Group Life Insurance

The basic group life insurance is equal to three times annual earnings to a maximum of $300,000.

The maximum benefit reduces by $20,000 on the July 1st coincident with or next following the employee’s attainment of age 61 (and each subsequent July 1st until age 65, inclusive). The maximum benefit further reduces by $30,000 on each subsequent July 1st and coverage terminates upon attainment of age 70, or earlier retirement.

In the case of an employee without dependents, this benefit will be paid to your estate or designated beneficiary.

In the case of an employee with dependents, the benefit will be paid as follows:

  • A lump sum equivalent to one year’s salary at time of death will be paid to the designated beneficiary.
  • The other 2/3 of benefit will be paid in equal installments over a 24-month period. At the end of the 24-month period, the survivor benefit will commence. This provides a benefit to the spouse of 25% of the employee’s earnings at time of death, plus an additional 5% for each dependent child, to a maximum of 3 children. Benefits payable to the surviving spouse will cease at age 65, remarriage or death, whichever is earliest. The maximum age for dependent children is 18 years or 22 years of age if attending an accredited university or college on a full-time basis. The dependent children’s benefit will not be affected in the event of remarriage or death of the surviving spouse.

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance provides coverage for permanent full time employees in amount equal to three times annual earnings. Coverage in varying amounts is provided for loss of hands, feet, arms, legs, sight and hearing.

 

Excess Medical (Travel) Insurance

The University of King’s College, as a participating member of Interuniversity Services, Inc. (ISI), has formed a partnership with SSQ Insurance Group to offer Excess Medical (Travel) Insurance to employees who meet the eligibility criteria.

Identification number for all ISI members is 427E.

Policy number for the University of King’s College is 1PX40.

Eligibility of Insurance:

All participating members, their Spouses and Dependent Children must be covered under a Canadian federal and/or provincial health and hospitalization insurance plan and must show proof of enrollment into a major medical group policy.

IMPORTANT:

SSQ Insurance Group must be notified within 48 hours of an emergency, or when reasonably possible. Claims may be reduced if contact is not made with SSQ Financial Group within 48 hours of admission to hospital.

If you need a copy of the Excess Medical (Travel) Brochure and/or your Membership Card, please drop by the Bursar’s Office and speak with the Human Resources & Compensation Officer.

Forms:

Consent to Collect, Use and Disclose Personal Information Form (doc)

Inpatriate/Expatriate Medical & Extended Health Claim Form (doc)

SSQ Insurance Group is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for any medical, travel or personal emergency. If a member becomes ill or injured, call SSQ Financial Group at one of the following numbers which are shown on the Membership Card:

1-866-783-9473
(toll free from USA and Canada)

1-514-285-8195
(from outside USA and Canada, call collect via operator. You must dial the country code (1-514) before the telephone number)

Be prepared to give the following information when you call:

  • the name of the person calling, telephone # and relationship to the Insured Person;
  • the Insured Person’s name, location, ID# 427E and the Policy# 1PX40;
  • the condition of the Insured Person and the nature of the emergency;
  • Name, location and telephone # of the hospital;
  • Name, location and telephone # of treating physician.

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides you with immediate and confidential help for any work, health or life concern. They are available anytime and anywhere.

There is no cost to you or your family to use your EFAP. This benefit is provided to you by your employer. Your EFAP can provide a series of sessions with a professional and if you need more specialized or longer-term support, our team of experts can suggest an appropriate specialist or service that is best suited to your needs. While some fees for these additional services are the employee’s responsibility, they may be covered by your provincial or organizational health plan.

Solutions for your work, health and life

Achieve well-being:

*Stress * Mental health concerns * Grief and loss * Crisis situations

Manage relationships and family:

*Communication * Separation/divorce * Parenting

Deal with workplace challenges:

*Stress * Performance * Work-life balance

Tackle Addictions

*Alcohol * Drugs * Tobacco * Gambling

Find child and elder care resources:

*Child care * Schooling * Nursing/retirement homes

Get legal advice:

* Family law * Separation/divorce * Custody

Receive Financial guidance:

* Debt management * Bankruptcy * Retirement

Improve Nutrition:

* Weight management * High cholesterol and blood pressure * Diabetes

Focus on your physical Health:

* Undertand your symptoms * Identify conditions * Improve sleep

Access your EFAP 24/7 by phone, web or mobile app.

