If you choose, you may waive extended health and dental plan coverage during your leave by completing and submitting the Bargaining Unit Benefits Plan Enrolment/Change form (PDF, 378KB). Employees often consider this option if: They have coverage under their spouse's plan They want to minimize repayment of benefit premiums paid prior to April 1, 2022 if they’re unsure about returning to work after their leave Employee Basic Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability coverage must be continued during the leave. If you have waived, are not eligible for or have deferred your top-up allowance, your benefits will be maintained (if you do not cancel them) but any optional life insurance plans will be cancelled.  You can choose to maintain your optional life insurance coverage by submitting an application and paying the premiums. If you discontinue your optional life insurance, any optional coverage that doesn’t require evidence of insurability can be reinstated. For example, the Optional Family Funeral Benefit can be reinstated. However, you'll need to reapply and submit evidence of insurability for Employee Optional and/or Spouse Optional Life Insurance. More information can be found on the Careers & MyHR page, Benefits while on leave or layoff. If you're taking extended childcare leave after parental leave and would like to maintain your benefits, you'll have to pay the premiums. More information can be found on the Careers & MyHR page Benefits while on leave or layoff. After your leave, if you do not fulfil the return-to-work requirements, you'll have to repay any premiums that were paid on your behalf by your employer prior to April 1, 2022. For more information, refer to: Maternity leave: choosing not to return to work Parental leave: choosing not to return to work Pre-placement adoption leave: choosing not to return to work
I travel out-of-province/out-of-country?	Please see the out-of-province/out-of-country emergency coverage information in the 'Extended health plan' section of this benefits guide for detailed information on emergency medical coverage while traveling for work and/or pleasure.
I'm laid off from the BC Public Service?	Your extended health and dental coverage and life insurance plans end on the last day of the month of layoff. Benefits coverage can be continued for 6 months following the month of layoff if you apply to continue coverage and pay the premiums. Visit Benefits while on leave or layoff on Careers & MyHR for more information.
I'm actively working, and I reach the age of 65?	There are no changes to extended health and dental. You're no longer eligible for Employee Basic Life Insurance, Optional Family Funeral Benefits or for any of the Optional Life Insurance or Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance plans, but you can convert to an individual plan. For more information, see 'Converting to individual benefits plans' in the 'When does coverage end?' section. You're also no longer eligible for Long-Term Disability.
I retire from the BC Public Service?	Your coverage ends at the end of the month in which you retire. Retirement benefits are administered through the BC Public Service Pension Plan and are different then your benefits coverage through the BC Public Service. If you are under age 65, you have the option to continue your employee basic life insurance and optional family funeral benefit by applying through the Public Service Pension Plan. The benefits coverage available under the Public Service Pension Plan is different from this program. Review retirement benefits criteria at the BC Pension Corporation website.
I resign from the BC Public Service?	Your extended health and dental coverage end on your last day of work. Your life insurance plans end on the last day of the month in which your employment ends. See 'Converting to individual benefits plans' under the 'When does coverage end?' section for further information. Benefits coverage extended to an eligible spouse and/or dependent children will end the same date that your coverage ends.
I die?	Employee coverage Benefits coverage will terminate at the end of the month in which death occurs. A life insurance claim will be initiated when MyHR is notified. Extended health and dental plan coverage for dependants Coverage terminates for dependants at the end of the month following the month in which the employee dies (for example: extended health and dental terminate on April 30 when the employee’s death occurs in March). Dependants can purchase individual extended health and dental plan coverage through Canada Life when the group coverage ends. Of course, family members are free to purchase coverage from whichever health insurance carrier they choose. Optional Life and Optional AD&D coverage for dependants Coverage ends at the end of the month in which the death occurs. Covered dependants can apply for individual coverage. See 'Converting to individual benefits plans' under the 'When does coverage end?' section for further information.

When does coverage end?

Extended health and dental plans

Coverage ends on one of the following:

• Your last day of employment
• The day you request that coverage end
• The last day of the month of a leave of absence without pay greater than a calendar month (if you don't pay the required premiums)
• The last day of the month in which you change from a bargaining unit position to an excluded position (you will automatically be enrolled in the comprehensive option if you do not make a selection) 
• The last day of the month in which you change from regular to auxiliary status
• The last day of the month of lay off (if you don't pay the required premiums)
• The last day of the month in which you're on pay prior to retirement

Employee Basic Life and Optional Family Funeral Benefit

Coverage ends on the date the policy terminates or the last day of the month in which any of the following occurs:

• Your employment ends
• You turn 65
• You change from regular to auxiliary status
• You change from a bargaining unit position to an excluded position (you will automatically be enrolled in 3 times annual salary for your employee basic life insurance if you do not make a selection, and your optional family funeral benefit will carry over to your excluded position if applicable)
• You retire under the provisions of the Public Sector Pension Plans Act (unless you elect to continue coverage to age 65)
• After the month in which a premium is not received by you or your employer on your behalf
• You cease to satisfy the actively-at-work requirement

