ARCHIVED CD 1998-010

Warning This Web page has been archived on the Web.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.

April 01, 1998

Ottawa, Canada
K1A 0S5

SUBJECT: New Collective Agreements - Disability Insurance and Long-term Disability Insurance Plan Benefits

1. PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this directive is to remind client departments and agencies of the impact that a retroactive salary revision under a new collective agreement will have on benefits payable under the Disability Insurance (DI) and Long-term Disability (LTD) Insurance Plans.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 For DI and LTD premium calculation purposes, a retroactive salary increase is effective the first of the month following the authorization date, i.e. the signing date of the collective agreement.

2.2 The new collective agreement for the CS group (BUD code 303) was signed on December 2, 1997, with a retroactive salary revision effective May 1, 1997. Therefore, adjusted DI and LTD premiums are required effective January 1, 1998.

2.3 Before March 1, 1993, DI and LTD benefits were not adjusted to reflect retroactive salary increases if the authorization date of the salary increase was after the end of the elimination period (even if the salary rate was retroactive to a date prior to the date on which benefits became payable).

3. POLICY

3.1 Where an employee becomes entitled to DI or LTD benefits on or after March 1, 1993 , retroactive salary increases will be applied provided the effective date of the increase is prior to the date benefits commence.

Example:

An LTD member is disabled on September 1, 1997, and becomes entitled to LTD benefits on December 1, 1997, after a 13-week elimination period. A collective agreement is signed March 10, 1998, with a retroactive salary increase effective June 21, 1997. Therefore, his LTD benefits will be recalculated to reflect this salary change.

3.2 If an employee became entitled to DI or LTD benefits before March 1, 1993 , retroactive salary increases will not affect their benefits.

3.3 If a DI or LTD recipient is in receipt of PSSA benefits, the PSSA benefit may also increase to reflect a salary increase. If so, then there will be a corresponding increase in the offset from the DI or LTD benefits.

4. PROCEDURES

4.1 Compensation Specialists should notify the Superannuation Directorate in any instance where an individual receiving disability benefits becomes entitled to a retroactive salary increase which has an effective date prior to the individual's date of entitlement to DI or LTD benefits.

4.2 Where an individual claimant notifies the Insurer regarding a retroactive salary increase, Sun Life or National Life will verify the increase with the Superannuation Directorate.

4.3 In cases where a salary revision could affect the level of DI or LTD benefits, the Compensation Specialist should notify the Insurer of the following details:

  • the old salary;
  • the new salary;
  • the date the change in salary was authorized;
  • the effective date of the change in salary.

5. INQUIRIES

5.1 Any request for information regarding the foregoing should be addressed to your Public Works and Government Services Canada Compensation Services Office.



Original Signed by
P. Charko

P. Charko
Director General
Compensation Sector
Government Operational Service


Reference: CJA 9243-1, 9244-1