1.800.387.4765

workhealthlife.com


 

Definitions of Employment Status

For purposes of group medical and insurance benefits entitlement and administration, the following definitions of employment status are used:

Regular Full-Time

A Full-Time Employee is one who works not less than the normal hours per week in an established position and on a continuous basis (permanent), or in the case of a faculty member, one who holds a full-time appointment.

Regular Part-Time

A Regular Part-Time Employee is one who works less than full-time, but 50% or more of full-time in an established position, and based on a regular and predetermined schedule.

Part-Time Less Than 50%

A Part-Time Employee Less Than 50% is one who works less than 50% of full-time, in an established position, and based on a predetermined schedule.

Contract

A Contract Employee is an employee who holds a regular full-time, or a regular part-time position for a specific period of time.  The duration of employment is usually for a period of not less than one but not more than twelve months.  Contracts may provide the option for extension or renewal, but the employee’s status and eligibility for group medical and insurance benefits at initial employment is determined by the original contract period.

Temporary/Casual

A Temporary or Casual Employee is one who is employed in a job established for a specific and limited purpose, or for the duration of a specific project, or group of assignments, for example: Dons, Coaches, Markers, Teaching Assistants, Journalism – “Persons Retained From Outside”, and any part time assistance provided by students.

Eligibility for Group Benefits

Contract employees with contracts of eight months or longer, Regular Full Time, and Regular Part Time are covered by the mandatory benefit plans and are eligible to participate in the optional benefit plans.

Contract employees with contracts of less than eight months, Part Time Less Than 50%, and Temporary/Casual employees are not covered under the mandatory benefit plans and are not eligible for coverage under the optional benefit plans, but are covered under the Accident Medical Insurance Plan (students on Internships approved by the School of Journalism are also covered under the Accident Medical Insurance Plan).

Professional Development and Tuition Assistance for Employees

University faculty and staff who are employed on a permanent, full-time or a part-time basis (50% FTE or greater) may qualify for tuition assistance for one successfully completed work-related course each fiscal year provided that:

    • the course is not part of a degree requirement for the employee’s position at King’s;
    • the course is relevant to their employment at King’s;
    • the application is made and approval is given by the Programme/Department in advance of registration;
    • that the staff member has completed their probationary period or six months of continuous employment, whichever is longer and, in the case of faculty or administrative group members, upon appointment.

Time off to take courses under this program, where applicable, is not credited as hours worked. Staff may only take courses during working hours if the work requirements of the department can be met and they have authorization from their programme/department to do so.

Courses may be taken at another educational institution, professional association, or institute, etc. for professional development purposes.

The amount to be reimbursed shall be calculated in accordance with the current cost of a per term fee at King’s/Dalhousie, and fees may be partially or fully reimbursed subject to this calculation and the availability of funds within the programme/department’s budget for training.

Tuition assistance is generally considered a taxable benefit. However, in some cases when the course is very clearly job-related, as specified by Canada Revenue Agency, the course fee will not be considered a taxable benefit.

Staff PD and Tuition Assistance Waiver Form [PDF]

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dolly Morash, Human Resources & Compensation Officer and she will be able to direct your inquiry to the appropriate person. Dolly can be reached at (902) 422-1271, extension 220.

Casual / Student Payroll Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns concerning the biweekly payroll, please contact the Human Resources & Compensation Officer in the Bursar’s Office and they will be able to direct your inquiry to the appropriate person. Human Resources & Compensation Officer can be reached at (902) 422-1271, extension 220 or at payroll@ukings.ca.

Compassionate Care Benefits

Compassionate care benefits are Employment Insurance (EI) benefits paid to people who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill and who has a significant risk of death. A maximum of 26 weeks of compassionate care benefits may be paid to eligible people.

What is “care or support”?

  • providing psychological or emotional support; or
  • arranging for care by a third party; or
  • directly providing or participating in the care.

Who is considered a family member?

You can receive compassionate care benefits for a variety of family members-both yours and those of your spouse or common-law partner. Please visit www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-compassionate.html for a full listing and more information.

 

Medavie Blue Cross Contact Information

Toll free phone number: 1-800-667-4511

Please have your identification number and policy number available when you are calling. These numbers can be found on your BlueCross health card.

Visit the Medavie Blue Cross website at www.medavie.bluecross.ca.

Quickpay Locations (for in-person reimbursement):
Halifax:
Scotia Square, 1894 Barrington Street
Dartmouth:
230 Brownlow Avenue, Burnside Industrial Park

Mail your claims to:
Claims Department
Medavie Blue Cross
PO Box 2200
Halifax, NS  B3J 3C6