Optional Life and Optional AD&D Insurance

Coverage ends on the date the policy terminates or the last day of the month in which any of the following occurs:

• Your employment ends
• You turn 65
• You change from regular to auxiliary status
• You change from a bargaining unit position to an excluded position (any optional life insurance you were enrolled in will carry over to your excluded position)
• You retire under the provisions of the Public Sector Pension Plans Act
• After the month in which a premium is not received by you or your employer on your behalf
• You cease to satisfy the actively-at-work requirement

Coverage for eligible dependants

Coverage for eligible dependants ends on one of the following:

• The same date that your coverage terminates
• The date you request coverage end
• The date they cease to qualify as an eligible dependant
• For Spouse Optional Life and Spouse Optional AD&D, the date that the spouse turns 65
• In the event of the employee’s death, extended health and dental plan coverage for dependants is maintained until the end of the month following the month of the employee’s death

When your spouse turns 65, they're eligible to convert to an individual life insurance plan without a medical exam. See 'Converting your spouse’s optional life insurance' in this section for further details.

Converting to individual benefits plans

The conversion policy enables you to convert to individual extended health, dental and life insurance plans when your group coverage ends.

Converting to an individual plan may benefit you if you don't qualify for other insurance due to an existing medical condition.

You can apply to convert to some or all these plans.

You must apply and pay your first premium within 60 days of the end of the month in which your group coverage ends.

This conversion cannot be made retroactively. If you miss this deadline, you're no longer eligible for conversion.

Converting your individual life insurance plans

If your employment ends or you reach age 65 and are no longer eligible for group life coverage, you may convert your coverage to an individual policy, limited in both amount and plan, without a medical examination, or you may take a medical examination (paid for by the carrier) and choose any insurance plan offered by the company. If you don't meet the medical requirements, you can still convert your coverage to an individual policy, limited in both amount and plan.

The amount of the individual policy where no medical examination is taken may be any amount up to the amount of coverage combined (maximum $200,000) in force at the time your group coverage ends.

The premium for the individual policy will depend on your age and on the type of policy you select. It's not the same rate as paid while covered under the group plan.

For employees turning 65, you'll be provided instructions from the Benefits Service Centre on how to start the conversion process. 

For employees who are terminating their employment before turning 65 and who reside in British Columbia, you can apply to Canada Life for an individual policy by contacting Todd Prystupa at 250-217-0751. For employees who reside outside of B.C., please visit the Canada Life Group Life Conversion page to find an adviser in your area, or call 1-888-252-1847.

Please provide the following notes to the adviser you’re working with:

• The combined conversion maximum is $200,000
• A plan member must apply for the individual policy in writing and pay the first premium within 60 days after the life insurance terminates
• The actual amount of life insurance that's eligible for conversion, as well as the employee’s termination date, will be verified upon receipt of the conversion application at Canada Life’s Head Office. The verification will be between Canada Life Head Office and the Plan Member’s HR/Payroll Office

Converting your spouse’s optional life insurance

Provided your spouse is under age 65, you may also convert their optional life insurance to an individual plan at the same time as you are converting your own coverage.

The same application deadline and process to convert coverage applies.

If your spouse is older than you when you turn 65, your spouse is ineligible for conversion to an individual plan.

Individual extended health and dental plans

When your group coverage ends, an individual health and dental plan is available through Canada Life. Visit the Canada Life Health and Dental Insurance page for more information.

If you would like to purchase an individual extended health and dental plan, contact Canada Life.

Individual plans will be different than the group plan.

You're free to apply for insurance with any other insurance carrier you choose at any time. The BC Public Service Agency, the Public Service Pension Plan at BC Pension Corporation and your employer are not responsible for the lapse of the 60-day conversion period if you don't apply in a timely manner.

Contacts and resources

For questions about extended health and dental claims, contact Canada Life.

Canada Life Mailing Address
PO Box 3050, Station Main
Winnipeg MB  R3C 0E6

Canada Life Phone: (Toll-free) 1-855-644-0538

Assistance with My Canada Life at Work for Plan Members: (Toll-free) 1-888-222-0775

Visit Canada Life's website.

To check your benefits or to submit a claim, visit My Canada Life at Work. ​

​ This guide describes the benefits program for eligible bargaining unit employees in the BC Public Service.

While all efforts have been made to make the guide comprehensive, it doesn't contain all the details in the official documents that legally govern the operation of every benefits plan within the Benefits Program.

These plans are subject to change from time to time.

In the event of any discrepancy or misunderstanding, benefits will be paid according to the applicable contracts, policies, plan documents, and legislation.