Retirement Benefit Program

Application Form

The Nurses' Bargaining Association negotiated the conversion of one (1) percent of the 2008 market adjustment to provide funding for inflation protection and benefits for retirees (the “Benefit”).

The Benefit is only available to a Nurses’ Bargaining Association union member and does not cover spouses and dependents. The amount of the Benefit provided by this program at this time is:

• Members of Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) will receive 50% of the Medical Services Plan premium. The MPP subsidizes 50% currently.
• Members of the Canadian Blood Services Pension Plan (CBS) will receive 50% of the Medical Services Plan premium. CBS does not subsidize benefit premiums.
• Member of the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) will receive 33% of the Medical Services Plan premium. The PSPP subsidizes 66% of the premium. See Q&A for further information.

Payments are subject to change and depend on the availability of funds in the program. Enclosed is your application form. It must be completed and returned by as soon as possible in order for payments to begin at the end 2009. Any other form that you filled in and sent to us is not sufficient to receive the retiree benefit from the NBA.

Eligibility criteria:

To be eligible for this benefit you must meet the following criteria:

1. You must have retired as a member of one of the unions in the Nurses' Bargaining Association under the Provincial Collective Agreement (BCNU, UPN, HSA).
2. You must be receiving a pension from either of the following pension plans: MPP, the PSPP or the CBS.
3. You must be paying part or all of the premiums for the Medical Service Plan to receive a payment.

Ineligibility:

There are many former members of the British Columbia Nurses' Union (BCNU), Health Sciences Association (HSA) and Union of Psychiatric Nurses (UPN) and other unions in the health sector who do not qualify under the above criteria. It is important to understand that the funding for the benefit program comes directly out of the wages of nurses working under the Provincial Collective Agreement. See Q&A for examples.

Members of the Municipal Pension Plan

If you are a member of the Municipal Pension Plan, your name and your Social Insurance Number will be submitted to the administrator of the Municipal Pension Plan, the Pension Corporation of British Columbia. The Pension Corporation will verify that you are a member of the MPP and that MSP was deducted from your retirement benefit.

Members of the Public Service Pension Plan and the Canadian Blood Services Pension Plan

You MUST SUBMIT a statement showing that you paid a portion of your MSP premiums yearly or every six months if you wish to be reimbursed. Payments will not be automatic. You must send your statements to: BCNU, 4060 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC V5C 6P5.

Banking information

You are encouraged to arrange to have payments directly deposited into your bank account. Please complete and sign the Direct Deposit Authorization form and send it with your application form.

Taxation information

The payment for reimbursement of MSP premiums is taxable and will be reported on a T4A. Federal income tax will be taken out and you will receive an amount less than the full MSP premium. No other deductions are made.

Need more information?

If you have questions, leave a message with BCNU at 604-433-2268 or 1-800-663-9991, ask for LOCAL 4400 (Retiree Benefit voice mail box) or email retireebenefit@bcnu.org. The voice mail box and email address are regularly monitored.

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